Stackpole Quay - Trewent Point

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.6332, -4.8818

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Carboniferous, Devonian, Silurian · Rock Type: Carboniferous Limestone, Limestone, Sandstone

Landscape processes: Coastal

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
fulmar Breeding
grasshopper warbler Breeding
herring gull Breeding
house martin Breeding
peregrine Breeding
stonechat Breeding
stonechat Breeding
whitethroat Breeding

Description

Description A cliff coast on the Castelmartin Peninsula of South Pembrokeshire which is of special interest for both its geological and biological features. Geological (a) Wenlock – The outcrops on the southern side of Freshwater East Bay have yielded many fossils from the Gray Sandstone Group that have contributed greatly towards assigning a Wenlock age to most of this unit. Many of the fossils, notably the brachiopods, have merited description and illustration, and for many species this is the type locality. Elements of this fauna may be more readily equated with North American species than with those seen in the rest of Wales. This Gray Sandstone site also represents the best exposure of Silurian rocks within the Freshwater structural block. Freshwater East is therefore an important palaeontological biostratigraphical section within the context of the Dyfed Wenlock and Silurian. (b) Variscan Structures – The cliffs and foreshore at Stackpole Quay provides important exposures of ‘Old Red Sandstone’ and Carboniferous Limestone strata displaying a suite of structural features formed during the Variscan mountain building episode (orogeny). The limestone layers are contorted by sinuous folds, including a famous example which first appeared as an illustration in a classic geology textbook in 1839. The distortion during the orogeny also produced a host of minor structures such as faults, fractures, shears and cleavages which have been studied in detail at this locality. The assemblage of folds and dislocations in these outcrops exemplifies the overall structure of the southern part of one of the major zones of the Variscan orogenic belt in Pembrokeshire. Biological The site consists of a four kilometre length of south-east facing cliffs showing a transition from Carboniferous Limestone to Devonian Old Red Sandstone rocks. Vegetation typical of moderately sheltered sea-cliffs with much bracken and gorse dominated scrub swathes the cliffs. Maritime grassland, crevice communities and maritime heath are a feature of the lower cliffs and many small headlands, and the Red Data Book plant, small restharrow Ononis reclinata, occurs on one limestone headland. Breeding birds include peregrine and chough. Much of the foreshore is of marine biological importance. The limestone cliffs support species-rich crevice communities, typified by plants such as thrift Armeria maritima, sea plantain Plantago maritima, rock sea-spurrey Spergularia rupicola and the noteworthy rock sea-lavender Limonium binervosum and golden-samphire Inula crithmoides. Above this crevice zone, species-rich maritime grassland occurs, with species such as spring squill Scilla verna, buck’s-horn plantain Plantago coronopus, common bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus, cowslip Primula veris, greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa and red fescue Festuca rubra. This maritime grassland is well developed on the limestone, but becomes more fragmented on the ungrazed Old Red Sandstone cliffs, which reach 80 metres in height and support extensive areas of scrub dominate. A mosaic of gorse Ulex europaeus, bramble Rubus fruticosus and bracken Pteridium aquilinum exists, interspersed with grasses such as Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus and false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum. Wind-clipped blackthorn Prunus spinosa occurs occasionally, along with a few low ash trees in places. Small areas of maritime heath are located at Greenala and Trewent Points where heather Calluna vulgaris and bell heather Erica cinerea are locally frequent. A small but persistent population of the Red Data Book species, small restharrow, grows amongst the therophyte communities of the limestone cliffs and has been monitored for the past 20 years. Other notable plants include Portland spurge Euphorbia portlandica and sea stork’s-bill Erodium maritimum. Narrow-leaved everlasting-pea Lathyrus sylvestris grows at Trewent Point and green-winged orchids Anacamptis morio are found above Barafundle Bay. The variety of habitats encourage an abundance of invertebrates. Butterflies such as the small blue Cupido minimus, the dark green fritillary Argynnis aglaja and the grayling Hipparchia semele have been observed here. Of the other invertebrate species present, ants are particularly noticeable by virtue of their copious nest mounds. It is these and the abundance of other invertebrates that attract feeding chough to the site, and a pair is known to breed here. Other cliff nesting birds include raven, house martin and one pair of peregrines. The extensive scrub attracts a number of other species such as stonechat, grasshopper warbler and whitethroat, all of which are known to breed. Small numbers of fulmar, herring gull, lesser and great black-backed gulls also breed on the sheer cliffs near Greenala Point. The foreshore between Barafundle and Greenala Point supports a diverse flora and fauna, especially on the limestone adjacent to Stackpole Quay, where there is a large number of boulders of varying exposure. Remarks: The site lies within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The adjoining sub-littoral habitats are of marine biological importance especially for the features associated with their steep unbroken limestone bedrock.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
stonechat Saxicola torquatus Not listed in GB list bird muscicapidae
raven Corvus corax LC (Breeding) bird-corvid corvidae
chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax VU (Breeding) bird-corvid corvidae
fulmar Fulmarus glacialis CR (Breeding) bird-fulmar procellariidae
herring gull Larus argentatus EN (NonBreeding), EN (Breeding) bird-gull laridae
peregrine Falco peregrinus LC (Breeding) bird-hawk falconidae
house martin Delichon urbicum VU (Breeding) bird-martin hirundinidae
grasshopper warbler Locustella naevia LC (Breeding) bird-warbler locustellidae
whitethroat Sylvia communis Not listed in GB list bird-warbler sylviidae
dark green fritillary Argynnis aglaja Not listed in GB list butterfly nymphalidae
small blue Cupido minimus NT butterfly lycaenidae
grayling Hipparchia semele EN butterfly nymphalidae
bracken Pteridium aquilinum LC fern dennstaedtiaceae
wood false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum LC grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus LC grass poaceae
green-winged orchid Anacamptis morio NT herb orchidaceae
thrift Armeria maritima CR herb plumbaginaceae
greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa LC herb asteraceae
sea stork's-bill Erodium maritimum LC herb geraniaceae
Portland spurge Euphorbia portlandica LC herb euphorbiaceae
golden samphire Inula crithmoides Not listed in GB list herb asteraceae
everlasting pea Lathyrus sylvestris VU herb fabaceae
rock sea lavender Limonium binervosum LC herb plumbaginaceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
small rest-harrow Ononis reclinata NT herb fabaceae
buck's-horn plantain Plantago coronopus LC herb plantaginaceae
sea plantain Plantago maritima LC herb plantaginaceae
cowslip Primula veris LC herb primulaceae
bramble Rubus fruticosus LC herb rosaceae
spring squill Scilla verna LC herb liliaceae
rock spurrey Spergularia rupicola LC herb carophyllaceae
blackthorn Prunus spinosa LC shrub rosaceae
gorse Ulex europaeus LC shrub leguminosae
bell heather or ling Calluna vulgaris NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
bell heather Erica cinerea NT shrub dwarf ericaceae

