Strumble Head - Llechdafad Cliffs
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
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.
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Ordovician
Landscape processes: Coastal, Volcanic / Igneous
Birds & fish recorded
Birds
| Species | Season |
|---|---|
| buzzard | Breeding |
| fulmar | Breeding |
| great black-backed gull | Breeding |
| guillemot | Breeding |
| herring gull | Breeding |
| lesser black-backed gull | Breeding |
| razorbill | Breeding |
| rock pipit | Breeding |
| stonechat | Breeding |
| stonechat | Breeding |
| wheatear | Breeding |
| whitethroat | Breeding |
Description
Description Geological The sea cliffs around Strumble Head provide sections through the vast thickness of volcanic lavas and associated rocks which accumulated here during Lower Ordovician times, some 460 million years ago. During this period of crustal instability a number of volcanoes were active in Wales, but Strumble Head is of particular interest since much of the volcanic activity took place under the sea. The exposures within the site demonstrate the character of a major Lower Ordovician volcanic episode and contain a most illustrative section through a vast pillow lava pile associated with minor sedimentary sequences and contemporaneous, high-level intrusive sheets. The site represents an important Llanvirn volcanic centre of the greatest research and educational value. Biological Strumble Head and the cliffs to the south are of the highest importance for seacliff vegetation. Dramatic vertical cliffs reach 140 metres in height. Lower bevelled cliffs are frequent and exhibit classic vegetation zonations related to exposure to strong, salt-laden winds. Several rare ‘Lusitanian’ higher plants and ferns occur in quantity, and maritime lichens are also noteworthy. Chough nest in high densities, and large feeding flocks are seen on the cliffs. There are also small colonies of seabirds. Seals breed in the caves and on the beaches of the many bays. Several notable invertebrate species occur. The geologically complex coastline is much indented, and has all aspects from north to south. The most seaward slopes support crevice communities, with thrift Armeria maritima and rock samphire Crithmum maritimum, whilst many of the islets have bird-influenced vegetation of tree-mallow Malva arborea and sea beet Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima. Maritime grassland dominated by red fescue Festuca rubra, with scattered thrift, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and spring squill Scilla verna is widespread, but the extensive areas of maritime heath are the most striking features of the vegetation. Heather Calluna vulgaris, bell heather Erica cinerea, and western gorse Ulex gallii dominate the drier rocky slopes and knolls. Cross-leaved heath Erica tetralix and purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea are found where the heath merges into spring fed valley mires. Sea campion Silene uniflora, spring squill, common bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus and sea plantain Plantago maritima are abundant. Carline thistle Carlina vulgaris, saw-wort Serratula tinctoria, wild thyme Thymus praecox and burnet rose Rosa spinosissima are also present in the heath. Bracken Pteridium aquilinum and bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, along with European gorse Ulex europaeus on shallow soils, dominate the more sheltered slopes. Numerous small springs and streams are present. Royal fern Osmunda regalis is frequent where these tumble over the cliffs. The flushes around the springs and seepages have a rich flora which merges with heath and maritime or acidic grassland in places. cowslip Primula veris and early-purple orchid Orchis mascula are a feature of these habitat mosaics. Most of the numerous rare higher plants are found in the heathland and associated flushes. These include large populations of the rare hairy greenweed Genista pilosa and pale dog-violet Viola lactea. The spiked speedwell Veronica spicata subsp. hybrida also flourishes on rocky ledges and open areas in the heath, at its only known location in West Wales. Open areas (maintained by grazing and livestock trampling) in the flushes of Porthsychan and Pwll Arian have several other ‘Lusitanian’ species, including wavy St. John’s-wort Hypericum undulatum and the annuals, yellow centaury Cicendia filiformis and yellow bartsia Parentucellia viscosa. The scarce south-western fern, lanceolate spleenwort Asplenium obovatum grows on the ledges of Dinas Mawr. Notable lichens include the pollution-sensitive beard lichen Usnea articulata, which grows on hawthorn at Porthsychan, and Parmelia britannica and P. crinita occurring on sheltered rock outcrops. Cliff nesting birds in 1987 included several pairs of chough, 8 small razorbill colonies with some 140 birds, and 2 small guillemot colonies with at least 50 birds. There were also 100 pairs of fulmar, 346 pairs of herring gull, 8 pairs of great black-backed gull and 4 pairs of lesser black-backed gull. Other breeding birds include buzzard, raven, wheatear, stonechat, rock pipit and whitethroat. Palmate newt, toad, frog, lizard and adder occur. Grey seals Halichoerus grypus breed on the beaches and in the caves, with about 50 pups born each year. Twenty species of butterfly have been recorded, including a small colony of the small blue Cupido minimus and abundant grayling Hipparchia semele. Other scarce invertebrates include the tortoise beetle Pilemostoma fastuosum and two flies Paragus haemorrhous and Epitriptus cingulatus. Remarks: The site is within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Species mentioned
Show the 50 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no common name | Pilemostoma fastuosum | NT | beetle leaf | chrysomelidae |
| stonechat | Saxicola torquatus | Not listed in GB list | bird | muscicapidae |
| razorbill | Alca torda | LC (Breeding) | bird-auk | alcidae |
| guillemot | Uria aalge | LC (Breeding) | bird-auk | alcidae |
| 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 |
| lesser black-backed gull | Larus fuscus | DD (Breeding) | bird-gull | laridae |
| great black-backed gull | Larus marinus | EN (NonBreeding), CR (Breeding) | bird-gull | laridae |
| buzzard | Buteo buteo | LC (Breeding) | bird-hawk | falconidae |
| rock pipit | Anthus petrosus | LC (Breeding) | bird-pipit | motacillidae |
| wheatear | Oenanthe oenanthe | LC (Breeding) | bird-robin | muscicapidae |
| whitethroat | Sylvia communis | Not listed in GB list | bird-warbler | sylviidae |
| small blue | Cupido minimus | NT | butterfly | lycaenidae |
| grayling | Hipparchia semele | EN | butterfly | nymphalidae |
| royal fern | Osmunda regalis | LC | fern | osmundaceae |
| bracken | Pteridium aquilinum | LC | fern | dennstaedtiaceae |
| flies | Paragus haemorrhous | Not listed in GB list | fly | syrphidae |
| red fescue | Festuca rubra | LC | grass | poaceae |
| purple moor grass | Molinia caerulea | LC | grass | poaceae |
| lady's fingers (kidney vetch) | Anthyllis vulneraria | NT | herb | fabaceae |
| thrift | Armeria maritima | CR | herb | plumbaginaceae |
| lanceolate spleenwort | Asplenium obovatum | LC | herb | aspleniaceae |
| carline thistle | Carlina vulgaris | LC | herb | asteraceae |
| yellow centaury | Cicendia filiformis | NT | herb | gentianaceae |
| rock samphire | Crithmum maritimum | LC | herb | apiaceae |
| hairy greenweed | Genista pilosa | LC | herb | fabaceae |
| bluebell | Hyacinthoides non-scripta | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| wavy St John's Wort | Hypericum undulatum | LC | herb | hypericaceae |
| birdsfoot trefoil | Lotus corniculatus | LC | herb | fabaceae |
| tree mallow | Malva arborea | LC | herb | malvaceae |
| early purple orchid | Orchis mascula | LC | herb | orchidaceae |
| yellow bartsia | Parentucellia viscosa | LC | herb | orobanchaceae |
| sea plantain | Plantago maritima | LC | herb | plantaginaceae |
| cowslip | Primula veris | LC | herb | primulaceae |
| spring squill | Scilla verna | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| saw wort | Serratula tinctoria | VU | herb | asteraceae |
| sea campion | Silene uniflora | LC | herb | carophyllaceae |
| creeping thyme | Thymus praecox | Not listed in GB list | herb | lamiaceae |
| spiked speedwell | Veronica spicata | LC | herb | plantaginaceae |
| pale dog- violet | Viola lactea | LC | herb | violaceae |
| lichen | Usnea articulata | NT | lichen | parmeliaceae |
| grey seal | Halichoerus grypus | None | seal | phocidae |
| burnet rose | Rosa spinosissima | LC | shrub | rosaceae |
| gorse | Ulex europaeus | LC | shrub | leguminosae |
| western gorse | Ulex gallii | LC | shrub | leguminosae |
| bell heather or ling | Calluna vulgaris | NT | shrub dwarf | ericaceae |
| bell heather | Erica cinerea | NT | shrub dwarf | ericaceae |
| cross leaved heath | Erica tetralix | 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.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Reddish buff Acosmetia caliginosa |
Critically Endangered | Serratula tinctoria |
| High brown fritillary Fabriciana adippe |
Critically Endangered | Viola lactea |
| 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 | Molinia caerulea |
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Rosa spp. |
| The grey Hadena caesia |
Endangered | Silene uniflora |
| Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina |
Endangered | Primula veris |
| Shoulder-striped clover Heliothis maritima |
Endangered | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix |
| Wood white Leptidea sinapis |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Glanville fritillary Melitaea cinxia |
Endangered | Plantago maritima |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Rosa spp. |
| Slender scotch Zygaena loti |
Endangered | Lotus corniculatus |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus, Serratula tinctoria |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Pteridium aquilinum |
| Large heath Coenonympha tullia |
Vulnerable | Molinia caerulea |
| Beetle Cryptocephalus biguttatus |
Vulnerable | Erica tetralix |
| Dingy skipper Erynnis tages |
Vulnerable | Lotus corniculatus |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Plantago spp. |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Hypericum spp. |
| Garden dart Euxoa nigricans |
Vulnerable | Plantago spp. |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca rubra |
| True lover's knot Lycophotia porphyrea |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Rosa spp. |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Lotus corniculatus, Ulex spp. |
| Lead belle Scotopteryx mucronata |
Vulnerable | Ulex europaeus |
| The anomalous Stilbia anomala |
Vulnerable | Molinia caerulea |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris, Rosa spinosissima |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Armeria maritima |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Plantago spp., Pteridium aquilinum |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Festuca spp. |
| Small blue Cupido minimus |
Near Threatened | Anthyllis vulneraria |
| Silver barred Deltote bankiana |
Near Threatened | Molinia caerulea |
| Grey scalloped Dyscia fagaria |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Plantago spp. |
| Weaver's wave Idaea contiguaria |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris |
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 15 species from the description above: Anthyllis vulneraria, Armeria maritima, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Festuca rubra, Genista pilosa, Lotus corniculatus, Molinia caerulea, Plantago maritima, Scilla verna, Serratula tinctoria, Silene uniflora, Thymus praecox, Ulex europaeus
Show 70 indicator speciesSalix 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 13 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Molinia caerulea, Plantago maritima, Pteridium aquilinum, Scilla verna, Thymus praecox, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Viola lactea
Show 59 indicator speciesCalluna 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
MC9 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus maritime grassland
Matches 9 species from the description above: Anthyllis vulneraria, Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago maritima, Scilla verna, Serratula tinctoria, Silene uniflora, Thymus praecox
Show 67 indicator speciesEmpetrum 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
MC5 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffusum ssp. diffusum maritime therophyte community
Matches 8 species from the description above: Anthyllis vulneraria, Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago maritima, Scilla verna, Silene uniflora, Thymus praecox
Show 77 indicator speciesCarex 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 8 species from the description above: Anthyllis vulneraria, Armeria maritima, Crithmum maritimum, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago maritima, Scilla verna, Silene uniflora
Show 45 indicator speciesCarex 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
MC1 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Crithmum maritimum-Spergularia rupicola maritime rock-crevice community
Matches 5 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Crithmum maritimum, Festuca rubra, Plantago maritima, Silene uniflora
Show 19 indicator speciesTortella 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
MC3 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Rhodiola rosea-Armeria maritima 36-ledge community
Matches 5 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago maritima, Silene uniflora
Show 15 indicator speciesAngelica 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
MG1 — Brownfield, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Arrhenatherum elatius grassland
Matches 5 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Primula veris, Pteridium aquilinum, Thymus praecox
Show 102 indicator speciesHedera 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
MC2 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Armeria maritima-Ligusticum scoticum maritime rock-crevice community
Matches 4 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Plantago maritima, Silene uniflora
Show 17 indicator speciesSchistidium 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
MC4 — Hard cliff and cliff slope
Brassica oleracea 36-ledge community
Matches 4 species from the description above: Anthyllis vulneraria, Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Silene uniflora
Show 33 indicator speciesDaucus 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, Malva arborea, Silene uniflora
Show 17 indicator speciesDaucus 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, Plantago maritima, Silene uniflora
Show 24 indicator speciesJuncus 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, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago maritima, Silene uniflora
Show 64 indicator speciesAtriplex 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
W25 — Bracken scrub
Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub
Matches 4 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Pteridium aquilinum, Ulex europaeus
Show 53 indicator speciesHedera 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
MG12 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope
Festuca arundinacea grassland
Matches 3 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago maritima
Show 56 indicator speciesAtriplex 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
MG10 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Hard cliff and cliff slope, Upland rush pasture
Holcus lanatus-Juncus effusus rush-pasture
Matches 1 species from the description above: Festuca rubra
Show 58 indicator speciesCarex 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