Arfordir Niwgwl - Aber Bach / Newgale - Little Haven Coast

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.8100, -5.1089

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 Feature: Cave / Cavern, Geological Fault · Geological Period: Carboniferous, Ordovician, Quaternary

Landscape processes: Coastal, Glacial, Karst

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
peregrine Breeding
peregrine Wintering

Description

Description Arfordir Niwgwl - Aber Bach/Newgale - Little Haven Coast is of special interest for its geology and marine biology including specialised rockpool, cave, overhang and under-boulder communities, which enhance the interest of the rocky habitats. The special geological interests consist of exposures of Upper Westphalian rocks, a section through the Irish Sea till deposits and two important exposures of features developed during the Variscan orogeny. The site extends south of the popular tourist beach at Newgale on the north-east of St Brides Bay coastline, to Little Haven in the south-east. Adjacent villages include Broad Haven and Nolton Haven lying approximately eight kilometres from Haverfordwest. GEOLOGY: Upper Carboniferous: Nolton Haven Coast This is the only section of the upper Westphalian (Carboniferous) rocks in the western part of the South Wales Coalfield. Nine beds yielding non-marine bivalves and nine plant beds allow the section to be correlated with the lower part of the Pennant Measures in the main part of the coalfield. They are thus middle Westphalian C to lower Westphalian D in age, and this is probably the best natural exposure of the Westphalian C - Westphalian D boundary in northern Europe. The full sequence is about 700m thick and confirms the general trend of increasing thickness of upper Westphalian strata towards the western part of the basin. The section here also shows that, as in the central part of the coalfield, the sediments were deposited in deltas spreading out from the south. This information, which can only be determined from this section, is of vital importance for understanding the development of the South Wales Coal-Basin. Quaternary of Wales: Druidston Druidston is a classic site on the west-facing shore of St Bride's Bay, containing the largest and best-exposed section through Irish Sea till deposits in south-west Wales. The exposures extend laterally for about 150m and comprise a blocky lower head overlain by up to 15m of Irish Sea till and outwash deposits. The sections are capped by head and a sandy loam. The till at Druidston, which contains abundant wood and marine shell fragments and a wide range of exotic rock types, provides very clear evidence demonstrating the incursion of an ice sheet from the Irish Sea Basin into Pembrokeshire. Whilst the precise dating of events at Druidston has not yet been established, the sequence provides detailed evidence for changing environmental conditions during the Late Pleistocene, and the site may be regarded as a reference site for Irish Sea till deposits in south-west Wales. Variscan Structures: Druidston Haven The cliffs at this site provide important exposures of a fault-bounded block of Ordovician slates confined between Carboniferous strata. This configuration was produced by a phase of extension which immediately preceded the Variscan mountain building episode (orogeny). The principle interest of this locality lies in the complex fold and fault structures displayed by the Ordovician slates. Most of these structures were formed during the Caledonian Orogeny, about 100 million years before the Variscan Orogeny. During the Variscan mountain building episode these early structures were overprinted by a second set of structures which can be clearly distinguished at this locality. This is the only site providing accessible, high-quality exposures which demonstrate the superimposition of Variscan orogenic structures onto Caledonian structures. The importance of pre-existing Caledonian structures on the evolution of the Variscan orogenic belt in Britain has long been debated. This site is recognised as a key locality providing a unique opportunity to study this phenomenon in detail. Broad Haven to Settling Nose: This coastal section provides cliff and foreshore exposures of Carboniferous sandstones and shales distorted by a complex sequence of folds and faults. These structures formed during the Variscan mountain building episode (orogeny) at the end of the Carboniferous Period in response to intense compressive stress. This section is important in exemplifying the structural characteristics of one of the major structural zones of the Variscan orogenic belt in Pembrokeshire. At the northern end of the site, at Black Point and Settling Nose, a group of folds and thrust faults correspond with the northern margin of the Variscan orogenic belt. This feature, known as the “Variscan Front” has attracted debate and controversy for many years and an appreciation of its significance remains critical to understanding the Variscan orogenic belt in Britain. BIOLOGY: The site consists of sedimentary cliffs, a series of small sandy bays that lie between rocky headlands, intertidal bedrock, boulders and extensive areas of lower shore sandflats. The vertical rock sides and overhangs on lower mid-shore rock are the most extensive and phylogenetically rich in south and west Wales and support a rich variety of animal species including purse sponge Grantia compressa, white lace sponge Clathrina coriacea, boring sponge Cliona celata, and sea squirts such as gooseberry sea squirt Dendrodoa grossularia, Morchellium argus and Trididemnum cereum. Some of these overhangs are dominated by shade tolerant red algae and include species such as Plumaria plumosa, Lomentaria articulata and pepper dulse. Rockpool communities of particular interest occur throughout the site. Those characterised by the coralline alga Corallina officinalis and brown alga Bifurcaria bifurcata are rare in south and west Wales and Nationally. Other species found in these rockpools are the sea oak Halidrys siliquosa, carragheen moss Chondrus crispus, common prawn Palaemon serratus, snakelocks anemone Anemonia viridis and flat top shell Steromphala umbilicalis. Other rockpools include those that are sediment floored, containing sand tolerant seaweeds such as Polyides rotundus and Dumontia contorta, along with species such as green shore crab Carcinus maenas and snakelocks anemone. Deep wrack and kelp-dominated pools occur in areas on the extreme lower shore. Cave communities along the bottom of the cliffs that are also of interest, support species such as Catenella caespitosa, encrusting red algae Hildenbrandia rubra, lichens Verrucaria mucosa and pygmy lichen, barnacles and small periwinkle Melarhaphe neritoides. The upper sand shore in these bays supports communities dominated by amphipods Bathyporeia sp. and isopods such as Eurydice pulchra. The lower to middle shore supports communities of segmented worms including catworms Nephtys sp., lug worm Arenicola marina and sand mason worm Lanice conchilega, together with molluscs such as thin tellin Angulus tenuis and striped venus Chamelea gallina. Between the bays, areas of the extreme lower shore are colonised by kelps such as dabberlocks Alaria esculenta, oar weed Laminaria digitata and L. hyperborea. Amongst the kelps clusters of common mussel Mytilus edulis, dahlia anemone Urticina felina and gem anemone Bunodactis verrucosa occur. Further up the shore many of the lower shore rocks are dominated by serrated wrack Fucus serratus and turf-forming red algae such as pepper dulse Osmundea pinnatifida and carragheen moss Mastocarpus stellatus along with common mussel. A mussel dominated zone occurs higher up the rocky shores and at the base of the cliffs backing the sandy bays. Further up the rock, mussels are replaced by a zone of barnacles Chthamalus sp. and Semibalanus balanoides, interspersed with limpets Patella sp and pygmy lichen Lichina pygmaea. In areas of increased shelter there is an occurrence of the fucoids spiral wrack Fucus spiralis, bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus and channel wrack Pelvetia canaliculata. The lichen zone at the top of the cliff consists of black tar lichen Verrucaria maura with bands of yellow and grey lichens in the splash zone above. Further inland the vegetated coastal slopes support a mixture of maritime grasslands dominated by red fescue Festuca rubra, containing species such as thrift Armeria maritima, buck's-horn plantain Plantago coronopus, cowslip Primula veris and sea campion Silene uniflora. Western gorse Ulex gallii and European gorse Ulex europaeus, and blackthorn Prunus spinosa dominate in areas, along with species such as burnet rose Rosa spinosissima, occasional heather Calluna vulgaris, and spring squill Scilla verna. Species of interest occurring within the maritime grassland, scrub, coastal crevice and shingle communities include maidenhair fern Adiantum capillus-veneris and invertebrates such as the craneflies Dicranomyia goritiensis, Gonomyia conoviensis, Thaumastoptera calceata, pyrallid moth Dolicharthria punctalis, hoverfly Eumerus sabulonum and ground beetle Aepus robini. Nationally scarce mosses and liverworts occur on some of the exposed rocks and slopes around fresh water seepages within the site. These include the mosses Weissia perssonii, Gemmabryum dichotomum, Tortula viridifolia, and Tortula atrovirens and the liverwort Cololejeunea minutissima. Breeding peregrine Falco peregrinus and over wintering greater horseshoe bats Rhinolophus ferrumequinum have also been recorded within the site. Remarks: The site lies entirely within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The site is a component part of Pembrokeshire Marine/Sir Benfro Fôrol Special Area of Conservation for its shallow inlets and bays, mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide, reefs and sea cave features. Greater Horseshoe Bats are listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and on Annex IIa of the EC Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora).

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
dabberlocks Alaria esculenta Not listed in GB list algae brown alariaceae
tuning fork algae Bifurcaria bifurcata Not listed in GB list algae brown cystoseiraceae
serrated wrack Fucus serratus Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
spiraled wrack Fucus spiralis Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
sea oak Halidrys siliquosa Not listed in GB list algae brown cystoseiraceae
oar weed Laminaria digitata Not listed in GB list algae brown laminariaceae
channel wrack Pelvetia canaliculata Not listed in GB list algae brown fucaceae
creeping chain weed Catenella caespitosa Not listed in GB list algae red caulacanthaceae
Irish moss Chondrus crispus Not listed in GB list algae red gigartinaceae
common coral weed Corallina officinalis Not listed in GB list algae red corallinaceae
Dumont's tubular weed Dumontia contorta Not listed in GB list algae red dumontiaceae
no common name Hildenbrandia rubra Not listed in GB list algae red hilenbrandiaceae
bunny-eared bead weed Lomentaria articulata Not listed in GB list algae red lomentariaceae
grape pip weed Mastocarpus stellatus Not listed in GB list algae red phyllophoraceae
pepper dulse Osmundea pinnatifida Not listed in GB list algae red rhodomelaceae
soft feather weed Plumaria plumosa Not listed in GB list algae red ceramiaceae
discoid fork weed Polyides rotundus Not listed in GB list algae red corallinaceae
amphipod Bathyporeia Not listed in GB list amphipod bathyporeiidae
snakelocks anemone Anemonia viridis Not listed in GB list anemone actiniidae
sand mason worm Lanice conchilega Not listed in GB list annelid terebellidae
acorn barnacle Semibalanus balanoides Not listed in GB list barnacle archaeobalanidae
greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum LC bat vespertillonidae
beetle Aepus robini Not listed in GB list beetle carabidae
peregrine Falco peregrinus LC (Breeding) bird-hawk falconidae
thin tellin Angulus tenuis Not listed in GB list bivalve tellinidae
blue mussel Mytilus edulis LC bivalve mytilidae
cranefly Gonomyia conoviensis Not listed in GB list cranefly limoniidae
shore crab Carcinus maenas Not listed in GB list crustacean portunidae
maidenhair fern Adiantum capillus-veneris LC fern adiantaceae
Dicranomyia goritiensis Not listed in GB list fly limoniidae
fly Thaumastoptera calceata Not listed in GB list fly limoniidae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
thrift Armeria maritima CR herb plumbaginaceae
buck's-horn plantain Plantago coronopus LC herb plantaginaceae
cowslip Primula veris LC herb primulaceae
spring squill Scilla verna LC herb liliaceae
sea campion Silene uniflora LC herb carophyllaceae
Dendrodoa grossularia Not listed in GB list invertebrate styelidae
Lichina pygmaea LC lichen lichinaceae
sea tar Verrucaria maura Not listed in GB list lichen no common name
minute pouncewort Cololejeunea minutissima Not listed in GB list liverwort jungermanniales
Bunodactis verrucosa Not listed in GB list marine invertebrate actiniidae
Melarhaphe neritoides LC mollusc littorinidae
Steromphala umbilicalis LC mollusc trochidae
Gemmabryum dichotomum Not listed in GB list moss bryaceae
rib leaf moss Tortula atrovirens LC moss dicranales
bristly pottia Tortula viridifolia LC moss pottiales
no common name Dolicharthria punctalis Not listed in GB list moth crambidae
blow lugworm Arenicola marina Not listed in GB list polychaete arenicolidae
speckled sea louse Eurydice pulchra Not listed in GB list sea louse cirolanidae
sea squirt Morchellium argus Not listed in GB list seasquirt polyclinidae
blackthorn Prunus spinosa LC shrub rosaceae
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
boring sponge Cliona celata Not listed in GB list sponge clionaidae
purse sponge Grantia compressa Not listed in GB list sponge grantiidae

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
Figure of eight
Diloba caeruleocephala
Endangered Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp., Rosa spp.
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
The grey
Hadena caesia
Endangered Silene uniflora
Duke of Burgundy
Hamearis lucina
Endangered Primula veris
Shoulder-striped clover
Heliothis maritima
Endangered Calluna vulgaris
Glanville fritillary
Melitaea cinxia
Endangered Plantago coronopus
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Prunus spinosa, Rosa spp.
Black hairstreak
Satyrium pruni
Endangered Prunus spinosa
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Plantago spp.
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris
Garden dart
Euxoa nigricans
Vulnerable Plantago spp.
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Festuca rubra
True lover's knot
Lycophotia porphyrea
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Prunus spinosa, Rosa spp.
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Ulex spp.
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, Prunus spinosa
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., Prunus spinosa
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Festuca spp.
Grey scalloped
Dyscia fagaria
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Prunus spinosa, Prunus spp.
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Plantago spp.
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Prunus spinosa
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Prunus spinosa
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 7 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Calluna vulgaris, Festuca rubra, Plantago coronopus, Scilla verna, Silene uniflora, 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 5 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Festuca rubra, Scilla verna, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii

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 5 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Plantago coronopus, Scilla verna, Silene uniflora

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 5 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Plantago coronopus, Scilla verna, Silene uniflora

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

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Matches 5 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Prunus spinosa, Silene uniflora, 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

MC1 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Crithmum maritimum-Spergularia rupicola maritime rock-crevice community

Matches 4 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Plantago coronopus, Silene uniflora

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

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 coronopus, Silene uniflora

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

MC4 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Brassica oleracea 36-ledge community

Matches 4 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Plantago coronopus, Silene uniflora

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, Silene uniflora

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

MC9 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus maritime grassland

Matches 4 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Scilla verna, Silene uniflora

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

MC3 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Rhodiola rosea-Armeria maritima 36-ledge community

Matches 3 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Silene uniflora

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

MC7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope

Stellaria media-Rumex acetosa sea-bird cliff community

Matches 3 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra, Silene uniflora

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

SD1 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Sand dune

Rumex crispus-Glaucium flavum shingle community

Matches 3 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Plantago coronopus, Silene uniflora

Solanum dulcamara, Crithmum maritimum, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Helminthotheca echioides, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Lactuca serriola, Leontodon saxatilis, Senecio viscosus, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Crambe maritima, Cerastium fontanum, Honckenya peploides, Sagina apetala, Silene uniflora, Atriplex prostrata, Sedum acre, Euphorbia paralias, Lathyrus japonicus, Geranium robertianum, Glaucium flavum, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex crispus, Potentilla anserina, Ammophila arenaria, Arrhenatherum elatius, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia juncea, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne

MG1 — Brownfield, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Arrhenatherum elatius grassland

Matches 2 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Primula veris

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

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

Festuca rubra-Agrostis stolonifera-Potentilla anserina grassland

Matches 2 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Silene uniflora

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

SD2 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Sand dune

Honkenya peploides-Cakile maritima strandline community

Matches 2 species from the description above: Festuca rubra, Silene uniflora

Salsola kali, Achillea millefolium, Cirsium arvense, Eryngium maritimum, Hypochaeris radicata, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cakile maritima, Cerastium diffusum, Honckenya peploides, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex glabriuscula, Atriplex laciniata, Atriplex littoralis, Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Sedum acre, Polygonum oxyspermum subsp. Raii, Rumex crispus, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Ammophila arenaria, Arrhenatherum elatius, Elytrigia juncea, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Leymus arenarius, Poa annua

SD3 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Sand dune

Matricaria maritima-Galium aparine strandline community

Matches 2 species from the description above: Armeria maritima, Festuca rubra

Bolboschoenus maritimus, Juncus bufonius, Juncus gerardii, Ligusticum scoticum, Matricaria discoidea, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Mertensia maritima, Cakile maritima, Cochlearia officinalis, Honckenya peploides, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex glabriuscula, Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Galium aparine, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Leymus arenarius, Poa annua

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

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

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

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

Festuca arundinacea grassland

Matches 1 species from the description above: Festuca rubra

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 1 species from the description above: Prunus spinosa

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