Insects to look out for

These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

SpeciesStatusVia host-plant
Black-veined moth
Siona lineata
Critically Endangered Lotus corniculatus
New forest
Zygaena viciae
Critically Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Straw belle
Aspitates gilvaria
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Chequered skipper
Carterocephalus palaemon
Endangered Brachypodium sylvaticum
Figure of eight
Diloba caeruleocephala
Endangered Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
Duke of Burgundy
Hamearis lucina
Endangered Primula veris
Shoulder-striped clover
Heliothis maritima
Endangered Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea
Wood white
Leptidea sinapis
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Glanville fritillary
Melitaea cinxia
Endangered Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Prunus spinosa, Rubus fruticosus
Black hairstreak
Satyrium pruni
Endangered Prunus spinosa
Slender scotch
Zygaena loti
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Pteridium aquilinum, Rubus fruticosus
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa
Dingy skipper
Erynnis tages
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Centaurea scabiosa, Plantago spp.
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Centaurea spp.
Garden dart
Euxoa nigricans
Vulnerable Plantago spp.
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Brachypodium sylvaticum, Festuca rubra
True lover's knot
Lycophotia porphyrea
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Rubus fruticosus
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Lotus corniculatus, Ononis spp., Ulex spp.
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Rubus fruticosus
Lead belle
Scotopteryx mucronata
Vulnerable Ulex europaeus
Brown hairstreak
Thecla betulae
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Prunus spinosa, Rubus fruticosus
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Armeria maritima
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Plantago spp., Prunus spinosa, Pteridium aquilinum
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Festuca spp.
Grey scalloped
Dyscia fagaria
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Plantago spp.
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Centaurea spp., Prunus spinosa
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Prunus spinosa
Weaver's wave
Idaea contiguaria
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris
Scarce forester
Jordanita globulariae
Near Threatened Centaurea scabiosa
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Brachypodium sylvaticum, Holcus lanatus

Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Plant communities

H7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Scilla verna heath

Matches 10 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Scilla verna, Ulex europaeus

Salix repens, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Juniperus communis, Ulex europaeus, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Carex serotina, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Selaginella selaginoides, Hypnum cupressiforme, Frullania tamarisci, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia rangiformis, Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Jasione montana, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Silene uniflora, Sedum anglicum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Astragalus danicus, Genista pilosa, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Centaurium erythraea, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Dactylorhiza purpurella, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygala vulgaris, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Filipendula vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Chara curta

H8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath, Upland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Ulex gallii heath

Matches 10 species from the description above: Brachypodium sylvaticum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago maritima, Pteridium aquilinum, Scilla verna, Ulex europaeus

Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex binervis, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex pilulifera, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Hypochaeris radicata, Jasione montana, Lotus corniculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Linum catharticum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Viola lactea, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis vinealis, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pubescens, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara curta

MC5 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffusum ssp. diffusum maritime therophyte community

Matches 9 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Euphorbia portlandica, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Scilla verna, Spergularia rupicola

Carex flacca, Hypnum cupressiforme, Tortella flavovirens, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia foliacea, Cladonia rangiformis, Collema spp., Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Cirsium acaule, Echium vulgare, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon saxatilis, Pilosella officinarum, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Myosotis ramosissima, Brassica oleracea, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Diplotaxis muralis, Jasione montana, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Herniaria ciliolata, Sagina apetala, Sagina maritima, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex littoralis, Sedum acre, Sedum anglicum, Euphorbia portlandica, Anthyllis vulneraria, Hippocrepis comosa, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium arvense, Trifolium occidentale, Trifolium repens, Trifolium scabrum, Vicia sativa, Centaurium erythraea, Eriodium cicutarium, Salvia verbenaca, Thymus praecox, Scilla autumnalis, Scilla verna, Radiola linoides, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Veronica arvensis, Armeria maritima, Ranunculus acris, Reseda lutea, Filipendula vulgaris, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium verum, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Brachypodium pinnatum, Bromus hordeaceous, Catapodium marinum, Catapodium rigidum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Lolium perenne, Schedonorus arundinaceus

MC8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca rubra-Armeria maritima maritime grassland

Matches 9 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Inula crithmoides, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Scilla verna, Spergularia rupicola

Carex caryophyllea, Carex distans, Kindbergia praelonga, Tortella flavovirens, Trichostomum brachydontium, Angelica sylvestris, Crithmum maritimum, Daucus carota, Ligusticum scoticum, Achillea millefolium, Cirsium arvense, Hypochaeris radicata, Inula crithmoides, Leontodon saxatilis, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus oleraceus, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Brassica oleracea, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina apetala, Sagina maritima, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Sedum anglicum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Centaurium erythraea, Scilla verna, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Potentilla erecta, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium pinnatum, Catapodium marinum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Poa subcaerulea

MC9 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus maritime grassland

Matches 8 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Euphorbia portlandica, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago maritima, Scilla verna

Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Luzula campestris, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Trichostomum brachydontium, Cladonia chlorophaea, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Daucus carota, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pilosella officinarum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Solidago virgaurea, Cochlearia officinalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina apetala, Silene uniflora, Sedum anglicum, Euphorbia portlandica, Anthyllis vulneraria, Genista tinctoria, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Geranium sanguineum, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla erecta, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Poa pratensis

MC1 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Crithmum maritimum-Spergularia rupicola maritime rock-crevice community

Matches 7 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Inula crithmoides, Limonium binervosum, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Spergularia rupicola

Tortella flavovirens, Crithmum maritimum, Daucus carota, Inula crithmoides, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium diffusum, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium binervosum, Catapodium marinum, Festuca rubra, Parapholis incurva, Asplenium marinum

MG1 — Brownfield, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Arrhenatherum elatius grassland

Matches 7 species from the description above: Brachypodium sylvaticum, Centaurea scabiosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lotus corniculatus, Primula veris, Pteridium aquilinum

Hedera helix, Luzula campestris, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Aegopodium podagraria, Anthriscus sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Daucus carota, Heracleum sphondylium, Pimpinella major, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Artemisia vulgaris, Carduus nutans, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea scabiosa, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Campanula rotundifolia, Knautia arvensis, Scabiosa columbaria, Cerastium fontanum, Silene nutans, Stellaria graminea, Convolvulus arvensis, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Vicia sativa, Vicia sepium, Geranium dissectum, Hypericum perforatum, Clinopodium vulgare, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium album, Origanum vulgare, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Linum catharticum, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium hirsutum, Epipactis purpurata, Rhinanthus minor, Papaver dubium, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Agrimonia eupatoria, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla reptans, Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium verum, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anisantha sterilis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Briza media, Bromopsis erecta, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara vulgaris

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Matches 7 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Prunus spinosa, Pteridium aquilinum, Ulex europaeus

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas

MC2 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Armeria maritima-Ligusticum scoticum maritime rock-crevice community

Matches 5 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Spergularia rupicola

Schistidium maritimum, Ligusticum scoticum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Sedum rosea, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex crispus, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Asplenium marinum

MC3 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Rhodiola rosea-Armeria maritima 36-ledge community

Matches 5 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago maritima

Angelica sylvestris, Ligusticum scoticum, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Sedum rosea, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus

W25 — Bracken scrub

Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub

Matches 5 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Prunus spinosa, Pteridium aquilinum, Ulex europaeus

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas

MC4 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Brassica oleracea 36-ledge community

Matches 4 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Centaurea scabiosa, Festuca rubra, Plantago coronopus

Daucus carota, Centaurea nigra, Centaurea scabiosa, Cirsium arvense, Echium vulgare, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pilosella officinarum, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tragopogon pratensis, Brassica nigra, Brassica oleracea, Cheiranthus cheiri, Silene nutans, Silene uniflora, Sedum acre, Anthyllis vulneraria, Ononis repens, Teucrium scorodonia, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Potentilla reptans, Galium aparine, Agrostis stolonifera, Brachypodium pinnatum, Bromus hordeaceous, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Schedonorus arundinaceus

MC6 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Atriplex prostrata-Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima sea-bird cliff community

Matches 4 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Plantago coronopus, Spergularia rupicola

Daucus carota, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Malva arborea, Plantago coronopus, Armeria maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex crispus, Bromus hordeaceous, Catapodium marinum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra

MC7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Stellaria media-Rumex acetosa sea-bird cliff community

Matches 4 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Plantago maritima

Juncus articulatus, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio vulgaris, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Cerastium glomeratum, Silene uniflora, Spergula arvensis, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Sedum anglicum, Trifolium repens, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Poa annua, Poa pratensis

MG11 — Brownfield, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca rubra-Agrostis stolonifera-Potentilla anserina grassland

Matches 4 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago maritima

Atriplex portulacoides, Carex arenaria, Carex distans, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bufonius, Juncus gerardii, Brachythecium rutabulum, Odontites verna, Oenanthe lachenalii, Bellis perennis, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Matricaria discoidea, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio aquaticus, Sonchus asper, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Honckenya peploides, Sagina procumbens, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex acetosa, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla reptans, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Ammophila arenaria, Arrhenatherum elatius, Bromus hordeaceous, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia juncea, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Parapholis strigosa, Phleum pratense, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis

MG12 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca arundinacea grassland

Matches 4 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago maritima

Atriplex portulacoides, Carex distans, Carex nigra, Carex otrubae, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus gerardii, Juncus inflexus, Juncus maritimus, Kindbergia praelonga, Odontites verna, Oenanthe crocata, Oenanthe lachenalii, Torilis japonica, Cirsium arvense, Hypochaeris radicata, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus arvensis, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Iris pseudacorus, Triglochin maritimum, Triglochin palustre, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Plantago maritima, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla anserina, Galium palustre, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phragmites australis, Poa pratensis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Matches 4 species from the description above: Brachypodium sylvaticum, Holcus lanatus, Prunus spinosa, Pteridium aquilinum

Hedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas

MG10 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope, Upland rush pasture

Holcus lanatus-Juncus effusus rush-pasture

Matches 2 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus

Carex hirta, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Oenanthe crocata, Caltha palustris, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Pulicaria dysenterica, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Stellaria alsine, Equisetum arvense, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Iris pseudacorus, Mentha aquatica, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Polygonum hydropiper, Rumex acetosa, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex crispus, Rumex obtusifolius, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Urtica dioica, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Festulolium loliaceum, Glyceria fluitans, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 2 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Festuca rubra

Salix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis