A survey of the vegetation of Ben Nevis Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation, Scotland, : Volume 1

Transcription

1 COMMISSIONED REPORT Commissioned Report No. 090 A survey of the vegetation of Ben Nevis Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation, Scotland, : Volume 1 (ROAME No. F02LD01) For further information on this report please contact: Dominic Sargent Scottish Natural Heritage The Governor s House The Parade FORT WILLIAM PH33 6BA Telephone: dominic.sargent@snh.gov.uk This report should be quoted as: Averis, A.B.G. and Averis, A.M. A survey of the vegetation of Ben Nevis Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation, : Volume 1. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 090 (ROAME No. F02LD01). This report, or any part of it, should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural Heritage. This permission will not be withheld unreasonably. The views expressed by the author(s) of this report should not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage. Scottish Natural Heritage 2005.

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3 Background COMMISSIONED REPORT Summary A survey of the vegetation of Ben Nevis Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation, Scotland, : Volume 1 Commissioned Report No. 090 (ROAME No. F02LD01) Contractor: Ben and Alison Averis Year of publication: 2005 This project was commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage in order to collate existing information on the vegetation and flora of the Ben Nevis Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), to survey and map the vegetation and to assess the populations of rare vascular plant species. This site of about 90km 2 is situated to the east-south-east of Fort William in the western Highlands of Scotland, has an altitudinal range of m a.s.l. and is varied geologically. This report begins with a background study of previous work on the vegetation and flora of this site, followed by the results of our survey. The fieldwork was completed in the periods June, July and 4 18 August 2003, and June, 7 20 July and 27 July 4 August The vegetation was mapped at the scale of 1:10,000 and classified according to the National Vegetation Classification (NVC). Representative quadrats measuring 2m x 2m were recorded in most vegetation types. NVC types were related to EC Habitats Directive Annex I habitats. A list of all plant species found during the survey was made, indicating the approximate quantity of each species as rare, uncommon, common or abundant. The locations of species of special interest were mapped and described. Main findings A rich diversity of habitats, with a total of 154 vegetation and habitat types. A rich flora (292 vascular plant species and 263 bryophytes found in this survey; additional records from other people giving totals of 331 vascular plants and 321 bryophytes) including several rare species. Some of the finest British examples of snow-bed vegetation (U11, U12, U14, U18 and Pohlia ludwigii, Racomitrium heterostichum and UX types) and associated montane springs (M31, M32 and M33), with rare species in both of these habitats. A very good range of vegetation types of exposed windblown summits (U8, U9, U10, Fell-field, Luzula spicata swards and Lichen heath). Basic rocks and soils with herb-rich woodland (W7 and W9), Salix lapponum scrub (W20), tall herb vegetation (U15 and U17), grassland (U4F, U5c, CG10, CG11 and CG12), Dryas heath (CG14) and flushes (M11/12), and nationally important populations of rare montane plants. Bryophyte-rich heaths (H20c and H21b) and woods (W17a) with internationally important assemblages of northern, sub-montane and montane oceanic liverworts. The Ben Nevis hills are grazed by sheep and red deer, and also some roe deer, wild goats, cattle and mountain hares. Different animal species graze in different parts of the site, and the intensity of grazing also varies. The effects of grazing on the vegetation and flora are discussed in this report. This report ends with appendices containing: (1) quadrat data from representative 2m x 2m quadrats in different vegetation types; (2) a list of all plant species which we found during the survey; (3) Target Notes for locations which we found to be of special botanical interest; (4) maps; (5) photographs of a selection of vegetation types and individual plant species. For further information on this project contact: Dominic Sargent, Scottish Natural Heritage, The Governor s House, The Parade, Fort William PH33 6BA. Tel: For further information on the SNH Research & Technical Support Programme contact: The Advisory Services Co-ordination Group, Scottish Natural Heritage, 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP. Tel: or ascg@snh.gov.uk

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5 Acknowledgements Dominic Sargent and Debbie Greene of Scottish Natural Heritage organised the contract, provided background information and made comments on an earlier draft of this report. We are grateful to the John Muir Trust, Alcan and Forest Enterprise for giving permission for us to work on their land. We thank Helen McLean of Earendil, Mucomir, by Spean Bridge, for her excellent hospitality and kindness at her bed and breakfast establishment.

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7 Contents Summary Acknowledgments 1 INTRODUCTION The study area Geology and geomorphology Climate Nomenclature 3 2 BACKGROUND STUDY Vegetation Flora Vascular plants Bryophytes and lichens 6 3 SURVEY METHODS Vegetation Flora 11 4 DESCRIPTIONS OF VEGETATION TYPES 12 5 EVALUATION General description of the site Vegetation General patterns of vegetation Wider British and European distributions of vegetation types Vegetation types of special interest Qualifying EC Habitats Directive Annex I Habitats Non-qualifying EC Annex I Habitats Notable vegetation types which are not EC Annex I Habitats Flora Phytogeography of the flora Uncommon plant species Nationally Scarce and Nationally Rare vascular plants Uncommon bryophyte species Summary of the total botanical interest Relationships between vegetation and environment Geology and geomorphology Climate 109

8 5.6 Land-use and management History of vegetation, land use and management Grazing Burning Atmospheric pollution Human views and recreation Assessment of the Upland Vegetation Survey vegetation map of Ben Nevis Extra note on birds and animals seen during this survey 119 References 120 Appendix 1 Quadrat data 123 Appendix 2 Species lists 273 Appendix 3 Target notes 288 Appendix 4 Photographs 323 Appendix 5 Maps Volume 2 Please note that because of the quantity of material contained in Volume 2 (Maps), that volume does not accompany this report (Volume 1). However, Volume 2 can, by prior arrangement, be viewed at SNH s headquarters library or at its office in Fort William. The contact is: Dominic Sargent, Scottish Natural Heritage, The Governor s House, The Parade, Fort William PH33 6BA; Tel: ; dominic.sargent@snh.gov.uk

9 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The study area This project was commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage. The purpose of the project was to collate existing information on the vegetation and flora of the Ben Nevis Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), to survey and map the vegetation and to assess the populations of rare vascular plant species. The SAC is within the SSSI boundary; for the most part the boundaries of the two are coincident. The survey area is over 90km 2 in area. It includes Ben Nevis (1344m) and its outliers Meall an t-suidhe (711m) and the two hills called Carn Dearg (the northern one is 1214m; the southern one is 1020m); the ridge of Carn Beag Dearg (1010m), Carn Dearg Meadhonach (1179m) and Carn Mór Dearg (1220m); Aonach Mór (1221m), Aonach Beag (1234m) Sgurr a Bhuic (963m), Meall Cumhann (698m), Tom na Sròine (918m), Stob a Chùl Choire (1068m) and the ridge known as the Grey Corries. This ridge rises to the distinct peaks of Sgurr Chòinnich Beag (963m), Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór (1094m), Stob Coire Easain (1080m) and its northern outlier Beinn na Socaich (1007m), Stob Coire an Laoigh (1116m), Caisteal (1106m), Stob Coire Cath na Sìne (1079m), Stob a Choire Lèith (1105m), Stob Choire Claurigh (the highest point on the ridge at 1177m), Stob Coire na Ceannain (1123m) and its northern outliers Stob Coire Gaibhre (958m) and Beinn Bhàn (843m). The study area is bounded to the west and south by Glen Nevis and Coire Rath, to the north by the Leanachan Forest, and to the east by the Lairig Leachach. The lowest part of the site is at the extreme north-western boundary where it descends to 30m above sea level. Most of the site is owned by ALCAN Smelting & Power UK. A large area in the south-west, including the summits of Ben Nevis and Aonach Beag, is owned by the John Muir Trust. A small area in the north is owned by Forestry Commission Scotland. Ownership boundaries are shown in Map D in Appendix 5. The land is now uninhabited, though there is a bothy at Steall in upper Glen Nevis and another at the fords of the Allt a Cùl Choirean in the Lairig Leacach. There is a hut for the use of climbers in Coire Leis. It is known as the Charles Inglis Clark or C.I.C. hut, in memory of a climber who was killed in the First World War. The study area is grazed by sheep, red deer and roe deer as well as by small mammals including mountain hare and field vole. These hills are popular with walkers and climbers. The Tourist Path, originally the pack-pony route, to the top of Ben Nevis ascends from Achintee, in the far west of the study area, to the summit of Ben Nevis. There are well-used paths along upper Glen Nevis and the Allt a Mhuillin glen, and a bulldozed track along the Lairig Leacach as far as the bothy. There are many bulldozed tracks in Leanachan Forest to the north, and a few of these continue a short distance out of the forest into the lower northern parts of the site. 1.2 Geology and geomorphology The geology in this part of Scotland is complex, with igneous intrusions through a mixture of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks of both Moine and Dalradian age (British Geological Survey 1979). Most of the study area consists of Moine and Dalradian schist, slate, phyllite and mica-schist. Some of the schist, notably on Aonach Beag and Beinn na Socaich, is remarkably base-rich. The summit and the northern cliffs of Ben Nevis are made of andesite and basaltic lavas and tuffs. A granite intrusion forms the southern slopes of Ben Nevis and also the ridge of the Carn Dearg peaks. A thin band of Dalradian limestone runs through 1

10 Meall Cumhann and the eastern slopes of Coire Giubhsachan. There are also intrusive dykes of porphyritic rocks, lamprophyre and allied types. The upper slopes and summits of the Grey Corries are made of Dalradian quartzite. The study area encompasses a great variety of geomorphology, including wide, level straths and glens, smooth, peat-clad terrain, steep and rocky slopes, cliffs, screes, boulder-fields, plateaux, pyramidal peaks, steep-sided corries and knife-edged ridges or arêtes. There is only one large body of open water Lochan Meall an t-suidhe on the col between Ben Nevis and Meall a t-suidhe but there are small lochans in many of the corries. There are an extraordinary number of springs and flushes; so many that the resultant rivulets have grown into substantial rivers within a few hundred metres of the heads of the glens. 1.3 Climate The climate is cool and oceanic, with cool summers and winters, heavy and frequent rain, and frequent wind and low cloud. The following climate data were compiled in the 20th century. Average annual rainfall is over 250cm, and over 400cm on the high ground (Meteorological Office 1952), making this one of the wettest parts of Britain. There are on average at least 220 wet-days (1mm or more of rain) a year (Ratcliffe 1968). Winters are cool, with a January-February mean daily temperature at sea-level of about C (Meteorological Office 1975). Summers are fairly cool, with a July-August mean daily temperature at sealevel of about 17.5 C (Meteorological Office 1975). The annual temperature range is small by general British standards. Snow falls on low ground on an average of days a year (Meteorological Office 1952) and lies for an average of days a year (Page 1982). Obviously there is more snow at higher altitudes, and snow showers can occur in any month. Although there is little high plateau to gather snow, the precipitation is so great and the hills so high that considerable drifts of snow snow-beds accumulate each winter on the cliffs, in the high corries and in hollows on the ridges and summits. These snow-beds persist well into summer in most years, and there are one or two patches on the north-facing cliffs of Ben Nevis and Aonach Beag which are near-permanent and melt out only in exceptional years. The mean annual windspeed is about 12 13m.p.h. (Meteorological Office 1952). Cloud obscures bright sunshine for an average of 75 80% or more of the day (Page 1982). Rain is moderately acidic by general Scottish standards (Fowler et al. 1982, Philips Modern School Atlas 1992) and nitrate deposition has been found to be at a moderate concentration of about 0.6g N m 2 (Pitcairn & Fowler 1989). Sulphur dioxide pollution in 1987 was estimated to be negligible (Hill et al. 1991). The Ben Nevis Meteorological Observatory, which was operated from , provided an invaluable series of records which showed just how severe the climate can be on the highest ground in Britain (Roy 1997). The mean annual temperature during this period was only 0.3 C. The mean maximum 2

11 temperature was 1.6 C; the mean minimum temperature 2.2 C, showing that even on the summit the climate is oceanic, with a small annual range in temperature. Only in June, July, August and September was the mean monthly minimum temperature above freezing. The lowest recorded temperature at the observatory was 17.4 C on 6 January The summit of the Ben is so high that it may, on occasions, be above the level of temperature inversions. Low cloud is often trapped below the inversion layer, so there are days in which Fort William and the surrounding glens are clothed in heavy cloud while the summit of Ben Nevis is sunny and unusually dry. The total annual precipitation recorded for Ben Nevis in was 4084mm twice that recorded on low ground in the same part of Scotland. The strongest winds recorded on Ben Nevis were estimated to exceed 113 knots and, interestingly, were from the south-east. This is probably because westerly winds are deflected round to the south, and increased in force, when they meet the high barrier of the western Highland hills. The annual total of sunshine in was just 736m on Ben Nevis, and the percentage of the time that the observatory was in mist or low cloud varied from about 78% in winter to about 55% in early summer. 1.4 Nomenclature Nomenclature in this report follows Stace (1997) for vascular plants, Blockeel & Long (1998) for bryophytes, and Purvis et al. (1992) for lichens. Place names are those on the Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 maps. Plant communities (eg U10) and sub-communities (eg U10c) are those of the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) (Rodwell 1991a, 1991b, 1992, 1995), supplemented by additional codes for vegetation not described by the NVC. 3

12 2 BACKGROUND STUDY This section gives a summary of previous information about the vegetation and flora of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC before the time of our vegetation survey in Vegetation Donald McVean and Derek Ratcliffe visited the Ben Nevis hills in the late 1950s as part of their work on the vegetation of the Scottish Highlands. Their quadrat samples from the site appear in McVean & Ratcliffe (1962), the resulting monograph. At this site, they recorded quadrat samples for vegetation which falls into the following NVC types: Festuca-Agrostis-Alchemilla grassland CG11 and tall herb vegetation U17 on Meall Cumhann, and dwarf herb vegetation CG12, Deschampsia cespitosa grassland U13a, Deschampsia-Rhytidiadelphus snow-bed U13b, Carex-Polytrichum sedge heath U8 and Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed U11 on Aonach Beag. Derek Ratcliffe wrote the following summary of the botanical interest of the site in the Nature Conservation Review (Ratcliffe 1977): This massif lies at the western edge of the Grampians, immediately south of the Great Glen. Ben Nevis, a mountain of granite and andesite, is the highest ground in Britain (1344m), has the tallest cliffs (600m in Coire Leis) and carries the only semi-permanent snow-beds outside the Cairngorms. It shows important glacial erosion features and the summit might be described as a site of climatological importance, in view of the unique series of recordings made by the former Meteorological Observatory. Ben Nevis and its eastern neighbours, Aonach Mór (1220m) and Aonach Beag (1236m), are also the only c.1220m peaks outside the Cairngorms. Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag are composed of rocks of the Moine Series, in which bands of calcareous schist outcrop quite extensively at high levels. There are also highly localised occurrences of calcareous rock in the predominantly acidic mass of Ben Nevis itself. The lower slopes of these hills have been heavily grazed and burned, so that Calluna heaths and other dwarf-shrub communities have largely been replaced by swards of Molinia and Trichophorum. The terrain is mostly too steep for blanket mire, but there is a wide range of soligenous mires. The summit of Ben Nevis is rather small and covered largely with boulder fields, whilst the upper levels are mostly block scree or cliff; this gives a rather limited range of montane vegetation though Nardus stricta, Rhacomitrium lanuginosum, Vaccinium spp. and Empetrum hermaphroditum are prominent in various mixtures. Some of the snow-bed communities, including the Rhytidiadelphus-Deschampsia cespitosa and very late Polytrichum norvegicum-dicranum starkei type, are well represented. The high montane plants of poor soils in the Cairngorms mostly occur here, eg Luzula arcuata, Poa flexuosa, Carex lachenalii, Deschampsia alpina, Cerastium cerastioides, Veronica alpina and Saxifraga rivularis. Late snow-bed bryophytes are well represented and include the very rare Marsupella boeckii. 4

13 The summits of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag are also rather small in area, but there is Rhacomitrium lanuginosum heath which shows an interesting variant dominated by R. canescens in one place where there is heavy wind deposition of soil particles. Where seepage from the calcareous schists influences the upper slopes there are good examples of calcicolous communities characteristic of the Breadalbane range, such as dwarf swards with carpets of Silene acaulis, Carex saxatilis marshes and open flushes with Juncus biglumis. Most of the widespread montane calcicoles of Breadalbane occur within the site, and the total flora is rich. Some of the rare species are scattered, and they include Saxifraga cernua, S. cespitosa (both growing with S. rivularis in one place), Myosotis alpestris, Cystopteris montana, Salix reticulata and Dryas octopetala. The bryophyte flora is rich, including northern Atlantic species, and both calcifuge and calcicole elements in the high montane group. The vegetation of the Ben Nevis SSSI was surveyed by the Nature Conservancy Council s Upland Survey Team in 1984 and 1987 (Nature Conservancy Council 1987). A vegetation map was produced as a series of transparent overlays to black-and-white vertical aerial photogrpahs at a nominal scale of 1:25,000. No site description was ever written, but the description from the Nature Conservation Review (Ratcliffe 1977) was included in the file of maps and photographs. The Upland Survey team, working before the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) was produced, used the simpler classification devised by Birks & Ratcliffe (1980), though mires were mapped using the NVC during the fieldwork in types of vegetation were recorded in that survey. These could be equated with up to 92 NVC communities or sub-communities. In 1984 David Horsfield wrote up some notes on the vegetation of the Ben Nevis SSSI and made a brief assessment of the then proposed Aonach Mór Ski Area (information held in files at Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) office in Fort William). Lamb (1987) included a brief account of the vegetation of the Ben Nevis SSSI in the report from her survey of the flora (but not vegetation) and fauna of this site. The vegetation of the easternmost part of the site was not mapped by the Nature Conservancy Council Upland Vegetation Survey team in the 1980s. It was mapped in 1994 by Hope (1994) using the Birks & Ratcliffe classification at the scale of 1:25,000. The vegetation of three blocks of woodland within the site was surveyed by the Nature Conservancy Council Scottish Field Unit in July-August These woods are Polldubh (NN ), Allt a Mhuilinn (NN ) and Steall Ruin, Glen Nevis (NN ). The findings of these surveys and others in woods throughout Lochaber District in 1985 were presented by MacKintosh (1990). Copies of the record cards with detailed information for individual woods are held by Scottish Natural Heritage at Fort William. In these surveys the woodland vegetation was mapped at the scale of 1:10,000 and classified to sub-community level using the NVC. In 1989 Rothero (1990, 1991) surveyed the bryophyte-dominated vegetation in late snow-beds on the eastern side of Aonach Mór and on Ben Nevis. This was part of a larger study of bryophyte-dominated snow-beds in the Scottish Highlands. 5

14 2.2 Flora Vascular plants A total of 298 vascular plant species (excluding subspecies, varieties and microspecies) was recorded at this site before the time of our vegetation survey. Much information is available about the locations where certain species have been found. As part of a survey of the flora and fauna of the Ben Nevis area, Lamb (1987) recorded a total of 260 vascular plant species. For almost every one of these species she produced a map showing in which 1km x 1km squares of the Ordnance Survey National Grid she found the species. This was shown as a dot within the square, and the size of the dot reflected the quantity or extent of plants seen. During the Nature Conservancy Council Lochaber Woodland Survey in summer 1985 (MacKintosh 1990), a list of vascular plants was made for each of the following three woods: Polldubh (NN ), Allt a Mhuillin (NN ) and Steall Ruin, Glen Nevis (NN ). The approximate quantity of each species was also indicated in each list. Four species recorded within the Ben Nevis SSSI are Nationally Rare (recorded in <16 10km squares in Great Britain since 1950) and 23 species are Nationally Scarce ( km square records). The terms Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce as used in this report refer to the most up-to-date information available about the distribution of these plants. One species in Ben Nevis SSSI Saxigfraga rivularis was for many years regarded as Nationally Rare, but the most recent distribution map (Preston et al. 2002) shows that the number of 10km square records now exceeds the upper limit for this category so the plant should now be classed as Nationally Scarce. Arctostaphylos alpinus, Carex capillaris, Equisetum variegatum and Lycopodium annotinum have been classed as Nationally Scarce, but the maps in Preston et al. (2002) show more than one hundred 10km square records for each. They should therefore no longer be classed as Nationally Scarce, but because they are clearly very uncommon they are still included along with the Nationally Scarce species in some of the tables in this report. Numerous completed recording forms give precise details about the locations, habitats and population sizes of four of the rarest species: Saxifraga cespitosa, S. cernua, S. rivularis and Poa flexuosa. The persons who made these records are H.A. McAllister in 1974 and 1978, P. Harrold in 1977, J. Bevan and J.M. Mullin in 1977, John Sinclair Godfree in the 1970s exact year not known, D.M. Parker and C. Ingram with H.A. McAllister in 1978, J. Mitchell in 1981, L. Farrell, R. Scott, A. Slack and D. Mardon in 1985, A. Bachell in 1986, C. Wright and L. Lamb in 1987, and G.P. Rothero in Rothero (2002) made the most comprehensive survey of Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular plants to date; information from his survey is included with this report. Brief notes on the distributions of Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular species within the site are given in Table 1, based on information made available to us before carrying out our vegetation survey Bryophytes and lichens People have been recording bryophytes here for many years. A total of 276 bryophyte species was recorded before This shows that the site has a rich bryophyte flora including several uncommmon species. The site is particularly notable for uncommon montane bryophytes especially those of late snowbeds and for oceanic species. 6

15 The earliest records in the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) files are from 1969, when H.A. McAllister recorded several uncommon montane species on the eastern slope of Aonach Beag. In July 1986 the British Bryological Society visited Coire Leis, Aonach Beag and Beinn na Socaich, and recorded many uncommmon species at each of these places. On 4 September 1986 Peter Pitkin surveyed the bryophytes of the Allt an t-sneachda gully in the N (now outside the SSSI). Gordon Rothero made a species list for Meall Cumhann in July 1987: this list indicates a rich flora including several uncommon species. Corley (1990) found the rare moss Brachythecium trachypodium on Aonach Beag on 28 August Gordon Rothero found the rare liverwort Gymnomitrion apiculatum on the high plateau of Ben Nevis on 18 August 1990 (Rothero & Long 1995). In 1989 Rothero (1990, 1991) recorded several uncommon montane and oceanic species in his survey of bryophytes in late snow-beds on the eastern sides of Aonach Mór and on Ben Nevis. Gilbert et al. (1992) wrote an account of the lichen vegetation of high ground in the Ben Nevis-Aonach Mór-Aonach Beag area, based mainly on surveys which they did in June and August They paid particular attention to the snow-bed lichen flora, which they found to be similar to that in the Cairngorms. They listed the species most strongly associated with snow-beds, and discussed the factors affecting the snow-bed lichen flora. They found one species Staurothele arctica new to the British lichen flora, and six others Catolechia wahlenbergii, Micarea subviolascens, Sagiolechia rhexoblephera, Stereocaulon alpinum, S. spathuliferum and S. tornensis to have their British headquarters here. The lichen flora of Ben Nevis and the adjacent hills is also described in Gilbert (2000). A notable lichen which grows on Aonach Mór but elsewhere only in the Cairngorms is Cladonia maxima (Brian Coppins, pers. comm.). In Ben Averis surveyed bryophytes in three woods within the site: the wood north of Polldubh (NN 1469), and the woods at Meall Cumhann (NN ) and Allt Coire a Mhaill (NN ). He found these last two woods to be bryologically rich, with several species of special interest including the mosses Dicranodontium uncinatum, Distichium capillaceum, Encalypta ciliata, Hylocomium umbratum, Hypnum callichroum, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhabdoweisia crenulata and Ulota drummondii, and the liverworts Anastrepta orcadensis, Bazzania tricrenata, Douinia ovata, Frullania teneriffae, Gymnomitrion crenulatum, Harpalejeunea molleri, Harpanthus scutatus, Herbertus aduncus, Jamesoniella autumnalis, Lepidozia pearsonii, Leptoscyphus cuneifolius, Mastigophora woodsii, Plagiochila atlantica, P. carringtonii, P. killarniensis, Pleurozia purpurea, Scapania ornithopodioides and Tritomaria exsecta. This was part of a larger survey of bryophytes in west Highland woods (Averis 1991). Alison Averis visited the wood at Allt Coire a Mhaill in 1991 and found good examples of the Northern Atlantic Hepatic Mat community including Herbertus aduncus, Scapania gracilis, S. ornithopodioides, Bazzania tricrenata, Plagiochila spinulosa, Pleurozia purpurea, Mastigophora woodsii, Mylia taylorii, Anastrepta orcadensis and Lepidozia pearsonii. This work was part of a PhD study (Averis 1994). Table 2 provides a list of all Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce bryophyte species recorded at Ben Nevis SSSI before the time of our vegetation survey in

16 Table 1 Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular plant species recorded at Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC before 2003 Key to symbols after species names: * = Nationally Scarce (recorded in km squares in Great Britain since 1950) ** = Nationally Rare (recorded in <16 10km squares in Great Britain since 1950) (*) = Classed as Nationally Scarce until recent years. Now no longer Nationally Scarce because the number of 10km square records exceeds 100, but still included in this table because it is almost Nationally Scarce Species Arctostaphylos alpinus (*) Athyrium distentifolium * Carex atrata * Carex capillaris * Carex lachenalii ** Carex saxatilis * Carex vaginata * Carex x grahamii * Cerastium alpinum * Cerastium arcticum * Cerastium cerastioides * Cochlearia micacea * Cystopteris montana * Dryas octopetala * Equisetum variegatum (*) Festuca rubra ssp. arctica * Juncus biglumis * Juncus castaneus * Luzula arcuata * Lycopodium annotinum * Minuartia sedoides * Phleum alpinum * Pinus sylvestris * Poa alpina * Poa flexuosa ** Poa glauca * Poa x jemtlandica (P. alpina x P. flexuosa) * Sagina saginoides * Sagina x normaniana * Salix lapponum * Salix myrsinites * Saxifraga cernua ** Saxifraga cespitosa ** Saxifraga nivalis * Saxifraga rivularis * Sibbaldia procumbens (*) Veronica alpina * Brief summary of locations where recorded in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC Exposed ground in a few places near the N edge of the central part of the site, and also on the N end of Beinn na Socaich Widespread on N-E-facing rocky slopes E facing cliffs on Stob Coire Bhealaich (Aonach Beag) An Aghaidh Gharbh on the E side of Aonach Beag Steep upper eastern slopes of Ben Nevis, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag Quite widespread in wet flushes Stob Coire Bhealaich (Aonach Beag) and Beinn na Socaich Stob Coire Bhealaich (Aonach Beag) Aonach Beag and nearby Stob Coire Bhealaich Ben Nevis, Carn Mór Dearg, Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag, at the head of Coire an Easain below Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór and on crags W of Caisteal in the Grey Corries Ben Nevis, Carn Mór Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag and the Grey Corries N side of Aonach Beag An Aghaidh Gharbh on the E side of Aonach Beag, and just E of the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag Stob Coire Bhealaich and Beinn na Socaich Beinn na Socaich N side of Aonach Beag An Aghaidh Gharbh on the E side of Aonach Beag Head of Coire an Easain below Sgurr Chòinnich Mór, and Stob Coire na Ceannain-Stob Choire Claurigh (in the east) N side of Aonach Beag, and screes in Coire Leis A few places in the north-central part of the site No location or habitat details available to us E-facing coire between Carn Dearg Meadhonach and Carn Mór Dearg Glen Nevis and (in smaller quantity) N of Beinn na Socaich Quite widespread on steep, rocky slopes Screes on lower part of the steep N-NE-facing slopes running down from the summit plateau of Ben Nevis ( plants found here in 1974, but only about 30 plants in 2002) W side of Meall Cumhann and E side of Aonach Beag At top of N cliffs of Ben Nevis, and on N slope of Aonach Beag No location or habitat details available to us E facing cliffs on Stob Coire Bhealaich (Aonach Beag) Quite widespread on steep, rocky slopes No location or habitat details available to us Steep, damp, base-rich rocks on high N-E-facing slopes on Ben Nevis,Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag Steep, damp, N-E-facing rocks high on Ben Nevis (>100 plants), on Stob Coire an Laoigh (2 clumps of rosettes) and in Coire a Mhadaidh (5 plants seen) SE side of Ben Nevis, Meall Cumhann, Stob Coire Bhealaich (Aonach Beag) and Stob Coire an Laoigh (Grey Corries) Steep, wet, rocky places on N-E-facing slopes on Ben Nevis, Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag and Stob Coire an Laoigh Widespread Widespread 8

17 Table 2 Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce bryophyte species recorded at Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC before 2003 Key to symbols after species names: * = Nationally Scarce (recorded in km squares in Great Britain since 1950) ** = Nationally Rare (recorded in <16 10km squares in Great Britain since 1950) Mosses Liverworts Amphidium lapponicum * Anastrophyllum donnianum * Andreaea blyttii ** Anthelia juratzkana * Andreaea frigida ** Barbilophozia atlantica * Andreaea mutabilis * Barbilophozia lycopodioides * Andreaea nivalis ** Bazzania pearsonii * Arctoa fulvella * Calypogeia azurea * Aulacomnium turgidum * Diplophyllum taxifolium * Bartramia hallerana * Gymnomitrion apiculatum ** Brachythecium glaciale ** Harpanthus flotovianus * Brachythecium reflexum ** Jamesoniella autumnalis * Brachythecium starkei ** Jungermannia borealis * Brachythecium trachypodium ** Leptoscyphus cuneifolius * Bryoerythrophyllum caledonicum ** Lophozia opacifolia * Bryum dixonii ** Marsupella adusta * Bryum muehlenbeckii ** Marsupella alpina * Bryum riparium * Marsupella boeckii * Calliergon trifarium * Marsupella brevissima * Campylopus gracilis * Marsupella condensata ** Conostomum tetragonum * Marsupella sphacelata * Dicranodontium uncinatum * Marsupella sprucei * Dicranoweisia crispula * Mastigophora woodsii * Ditrichum lineare * Moerckia blyttii * Ditrichum zonatum * Nardia breidleri ** Encalypta ciliata * Nardia geoscyphus * Hylocomium pyrenaicum * Odontoschisma macounii ** Isopterygiopsis muelleriana * Plagiochila atlantica * Kiaeria blyttii * Plagiochila carringtonii * Kiaeria falcata * Pleurocladula albescens * Kiaeria glaciale * Scapania aequiloba * Kiaeria starkei * Scapania calcicola * Meesia uliginosa * Scapania degenii * Oedipodium griffithianum * Scapania nimbosa * Orthothecium rufescens * Scapania ornithopodioides * Paraleptodontium recurvifolium * Scapania paludosa ** Philonotis seriata * Scapania uliginosa * Philonotis tomentella ** Sphenolobopsis pearsonii * Plagiopus oederianus * Tetralophozia setiformis * Pohlia ludwigii * Tritomaria exsecta * Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis * Tritomaria polita * Polytrichum sexangulare * Pseudobryum cinclidioides * Pseudoleskea patens * Pterigynandrum filiforme * Rhabdoweisia crenulata * Rhizomnium magnifolium * Tetraplodon angustatus * 9

18 3 SURVEY METHODS We did the fieldwork for this survey in the periods June, July and 4 18 August 2003, and June, 7 20 July and 27 July 4 August The first period in 2003 was wet, but the second two periods coincided with the remarkable heatwave of that summer. Day after day of dry weather with almost cloudless skies made it possible to cover large areas of ground and to map the vegetation in detail. Also, the dry winter of meant that there was unusually little snow on the sheltered slopes at the start of the summer. By late August there was no snow at all on the Ben a rare occurrence and only a patch the size of a hearthrug on the screes on the eastern side of Aonach Beag. This gave us a good opportunity to examine snow-bed vegetation on Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg ridge and Aonach Mór. In contrast, the summer of 2004 was consistently wet, and much of the work had to be done in cold and miserable weather: only four of the 31 days we spent on the site were completely dry. The eastern part of the study area, including the Grey Corries, is very remote and we used bicycles on the forest roads and hill tracks to minimise the time spent walking in. 3.1 Vegetation We classified the vegetation according to the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) (Rodwell 1991a, 1991b, 1992, 1995), to sub-community level wherever possible. We classified some inaccessible patches on cliffs to community level only. It is generally not possible to delineate individual patches of single types of vegetation on a map at the scale of 1:10,000. It is, in any case, rare to find large areas of ground covered by uniform swards of a single type of vegetation. It is most usual to find mosaics of two or more types for example pools and wet channels scattered among blanket bogs, or small patches of grassland or bracken among areas of heathland. The mapped units on our vegetation maps represent mixtures or assemblages of several types of vegetation which occur consistently in a particular area, usually defined by the topography or by the aspect of the slope. We labelled each mapped unit with the types of vegetation recorded there, and showed the relative contribution of each type as an estimated percentage. It is hard to define how accurate the mapped vegetation boundaries are. They are generally most accurate (within 10 20m or so) for small or well-defined patches of vegetation whose edges can be most clearly related to features such as streams, cliffs and roads on the Ordnance Survey map. The precise boundaries of the mixed mosaics of vegetation on a larger scale are less obvious in the field and therefore less easy to define: it would be meaningless to give an estimated figure of accuracy for these boundaries. We classed vegetation floristically intermediate between two NVC types as such: NVCx-NVCy. Bad weather in early 2003 and throughout the summer of 2004, and the remote and difficult ground, meant that mapping vegetation had to take priority over recording quadrats, but we sampled most vegetation types by at least one representative quadrat. More samples were taken in interesting or uncommon types of vegetation, or in those that were unusually variable, than in the more widespread heaths and acid grasslands. We recorded details about the vegetation in quadrats measuring 2m x 2m, except for the canopy layer (trees and shrubs) in woodland, for which we used a quadrat size of 10m x 10m (surrounding one or more 2m x 2m quadrats of ground vegetation). Within each quadrat we recorded the approximate quantity of the aerial parts of each plant species seen, using the DOMIN scale: 10

19 1 = <4% cover (few individuals) 6 = 26 33% cover 2 = <4% cover (several individuals) 7 = 34 50% cover 3 = <4% cover (many individuals) 8 = 51 75% cover 4 = 4 10% cover 9 = 76 90% cover 5 = 11 25% cover 10 = % cover We recorded the location of each quadrat as an 8-figure Ordnance Survey grid reference. We also recorded the altitude (in metres above sea-level), slope aspect (N, NE, E etc.), slope gradient (in degrees from horizontal) and approximate vegetation height (in centimetres) for each quadrat. We aimed to record at least five quadrats in each vegetation type, but difficulties of physical access combined with the large amount of time needed to map the vegetation and the very small extent of some vegetation types meant that we could not record as many as five quadrats in many vegetation types. Tall-herb vegetation and willow scrub on cliffs were difficult to sample using quadrats because they were inaccessible or were in tiny fragments covering less than a square metre. We sampled these types of vegetation by making a list of all the species which we could see from safe vantage points. We also mapped the vegetation of two additional adjacent areas just outside the SSSI. Most of this additional mapping was done in less detail than that within the SSSI. It was not asked for in the contract, but it completes vegetation mapping over a better-defined topographic and ecological unit. The largest of these two areas is on the northern side of Aonach Mór, where the northern SSSI boundary cuts into the site to exclude the area with the skiing development. This excluded area, extending from the upper edge of Leanachan Forest to the summit ridge of Aonach Mór, includes some very fine montane vegetation which is just as good as that within the SSSI. The smaller area is one of bracken, woodland, grassland and heath where the SSSI boundary cuts into the site just upslope of the aluminium works near the north-western corner of the site. 3.2 Flora We made a list of all plant species found during the survey. We also recorded the approximate quantity of each species as found in this survey. To do this we used the terms rare, uncommon, common and abundant. We mapped the locations of species of particular interest or other botanically noteworthy features, and described them using target notes. We located as many as possible of the rare vascular species and made an estimate of population size for each one. These species are Saxifraga cernua, S. rivularis, S. cespitosa, Carex lachenallii and Poa flexuosa, all of which are all Nationally Rare (recorded in <16 10km squares in Great Britain since 1950), and Arctostaphylos alpinus, Athyrium distentifolium, Carex atrata, C. capillaris, C. saxatilis, Cerastium alpinum, C. arcticum, C. cerastioides, Cystoperis montana, Dryas octopetala, Juncus biglumis, J. castaneus, Luzula arcuata, Lycopodium annotinum, Minuartia sedoides, Phleum alpinum, Pinus sylvestris, Poa alpina, P. glauca, Sagina saginoides, Salix lapponum, S. myrsinites, Saxifraga nivalis, Sibbaldia procumbens and Veronica alpina, all of which are Nationally Scarce (recorded in km squares in Great Britain since 1950). The New Atlas of the British and Irish flora by Preston et al. (2002) shows that Saxifraga rivularis is now known from 18 10km squares and is Nationally Scarce rather than Nationally Rare, Arctostaphylos alpinus and Equisetum variegatum occur in more than km squares and are no longer Nationally Scarce, and that Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina (formerly C. officinalis ssp. pyrenaica) is probably Nationally Scarce because the species as a whole is recorded in only km squares. 11

20 4 DESCRIPTIONS OF VEGETATION TYPES We recorded 154 types of vegetation and habitat in this survey. These are listed in Table 3. Each of these vegetation and habitat types is described below. The quadrat data are given in Appendix 1. The 1:10,000 vegetation maps are in Appendix 4. W4b Betula pubescens-molinia caerulea woodland, Juncus effusus sub-community This type of wet woodland is part of the mosaic of woodland vegetation on the banks of the Water of Nevis at the south-western end of the study area, and near the Allt a Mhuillin in the north-west. There are also small patches in the level meadow at the eastern end of the gorge, marking out places where the woodland soils are flushed with acid water. W4b has a canopy of birch Betula pubescens, alder Alnus glutinosa, rowan Sorbus aucuparia and eared willow Salix aurita over a grassy field layer of Molinia caerulea, Juncus effusus, Agrostis canina, A. capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Carex echinata. This lush green sward is dotted with species such as Potentilla erecta, Viola palustris, Succisa pratensis and, locally, Myrica gale. There are mats of bryophytes over the deep, wet, peaty soil, made up of species such as Sphagnum palustre, S. subnitens, Polytrichum commune, Thuidium tamariscinum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Scleropodium purum and Pellia epiphylla. Potentially, this type of woodland could develop wherever there are now Molinia-Potentilla grasslands M25; a type of vegetation which has much in common with the understorey of W4b. W4c Betula pubescens-molinia caerulea woodland, Sphagnum sub-community This type of wet acid woodland has a green, squelching ground layer of Sphagnum fallax, S. palustre and S. fimbriatum under a thin sward of Molinia caerulea, Carex echinata and Potentilla erecta. There is a thin speckling of other grasses such as Agrostis canina and Holcus mollis. The canopy is of birch Betula pubescens and alder Alnus glutinosa. W4c occurs on wet, flushed, gently sloping ground beside the Water of Nevis just north of its confluence with the Red Burn. W7c Alnus glutinosa-fraxinus excelsior-lysimachia nemorum woodland, Deschampsia cespitosa sub-community W7c is a herb-rich woodland on wet, flushed soils where the irrigating water is rich in plant nutrients. It can have the most varied canopy of all the woodland communities here, and takes in not just alder Alnus glutinosa woods but also those of birch Betula pubescens, ash Fraxinus excelsior and hazel Corylus avellana. It occurs on the lower south-facing slopes of Meall Cumhann, which are flushed with baserich water from the limestone above. Under the trees is a tall, dense, dark-green sward of Deschampsia cespitosa, interleaved with Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Holcus lanatus and Juncus effusus. Hidden among these tall plants are small herbs such as Oxalis acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Viola palustris, Lysimachia nemorum, Ranunculus acris and the ferns Dryopteris filix-mas and Athyrium filix-femina. There is a rich assemblage of bryophytes on the deep, wet, squelchy soils, including Thuidium tamariscinum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Atrichum undulatum, Eurhynchium praelongum, Mnium hornum, Scleropodium purum and Lophocolea bidentata. 12

21 W9b Fraxinus excelsior-sorbus aucuparia-mercurialis perennis woodland, Crepis paludosa sub-community There are small, mostly linear patches of W9b in the gullies which cut down the western slope of Meall Cumhann, and which are flushed with base-rich water from the limestone above. There are also patches along the banks of the Allt Coire a Mhadaidh in the north-east of the study area. It is a woodland of damp, basic soils and has a canopy of ash Fraxinus excelsior, hazel Corylus avellana, birch Betula pubescens, elm Ulmus glabra, goat willow Salix caprea and rowan Sorbus aucuparia. Under the trees is a rich tangle of tall herbs and grasses: a colourful spread of flowers in summer. The species here include Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia cespitosa, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Geum urbanum, Geranium robertianum, G. sylvaticum, Filipendula ulmaria, Stachys sylvatica, Ranunculus acris, Prunella vulgaris, Sanicula europaea, Primula vulgaris, Fragaria vesca, Viola riviniana, Angelica sylvestris, Cardamine pratensis and the ferns Athyrium filix-femina, Dryopteris affinis, D. filix-mas and Blechnum spicant. The uncommon grass Melica nutans grows here in this type of vegetation. There is a deep carpet of bryophytes on the ground, over rocks and on the bases of trees, mostly made up of Thuidium tamariscinum, T. delicatulum, Isothecium alopecuroides, I. myosuroides, Hylocomium splendens, H. brevirostre, Hypnum cupressiforme, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. triquetrus, Brachythecium plumosum, Racomitrium aciculare, Atrichum undulatum, Plagiomnium undulatum and Eurhynchium praelongum. Some of the herb-rich grassland above the woodland on the slopes of Meall Cumhann and Coire Choimhlidh might develop into this kind of woodland if grazing were less intense. W11a Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland, Dryopteris dilatata sub-community This type of grassy, acid woodland has a canopy of birch Betula pubescens, rowan Sorbus aucuparia and hazel Corylus avellana. The ground layer is lightly grazed. The sward of species such as Holcus mollis, Agrostis capillaris, Potentilla erecta, Viola riviniana and Conopodium majus is punctuated by tall clumps of Dryopteris filix-mas and D. dilatata. In some patches there is also much Rubus fruticosus or R. idaeus, or trails of Lonicera periclymenum. The bryophyte layer is made up of species such as Hylocomium brevirostre, Thuidium tamariscinum, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi and Polytrichum commune. Large ferns and scrambling shrubs are rare in upland woods unless grazing is light. They are also a much more common component of the vegetation from the south-west Highlands southwards, where summers are warmer than they are further north. So W11a is quite a notable type of vegetation in the study area. It occurs in Glen Nevis on islands in the river and on the very steep slopes of the gorge. W11b Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland, Blechnum spicant sub-community This is the most extensive type of woodland on the steep slopes in Glen Nevis. It is also a common component of the mixed woodlands on steep, rocky slopes along the northern edge of the study area. It is a grassy woodland of well-drained acid soils. It is so common in the uplands that people seldom realise that it is far from natural, and that the ground layer would be more heathy or more herb-rich were it less grazed. The canopy is of birch Betula pubescens, with smaller amounts of oak Quercus petraea, rowan Sorbus aucuparia, holly Ilex aquifolium, hazel Corylus avellana and even alder Alnus glutinosa and ash Fraxinus excelsior. Underneath the trees, the field layer is green and grassy and made up of Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, Holcus mollis and H. lanatus. This is speckled with small herbs such as Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola riviniana, Primula vulgaris, Blechnum spicant, Oxalis acetosella, Conopodium majus and Anemone nemorosa. Hyacinthoides non-scripta can be common, stippling the 13

22 woodland floor with its fragrant violet-blue flowers in spring. In some examples there is much Pteridium aquilinum. There are mats and patches of bryophytes, in which the most common species are Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Scleropodium purum, Hylocomium splendens, H. brevirostre, Hypnum cupressiforme, Polytrichum formosum and Mnium hornum. W11 Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland, not classified to any sub-community Most of this woodland has a canopy of alder. For this reason, combined with the riverside habitat, one might expect it to be Alnus-Fraxinus-Lysimachia woodland (W7). However, the grassy ground layer is clearly of the W11 type, showing that the soils are drier and more acidic than in W7. This is why the woodland is classed as W11 rather than W7. In some places there is birch Betula pubescens in the canopy, and a shrub layer of hawthorn and willow. The ground layer has a lush sward of Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis capillaris and Holcus mollis, among which are scattered plants of Potentilla erecta, Oxalis acetosella, Conopodium majus, Viola riviniana and V. palustris. The mosses Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and Thuidium tamariscinum are very common, but other bryophytes are very sparse. There are few or none of the characteristic species of any of the sub-communities, so the vegetation is classed to community level only. Even though it does not fit clearly into a sub-community, this type of species-poor W11 ground layer is common in upland Britain (Averis et al. 2004). At this site it forms a narrow strip of woodland along the banks of the River Nevis in the lower, western part of Glen Nevis at the south-western edge of the study area. W17a Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-dicranum majus woodland, Isothecium myosuroides- Diplophyllum albicans sub-community This is the most common type of woodland on steep, rocky, north-facing slopes, cliff ledges and ravine sides in the study area. It is extensive on the north-facing slopes of Glen Nevis and in the north of the study area. There are only a few small patches on the south-facing slopes of Glen Nevis. It is a heathy, bryophyte-rich woodland of steep, rocky slopes with well-drained soils and has a canopy of birch Betula pubescens, oak Quercus petraea and rowan Sorbus aucuparia. The most noticeable thing about this type of woodland is the almost unbelievable profusion of bryophytes. They cover almost every available surface rocks, soil, fallen logs, the bases, trunks and branches of the living trees with thick green swathes and swags. The most common species are Isothecium myosuroides, Hypnum jutlandicum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Sphagnum quinquefarium and the liverworts Diplophyllum albicans and Frullania tamarisci. The western liverworts Plagiochila spinulosa, Mylia taylorii and Scapania gracilis grow in large, conspicuous, ochre-gold hummocks and patches, and there is an array of scarcer, more exacting oceanic species such as Saccogyna viticulosa, Bazzania tricrenata, Anastrepta orcadensis, Herbertus aduncus, Pleurozia purpurea, Mastigophora woodsii, Plagiochila punctata, Lepidozia pearsonii and Anastrepta orcadensis. The more montane oceanic liverworts Bazzania pearsonii, Plagiochila carringtonii, Scapania ornithopodioides and Mastigophora woodsii grow in this type of vegetation on the north-facing slopes near Steall waterfall in upper Glen Nevis. The oceanic filmy fern Hymenophyllum wilsonii is common in W17a, growing in glistening green, lacy-leaved cascades among the mats of mosses and liverworts as if it was a bryophyte itself. There is a sparse sprinkling of vascular plants such as Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Agrostis canina and Oxalis acetosella. 14

23 W17b Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-dicranum majus woodland, Typical sub-community This type of heathy, mossy woodland occurs on well-drained rocky slopes in Glen Nevis and on the wooded crags in the north of the study area. It has a canopy of birch Betula pubescens and rowan Sorbus aucuparia over a vigorous sward of Vaccinium myrtillus or Calluna vulgaris or both. The shrub layer is spiked through by grasses such as Deschampsia flexuosa and Anthoxanthum odoratum, and speckled with Potentilla erecta, Melampyrum pratense, Dryopteris dilatata and Pteridium aquilinum. There is a mossy ground-layer of species such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Thuidium tamariscinum and Sphagnum quinquefarium. W17c Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-dicranum majus woodland, Anthoxanthum odoratum- Agrostis capillaris sub-community A grassy, bryophyte-rich woodland, W17c is common on the slopes of Meall an t-suidhe, on the slopes of Glen Nevis and on the steep north-facing slopes in the north of the study area. The canopy is of birch Betula pubescens and rowan Sorbus aucuparia. Under this is a thin sward of Deschampsia flexuosa, Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Luzula multiflora and a scattering of herbs such as Blechnum spicant, Galium saxatile, Potentilla erecta, Viola riviniana and Oxalis acetosella. Around these plants are deep, almost continuous carpets of bryophytes made up of Hylocomium splendens, H. brevirostre, Hypnum jutlandicum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium and Sphagnum quinquefarium. W18d Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland, Sphagnum capillifolium/quinquefarium- Erica tetralix sub-community There are several patches of this type of damp pine woodland on the south side of the river in Glen Nevis. It occurs in open groves of tall, stately, red-stemmed trees, with broad spreading canopies of dark green needles. Locally there is an understorey of birch and rowan. The trees grow in a tall and tussocky sward of Molinia caerulea interleaved with Deschampsia flexuosa and Potentilla erecta, and sprigged with Vaccinium myrtillus. There are green tufts of Blechnum spicant and a speckling of Pteridium aquilinum. There is a great array of bryophytes including Sphagnum capillifolium, S. palustre, S. quinquefarium, Hypnum jutlandicum, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Diplophyllum albicans. In some places Sphagnum spp. are scarce or even absent, marking a slight transition towards the drier Vaccinium myrtillus-v. vitis-idaea sub-community W18b. W18e Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland, Scapania gracilis sub-community This is also a damp pine woodland with an open canopy of Scots pine Pinus sylvestris, birch Betula pubescens and rowan Sorbus aucuparia growing in a ground layer of Molinia caerulea and Vaccinium myrtillus. Here, however, the carpet of bryophytes such as Sphagnum quinquefarium, Hypnum jutlandicum, Hylocomium splendens, Plagiothecium undulatum and Pleurozium schreberi is enriched with oceanic or western species such as Mylia taylorii, Bazzania tricrenata, Plagiochila spinulosa, Herbertus aduncus, Pleurozia purpurea and the fern Hymenophyllum wilsonii. This more oceanic type of vegetation is less widespread than the Sphagnum-Erica sub-community and is confined to small pockets of steep, rocky ground on the north-facing side of Glen Nevis. 15

24 W20 Salix lapponum-luzula sylvatica scrub Crumbling cliffs and steep outcrops, out of the reach of sheep and deer, are the last refuge of this rare type of upland vegetation. The gnarled, old bushes of Salix lapponum, with spreading canopies of silvery leaves, stand in a lush sward of herbs and grasses. Although the NVC describes only one type of montane willow scrub, there are, in fact, several forms. In the study area there are two quite distinct types: one more acid and one with an underlayer of mesotrophic and calcicolous species. The more acid type is the commoner and is widespread throughout the study area, although none of the individual patches are large. There are good examples on the south side of Sgurr a Bhuic, in Coire Giubhsachan, and on Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór, Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and Stob Coire na Ceannain in the Grey Corries part of the study area. This type of W20 scrub has a low canopy of Salix lapponum, growing with shrubs such as Calluna vulgaris, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea and V. uliginosum, and with herbs and grasses including Narthecium ossifragum, Succisa pratensis, Saxifraga stellaris, Leontodon autumnalis, Hieracium spp., Crepis paludosa, Sedum rosea, Hypericum pulchrum, Galium saxatile, Potentilla erecta, Angelica sylvestris, Alchemilla alpina, Luzula sylvatica, Festuca vivipara and Deschampsia cespitosa. There are deep mats and carpets of bryophytes including Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Sphagnum palustre, S. fallax, Philonotis fontana, Breutelia chrysocoma, Pleurozium schreberi and Racomitrium lanuginosum. These are speckled with the lichen Cladonia arbuscula. The herb-rich type of willow scrub occurs on the northern slopes and the cliffs of Meall Cumhann, on the west-facing crags of Coire Giubhsachan, on the south-facing slopes of Sgurr a Bhuic and Stob Coire Easain and, most extensively, on the eastern cliffs of Aonach Beag. This amphitheatre of spectacular cliffs is locally base-rich, and at the southern end is an almost vertical face, about 500m long and up to 140m high. Herbrich willow scrub is the most extensive type of vegetation on the ledges of this cliff and is one of the most impressive examples in Scotland. In the herb-rich form of the community the willows stand in meadows of herbs and grasses such as Sedum rosea, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Geranium sylvaticum, Ranunculus acris, Trollius europaeus, Galium boreale, Saussurea alpina, Rubus saxatilis, Geum rivale, Angelica sylvestris, Hieracium spp., Juncus triglumis, Oxyria digyna, Luzula sylvatica, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca vivipara and Anthoxanthum odoratum. There are clumps of Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum. There is an underlay of smaller species such as Silene acaulis, Persicaria vivipara, Saxifraga oppositifolia, S. aizoides, S. stellaris, Thalictrum alpinum, Rhinanthus minor, Selaginella selaginoides, Cystopteris fragilis, Orchis mascula, Pinguicula vulgaris, Thymus polytrichus and Antennaria dioica. Over the wet rocks there is a great array of bryophytes including Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Breutelia chrysocoma, Ditrichum gracile, Anoectangium warburgii, Ptilium cristacastrensis, Mnium stellare, Homalothecium sericeum, Tortella tortuosa, Ctenidium molluscum, Herbertus stramineus and Plagiochila spinulosa. Herb-rich willow scrub is home to some of the more notable rare upland species, including Polystichum lonchitis, Cerastium arcticum, C. alpinum, Veronica alpina and Carex saxatilis. W24 Rubus fruticosus-holcus lanatus underscrub There is a small patch of this rank, weedy vegetation by the sheep fanks at Achriabhach, where the road along Glen Nevis crosses the river at the lower falls. Like the nettle community OV24 (see below) which also occurs here, it seems to be the result of nutrient enrichment of the ground where sheep have congregated 16

25 and where scrap fleece has been discarded. It is a tall impenetrable tangle of bramble Rubus fruticosus, with an untidy green understorey of Holcus lanatus, Agrostis capillaris, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, Ranunculus acris, R. repens, Plantago lanceolata and Rumex acetosa. There are sparse wefts of bryophytes including Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and Pleurozium schreberi. An interesting additional plant here is hazel Corylus avellana, seedlings of which are growing up ungrazed under the protecting canopy of bramble. The vegetation does not fit clearly into either of the two sub-communities of W24. W25b Pteridium aquilinum-rubus fruticosus underscrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community This type of bracken-dominated vegetation looks the same as the Pteridium-Galium community U20 from a distance, but here there is much Rubus fruticosus or R. idaeus or both scrambling through the canopy of the fern. Underneath there is a thin sward of Agrostis capillaris and Holcus lanatus and, since this community occurs along the roadside in Glen Nevis, there is an array of rather weedy, opportunistic herbs such as Ranunculus repens, R. acris, Rumex acetosa, R. obtusifolius, Cerastium fontanum, Urtica dioica, Plantago major, Digitalis purpurea and Poa annua. The bryophyte layer is thin and sparse and consists of species such as Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Eurhynchium praelongum and Thuidium tamariscinum. W25D Pteridium aquilinum-rubus fruticosus underscrub, damp form This distinctive damp type of bracken-dominated vegetation is not described in the NVC scheme, though it is common in the west Highlands and Inner Hebrides and has also been found in Wales (Averis et al. 2004). It occurs in the lower part of Coire Choimhlidh, just above the woodland on the east bank of the river. There is little bramble in this example, but there is a rich array of mesotrophic herbs such as Cirsium heterophyllum, Geum rivale, Filipendula ulmaria, Ranunculus acris, Lysimachia nemorum, Linum catharticum, Prunella vulgaris, Plantago lanceolata and Alchemilla glabra, growing with Carex panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, Agrostis capillaris, Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Holcus lanatus. There is a thin carpet of bryophytes such as Hylocomium splendens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Hypnum jutlandicum and Scleropodium purum. H10a Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Typical sub-community H10a occurs on cliff-ledges and also in patches on thin, well-drained, stony mineral soils on the steeper south-facing slopes at low to moderate altitudes. It has a short and dense sward of Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea, dotted with Carex binervis, Deschampsia flexuosa, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Euphrasia officinalis agg. Under the vascular plants is a richly-coloured layer of bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Hylocomium splendens. H10b Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community H10b is the counterpart of H10a at higher altitudes and on thinner and more stony soil. The sward is less dense than that of H10a, and the bushes of Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea grow through a thin silvery carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum patched with Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Breutelia chrysocoma. The sward is speckled with small plants such as Deschampsia flexuosa, Blechnum spicant, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Antennaria dioica, Euphrasia frigida and Polygala serpyllifolia. There is a pale dusting of lichens such as Cladonia portentosa, C. coccifera and C. coniocraea. 17

26 H10c Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Festuca ovina-anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community H10c is the most grazed and grassy form of Calluna-Erica heath. Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea grow in a matrix of grasses such as Anthoxanthum odoratum, Festuca ovina, Nardus stricta, Deschampsia flexuosa, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina and Danthonia decumbens. There are trailing mats of Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile, and a sprinkling of Succisa pratensis, Euphrasia officinalis agg., Carex binervis and Luzula multiflora. Among the vascular plants are wefts of bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Racomitrium lanuginosum and Pleurozium schreberi. H10c occurs on steep south-facing banks where the soil is thin and well-drained. H10d Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Thymus polytrichus-carex pulicaris sub-community This is a herb-rich form of Calluna-Erica heath. Like the other sub-communities, it occurs in small patches over well-drained soils on steep and sunny slopes. It has a distinctive array of species. The dark spreads of Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea are enlivened by Lotus corniculatus, Thymus polytrichus, Linum catharticum, Alchemilla alpina, Veronica officinalis, Viola riviniana, Anemone nemorosa, Hieracium spp., Prunella vulgaris and Plantago lanceolata. Other common species include Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Hypericum pulchrum, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Agrostis capillaris and Festuca ovina. The orchid Gymnadenia conopsea is common in some patches of H10d in Glen Nevis, dotting the swards with its sweetly-scented, conical purple flower-heads in early summer. The diminutive lesser twayblade Listera cordata grows in this type of vegetation in the Lairig Leacach, along the eastern edge of the study area. The bryophyte flora is rather sparse. There are thin mats of Hypnum jutlandicum, H. lacunosum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Pleurozium schreberi, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens and Breutelia chrysocoma. H12a Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath, Typical sub-community Typical sub-montane Calluna-Vaccinium heath is a rare component of the vegetation in the study area, and was recorded only on the heathy slopes of the Lairig Leacach at the eastern end of the study area. It has a dark sward of Calluna vulgaris interleaved with Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex binervis, Deschampsia flexuosa, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile and dotted with Blechnum spicant. There is a deep, colourful, soft underlay of bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus and Plagiothecium undulatum. H12b Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-cladonia portentosa sub-community Most of the Calluna-Vaccinium heath in the study area is of this type. It is the predominant form of dry Calluna heath on the slopes facing north and east, and also occurs at high altitudes on south facing slopes, where it takes over from the more sub-montane Calluna-Erica heath H10. It is, however, most widespread on the east-facing slopes of the Lairig Leacach. H12b has a dense, short canopy of Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea and Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum, interspersed with tufts of Deschampsia flexuosa, Carex binervis, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. At higher altitudes there can be a speckling of montane plants such as Carex bigelowii, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum or Polytrichum alpinum, but these species are far less common than they are in the Calluna-dominated forms of Vaccinium-Rubus heath H22b. Under the vascular plants is a deep, dense layer of bryophytes made up of large mosses such as Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Hypnum jutlandicum. 18

27 H12bR Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-cladonia portentosa sub-community, form with much Racomitrium lanuginosum This is a more montane form of Calluna-Vaccinium heath. It has a mixed sward of C. vulgaris and Vaccinium myrtillus with much V. vitis-idaea, Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and the sedges Carex binervis and C. pilulifera. However, in this form of heath the characteristic mixed carpet of pleurocarpous mosses is replaced by a grey-green sheet of Racomitrium lanuginosum, in which other species such as Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum and Rhytidiadelphus loreus grow as sparse shoots. It is the counterpart of the Racomitrium sub-community of Calluna-Erica heath H10b, but with Vaccinium myrtillus instead of Erica cinerea. The dwarf shrubs are pruned into a short and tight canopy by wind and exposure, but do not grow prostrate as they do in the true montane heaths. There are patches of H12bR among H10b and Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15c on gentle slopes facing south-west and exposed to the prevailing winds near the lower lip of Coire Eoghainn, at an altitude of m. It also occurs on the east-facing side of the Carn Dearg ridge at m and in Coire na Ceannain at about 700m. This type of vegetation has also been recorded on Beinn Eighe in Wester Ross (Averis & Averis 1998). H12c Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath, Galium saxatile-festuca ovina sub-community We recorded this grassy type of Calluna-Vaccinium heath on cliff ledges on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan and on the Bealach Cumhann. It has a pale, grassy sward in which Calluna vulgaris and Vaccinium myrtillus grow with Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Nardus stricta, Deschampsia flexuosa, Carex binervis and Juncus squarrosus. There is much Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. Among the vascular plants is a mat of bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi. H13 Calluna vulgaris-cladonia arbuscula heath This type of montane heath is much more common in the colder and drier climate of the eastern and central Highlands than it is in the west. We found it in several places in the Grey Corries part of the study area: on Beinn na Socaich, in Coire Choimhlidh and on Beinn Bhàn and Stob Coire na Ceannain. It consists of Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum growing in a tight mat less than 5cm deep, on gravelly, windswept moraines and ridges. The mat of shrubs is spiked through by Carex bigelowii, C. pilulifera, Deschampsia flexuosa and Trichophorum cespitosum, and dotted with a few herbs such as Potentilla erecta, Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum and Solidago virgaurea. Over the ground is a dense, grey-white carpet of lichens including Cladonia portentosa, C. arbuscula, C. uncialis, C. rangiferina, C. furcata, C. coniocraea, Coelocaulon aculeatum, Cetraria islandica and Ochrolechia frigida. This is patched with bryophytes such as Ptilidium ciliare, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum alpinum and Racomitrium lanuginosum. The uncommon shrub Loiselurea procumbens grows in this type of vegetation. The vegetation does not fit clearly into any of the three sub-communities of H13 described in the NVC. H14 Calluna vulgaris-racomitrium lanuginosum heath This is the more western, oceanic form of montane Calluna heath. It is uncommon in the study area, but we found small patches in Coire a Bhuic, on Tom na Sròine and in Coire Choille-rais. The sward is less than 5cm tall. Calluna vulgaris grows prostrate along the ground in a tight, red-grey mat through a dense grey-green carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum. A few small plants are able to grow in the sparse shelter of the heather. The most common are Carex bigelowii, C. pilulifera, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, 19

28 Vaccinium myrtillus, Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Polygala serpyllifolia and Alchemilla alpina. The mats of Racomitrium lanuginosum are patched with Hypnum jutlandicum and Polytrichum alpinum, and speckled with the lichens Cladonia portentosa, Coelocaulon aculeatum, Ochrolechia frigida and Cetraria islandica. The uncommon shrub Loiselurea procumbens is one of the characteristic plants of H14; it is especially common on Tom na Sròine where it is the dominant species over patches of several square metres. The vegetation does not fit clearly into any of the three sub-communities of H14 described in the NVC. H15 Calluna vulgaris-juniperus communis ssp. nana heath Although there are scattered plants of dwarf juniper in various types of heathland throughout the study area, this type of montane heath is confined to inaccessible cliff ledges in An Cùl Choire on the eastern side of Aonach Mór. The vegetation proved impossible to reach and had to be viewed through binoculars from the foot of the cliffs. It consists of dense green mats of Juniperus communis ssp. nana mixed with the dark shoots of Calluna vulgaris and with an underlay dominated by Racomitrium lanuginosum. Dwarf juniper is sensitive to burning and patches of this type of vegetation can be eradicated by a single fire (McVean & Ratcliffe 1962). It is possible that this type of vegetation once formed extensive sheets of scrub on acid soils above the altitudinal limit of trees. H18a Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa heath, Hylocomium splendens-rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community H18a is common, though nowhere particularly extensive, on the lower slopes of the study area. It has a short, dense and bright green sward of Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea, interleaved with small amounts of Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca vivipara, Agrostis canina, Carex binervis, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. Under these plants is a thick underfelt of bryophytes including Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytididelphus loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum and Polytrichum commune. H18b Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa heath, Alchemilla alpina-carex pilulifera sub-community On slopes where the underlying rocks are moderately base-rich, there are vivid green expanses of this flowery, grassy form of Vaccinium myrtillus heath. The sprigs of Vaccinium myrtillus and Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum are set in a matrix of Alchemilla alpina, Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis capillaris and Potentilla erecta. Around the vascular plants are dense mats of bryophytes made up of Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Racomitrium lanuginosum and Hypnum jutlandicum. H18b is equally at home on north-facing and south-facing slopes, as long as the soils are freely-draining. It occurs on Sgurr a Bhuic, in Coire Leis, on the Carn Dearg ridge, on Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, and is common on the long smooth slopes of the Grey Corries. H18c Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa heath, Racomitrium lanuginosum-cladonia spp. sub-community This type of Vaccinium heath is intermediate between the sub-montane Vaccinium-Deschampsia heath H18 and the montane Vaccinium-Racomitrium or Vaccinium-Cladonia heaths H20 and H19. H18c has the sub-montane vascular plants of H18: Vaccinium myrtillus, Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. Locally there may be a few sprigs of Vaccinium vitis-idaea, but nowhere are there the more montane species of H20 (see below). These grow through the Racomitrium lanuginosum underlayer more characteristic of H20, rather than through a deep mat of large, pleurocarpous 20

29 mosses. The only common pleurocarpous moss in H18c is Hypnum jutlandicum. There is also a speckling of lichens such as Cladonia portentosa and C. uncialis. H18c occurs on the south-facing slope of Sgurr a Bhuic and on a few north-facing slopes in the Grey Corries. H19 Vaccinium myrtillus-cladonia arbuscula heath This montane heath is the Vaccinium-dominated counterpart of the Calluna-Cladonia heath H13. Like H13, it is much more common in the eastern Highlands than it is in the west. It occurs in the Grey Corries on Bein na Socaich and Stob Coire na Ceannain, on windswept ridges exposed to the south-west. Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum grow in a rich green, prostrate mat less than 5cm high, dotted with the glaucous tufts of Carex bigelowii and with small species such as Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca vivipara, Nardus stricta and Galium saxatile. Over the ground is a pale carpet of lichens including Cladonia arbuscula, C. portentosa, C. uncialis, C. furcata, C. rangiferina, Coelocaulon aculeatum, Ochrolechia frigida and Cetraria islandica. There are also wisps and clumps of bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Polytrichum alpinum and Ptilidium ciliare. Along with the other montane heaths, this is one of the habitats of Loiselurea procumbens. On Beinn na Socaich H19 is home to Arctostaphylos alpinus in one of its few stations south of the Great Glen. This vegetation does not fit clearly into any of the three sub-communities of H19 described in the NVC. H20a Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Viola riviniana-thymus polytrichus sub-community This is a montane form of Vaccinium heath, and is the sub-community most strongly associated with basic soils. In the study area it is most widespread over the richer rocks of Meall Cumhann, Sgurr a Bhuic, the upper west-facing slopes of Ben Nevis, the eastern side of Coire Guibhsachan and the Grey Corries. It has a short, even sward of Vaccinium myrtillus and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, dotted with V. vitisidaea, V. uliginosum, Thymus polytrichus, Alchemilla alpina and, more locally, the uncommon montane shrub Loiselurea procumbens. There is a sparse array of grasses such as Festuca vivipara, Deschampsia flexuosa and Agrostis canina, and a freckling of small herbs such as Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and the more montane Diphasiastrum alpinum and Carex bigelowii. These plants grow through a dense silvery weft of Racomitrium lanuginosum, sprigged with R. fasciculare, Polytrichum alpinum and the lichen Cetraria islandica. On the west-facing slopes of Ben Nevis, at about 1150m, the rare Veronica alpina and Cerastium cerastioides grow near to the path in this type of vegetation. H20b Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Cetraria islandica sub-community This is the most common form of mossy montane Vaccinium heath in the study area. It is extensive on the steep, rocky upper slopes and on cols and ridges above about 750m. It is a community of bleak, windswept and generally stony ground. The short, wind-pruned sward is made up of Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, growing densely together through a silver-green layer of Racomitrium lanuginosum. The sward is sprinkled with small montane plants such as Carex bigelowii, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Loiselurea procumbens, Salix herbacea, Juncus trifidus, the moss Polytrichum alpinum and the lichens Cetraria islandica and Ochrolechia frigida. There are also a few less exacting species such as Festuca vivipara, Deschampsia flexuosa, Huperzia selago, Pleurozium schreberi and Rhytidiadelphus loreus. The uncommon upland lichen Thamnolia vermicularis grows in this type of vegetation on the Carn Dearg ridge. 21

30 H20c Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Bazzania tricrenata-mylia taylori sub-community This montane heath has a short green sward of Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea and V. uliginosum, interspersed with Carex bigelowii, Deschampsia flexuosa and Nardus stricta. There is much Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Huperzia selago. Under the sward the thick underlay of Racomitrium lanuginosum is variegated with red clumps of Sphagnum capillifolium, and with colourful patches of the western, oceanic liverworts Bazzania tricrenata, B. pearsonii, Anastrophyllum donnianum, Pleurozia purpurea, Mylia taylorii, Anastrepta orcadensis, Lepidozia pearsonii, Plagiochila carringtonii, Scapania gracilis, S. ornithopodioides and S. nimbosa. The oceanic moss Dicranodontium uncinatum is another characteristic species, as is the oceanic fern Hymenophyllum wilsonii. The oceanic bryophytes are intolerant of high temperatures and low atmospheric humidity, but are also sensitive to the desiccating effects of severe cold (Averis 1994). So this type of vegetation is confined to humid and shaded slopes facing between north-west and east. It generally occurs among boulders or on cliff ledges where there is little direct sunlight and enough snow-cover in winter to protect the plants from frost. H20c is the least extensive of the four forms of Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath, both in the study area and more generally in the British uplands. In the Ben Nevis SSSI it is a community of the high corries facing north or east, and of the deep glens between Ben Nevis and the Carn Dearg ridge and between there and Aonach Mór. There are some especially fine examples in the north-facing Grey Corries and in An Cùl Choire on the eastern side of Aonach Beag. H20d Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Rhytidiadelphus loreus-hylocomium splendens sub-community H20d is the montane counterpart of the sub-montane Vaccinium-Deschampsia heath H18, with a bryophyte layer of large pleurocarpous mosses replacing the Racomitrium lanuginosum of the other sub-communites. The sward has a rich, golden tone because the deep carpet of large mosses such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi and Hypnum jutlandicum is so conspicuous under the short, sparse canopy of dwarf shrubs, herbs and grasses. This canopy consists of green mixtures of Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, interspersed with Deschampsia flexuosa, Carex bigelowii, Diphasiastrum alpinum and Alchemilla alpina. H20d is extensive on the smooth northfacing and east-facing slopes of the study area, especially in the Grey Corries. H21a Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus-sphagnum capillifolium heath, Calluna vulgaris- Pteridium aquilinum sub-community H21a has a dark, untidy canopy of Calluna vulgaris, interleaved with straggling shoots of Vaccinium myrtillus and sprinkled with Deschampsia flexuosa, Carex binervis, Blechnum spicant, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. Under the canopy of vascular plants is a deep, spongy layer of bryophytes made up of Sphagnum capillifolium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi. Despite its inclusion in the sub-community name, Pteridium aquilinum is not consistently present in H21 heath in Britain. Most patches of H21a in this survey have little or no Pteridium. H21a is the characteristic heath community of damp slopes and cliff ledges facing north and east, and is widespread in the study area. Some of the examples on cliff ledges and ravine sides are scattered with trees generally either birch or rowan. They are intermediate between open heathland and heathy woodland W17. There are some good examples in the northern glens of the Grey Corries. 22

31 H21b Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus-sphagnum capillifolium heath, Mastigophora woodsii- Herbertus aduncus sub-community This is the more western, oceanic form of the sub-montane damp heaths. It shares with the more widespread Calluna-Pteridium sub-community H21a the dark, uneven sward of Calluna vulgaris and Vaccinium myrtillus, tufted with with Deschampsia flexuosa and Carex binervis and dotted with Blechnum spicant, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Succisa pratensis and Solidago virgaurea. Under the sward is a deep, damp layer of Sphagnum capillifolium, growing with Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Pleurozium schreberi and Racomitrium lanuginosum. In this sub-community there is also a colourful and attractive array of oceanic, western liverworts including Herbertus aduncus, Pleurozia purpurea, Bazzania tricrenata, B. pearsonii, Mastigophora woodsii, Mylia taylorii, Anastrepta orcadensis, Plagiochila spinulosa, P. carringtonii, Scapania gracilis, Lepidozia pearsonii and the more lowland, woodland species Saccogyna viticulosa. The filmy fern Hymenophyllum wilsonii is common, growing among the bryophytes in green cascades of dark translucent fronds. H21b is confined to rocky woods and heathery slopes in the far west of Britain and Ireland, but within its range in the west Highlands it is far from uncommon. It was strange to find it so rare in the study area. There is none at all in Coire Leis, nor in the glen between the Carn Dearg ridge and Aonach Mór. We found it only in upper Glen Nevis, at the upper edge of the woods on the north-facing side and on the steep, rocky slopes above. H22a Vaccinium myrtillus-rubus chamaemorus heath, Polytrichum commune-galium saxatile sub-community This type of montane heath is widespread and common on steep slopes at moderate altitudes throughout the study area. It marks out places where snow lies reasonably consistently through the winter, although it does not linger sufficiently late in spring to suppress dwarf shrubs altogether. H22a has a vivid green sward of Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, growing with montane species such as Carex bigelowii, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Polytrichum alpinum and the lichen Cetraria islandica as well as with an array of more widespread plants such as Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca vivipara, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. Cornus suecica is an especially characteristic plant of this type of heath. It does not occur in all stands, but where it does occur it can be really common, with its small purple flowers enclosed by white petal-like bracts standing above its sturdy bright-green rosettes of oval leaves. Rubus chamaemorus is another characteristic species of this type of vegetation, but it is less common in H22a in the study area than it is in some of the bogs and damp snow-beds. Melampyrum pratense is another, more widespread plant which can also be really plentiful in H22a. The bryophyte layer is deep and dense, and gives a rich orange-green tinge to the vegetation. It is made up of mixed mats of Sphagnum capillifolium, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Polytrichum commune and Racomitrium lanuginosum. H22a resembles the HX Vaccinium heath described below, but differs in containing northern upland species such as R. chamaemorus, C. suecica, V. uliginosum, C. bigelowii and E. nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum. H22b Vaccinium myrtillus-rubus chamaemorus heath, Plagiothecium undulatum-anastrepta orcadensis sub-community H22b is a moderately montane form of Calluna heath, intermediate between the tall sub-montane heaths and the prostrate communities of exposed, high ground. It is a community of sheltered slopes at moderate 23

32 to high altitudes. It has a combination of montane vascular species and an underlay of large pleurocarpous mosses. It has many species in common with Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heath H21, but the dark, tufted sward of Calluna vulgaris is shorter, variegated with Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum, V. vitis-idaea and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and spiked through by Carex bigelowii, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca vivipara and Juncus squarrosus. There is a speckling of small plants such as Potentilla erecta, Melampyrum pratense, Galium saxatile and Blechnum spicant. Cornus suecica is less common in H22b in the study area than it is in the Vaccinium-dominated H22a, and is entirely absent from some examples. The bryophyte layer has the same rich golden-green appearance of that in H22a, and is made up of the same species: Sphagnum capillifolium, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Polytrichum commune and Racomitrium lanuginosum. HX Vaccinium myrtillus-sphagnum capillifolium heath This is a type of vegetation not described in the NVC but nonetheless common throughout the uplands of Wales, northern England and Scotland. It is a sub-montane heath that seems to be the result of grazing in Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum damp heath H21: the heather is grazed out, leaving a canopy of Vaccinium myrtillus over an understorey of Sphagnum capillifolium and other bryophytes such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi and Hypnum jutlandicum. In the sward there is much Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Blechnum spicant, and a speckling of Deschampsia flexuosa, Nardus stricta, Agrostis canina and Carex binervis. Locally there are oceanic or western liverworts such as Scapania gracilis, Anastrepta orcadensis and Mylia taylorii, suggesting that the vegetation has been derived by grazing from liverwort-rich Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heath H21b. HX resembles Vaccinium-dominated forms of Vaccinium-Rubus heath H22a but lacks Rubus chamaemorus and montane species such as V. uliginosum, Carex bigelowii, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and Cornus suecica. It is common throughout the study area on grazed slopes facing north and east. M1 Sphagnum denticulatum bog pool community This is the vegetation of peaty pools in expanses of blanket bog, where the surface of the ground is below the water table. The green hollows are filled with a floating carpet of Sphagnum denticulatum. In some examples there is also some S. cuspidatum. Around the margins is a thin fringe of species such as Eriophorum angustifolium, Juncus bulbosus, Carex echinata and Narthecium ossifragum. M1 is a component of the blanket bogs around Lochan Meall an t-suidhe, at the northern end of the Allt a Mhuillin glen, in Coire Bhealach to the north of Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór and in the Lairig Leacach at the eastern edge of the site. M3 Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community Most examples of M3 are not so much bog pools as spreads of Eriophorum angustifolium on bare, eroded peat. E. angustifolium readily colonises the redistributed peat in eroding bogs and can begin the process of revegetation. The sward is thin and species-poor, generally with nothing more than the cottongrass apart from a sparse speckling of bog species such as Sphagnum denticulatum, Juncus bulbosus and Trichophorum cespitosum. There are examples on Sgurr a Bhuic, in Glen Nevis near Steall and further upstream in Coire Rath, on the boggy flats in Coire an Eòin and in Cùl Choirean. 24

33 M4 Carex rostrata-sphagnum fallax mire These are mires with a lush grey-green sward of Carex rostrata, C. nigra, C. echinata and Eriophorum angustifolium swaying above a wet carpet of Sphagnum fallax, S. palustre, S. denticulatum and Polytrichum commune. There is a speckling of small plants such as Potentilla erecta, Viola palustris, Succisa pratensis and Euphrasia officinalis. In slightly more nutrient-enriched examples there are species such as Parnassia palustris, Ranunculus acris and Plagiomnium undulatum. M4 mires are widely though thinly distributed over most of the study area. Almost all the examples are small. Typically they occupy ill-drained hollows within patches of blanket mire. The largest examples are in lower Coire Giubhsachan, on wet level ground where there may once have been a shallow lochan. There are also patches of M4 around Lochan Meall an t-suidhe, on the boggy flats in Coire an Eòin and An Coire Calma to the east of Aonach Beag, around the lochans in lower Coire na Ceannain and in upper Glen Nevis. M6a Carex echinata-sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Carex echinata sub-community Carex echinata-sphagnum mires are among the commonest small acid mires in the uplands, generally occurring in patches on flushed lower slopes as they do throughout in the study area. This type of vegetation, however, is unusually extensive on the floor of lower Coire Giubhsachan, in a mixture of mires which look as if they are filling the bed of what was once a shallow lochan. M6a has a short, grey-green sward of Carex echinata, interleaved with a little C. nigra, C. panicea and Eriophorum angustifolium and flecked with Viola palustris, Potentilla erecta, Succisa pratensis, Leontodon autumnalis and Pinguicula vulgaris. These plants grow in a green carpet of Sphagnum fallax, S. denticulatum, S. palustre and Polytrichum commune. M6b Carex echinata-sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Carex nigra-nardus stricta sub-community M6b is a more varied, heterogenous type of acid mire than M6a (see above), and can be intermediate between a sedge mire and a wet grassland. The variegated green swards can be hard to pick out from the surrounding mires and wet grasslands. They are made up of Carex echinata, C. nigra, C. panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Nardus stricta, Molinia caerulea, Agrostis canina and Juncus squarrosus, growing in uneven, tufted mixtures dotted with Succisa pratensis, Viola palustris, Galium saxatile, Leontodon autumnalis and Potentilla erecta. The bryophyte layer is the familiar assemblage of Sphagnum fallax, S. denticulatum, S. palustre and Polytrichum commune which is shared by all of the acid small-sedge mires and rush-mires. M6b mires occur on flushed slopes at low to moderate altitudes and are probably the most common type of soligenous sedge mire in the study area. M6c Carex echinata-sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Juncus effusus sub-community These tall mires of Juncus effusus form narrow bands along stream-courses and spread out to fill wet hollows on the low ground. They are common in Glen Nevis and on the lower northern slopes of the Grey Corries. They have a dense sward of Juncus effusus, growing with Carex echinata, C. nigra, Molinia caerulea, Eriophorum angustifolium and Juncus bulbosus through a wet mat of Sphagnum denticulatum, S. fallax, S. palustre and Polytrichum commune. Generally species-poor, they may be home to a speckling of small mire plants such as Viola palustris, Succisa pratensis and Narthecium ossifragum. 25

34 M6d Carex echinata-sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Juncus acutiflorus sub-community These mires are very like the Juncus effusus mires M6c described above, except that here the place of J. effusus is taken by J. acutiflorus. Again, the rush grows with an array of sedges and grasses including Carex echinata, C. nigra, C. panicea, Juncus bulbosus, Molinia caerulea and Agrostis canina. The moss layer is made up of the same species: Sphagnum denticulatum, S. fallax, S. palustre and Polytrichum commune. Here, too, there are a few small species which can tolerate wet ground, such as Viola palustris, Potentilla erecta, Rumex acetosa and Succisa pratensis. M6d mires were recorded on the low ground in Glen Nevis and on the lower northern slopes of the Grey Corries. M7 Carex curta-sphagnum russowii mire These are the montane counterpart of the Carex echinata-sphagnum mires M6. Despite the name, neither Carex curta nor Sphagnum russowii necessarily occur in them and it is rare to find an example here which fits either of the described sub-communities. This is why those mapped in the study area have been labelled simply as M7. They have a short, open, green sward of sedges which lies half-hidden among the surrounding montane grasslands. It is made up of species such as Carex bigelowii, C. curta, C. nigra, Eriophorum angustifolium, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Deschampsia cespitosa, with a speckling of small plants such as Pinguicula vulgaris, Viola palustris, Potentilla erecta and Alchemilla alpina. There is also an array of more montane species such as Saxifraga stellaris, Caltha palustris var. radicans, Salix herbacea and the liverwort Scapania uliginosa. The bryophyte layer is composed of species including Sphagnum denticulatum, S. palustre, S. squarrosum, S. papillosum, S. fallax, Polytrichum commune and Scapania undulata. In some examples there are bog species such as Narthecium ossifragum and even Rubus chamaemorus. On the west-facing slopes of Stob Coire Easain there are some interesting baseenriched examples of M7 with species such as Persicaria vivipara, Thalictrum alpinum, Pinguicula vulgaris and Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa growing with mixtures of Carex curta, C. bigelowii and Sphagnum species. M7 mires occur throughout the study area on flushed slopes in the high corries. There are some good examples in the east-facing corries of the Carn Dearg ridge, in Cùl Choirean and An Coire Calma to the east of Aonach Beag, and in all of the corries of the Grey Corries. M9a Carex rostrata-calliergonella cuspidata/calliergon giganteum mire, Campylium stellatum- Scorpidium scorpioides sub-community There is a tiny patch of this type of mire on the col of the Bealach Cumhann, where base-rich water from the limestone slopes seeps through peaty soils on the level ground. There is also at least one example on the north-facing slope of Beinn na Socaich. The M9a in the study area has an open sward of Carex rostrata, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. nigra, C. panicea, C. dioica and Trichophorum cespitosum growing through a patchy carpet of bryophytes such as Calliergonella cuspidata, Blindia acuta and Ctenidium molluscum. There are a few base-tolerant species including Thalictrum alpinum, Rhinanthus minor and Pinguicula vulgaris, as well as a range of more widespread species such as Narthecium ossifragum, Potentilla erecta and Viola palustris. Like many examples of base-rich Carex rostrata mire in the uplands, it is not a particularly good fit for any of the relevant NVC types, but is closest to M9a. 26

35 M10a Carex dioica-pinguicula vulgaris mire, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-juncus bulbosus/ kochii sub-community These are the characteristic mires of places where moderately base-rich water emerges from the ground. Although they are most common where the rocks are generally base-rich, such as on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan and on Beinn na Socaich, they are also widespread on slopes where the rock is acid or covered with peat or glacial drift, marking out small, localised areas of base-rich flushing. The mires can be hard to see from a distance, and their appearance is not particularly distinguished. Often the most noticeable thing about them is the strong sulphurous smell of decomposing vegetation. They have a short, sparse sward of Carex panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. dioica, C. pulicaris, C. hostiana, Eriophorum angustifolium and Trichophorum cespitosum, growing on gravelly, muddy soils studded with small species such as Pinguicula vulgaris with its lime-green rosettes of sticky leaves, Selaginella selaginoides, Linum catharticum and Euphrasia officinalis. Saussurea alpina grows in this type of mire in Coire Giubhsachan. There are thin wisps and wefts of bryophytes such as Drepanocladus revolvens, Scorpidium scorpioides, Campylium stellatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Blindia acuta, Calliergon trifarium, Hylocomium splendens, Breutelia chrysocoma and Aneura pinguis. M11a Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-saxifraga aizoides mire, Thalictrum alpinum-juncus triglumis sub-community This is the more montane form of base-rich small-sedge mire. M11a mires are generally found at higher altitudes than the Carex-Pinguicula type M10 (see above), on bare, stony, gravelly soils which are flushed with base-rich water. Like the M10 mires, they have a thin, sparse sward of sedges and other small plants such as Carex panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. pulicaris, Thymus polytrichus, Pinguicula vulgaris, Selaginella selaginoides, Leontodon autumnalis, Lotus corniculatus and Prunella vulgaris. They are, however, distinguished from M10 by Saxifraga aizoides, which grows in clustering patches of fat, grey-green shoots which are lit up by its cascades of yellow starry flowers in summer. Among the vascular plants are tufts and shoots of bryophytes such as Blindia acuta, Campylium stellatum, Hylocomium splendens, Scorpidium scorpioides and Drepanocladus revolvens. M11 mires tend to have more montane species than M10 mires, and one of the most characteristic of these is Juncus triglumis, with its neat green stems topped by dark brown, oval flowers. We were interested to note that this species is common in M11a mires on the Grey Corries part of the study area, but rare on the hills further west. Other montane species include Persicaria vivipara, Thalictrum alpinum, Tofieldia pusilla and Saxifraga oppositifolia. There are some especially fine examples of M11a on the south-facing side of Sgurr a Bhuic, on the eastern side of Coire an Eòin and in Coire a Mhadaidh and Coire Choimhlidh. M11b Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-saxifraga aizoides mire, Palustriella commutata- Eleocharis quinqueflora sub-community This is the less montane form of the Carex-Saxifraga mire. It occurs on the lower east-facing slopes of Beinn na Socaich in Coire a Mhadaidh, where there is considerable and extensive flushing of base-rich water. Most examples are fed by Palustriella-Festuca springs M37, and the flora of the two types of vegetation has much in common. M11b has more sedges than M37. There is an open sward of Carex panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. dioica, Trichophorum cespitosum and Triglochin palustris, entangled with Saxifraga aizoides and dotted with Pinguicula vulgaris. The wefts and mats of bryophytes consist of species such as Palustriella commutata, Scorpidium scorpioides, Blindia acuta and Campylium stellatum. Some of these mires in Coire a Mhadaidh are home to the rare horsetail Equisetum variegatum, and the uncommon Eriophorum latifolium also grows in this type of vegetation here. 27

36 M12 Carex saxatilis mire These montane mires are among the more interesting types of vegetation in the study area. This is partly because Carex saxatilis is itself an uncommon species, so these mires, which are restricted to the Scottish Highlands, are not common either. M12 mires are widely thought to be species-rich communities. In the Breadalbane hills they certainly are, but towards the north-west Highlands they tend to be less rich and to be associated more with hollows and gullies which hold considerable depths of snow far into spring and which are subsequently irrigated by cold water from the melting snow. Indeed, in the Ben Nevis SSSI they are common in the high corries whether or not the underlying rock is base-rich. They are widely distributed in Coire Leis, in the east-facing corries of the Carn Dearg ridge, in Coire an Lochan and the higher parts of the vast series of corries to the east of Aonach Beag, and on most of the hills in the Grey Corries. These mires form small patches of the stout, short, dark green shoots of Carex saxatilis. They are conspicuous when the plants are bearing their heads of rounded dark brown spiky flowers in the summer, but at other times of the year they can be hard to pick out. C. saxatilis in the vegetative state resembles Eriophorum angustifolium, with the same trigonous point at the leaf-tip, but it lacks the spongy pink sheaths of E. angustifolium. Among the sward of C. saxatilis is a rich array of small plants such as C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca vivipara, Viola palustris, Alchemilla alpina, Pinguicula vulgaris, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Thalictrum alpinum, Ranunculus acris, Silene acaulis and Potentilla erecta. There is a loose mat of bryophytes including Sphagnum denticulatum, Hylocomium splendens, Campylium stellatum, Polytrichum alpinum, Calliergon sarmentosum, Calliergonella cuspidata, Marsupella emarginata, Anthelia julacea and Scapania undulata. As well as Carex saxatilis itself, these mires are the habitat of a number of uncommon species including Tofieldia pusilla and Coeloglossum aculeatum. M15a Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Carex panicea sub-community This sub-community of Trichophorum-Erica heath is more of a soligenous mire than a true heath, though it has much in common with the other sub-communities of M15. It has an open sward of Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Molinia caerulea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Trichophorum cespitosum, Carex panicea and Juncus bulbosus. This can be thickly-speckled with Narthecium ossifragum, its spikes of orange-yellow flowers making a fine show in late summer. Rhynchospora alba can form dense patches of sharp creamy flowers. In some examples there is much Myrica gale. The wet, greasy peat under this sward is patched with bryophytes such as Sphagnum denticulatum, S. capillifolium, Campylopus atrovirens, Breutelia chrysocoma and Pleurozia purpurea, and dotted with Drosera rotundifolia. M15a mires are common within the blanket bogs and wet heaths on the low ground throughout the study area. On the lower, west-facing slopes of Beinn Bhàn in Coire Choimlidh there are some interesting examples of M15a which are flushed through with base-rich water. They have the typical sward of Molinia caerulea, Trichophorum cespitosum, Erica tetralix, Narthecium ossifragum and Succisa pratensis, and the most common species in the bryophyte layer are Hypnum jutlandicum, Hylocomium splendens, Thuidium tamariscinum and Breutelia chrysocoma. But this is augmented by an array of base-tolerant plants including Selaginella selaginoides, Linum catharticum, Plantago lanceolata, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Thymus polytrichus, Carex pulicaris, Lathyrus linifolius, Anemone nemorosa, Thalictrum alpinum and even the scarce montane sedge Carex capillaris. 28

37 M15b Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Typical sub-community This is one of the most extensive types of vegetation on the lower to middle slopes in the study area. M15b is the typical vegetation of damp, shallow peat on moderate slopes in the west Highlands. It has a variegated, patchy, tufted sward of Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Trichophorum cespitosum and Molinia caerulea, sprinkled with species such as Succisa pratensis, Dactylorhiza maculata, Polygala serpyllifolia, Potentilla erecta and Narthecium ossifragum. Myrica gale is common in some examples; this is one of the characteristic habitats of this species. In Glen Nevis there are examples of M15b in which there are big colonies of Gymnadenia conopsea. There are large patches and cushions of bryophytes such as Sphagnum capillifolium, S. tenellum, Campylopus atrovirens, Breutelia chrysocoma, Pleurozium schreberi and the red-purple oceanic liverwort Pleurozia purpurea. Although M15b is floristically quite uniform the structure of the vegetation can be very variable. Where it is regularly burnt and grazed the sward consists of an even mixture of species, entwined with the dead leaves of Molinia caerulea. Where grazing is light and the heaths are not burnt, they can thicken up into a dense, tall, tussocky sward of Calluna vulgaris and Molinia caerulea in which the other species are less common. M15c Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Cladonia sub-community M15c takes over from M15b (see above) on steeper slopes, on thinner, drier peats and at higher altitudes, though there are also examples of this type of vegetation at low levels on patches of shallower peat within expanses of the Typical sub-community M15b and on moraines and rock outcrops within expanses of blanket bog. It is also common on cliff ledges. The sward of M15c consists of a similar array of species to that of M15b, but tends to be shorter, more sparse and more open. It is made up of mixtures of Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, E. cinerea, Trichophorum cespitosum and Carex panicea. Molinia caerulea is common, but generally grows as a scattering of shoots rather than in the dense tufts typical of M15b. There is a speckling of wet heath species such as Succisa pratensis, Dactylorhiza maculata, Polygala serpyllifolia, Narthecium ossifragum and Potentilla erecta. At higher elevations there are examples of M15c with species such as Huperzia selago and Carex pilulifera. Despite its name, M15c in the west Highlands is distinguished more by Racomitrium lanuginosum than by lichens. R. lanuginosum grows in conspicuous silvery wefts among the other species. Hypnum jutlandicum is common too, and there are patches of Campylopus atrovirens, Sphagnum capillifolium and Breutelia chrysocoma. M15d Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Vaccinium myrtillus sub-community Compared with the other sub-communities of M15, the Vaccinium sub-community is a drier form of heath which has a more varied and grassy sward. This is made up of Vaccinium myrtillus, Erica tetralix, Trichophorum cespitosum, Nardus stricta, Molinia caerulea, Juncus squarrosus and Calluna vulgaris, interleaved with species such as Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum, Eriophorum angustifolium and Agrostis canina. The more characteristic wet heath species such as Narthecium ossifragum, Dactylorhiza maculata and Succisa pratensis are less common here than they are in the other sub-communities. The bryophyte flora is different, too. There is an assemblage of pleurocarpous mosses such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens and Plagiothecium undulatum as well as the more typical Sphagnum capillifolium. Many examples are likely to be the result of burning which dries out the surface of the peat and heavy grazing, which favours Vaccinium myrtillus and graminoids at the expense of Calluna. 29

38 M15d is widespread and extensive in the study area. It clothes smooth slopes where there is a shallow layer of peat, generally in mosaics with more heathery damp heaths or with acid grasslands. It is particularly common in the Grey Corries, where it covers vast areas of the middle and upper slopes. It also extends into the high corries and there are examples at over 950m on Na Coireachan Laith. These montane examples may be near-natural forms of wet heath from which Calluna vulgaris is absent because of altitude and snow-lie, rather than because of grazing. Indeed, montane species such as Vaccinium uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and Carex bigelowii do occur in these high-altitude damp heaths. M17a Trichophorum cespitosum-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Drosera rotundifolia- Sphagnum sub-community This, the characteristic type of blanket bog of low to moderate altitudes throughout the western Highlands, is the most common bog community in the study area. It is extensive on the level flats beside the Water of Nevis, at the northern end of Coire Leis, on the flat floors of Coire Giubhsachan, Coire an Eòin, An Coire Calma and Coire Bhealaich, and in the Lairig Leacach. There are smaller patches on peat-clad benches on the lower hillsides. M17a bogs can look bare and bleak from a distance, but in fact are surprisingly rich in species and can be bright with the flowers of small herbs in summer. The pale, grassy sward is made up of Eriophorum vaginatum, E. angustifolium, Trichophorum cespitosum and Molinia caerulea growing through an ochre-gold underlayer of Sphagnum papillosum and S. capillifolium. The sward is dotted with Erica tetralix and, more sparingly, with Myrica gale and Calluna vulgaris. There is also an array of smaller plants such as Narthecium ossifragum, Drosera rotundifolia, Polygala serpyllifolia, Dactylorhiza maculata, Pedicularis sylvatica, Potentilla erecta and Succisa pratensis. The layer of bryophytes is patched with species such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Sphagnum tenellum, S. cuspidatum, Pleurozia purpurea and the bog liverworts Mylia anomala and Odontoschisma sphagni. The uncommon sedge Carex pauciflora grows in this type of bog in several places in the study area, especially in upper Glen Nevis, in Coire an Eòin and in Coire Dubh to the north of Meall an t-suidhe. M17b Trichophorum cespitosum-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Cladonia spp. sub-community M17b forms part of the mosaics of bog vegetation on the level flats in Coire an Eòin. There are also a few patches of this form of Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog on the dried-out edges of peat hags in the bogs in the Lairig Leachach. M17b has a short and rather open sward of Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum vaginatum, E. angustifolium, Molinia caerulea and Trichophorum cespitosum, growing in peat with a dried and crusted surface. Among these vascular plants are big, conspicuous grey-green hummocks of Racomitrium lanuginosum. There are patches of bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Mylia anomala and the introduced moss Campylopus introflexus, and a sprinkling of lichens such as Cladonia portentosa and C. uncialis. Sphagnum species are scarce. Species such as Succisa pratensis and Potentilla erecta grow among the larger species, but in general the flora is less rich than it is in the less disturbed examples of M17a. M17c Trichophorum cespitosum-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Juncus squarrosus- Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community Recorded at the eastern end of Glen Nevis, on the level floor of upper Coire Giubhsachan and on the northern slopes of Tom na Sròine and Beinn Bhàn M17c is the most upland, montane form of Trichophorum- Eriophorum mire and the one associated with the driest peat. It has a darker, more heathy sward than that of the wetter Drosera-Sphagnum sub-community M17a, with much Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Juncus squarrosus, Eriophorum angustifolium, E. vaginatum, Trichophorum cespitosum and Molinia caerulea. 30

39 There can be small quantities of Vaccinium myrtillus, too. Myrica gale does not generally grow in this type of M17, but many of the smaller species are common, for example Potentilla erecta, Drosera rotundifolia, Narthecium ossifragum and Succisa pratensis. In the bryophyte layer, Sphagnum papillosum and S. capillifolium are joined by Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum and Hylocomium splendens; species more characteristic of the drier peats of Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19. M19a Calluna vulgaris-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Erica tetralix sub-community This is the most common type of Calluna-Eriophorum bog in the oceanic climate of the west Highlands, and its flora has much in common with that of the oceanic Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17. However, all the types of M19 bog are easy to pick out because of their distinctive dark, tussocky swards made up of almost equal amounts of Eriophorum vaginatum and Calluna vulgaris. The dark green leaves of Eriophorum angustifolium spike up through the sward, and there is a green speckling of Vaccinium myrtillus and, in some examples, of Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum. In M19a this flora is augmented by species such as Erica tetralix, Molinia caerulea, Trichophorum cespitosum, Narthecium ossifragum and Potentilla erecta. Under the sward the peat is firm and fibrous, and is clothed with a deep layer of bryophytes including Sphagnum capillifolium, Rhytididadelphus loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Plagiothecium undulatum and Hylocomium splendens. The diminutive orchid Listera cordata can be found rooted into the layer of bryophytes under the shelter of the Calluna bushes. M19a occurs throughout the study area at moderate altitudes. It is especially extensive around Lochan Meall an t-suidhe and in Coire Dubh just to the north. It also occurs in Coire Giubhsachan and in the Lairig Leacach. M19c Calluna vulgaris-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-hylocomium splendens sub-community M19c takes in the more montane forms of Calluna-Eriophorum mire and is characteristic of damp, fibrous, deep peat at high altitudes. Like M19a it has a mixed, tussocky, dark-green and dark purple-brown sward of Calluna vulgaris and Eriophorum vaginatum, with much Vaccinium myrtillus and Eriophorum angustifolium. Here, though, the sward is short and more varied, with Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Empetrum nigrum (ssp. hermaphroditum as well as ssp. nigrum), Juncus squarrosus and Melampyrum pratense. The so-called peat alpines Cornus suecica, Rubus chamaemorus and Vaccinium uliginosum can be plentiful, and M19c is another characteristic habitat for Listera cordata. There is a sprinkling of small plants such as Potentilla erecta, Luzula sylvatica and Deschampsia flexuosa. Under the sward is a deep, richly-coloured quilt of bryophytes in which Sphagnum capillifolium and Hylocomium splendens are generally the two most common species. There is also plenty of Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Racomitrium lanuginosum. The liverworts Mylia taylorii and Ptilidium ciliare grow in colourful clumps, and there is a white freckling of lichens such as Cladonia portentosa, C. uncialis and, at higher altitudes, Cetraria islandica. The largest extent of M19c in the study area is around Lochan Meall an t-suidhe, but it also occurs on the level floors of corries such as Coire a Bhuic, Coire na Ceannain and Cùl Choirean, as well as on peat-clad benches and plateaux throughout the study area. M23a Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-galium palustre rush pasture, Juncus acutiflorus sub-community These herb-rich rush mires occur in patches on the low ground in Glen Nevis, and also at the northern end of Coire an Eòin. They have a tall, dark-green sward of Juncus acutiflorus, interleaved with J. effusus, Carex nigra and C. echinata and with grasses such as Molinia caerulea, Holcus lanatus, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Agrostis canina. Among these plants is a lush, flowery assemblage of mesotrophic herbs such as 31

40 Parnassia palustris, Ranunculus acris, R. flammula, Crepis paludosa, Epilobium palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Galium palustre and Achillea ptarmica. Over the wet soil is a loose mat of bryophytes such as Calliergonella cuspidata, Thuidium tamariscinum, Hylocomium splendens, Scleropodium purum, Polytrichum commune and Rhizomnium punctatum. M23b Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-galium palustre rush pasture, Juncus effusus sub-community The Juncus effusus sub-community occurs in patches on the low ground in Glen Nevis. Many examples show signs of disturbance such as nutrient enrichment or trampling. M23b is generally less herb-rich than the Juncus acutiflorus sub-community. The sward consists of Juncus effusus growing with species such as Holcus lanatus, Rumex acetosa, Cirsium palustre, Ranunculus flammula, R. acris, Viola palustris and Potentilla erecta over a thin layer of bryophytes such as Calliergonella cuspidata, Thuidium tamariscinum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Scleropodium purum and Lophocolea bidentata. M25a Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire, Erica tetralix sub-community This tall, tussocky grassland is common on damp, shallow peat and flushed mineral soils on the lower slopes in Glen Nevis, both on the open ground and in woodland clearings. It also occurs on the low ground in Coire an Eòin, in mosaics with bog vegetation, and on the smooth north-facing slopes of Beinn na Socaich. The rich green sward, with the leaves of the Molinia blown into waves by the slightest wind, is intertwined with species such as Myrica gale, Erica tetralix, Agrostis canina, Trichophorum cespitosum, Carex echinata and Galium saxatile. The deep blue flowers of Polygala serpyllifolia, and the golden ones of Potentilla erecta, enliven the swards in early summer. In the channels between the tufts of grasses are wefts and small patches of bryophytes such as Polytrichum commune, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and R. squarrosus. Although this is a wet grassland, the tops and sides of the larger clumps of Molinia can be quite well-drained and dry, and can provide a home for species such as Dryopteris dilatata and Oreopteris limbosperma. M25b Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community This drier, grassy form of Molinia grassland plays a minor part in the mosaics of heath and grassland on the slopes of Glen Nevis. It has a more mixed sward than M25a. The clumps of Molinia caerulea are mingled with other grasses and sedges such as Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis canina, A. capillaris, Festuca vivipara, Deschampsia flexuosa, Nardus stricta, Carex echinata and C. panicea. There is an assemblage of small grassland species, such as Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Campanula rotundifolia and Euphrasia officinalis, as well as more typical plants of damp ground such as Narthecium ossifragum, Viola palustris and Succisa pratensis. Under the vascular sward is a thin carpet of bryophytes made up of species such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Dicranum scoparium and Racomitrium lanuginosum. M25c Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire, Angelica sylvestris sub-community This herb-rich form of Molinia grassland was recorded in the lower parts of Coille Coire an Eòin. It has the usual tall green sward of Molinia caerulea, with smaller quantities of Anthoxanthum odoratum, Holcus lanatus, Agrostis canina and Carex echinata. These grow with an array of mesotrophic herbs such as Lysimachia nemorum, Parnassia palustris, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, R. flammula, Rhinanthus minor, Filipendula ulmaria, Selaginella selaginoides and Valeriana officinalis. There are also a few bog and heath 32

41 species such as Narthecium ossifragum, Polygala serpyllifolia and Pedicularis sylvatica. Under the vascular sward is a thin weft of bryophytes such as Calliergonella cuspidata, Hylocomium splendens, Sphagnum fallax, Scleropodium purum and Lophocolea bidentata. M27 Filipendula ulmaria-angelica sylvestris tall-herb fen This type of fen vegetation occurs around Achriabhach in Glen Nevis. It consists of tall, leafy swards of Filipendula ulmaria, their stems topped in summer with the fragrant pale cream flowers, and an assemblage of other species including Athyrium filix-femina, Cirsium palustre, Epilobium palustre, Juncus effusus, Galium saxatile, Rumex acetosa, R. obtusifolius and Cardamine pratensis. There is little space for bryophytes under the dense herbage. There are just a few wisps of Calliergonella cuspidata, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and Lophocolea bidentata. This vegetation does not fit comfortably into any of the three sub-communities of M27. Ecologically it is probably closest to the Urtica dioica-vicia cracca sub-community M27b, a lowland vegetation type of disturbed soils, as it occurs down-slope of the sheep fanks and farm track and is likely to be flushed with nitrogen-rich water. M31 Anthelia julacea-sphagnum denticulatum spring These small springs generally though not always associated with snow-beds are common at higher altitudes in the survey area. Individually they are small, but on wet slopes where water seeps out diffusely they can cover quite a lot of ground in total. They occur where the flow of water is slow or even intermittent, and commonly fill the meltwater channels down-slope from places where snow lies late. They are very distinctive. They consist of grey-green swollen mats and patches made up of dense masses of the tiny cylindrical shoots of the liverwort Anthelia julacea. These mats are studded with the red-gold shoots of Sphagnum denticulatum, the flat purplish shoots of Scapania undulata and with a variety of small plants such as Saxifraga stellaris, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Gnaphalium supinum, Viola palustris, Huperzia selago, Carex bigelowii, Epilobium anagallidifolium and Armeria maritima. Although usually found where the irrigating water is acid as well as very cold, a few base-tolerant species can grow here, for example Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Selaginella selaginoides, Carex saxatilis, Thalictrum alpinum and Persicaria vivipara. These springs are also home to a number of scarce montane bryophytes such as Kiaeria starkei, Philonotis seriata, Pohlia ludwigii, Polytrichum sexangulare, Pleurocladula albescens and Scapania uliginosa. M32a Philonotis fontana-saxifraga stellaris spring, Sphagnum denticulatum sub-community This is the less species-rich and diverse of the two forms of this type of spring-head vegetation. It is the more common of the two where the spring water emerges through acidic, peaty soil, but also occurs on richer mineral soils where it forms mosaics with the Montia-Chrysosplenium sub-community (see below) as well as with a range of other springs and mires. M32a consists of rich orange-gold spreads of the moss Sphagnum denticulatum, patched with species such as Polytrichum commune, Philonotis fontana and Scapania undulata. Rooted in the mats of mosses are plants such as Viola palustris, Saxifraga stellaris, Huperzia selago, Juncus squarrosus and Eriophorum angustifolium, and grasses such as Deschampsia cespitosa, Agrostis canina and Anthoxanthum odoratum. M32a springs are common throughout the study area. In the upper parts of Coire a Mhadaidh and and Choire Lèitheith they form networks which make up a considerable proportion of the total vegetation. 33

42 M32b Philonotis fontana-saxifraga stellaris spring, Montia fontana-chrysosplenium oppositifolium sub-community The cushions of mosses and liverworts which grow around the heads of fast-flowing springs form small patches of almost unbelievably bright, glowing colours which stand out well against the sombre tones of the surrounding heaths and grasslands. The most common bryophyte species in these springs are Philonotis fontana, Dicranella palustris and Scapania undulata, but Sphagnum denticulatum, Drepanocladus fluitans, Calliergonella cuspidata and Jungermannia exsertifolia can also be common. At high altitudes, such as on the plateau between the summit of Ben Nevis and Carn Dearg to the north-west, and in the high east-facing corries of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, scarce montane bryophytes such as Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis, P. ludwigii, Philonotis seriata, Rhizomnium magnifolium, Scapania uliginosa and S. paludosa grow in this type of vegetation. In a few of these assemblages, P. seriata is the dominant species. The velvety cushions of bryophytes are set with small vascular plants such as Saxifraga stellaris, Montia fontana, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Thalictrum alpinum, Epilobium anagallidifolium, E. alsinifolium and Viola palustris. M32b springs are common throughout the study area. Some of the most interesting montane examples are on the high plateau north-west of the summit of Ben Nevis rather mysteriously, as it is hard to imagine where the water comes from in a place where the surrounding ground is almost flat and composed of loose gravel and stones. There are some fine mixed networks of springs and mires on the slopes of Aonach Beag, Coire Giubhsachan, Sgurr a Bhuic and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag. In Coire a Mhadaidh, Choire Lèith, Coire nan Laogh and Coire an Laoigh there are large expanses of this type of vegetation on irrigated, gravelly ground. M33 Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring This is one of the types of vegetation on which snow lies longest into summer, and where the plants have a growing season which may last only a few weeks. Although generally found around springheads, where the emerging water is fast-flowing and very cold, this type of vegetation is also common on irrigated gravel and wet rock face. It consists of distinctive and conspicuous patches of Pohlia wahlenbergii ssp. glacialis: an attractive, robust plant with red stems contrasting finely with the pale, apple-green waxy leaves. Dotted over this mossy carpet are species such as Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina and Saxifraga stellaris, and bryophytes such as Philonotis fontana, P. seriata, Pohlia ludwigii, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Scapania undulata and S. uliginosa. M33 is one of the habitats of the scarce Cerastium cerastioides. The rare Saxifraga rivularis and Veronica alpina grow in this type of vegetation on the east-facing cliffs of Aonach Mór, together with a few other base-tolerant species such as Trollius europaeus, Sibbaldia procumbens, Alchemilla glabra, Ranunculus acris and Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina. This is unusual, though, and most patches of M33 are not species-rich. M33 is the least extensive of all the spring communities in the study area, and the least common in the British uplands. It occurs on the north-eastern cliffs of Ben Nevis and in upper Coire Leis, in the corrie between Carn Mór Dearg and Carn Dearg Meadhonach, on the east-facing cliffs and upper corrie walls of Aonach Beag and Aonach Mór, on Stob Coire Easain and on Stob Choire Claurigh. The patches of M33 on Stob Coire Easain are notably large. One example is 12m long and 2m wide, and there are seven other patches each about 4m long and 3m wide. Exceptionally species-poor, they consist of dense sheets of Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis netted over with a delicate tracery of Cerastium cerastioides. 34

43 M37 Palustriella commutata-festuca rubra spring This is the characteristic spring-head vegetation where the water which emerges from the ground is base-rich. It is attractive and distinctive, though not species-rich. M37 springs are scattered throughout the Grey Corries, but are most common on the slopes of Beinn na Socaich and Beinn Bhàn in Coire a Mhadaidh. They consist of rich orange-red, swelling cushions of Palustriella commutata, patched with Bryum pseudotriquetrum and Scapania undulata and tufted with Festuca rubra and Carex panicea. Little else grows in them. There may be a speckling of small plants such as Ranunculus acris, Saxifraga aizoides, Pinguicula vulgaris and Taraxacum officinale. In some examples there are small amounts of calcicoles such as Thalictrum alpinum and Persicaria vivipara, but these springs are less varied and herb-rich than the Palustriella-Carex type M38 of the Breadalbanes and Upper Teesdale. However, M37 springs in Coire a Mhadaidh are home to the uncommon horsetail Equisetum variegatum. MX Herb-rich small-sedge mire This type of vegetation, known as Neutral Flush in Wales, is common throughout the British uplands but has somehow escaped being sampled for the NVC (Averis et al. 2004). It consists of the small sedges of the Carex-Sphagnum mire M6 (see above) together with the herbs and bryophytes of the Carex rostrata- Sphagnum squarrosum mire M5, the C. rostrata -S. warnstorfii mire M8 or the Juncus-Galium rush pasture M23 (see above). Many examples are like a sedge-dominated counterpart of M23. Although uncommon in the study area, there are some good examples in Coire an Eòin. These mires have a short sward of Carex nigra, C. echinata, C. panicea and Eriophorum angustifolium, interspersed with grasses such as Nardus stricta, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Festuca vivipara and Molinia caerulea and enriched by herbs such as Succisa pratensis, Ranunculus acris, Parnassia palustris, Viola palustris, Cardamine pratensis, Epilobium palustre, Cardamine pratensis, Ajuga reptans, Prunella vulgaris and Rhinanthus minor. Over the ground is a layer of bryophytes including Calliergonella cuspidata, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Sphagnum fallax, S. palustre, S. squarrosum and Aulacomnium palustre. Carex pulicaris, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa and C. hostiana are common in some examples. MG9a Holcus lanatus-deschampsia cespitosa grassland, Poa trivialis sub-community There is a patch of this type of vegetation between the ruined house at Steall and the Water of Nevis. It has a tall, coarse sward of Juncus effusus, Holcus lanatus and Deschampsia cespitosa, studded with Rumex acetosa and Dryopteris filix-mas with an underlayer of Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Thuidium tamariscinum, Hylocomium splendens and Lophocolea bidentata. This is a weedy type of vegetation, more common in the lowlands than in the uplands, and associated with disturbed ground where there has been some nutrient enrichment. This piece of ground may once have been cultivated, or it may simply be where sheep and cattle once congregated. CG10a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland, Trifolium repens- Luzula campestris sub-community This is the sub-community of CG10 which occurs on the driest ground. There are small patches on the steep, south-facing slopes of Ben Nevis to the north of the Bealach Cumhann, and larger expanses on the west side of Carn Dearg and Meall an t-suidhe. Another characteristic habitat is river shingle and spreads of gravel where streams flow out of eroding gullies, for example in Glen Nevis and in Coire an Eòin. CG10a has a short, rich green sward of Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina and 35

44 Luzula multiflora, entangled with Thymus polytrichus and enriched with species such as Prunella vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Ranunculus acris, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Plantago lanceolata, Linum catharticum, Bellis perennis and Veronica officinalis. There are thin wisps of bryophytes over shallow and stony soils, including species such as Ctenidium molluscum, Hypnum lacunosum, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Tortella tortuosa, Breutelia chrysocoma, Racomitrium lanuginosum and, especially on shingle and gravel, R. ericoides. CG10b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland, Carex pulicaris- Carex panicea sub-community This is a damper form of Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland and is the most common type in the study area. It is most extensive on the limestone and base-rich schists of Meall Cumhann and the east side of Coire Giubhsachan, and on the slopes of Beinn na Socaich. The thin, pale grey-green, sedgy sward is made up of Festuca vivipara, Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Holcus lanatus, Carex panicea, C. pulicaris, C. caryophyllea, C. flacca and Luzula multiflora, and, like CG10a, is enmeshed with the straggling shoots of Thymus polytrichus. There is a rich array of small base-tolerant species such as Linum catharticum, Selaginella selaginoides, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Achillea millefolium, Geum rivale, Filipendula ulmaria, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Rumex acetosa, Plantago lanceolata, Viola riviniana and Anemone nemorosa. On Meall Cumhann the scarce and primitive fern Botrychium lunaria grows in small colonies in this type of vegetation. Among the vascular plants are mixed mats of bryophytes such as Hylocomium splendens, Breutelia chrysocoma, Hypnum lacunosum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Ctenidium molluscum and Racomitrium lanuginosum. Although this is a type of grassland which is produced and maintained by grazing, it has been able to persist in the study area even where grazing is light. CG10c Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland, Saxifraga aizoides- Ditrichum gracile sub-community CG10c is the dampest form of Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland. It has a pale, patchy sward of Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Carex panicea, C. pulicaris, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. hostiana and C. flacca with much Thymus polytrichus, growing with species of damp, base-rich ground such as Saxifraga aizoides, S. oppositifolia, S. hypnoides, Selaginella selaginoides, Succisa pratensis, Silene acualis, Linum catharticum, Thalictrum alpinum, Persicaria vivipara, Pinguicula vulgaris, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Geranium sylvaticum, Tofieldia pusilla, Valeriana officinalis, Parnassia palustris and Trollius europaeus. CG10 also shares many of the characteristic species of the other Festuca-Agrostis grasslands, such as Potentilla erecta, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, A. filicaulis ssp. vestita, Plantago lanceolata, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Viola riviniana and Campanula rotundifolia. The soils are gravelly and flushed, and there is a characteristic array of bryophytes including Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Calliergonella cuspidata, Breutelia chrysocoma, Ditrichum gracile and Tortella tortuosa. CG10c occurs on the steep slope at the foot of the west-facing cliffs of Meall Cumhann, where the soils are enriched by flushing with base-rich water and by weathered fragments of the cliffs themselves. There are also small patches on Stob Coire Gaibhre. The most extensive and remarkable examples, however, are on Beinn na Socaich. The CG10c grasslands here are almost unbelievably species-rich, with more than 40 species recorded in a 2m x 2m quadrat. These species include notable rarities such as Carex capillaris, C. vaginata and Dryas octopetala. 36

45 CG11a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-alchemilla alpina grassland, Typical sub-community CG11a is a dry form of herb-rich grassland which occurs on well-drained soils on the south-facing slopes of Ben Nevis. The frothy yellow-green flowers of Alchemilla alpina make these swards conspicuous in summer. A. alpina grows in dense mats in a turf of Festuca vivipara, Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Thymus polytrichus, together with species such as Potentilla erecta, Achillea millefolium, Alchemilla glabra, Euphrasia officinalis and Lotus corniculatus. There are thin silvery mats of bryophytes made up of Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus. CG11b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-alchemilla alpina grassland, Carex pulicaris- Carex panicea sub-community This, the damper form of Festuca-Agrostis-Alchemilla grassland, is common on the higher slopes of the study area, especially on Meall Cumhann and on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan where the rocks are base-rich. It is also widespread on Beinn na Socaich, and occurs in small patches elsewhere on the higher slopes of the Grey Corries. The attractive, pale yellow-green, flowery sward consists of Festuca vivipara, Agrostis canina, Nardus stricta, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Alchemilla alpina, Thymus polytrichus, Carex panicea, C. pulicaris and C. caryophyllea, growing with base-tolerant plants such as Thalictrum alpinum, Ranunculus acris, Plantago lanceolata, Selaginella selaginoides, Saussurea alpina and Alchemilla glabra and species of damp ground such as Pinguicula vulgaris, Trollius europaeus, Succisa pratensis, Filipendula ulmaria and Viola palustris. There are green sprigs of Vaccinium myrtillus. The bryophyte carpet is more varied than it is in the drier CG11a, and consists of species such as Hylocomium splendens, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Breutelia chrysocoma, Dicranum scoparium, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. triquetrus and Scleropodium purum. CG11 occurs at higher altitudes than most examples of the Festuca-Agrostis- Thymus grassland CG10 and clothes thin, stony soils, generally on steep slopes. Though much of it is likely to be maintained by grazing, it is possible that some examples of this type of grassland are natural climax vegetation. CG12 Festuca ovina-alchemilla alpina-silene acaulis community This type of vegetation, which occurs on Meall Cumhann, on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan, on the Agaidh Garbh, in Coire a Mhadaidh and on Beinn na Socaich, is one of the more interesting upland plant communities in the study area. It consists of a dense, emerald green turf of small or cushion-forming base-tolerant plants. The most common is Silene acaulis, which grows with Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Armeria maritima, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Trollius europaeus, Persicaria vivipara, Selaginella selaginoides, Saxifraga stellaris, S. oppositifolia, S. hypnoides, Silene acaulis, Thymus polytrichus, Angelica sylvestris, Orchis mascula, Linum catharticum, Rhinanthus minor, Antennaria dioica, Filipendula ulmaria and Geum rivale. Grasses and sedges spike sparsely through. The most common of these are Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis canina, Luzula spicata, Carex pulicaris, C. panicea, C. bigelowii, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa and C. flacca. There is also a rich assemblage of bryophytes such as Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Neckera crispa, Tortella tortuosa, Ditrichum gracile, Calliergon sarmentosum, Campylium stellatum and Herbertus stramineus. The CG12 in the study area is home to a number of scarce species, such as Botrychium lunaria, Saussurea alpina, Tofieldia pusilla, Luzula spicata and, on Meall Cumhann and the Agaidh Garbh, Salix lapponum, Cerastium alpinum and C. arcticum. 37

46 CG14 Dryas octopetala-silene acaulis ledge community There are small patches of CG14 on the upper slopes at the northern end of Beinn na Socaich. They are most unusual. This is a community normally confined to ungrazed cliff ledges, but the examples on Beinn na Socaich are on open hillsides. They have a low, dense, dark green canopy of Dryas octopetala, decorated with its large golden-cream flowers and, later, by its twisted white silky seed-heads. Growing among the stems of the Dryas are species including Thymus polytrichus, Silene acaulis, Persicaria vivipara, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Trollius europaeus, Linum catharticum, Selaginella selaginoides, Galium boreale, Saussurea alpina, Gentianella campestris, Rhinanthus minor, Carex bigelowii, C. pulicaris, C. capillaris, Festuca vivipara and Deschampsia cespitosa. There is a fine array of bryophytes including Ctenidium molluscum, Ditrichum gracile, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Tortella tortuosa and Herbertus stramineus. This CG14 forms mosaics with Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10b and Festuca-Agrostis-Alchemilla grassland CG11b; there are also patches of the Festuca-Alchemilla-Silene community CG12. It is not clear whether the vegetation here is the grazed remnant of a more extensive Dryas heath, or whether there may always have been a mixture of vegetation types on these thin, flushed soils. The CG14 has the growth-form of the more low-altitude Dryas-Carex community CG13, though it is distinguished by its montane species. However, most examples of CG14 on cliff ledges in the Highlands have more tall, grazing-sensitive herbs such as Sedum rosea and Polystichum lonchitis. Dryas has also been recorded on the Agaidh Garbh (Lamb 1987) and there may be examples of the tall-herb type of CG14 on the inaccessible ledges there. U4a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Typical sub-community This is an acid, unimproved grassland with a dense green sward of Festuca ovina or F. vivipara, F. rubra, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens and a little Nardus stricta and Carex binervis. It is thickly-woven with Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile, their small flowers enlivening the turf in summer. There is a shallow layer of mosses made up of Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum and Hylocomium splendens. U4a is not common in the study area, being most characteristic of places where there is evidently a long history of heavy grazing. It occurs in small patches on fairly deep, well-drained mineral soils on steep slopes at low to moderate altitudes, for example at the northern end of Glen Nevis and on Meall Cumhann and Sgurr a Bhuic. It is more extensive on the level floor of upper Glen Nevis at Steall. Another characteristic habitat is along river margins and on the spreads of shingle distributed by tributary streams, for instance beside the Allt Coire an Eòin. U4b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-trifolium repens sub-community Like the Typical U4a, this richer form of Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland has a dense, bright-green sward of Festuca ovina, F. vivipara, F. rubra, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Carex binervis with much Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. This is enriched by a range of species typical of well-drained mesotrophic soils, including Holcus lanatus, Koeleria cristata, Ranunculus acris, Achillea millefolium, Trifolium repens, Plantago lanceolata, Prunella vulgaris and Cerastium fontanum. There is a thin, discontinuous layer of mosses such as Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum and Thuidium tamariscinum. U4b occurs on the southern slopes of Sgurr a Bhuic, beside the river in Coire an Eòin and beside the Allt Daim, and on the low ground in Glen Nevis. There is also a patch of it around the Lairig Leacach bothy. 38

47 U4d Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Luzula multiflora- Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community U4d is the more upland, montane counterpart of the Typical U4a and tends to occur on damper soils and on shaded slopes. It is typical of gullies on a steep slope where the soil is damper and deeper than it is on the intervening rocky ribs. U4d is widespread but rarely extensive throughout the study area. This type of grassland has a deep-green sward made up of Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis canina, Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa, Carex binervis and Luzula multiflora. Within the turf are clumps of Blechnum spicant, trailing shoots of Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile, and a scatter of species such as Succisa pratensis, Viola palustris and Campanula rotundifolia. There is a deep, richly-coloured underlay of bryophytes made up of Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Thuidium tamariscinum and Polytrichum commune. In some examples there are clumps of Sphagnum capillifolium, suggesting that this type of vegetation may be derived by grazing from damp heath vegetation. U4e Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus- Deschampsia flexuosa sub-community U4e is the most montane form of Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland. It is most common on stony soils at high altitudes, although it also occurs at lower altitudes on suitable substrates. In the study area it is most extensive above about 700m on the south-facing slopes of Ben Nevis, Sgurr a Bhuic and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, and on the western slopes of Meall an t-suidhe and Carn Dearg, where the soils are thin, stony and well-drained. On the east-facing side of Coire a Bhuic, U4e forms distinctive mosaics with the damper Luzula- Rhytidiadelphus sub-community U4d, covering the rocky ribs in between the gullies with U4d. U4e is also extensive on the summit slopes of Sgurr Chòinnich Beag. Here it looks as if it is taking the place of the more natural Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 as a result of heavy grazing. U4e is a grassland with a short, silverygreen sward of Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, A. vinealis, Nardus stricta and Deschampsia flexuosa growing through a carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum. It is a species-poor community, sprigged with a little Vaccinium myrtillus and with Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Euphrasia officinalis agg. At higher altitudes there may be a few montane species such as Diphasiastrum alpinum or Polytrichum alpinum. There are few bryophytes under the sward apart from Racomitrium lanuginosum just small wefts and patches of R. ericoides, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Hylocomium splendens. U4eA Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus- Deschampsia flexuosa sub-community, Alchemilla alpina variant This form of grassland is not represented in the NVC, although it is reasonably common in the hills of the west Highlands. It is much like the ordinary U4e, with a thin sward of Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, A. vinealis, Nardus stricta and Deschampsia flexuosa growing in a thin, grey-green mat of Racomitrium lanuginosum. However, here there is also much Alchemilla alpina, giving a distinctive look to the vegetation with its neat dark-green leaves and heads of lemon-yellow flowers. Locally there can be a few montane species, such as Carex bigelowii, Luzula spicata, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Gnaphalium supinum and the mosses Kiaeria starkei and K. blyttii, together with less exacting plants such as Galium saxatile, Potentilla erecta, Blechnum spicant, Veronica officinalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Carex pilulifera, C. caryophyllea, Luzula multiflora, Hypnum cupressiforme, Breutelia chrysocoma, Polytrichum alpinum, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Racomitrium fasciculare and R. sudeticum. U4eA resembles the Festuca-Agrostis- Alchemilla community CG11, but is less herb-rich and lacks Thymus polytrichus and other small calcicoles. It is a grassland of steep, stony, well-drained soils, and is especially common on stabilised scree and on the gravelly banks of stream gullies. It occurs quite widely in the study area at moderate to high altitudes. 39

48 U4F Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, provisional Filipendula ulmaria sub-community This impressive herb-rich grassland is not described in the NVC. Although it is not common, it is widely distributed in the western Highlands and Inner Hebrides. It has a lush, lightly-grazed sward of Festuca vivipara, F. ovina, F. rubra, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, Deschampsia cespitosa and Anthoxanthum odoratum growing with the usual small herbs of Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Carex binervis and Luzula multiflora. There is also an array of mesotrophic herbs such as Ranunculus acris, R. repens, Crepis paludosa, Lathyrus linifolius, Trollius europaeus, Filipendula ulmaria, Cirsium heterophyllum, Prunella vulgaris, Persicaria vivipara, Anemone nemorosa, Ajuga reptans, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Geum rivale, Angelica sylvestris, Filipendula ulmaria, Geranium sylvaticum and Alchemilla glabra. There is also much Carex pulicaris, C. flacca, C. panicea, C. pallescens and C. caryophyllea. Under the sward is a thin mat of bryophytes such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, R. triquetrus, Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Scleropodium purum, Breutelia chrysocoma and Thuidium tamariscinum. The vegetation shows evidence of base-rich flushing. In this respect it has much in common with CG10 grassland (see above), but U4F is taller, with deeper moss mats, more G. saxatile and little or no Thymus polytrichus. U4F is a community of deep mineral soils on flushed but freely-draining slopes, where base-rich water percolates through the ground. There are a few patches of U4F on the lightly-grazed lower slopes on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan, but it is most extensive on Beinn na Socaich and on the northern end of Stob Coire Gaibhre. U5a Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Species-poor sub-community The pale, straw-coloured swards of this acid grassland are dominated by Nardus stricta, its tough wiry shoots interleaved with Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia flexuosa and Carex binervis. The ubiquitous Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile trail though the sward. There are short green sprigs of Vaccinium myrtillus. Under the vascular plants there is a deep, springy carpet of bryophytes including Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus and Dicranum scoparium. U5a is extensive on the slopes at the eastern end of Glen Nevis as far east as Coire Rath, in mosaics of wet heath, wet grasslands and bog up to about 700m. It is common on Meall an t-suidhe and on the northern slopes of the Grey Corries. U5b Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Agrostis canina-polytrichum commune sub-community U5b is a damp form of Nardus grassland. It rarely forms large patches, but is common on the lower slopes in Glen Nevis, on waterlogged, peaty benches on the hillsides and in the corries. As in the species-poor U5a, the sward is pale and tussocky, consisting of Nardus stricta growing with Carex panicea, C. binervis, Eriophorum angustifolium, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina and Anthoxanthum odoratum. It is dotted with Vaccinium myrtillus, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Blechnum spicant. Under the turf the soils are wet, and the vegetation feels soft and spongy underfoot. There are big cushions of Sphagnum capillifolium and Polytrichum commune as well as Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum and Hylocomium splendens, and species of wet ground such as Succisa pratensis, Viola palustris, Narthecium ossifragum and Polygala serpyllifolia. 40

49 U5c Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Carex panicea-viola riviniana sub-community This is the herb-rich form of Nardus grassland. It is quite variable in its species composition and many examples are more species-rich than the NVC tables suggest. U5c occurs around the exposures of base-rich rock on the west side of Ben Nevis, on Meall Cumhann, Sgurr a Bhuic and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and in Coire Giubhsachan. It is extensive on Beinn na Sochaich and Beinn Bhàn. This type of grassland has a sward of Nardus stricta, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis capillaris, Festuca vivipara, Carex panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. binervis and C. pulicaris. The sward is enriched with Thymus polytrichus and with base-tolerant herbs such as Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus acris, Campanula rotundifolia, Persicaria vivipara, Prunella vulgaris, Lysimachia nemorum, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Linum catharticum, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Selaginella selaginoides and Thalictrum alpinum. There is a deep, damp carpet of bryophytes made up of species including Hylocomium splendens, Calliergonella cuspidata, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Scleropodium purum and Thuidium tamariscinum. U5e Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community This form of Nardus grassland takes the community to its highest altitudes. Although there are a few patches on shallow, stony soils on the lower slopes, most of the U5e in the study area is on the mid to upper slopes of the hills. It clothes stony plateaux and shallow slopes where the soils are thin accumulations of peat and humus over frost-shattered bedrock. On Meall an t-suidhe, Meall Cumhann, Sgurr a Bhuic and Beinn Bhàn it occupies one of its typical habitats: stony plateaux just below the lower altitudinal limit of Carex-Racomitrium heath U10. U5e is very distinctive. The open, sparse, pale sward of Nardus stricta, Carex panicea and C. pilulifera grows through a thin grey-green layer of Racomitrium lanuginosum, dotted with dwarfed, wind-pruned bushes of Calluna vulgaris and with small plants such as Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Succisa pratensis and Potentilla erecta. Within the carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum are a few other bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Pleurozium schreberi. There is also generally a dusting of lichens such as Coelocaulon aculeatum, Cladonia portentosa, C. rangiferina and C. uncialis. It is not a species-rich community, but is interesting because some examples, at least, may be near-natural forms of vegetation of windswept plateaux and ridges at moderate altitudes. U5e is especially common in the oceanic, windy climate of the western Highlands and the Hebrides. U6a Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, Sphagnum sub-community This is a Juncus squarrosus bog. The thick, dark green, tufted sward of J. squarrosus is spiked through by Eriophorum angustifolium and with grasses such as Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa and Agrostis canina. There is a thin speckling of Vaccinium myrtillus and Potentilla erecta, together with more typical bog species such as Narthecium ossifragum, Trichophorum cespitosum and Eriophorum vaginatum. Set in the sward are patches and cushions of bryophytes such as Sphagnum capillifolium, S. papillosum, Polytrichum commune and Aulacomnium palustre. U6a occurs on benches on the south-facing slope of Glen Nevis, in Coire Rath, and on Beinn na Socaich and Beinn Bhàn. Most examples of this type of vegetation seem likely to be derived from more heathery blanket-bog where the dwarf shrubs have been eliminated by burning and grazing in the past. However, it is possible that some patches of U6a at higher altitudes, such as on the col between Sgurr a Bhuic and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, which are in the montane zone above the range of Calluna vulgaris, may be near-natural. They have montane species such as Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and Vaccinium uliginosum, are not especially heavily grazed and are unlikely to have been burned. 41

50 U6aH Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, heathy form This type of boggy Juncus squarrosus rush heath is more heathy than the typical form. Dwarf shrubs are so common that from a distance the sward looks evenly-mottled with dark brown Calluna vulgaris and green Juncus squarrosus, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea and Empetrum nigrum. The sward is dotted with Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Narthecium ossifragum, Succisa pratensis and Luzula multiflora. It is less grassy than the typical U6a, with little more than a few shoots of Deschampsia flexuosa and Nardus stricta. There are red patches of Sphagnum capillifolium, green clumps of Polytrichum commune and P. strictum, and golden-green carpets of Hypnum jutlandicum, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus and Aulacomium palustre. This type of vegetation is not described in the NVC but is not uncommon in the British uplands from Wales northwards. It is not clear whether it is a near-natural type of Juncus squarrosus bog, whether it is derived from Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19 by burning and grazing, or whether it is a stage in the recovery from grassy Juncus squarrosus bog to a more natural, heathy Calluna- Eriophorum type. It occurs on level ground with a blanket of deep ombrogenous peat in Coire a Bhuic and also on the northern slopes of Beinn Bhàn and Stob Coire Gaibhre, where it is home to Listera cordata and Cornus suecica. U6c Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus sub-community This is a drier form of Juncus squarrosus rush heath. It is a vegetation type of damp, peaty soils on gentle slopes. The dark-green, stiff-leaved rosettes of Juncus squarrosus are set closely together. In the small spaces between them are grasses such as Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Deschampsia flexuosa, the small herbs Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Viola palustris and a green speckling of Vaccinium myrtillus. In some examples there is also a little Calluna vulgaris, Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum or ssp. hermaphroditum and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. There are thin carpets of bryophytes including Hypnum jutlandicum, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi and Dicranum scoparium. There are patches of U6c in the mosaics of heath and grassland on the slopes at the eastern end of Glen Nevis, in Coire Rath and on Beinn Bhàn. U6d Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, Agrostis capillaris-luzula multiflora sub-community U6d takes the Juncus squarrosus heaths onto the driest soils. Many examples are in places where there has been some disturbance in the past; for instance, heavy grazing or trampling in places where livestock are gathered, damage by vehicles, or where spating streams have deposited mineral soils over peat. U6d has a more mixed and uneven-looking sward than that of the other sub-communities. The distinctive dark green rosettes of Juncus squarrosus grow with Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Nardus stricta, Deschamspsia flexuosa and Danthonia decumbens either in intimate mixtures or as a patchwork of the different species. There are shoots of Galium saxatile and Potentilla erecta and tufts of Luzula multiflora. Under the turf is the usual assemblage of bryophytes of acid grasslands: Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, Hypnum jutlandicum and Dicranum scoparium. There are small patches of U6d in the mosaics of heaths and grasslands on the south-facing slopes of Sgurr a Bhuic and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag. 42

51 U6R Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, herb-rich form This is the herb-rich form of Juncus squarrosus rush heath. It is the Juncus-dominated equivalent of the herbrich Nardus grassland U5c and the Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland U4F. Although it was described by McVean & Ratcliffe (1962), was incorporated into the classification by Birks & Ratcliffe (1980) and is widespread though not extensive in the uplands, it is unaccountably missing from the NVC scheme. It occurs where peaty mineral soils are flushed with base-rich water. There are small patches of it on the upper slopes of Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and on the col between there and Sgurr a Bhuic. It also occurs on the eastern slopes of Stob Coire na Ceannain. The dark, shiny leaves of Juncus squarrosus grow in a dense green turf with Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Nardus stricta, Carex nigra and C. echinata. This sward conceals an array of base-tolerant species including Ranunculus acris, R. repens, R. flammula, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Geum rivale, Parnassia palustris, Persicaria vivipara, Valeriana officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Thalictrum alpinum, Taraxacum officinale agg. and Crepis paludosa. The less demanding Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Viola palustris are common too. Among the vascular plants are patches of bryophytes such as Calliergonella cuspidata, Rhizomnium punctatum, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Chiloscyphos polyanthus, Sphagnum fallax, S. denticulatum and Scapania undulata. U7a Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum- Cetraria islandica sub-community The montane Nardus grasslands pale blond swards on the high slopes and in the corries show where snow lies late in spring. U7a is the sub-community of the dampest ground, and it is common to see almost as much Trichophorum cespitosum as Nardus stricta in the sward. There are grey-green spikes of Carex bigelowii, C. panicea and C. pilulifera, green clumps of Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and a sprinkling of small plants such as Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris, Narthecium ossifragum and Succisa pratensis. The bog plant Rubus chamaemorus is not uncommon in wetter examples in the Grey Corries, and locally there are floristic and ecological transitions between U7a and montane Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19c. The most common bryophytes are Racomitrium lanuginosum and Sphagnum capillifolium. There is generally also a little Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum alpinum, Pleurozia purpurea, Bazzania tricrenata, Anastrepta orcadensis, Mylia taylorii and Scapania gracilis. This sub-community may be home to scarce oceanic liverworts such as Scapania ornithopodioides, Plagiochila carringtonii and Bazzania pearsonii. There is a speckling of lichens such as Cetraria islandica, Coelocaulon aculeatum, Cladonia portentosa and C. uncialis. U7a occurs in hollows and gullies and on concave slopes where snow accumulates and where drainage is slow. It is common throughout the higher parts of the study area. U7b Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Typical sub-community This is the typical form of Nardus snow-bed grassland, with neither the species of damp ground which distinguish the Empetrum-Cetraria sub-community U7a nor the grasses and herbs of the Alchemilla-Festuca sub-community U7c. It has the characteristic pale sward of Nardus stricta and Carex bigelowii, interleaved with a little Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa and Carex pilulifera. There are green sprigs of Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea and V. uliginosum and clumps of Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum. Salix herbacea can grow in this type of vegetation. There is an assemblage of small herbs such as Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Blechnum spicant and Campanula rotundifolia. The bryophyte layer is made up of species such as Polytrichum alpinum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, Hypnum jutlandicum and Dicranum scoparium. There is a 43

52 sparse array of lichens such as Cetraria islandica, Cladonia portentosa, C. uncialis and Coelocaulon aculeatum. U7b is the most widespread type of Nardus snow-bed in the study area. It covers steep slopes where snow lies late in the year, on soils which are generally thinner, more stony and more freely-draining than those with the damper sub-community U7a. U7c Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Alchemilla alpina-festuca ovina sub-community U7c depends slightly less than the other two sub-communities on a consistent cover of snow during the winter, and it descends to lower altitudes. It is less common in the study area than the two other types of Nardus snow-bed, but there is a large patch on the south-western spur of Aonach Beag. The sward is more mixed in this sub-community, and Nardus stricta grows with Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Agrostis canina as well as with Carex bigelowii and C. pilulifera. The sward is also more herb-rich, with yellow-flowered drifts of Alchemilla alpina and a few base-tolerant species such as A. glabra, Thymus polytrichus, Thalictrum alpinum, Ranunculus acris, Taraxacum officinale agg. and Selaginella selaginoides. Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris and Euphrasia officinalis grow here too. Around these species are mats of bryophytes such as Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hypnum jutlandicum and Dicranum scoparium. U8 Carex bigelowii-polytrichum alpinum heath One of the most montane forms of British upland vegetation, U8 covers a large area on the smooth, rounded summit of Aonach Beag, where it forms mosaics on a small scale with the Marsupella brevissima snow-bed U12c. It is extensive on the summit and south-facing ridge of Aonach Mór. There are also small patches of U8 on Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór, Carn Mór Dearg, Stob Coire Easain, Stob a Choire Lèith, Stob Choire Claurigh and Stob Coire na Ceannain. It is a community of high plateaux where snow accumulates in winter and lies late in spring. Although both McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) and Rodwell (1992) state that U8 is associated with sites of impeded drainage, all the U8 in the study area is on well-drained, convex terrain with thin and stony soil. U8 has a short, evenly-tufted, grey-green sward of Carex bigelowii growing through a dense green turf of Dicranum fuscescens or Polytrichum alpinum or both. Racomitrium lanuginosum is common too, but less so than it is in the similar-looking Carex-Racomitrium heath U10. Otherwise the swards are very species-poor, with little more than a sprinkling of snow-tolerant species such as Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa and Luzula spicata. This type of vegetation, however, is home to a number of uncommon snow-bed bryophytes such as Kiaeria starkei, Anthelia juratzkana, Marsupella brevissima, Andreaea alpina and Conostomum tetragonum as well as to the more widespread Racomitrium fasciculare, R. heterostichum, R. ericoides, R. sudeticum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Pleurozium schreberi and Dicranum scoparium. As usual in the west Highlands, the U8 in the study area is not a good fit for either of the two sub-communities outlined in the NVC, although it is closest to the Dicranum-Racomitrium sub-community U8b. U9b Juncus trifidus-racomitrium lanuginosum rush heath, Salix herbacea sub-community Like the lichen-rich montane heaths, this is another eastern, more boreal type of vegetation which is much more common in the eastern Highlands than it is in the west. Indeed, it occurs only in the central and eastern parts of the study area. There are small patches on Aonach Mór and on Stob a Chùl Choire, but it is the predominant vegetation type on the quartzite ridge of the Grey Corries. U9b has a thin sward of Juncus trifidus. The red-brown tips of the massed shoots are conspicuous, and the community can be picked out from a distance of several hundred metres. The rush grows with Carex bigelowii and with a little 44

53 Deschampsia flexuosa and Festuca vivipara in a grey carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum patched with Polytrichum alpinum, P. commune and Pleurozium schreberi. There is a pale frosting of lichens such as Cladonia uncialis, C. portentosa, C. coniocraea and Cetraria islandica. In some examples there are small clumps of Galium saxatile. At the col between Stob a Chùl Choire and Aonach Mór the community extends atypically down onto the sheltered north-facing slope and has a much taller, denser sward of Juncus trifidus than the patches on the exposed ridges. There is much Luzula spicata in the sward here too. On Aonach an Nid on the northern end of Aonach Mór, just outside the SSSI, there is extensive U9b with dense swards of J. trifidus (20 50% cover) growing among extensive carpets of Racomitrium lanuginosum and scattered Carex bigelowii, Cladonia arbuscula, C. uncialis, Deschampsia cespitosa, Galium saxatile, Vaccinium myrtillus, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Polytrichum alpinum and Oligotrichum hercynicum. U10a Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Galium saxatile sub-community The Carex-Racomitrium heaths clothe the bleak, windswept, exposed summits and ridges of the high hills in the British uplands with a dense carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum in which a few small species are able to find enough shelter to grow. U10a is the most grassy form of this community. The carpet of Racomitrium is thick with Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris and Galium saxatile, as well as with the montane or upland species Carex bigelowii, Alchemilla alpina and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. U10a occurs on Meall an t-suidhe, Meall Cumhann and Sgurr a Bhuic, on the ridge leading out from there to Aonach Beag, on the south-western ridge of Aonach Beag, on the summit plateau of Aonach Mór, on the southern slopes leading up to the summit of Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and on the south-eastern spur of Stob Coire na Ceannain. The grassy form of U10 is the commoner in those parts of the British uplands where there has been a long history of heavy grazing. It is thought that trampling by sheep, together with the enriching effect of nitrogen in their urine and droppings, favours vascular plants at the expense of Racomitrium lanuginosum. It is also possible that the vascular plant have more of a competitive edge in the far west Highlands, where the winters are milder than they are further east. However, the more mossy sub-communities also occur in the study area, so the climate can not be the only reason for the existence of U10a on these hills. Aonach Beag, Sgurr a Bhuic and Meall Cumhann do not seem to be grazed especially hard at present, but there were noticeably large numbers of sheep at the time of the survey on the upper slopes of Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and on Stob Coire na Ceannain, as well as extraordinarily large numbers of red deer on both sides of the Grey Corries. The vegetation on the southern side of the Grey Corries in upper Glen Nevis and Coire rath is generally more grazed and grassy than it is elsewhere. U10b Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Typical sub-community This is the most mossy form of Carex-Racomitrium heath. Racomitrium lanuginosum grows in a deep, soft, continuous carpet over summits and ridges: silvery grey-green when dry; golden when it is wet. It is delightful to walk on with bare feet, and is one of the more distinctive plant communities of the British uplands. Carex- Racomitrium heath is strongly associated with an oceanic climate and with terrain which is blown clear of snow in winter, scoured by bitter winds and baked by the sun in summer. It is almost unknown outwith Britain and Ireland. It occurs on almost all the summits in the study area, but is most continuous and extensive on the plateau of Aonach Mór. Although it is generally vegetation of level or gently sloping ground, there are bands or zones of U10b on the steep upper west-facing slope of Ben Nevis and on the north side of Aonach Beag, above which there is only snow-bed vegetation. This is interesting because U10 is normally the vegetation of the hill tops themselves, rather than something that one passes through on the way to the highest ground. 45

54 The U10b in the study area has a turf of Racomitrium lanuginosum sparingly dotted with Carex bigelowii, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Salix herbacea, Diphasiastrum alpinum and Saxifraga stellaris. Within the moss carpet are wisps and tufts of other bryophytes including Polytrichum alpinum, R. ericoides, R. sudeticum, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Dicranum scoparium. There is a sprinkling of lichens such as Cladonia portentosa, C. uncialis, Sphaerophorus globosus, Ochrolechia frigida and the scarce Thamnolia vermicularis. The community is surprisingly variable throughout the study area. On the windswept western side of the plateau of Aonach Mór it is exceptionally species-poor, and there are hundreds of square metres of ground where the vegetation consists only of a dense carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum studded with little more than the shoots of Carex bigelowii. Other examples, for example on Meall an t-suidhe, are much more diverse; we recorded over 20 species in a 2m x 2m quadrat here. The U10b heath on the north-facing slope of Aonach Beag is home to the very rare Luzula arcuata and, throughout the study area, to the uncommon L. spicata and Juncus trifidus. U10c Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community This attractive type of Racomitrium heath is an example of herb-rich montane vegetation on basic soils. There are small patches of it on the limestone of Meall Cumhann and it is extensive on the Carn Dearg ridge and the Carn Mór Dearg arête, but the most superb species-rich examples are on the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag and on the lower north-facing slope of Aonach Beag, on the base-rich schist. Set in the smooth, silvery carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum is an extraordinary array of base-tolerant montane species, such as Silene acaulis, Persicaria vivipara, Saussurea alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens, Alchemilla alpina, Achillea millefolium, Thalictrum alpinum, Thymus polytrichus, Ranunculus acris, Taraxacum officinale agg. and the rare Cerastium alpinum with its grey-green leaves clothed in long silver-white hairs and its large white flowers. There are many other species here, including Carex bigelowii, Salix herbacea, Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa ssp. alpina, Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, Saxifraga stellaris and Gnaphalium supinum. Bryophytes such as Polytrichum alpinum, Racomitrium ericoides, Dicranum scoparium and Hypnum jutlandicum grow in scattered patches. There are a few lichens such as Cetraria islandica, Cladonia uncialis, Ochrolechia frigida and the scarce Solorina crocea. U10cSP Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community, species-poor form This sparse, species-poor form of U10c occurs on the south-eastern ridge of Aonach Beag, on the Carn Dearg ridge and on the ridge between Stob Coire Gaibhre and Stob Coire na Ceannain. It was described by McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) and appeared in the classification of Birks & Ratcliffe (1980), but in the NVC was subsumed into U10c. This is a pity, as it is so different from the herb-rich form described above and is well worth mapping separately. Racomitrium lanuginosum is patchy on the bare, wind-ablated, gravelly ground of exposed cols and summit ridges where the wind accelerates over a narrow crest. Other species grow in small clumps and tufts: plants such as Juncus trifidus, Festuca vivipara, Deschampsia flexuosa, Saxifraga stellaris, Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii and Luzula spicata. There are a few mosses able to withstand disturbed, frost-churned ground, such as Polytrichum alpinum, Oligotrichum hercynicum and Racomitrium heterostichum, and a speckling of lichens such as Ochrolechia frigida, Cladonia bellidiflora, C. coniocraea, Cetraria islandica and the scarce Solorina crocea. Species-poor U10c is most extensive in the north-west Highlands, where the climate is cool and oceanic with strong winds. 46

55 Reri: Racomitrium ericoides moss heath This is an interesting form of moss heath in which Racomitrium lanuginosum is replaced by R. ericoides. The two heaths look very different, as R. ericoides is a plant with yellow-green, spreading starry leaves on long sprawling shoots. It looks totally unlike R. lanuginosum with its dense mats of stout grey-green shoots in which each leaf is tipped by a long silver-white hair-point. R. ericoides heath has long been known from erosion surfaces on Aonach Mór (McVean & Ratcliffe 1962). It also occurs on the north-facing slope of Aonach Beag, and there are tiny patches on the Carn Dearg ridge and on the plateau between the summit of Ben Nevis and Carn Dearg to the north-west. The heath consists of a thin carpet of R. ericoides growing together with a little R. lanuginosum, Polytrichum alpinum, Oligotrichum hercynicum and the lichen Cetraria islandica. This is pricked through by Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus and Deschampsia flexuosa and studded with Saxifraga stellaris, Salix herbacea and Gnaphalium supinum. R. ericoides is the usual dominant in montane moss heath on Iceland and Jan Mayen (McVean & Ratcliffe 1962), and there are patches of it on the Faroe Islands (Hobbs & Averis 1991). It is rare in Britain on the hills around Ben Nevis, though it does occur on an outlier of Bidean nam Bian in Glen Coe (Averis & Averis 2003). General notes about snow-bed vegetation Late snow-beds are one of the most extreme habitats for plants. The growing season is short as little as six weeks in some years in some snow-beds. The plants which grow in these places have to tolerate cold, low intensities of light, high humidity, and the immense, crushing pressure of consolidated snow which may be upwards of 6m deep. Under the snow is a substrate which is churned up by the freezing and thawing of the layers of snow above it, and which is also disrupted by frost and melt-water. This disturbance by frost, or cryoturbation, releases minerals from the soil by physical weathering, which may be why base-tolerant plants such as Silene acaulis, Sibbaldia procumbens and Persicaria vivipara are common plants in some of the herb-dominated snow-beds. The vegetation also receives nutrients from dead plant material and other wind-blown debris which has become trapped in the snow, to be deposited when the snow melts. However, these mats of vegetation can actually form a thick thatch over the ground, causing local extinctions of species. The very open, short vegetation of the longest-lasting snow-beds is almost always dominated by bryophytes, which are able to survive in these situations. Bryophytes are not attached to the ground by roots, so they can grow on unstable surfaces. They do not need much light in order to photosynthesise, and indeed many of them can continue to grow when buried under a thin layer of snow (Russell 1990). Many of them thrive in cool, damp conditions because they are sensitive to desiccation and because they need a more or less constant supply of water in order to grow. Almost all bryophytes lack any kind of specialised tissue for conducting water, and so cannot extract water from the soil in the way higher plants can. Many of the bryophytes which grow in these places are specialised snow-bed species which grow nowhere else. And since snow-beds are among the least extensive types of British vegetation, those species particular to them are also rare. The extreme environment in snow-beds reduces the amount of competition for small species, as large and vigorous plants are unable to grow. The mixtures of species in any one example seem to be more the result of chance establishment and survival than of the exact nature of the terrain and microclimate. This means that these communities are endlessly variable and interesting, but also that many examples are not a good fit for any of the NVC communities, let alone sub-communities. The problem is compounded by the well- 47

56 acknowledged inadequate sampling of snow-beds in the NVC (Rodwell et al. 2000). We have, however, found that late snow-bed vegetation falls into three main types: those with a sward of mosses, those with a thin crust of liverworts and those with a sparse array of vascular plants. In the accounts which follow, the mossy snow-beds are treated under U11 and the liverwort-dominated ones under U12b and U12c. The herb-rich type is represented by U12a and U14. The mossy snow-beds described in the NVC are dominated by Kiaeria starkei and Polytrichum sexangulare. The equally distinctive ones dominated by Pohlia ludwigii and Racomitrium heterostichum were mapped and are described separately. There are also snow-beds which consist of a diverse array of species from all three categories, and these, too, have been mapped and described as a separate type, UX. U11a Polytrichum sexangulare-kiaeria starkei snow-bed, Typical sub-community U11a is the most extensive type of late snow-bed vegetation in the study area. It occurs on the high plateau between Ben Nevis and Carn Dearg to the north-west, in the Carn Dearg corries and on the Carn Mór Dearg arête, on the northern and eastern slopes of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, in all the north-facing Grey Corries and on the east-facing slopes of the south-facing corries. It covers steep slopes, declivities on the plateaux and sheltered hollows among boulders where snow accumulates. The substrate is a firm, silty humus studded with rocks. This type of vegetation has a distinctive deep green or mid green, velvety sward of Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, K. blyttii, Polytrichum sexangulare and Oligotrichum hercynicum. Some examples lack P. sexangulare and are dominated by the Kiaeria species. The sward is set with an array of small snowtolerant plants such as Saxifraga stellaris, Carex bigelowii, Gnaphalium supinum, Salix herbacea, Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa ssp. alpina and Huperzia selago. A number of rare or scarce vascular plants, such as Juncus trifidus, Luzula arcuata, L. spicata, Sibbaldia procumbens and Cerastium arcticum, grow in this type of vegetation. On the eastern side of the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, Saxifraga cernua, Veronica alpina, Poa alpina, Poa glauca, Cerastium cerastioides, C. arcticum, Luzula arcuata and Sibbaldia procumbens grow in U11a. In the layer of mosses are patches of other species such as Polytrichum alpinum, P. commune, Racomitrium lanuginosum, R. ericoides, R. heterostichum, R. sudeticum and Barbilophozia floerkei, growing with small quantities of such notable snow-bed rarities as Conostomum tetragonum, Pohlia ludwigii, Oedopodium griffithianum, Moerckia blyttii, Scapania uliginosa, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Kiaeria glaciale, Lophozia opacifolia, Pleurocladula albescens, Marsupella adusta, M. alpina, M. boeckii, M. brevissima, Anthelia juratzkana and Andreaea nivalis. The scarce montane lichen Solorina crocea is another characteristic species. U11b Polytrichum sexangulare-kiaeria starkei snow-bed, Species-poor sub-community The species-poor form of the Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed occurs among the boulders on the summit of Ben Nevis, and thus is the highest vegetation in Britain. It consists of mats and clumps of Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata and K. blyttii growing on and among the stones and fragments of rock, together with a few other mosses such as Brachythecium glaciale, Racomitrium ericoides, R. sudeticum, Polytrichum alpinum, P. sexangulare and Oligotrichum hercynicum. There is a speckling of Saxifraga stellaris and Huperzia selago: the only vascular plants to grow at this altitude. 48

57 The summit of Ben Nevis can carry a considerable depth of snow in winter. Although much of what falls on the plateau is blown off to accumulate on the north-facing cliffs, over 4m of precipitation falls on the summit over the year (Roy 1997), much of it as snow. A depth of 6m or more of snow on the plateau is not unusual in winter (Brown 1981). So it is hardly surprising that there is snow-bed vegetation on the summit. The development of vegetation here is probably limited as much by the terrain as by climate. The summit is covered with coarse boulders and there is little congenial ground for plants to grow on. Aonach Beag is only 100m lower than Ben Nevis, and has a smooth, soil-covered summit which is continuously vegetated. Plud: Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed This distinctive and attractive type of snow-bed vegetation marks out the location of some of the latest-lying snow. We found that snow which lies longer than this is near-permanent the patches melted out in the exceptional summer of 2003 but not in 2004 and lie on scree rather than on vegetation. Even in the summer of 2003, many examples of this type of vegetation were still covered by snow in late July, though they were all exposed in August. The Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed is most extensive on the upper east-facing slopes of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, but it also occurs on the north-eastern cliffs of Ben Nevis, on the Carn Dearg ridge and, more sparingly, in the Grey Corries. The Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed consists of a thin turf of P. ludwigii, growing in emerald-green sheets on soft, silty ground which is generally saturated by rain and by the streams of melt-water from the retreating snow. It is a community of high, steep, unstable slopes where few species are able to gain a foothold. So there is little more in these snow-beds than a sprinkling of Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Saxifraga stellaris and Carex bigelowii. Within the carpet of P. ludwigii are small clumps and patches of bryophytes such as Polytrichum sexangulare, Kiaeria falcata, K. starkei, K. blyttii, Conostomum tetragonum, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Brachythecium glaciale, Scapania undulata and S. uliginosa. Saxifraga cernua, Veronica alpina and Cerastium cerastioides grow in this type of vegetation on Aonach Beag. Rhet: Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed There are Racomitrium heterostichum snow-beds on the plateau between Ben Nevis and Carn Dearg to the north-west. They also occur in upper Coire Leis, on the plateau of Aonach Mór and on the upper east-facing cliffs of Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag, the Carn Dearg ridge and some of the Grey Corries. Originally described by McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) from Aonach Beag as well as various sites in the eastern and central Highlands, this type of snow-bed has rather become lost in the NVC within the Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed U12. It is, in fact, very distinctive and belongs more with the mossy Polytrichum-Kiaeria U11 and Pohlia snow-beds than with the liverwort-dominated U12. The R. heterostichum community is made up of dense, continuous, mid-green turfs of R. heterostichum dotted with R. lanuginosum, Polytrichum alpinum, Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, Oligotrichum hercynicum and Andreaea alpina, and with small vascular plants such as Saxifraga stellaris, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, D. flexuosa, Sibbaldia procumbens, Gnaphalium supinum and Carex bigelowii. There are a few lichens such as Cetraria islandica, Cladonia bellidiflora, C. uncialis and Stereocaulon vesuvianum. It occurs in hollows and among boulders, in gullies and on steep, rocky slopes. 49

58 U12a Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Silene acaulis-luzula spicata sub-community This is one of the herb-rich snow-beds: a community of unstable, gravelly, loose, well-drained ground where snow lies late. A common site is the side of a stream gully. In the study area it occurs in upper Coire Leis, in the corrie between Carn Mór Dearg and Carn Dearg Meadhonach, in the east-facing corries of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, and on the crumbling ledges of the north side of Aonach Beag, just above the col between Aonach Beag and Aonach Mór. All are places where the underlying rock is evidently base-rich. U12a consists of a sparse array of montane or upland species such as Silene acaulis, Luzula spicata, Carex bigelowii, Salix herbacea, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Juncus trifidus, Gnaphalium supinum, Huperzia selago, Saxifraga stellaris, Persicaria vivipara and Alchemilla alpina. The brilliant green leaves and pink flowers of S. acaulis make the patches of U12a conspicuous from a distance. The vascular plants grow through a mixed, patchy, variegated layer of snow-tolerant bryophytes such as Racomitrium fasciculare, R. lanuginosum, R. heterostichum, R. ericoides, Polytrichum alpinum, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Dicranum scoparium and scarce snow-bed species such as Conostomum tetragonum, Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, K. blyttii, Gymnomitrion concinnatum, Anthelia juratzkana and Pleurocladula albescens. U12a is a habitat for the scarce Sibbaldia procumbens and Veronica alpina. U12b Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Gymnomitrion concinnatum sub-community Although this type of snow-bed generally forms a complete covering over the ground, from a distance it does not look like vegetation at all. It looks like bare, silty ground with a few small plants growing here and there on it. However, it is made up of dense, silvery-grey-brown mats of diminutive liverworts growing together in tight, intimate mixtures in which there can be as many as eight species to the square centimetre (Gordon Rothero, pers. comm.). The most common of these species are Gymnomitrion concinnatum, Nardia compressa, N. scalaris, Anthelia juratzkana, Lophozia opacifolia, Marsupella emarginata and M. brevissima. The mats are dotted with mosses which look large in comparison, such as Oligotrichum hercynicum, Kiaeria starkei, Racomitrium ericoides and R. lanuginosum. There is a thin speckling of vascular plants such as Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Saxifraga stellaris, Gnaphalium supinum and Juncus trifidus. The lichen Cetraria islandica is also common, and the scarce Thamnolia vermicularis grows in this type of vegetation. The very rare liverwort Marsupella condensata grows in U12b in upper Coire Leis. U12b is extensive on Aonach Beag. It occurs on the north-facing slope, on the south-eastern spur leading down to Sgurr a Bhuic and on the upper west-facing cliffs. It also occurs, more sparingly, on the upper southfacing slope of Ben Nevis. It is a widespread and common component of the mixtures of snow-bed vegetation on the east-facing and north-facing cliffs of Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, and the Grey Corries. U12b can cover more level ground than that with the mossy Polytrichum-Kiaeria community U11, and can be on less stable and wetter substrates. It is the usual late snowbed community in the hollows on the ridges of the Grey Corries. It is also characteristic of the sides of incised stream gullies in the high corries: another place where snow accumulates. Snow probably lies here for slightly less long than it does on the mossy snow beds, and so the soils are more susceptible to frost heaving and solifluction. Especially on steep slopes, the liverwort crust may become wrinkled and fissured as the saturated upper layers of soil slump down the slope, and patches of vegetation may be buried, leaving new, bare soil for colonisation. So these snow beds are far from stable and are likely to have a high turnover of species on a small scale. 50

59 U12c Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Marsupella brevissima sub-community This type of snow-bed vegetation is extensive on the summit of Aonach Beag. Like the Gymnomitrion subcommunity U12b, from a distance it resembles nothing more than bare, dark-coloured, silty ground dotted with frost-heaved fragments of rock and with a thin scattering of mosses and small vascular plants. At close range it also looks very similar to U12b, but here the most common species in the dark crust of liverworts is Marsupella brevissima. It grows with other tiny species such as Gymnomitrion concinnatum, Anthelia juratzkana, Nardia compressa, N. scalaris, Conostomum tetragonum and Oligotrichum hercynicum, variegated with the more substantial shoots and patches of Polytrichum alpinum, P. sexangulare, Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata and Racomitrium heterostichum. Rooted in this bryophyte crust are species such as Carex bigelowii, Salix herbacea, Luzula spicata, Festuca vivipara and Gnaphalium supinum. The U12c on the north-facing slope of Aonach Beag is the main habitat at this site for the rare Luzula arcuata, on eroding ledges of splintered, shaly rock. As in U12b, the habitat is inherently unstable. Patches of the liverwort crust are continually being disrupted and buried as the saturated upper layers of soil slide and fold over each other. In the NVC, U12c is represented by only three quadrat samples recorded by McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) from the Cairngorms. Their samples are not substantially different from those which we have recorded on Aonach Beag. Since, apart from Ben Nevis, Aonach Beag is the highest summit outwith the Cairngorms, it is not surprising that this type of vegetation also occurs here. What is interesting is that this type of snowbed vegetation is so extensive on the rounded summit dome of Aonach Beag. It shows that there must be a considerable cap of snow here in winter. Indeed, Brown (1978), describing a visit in the 1970s, found the summit still ice-clad at the end of May. UX: Mixed snow-bed This type of vegetation occurs on the upper slopes of the corrie between Carn Mór Dearg and Carn Dearg Meadhonach, in the northern arm of Coire an Lochain of Aonach Mór, and on the upper east-facing slope of Cùl Choirean. Both are places with long, smooth, but not really steep slopes. Photographs show that the Carn Dearg corries hold a great deal of snow in spring, and the same is probably true for the upper recesses of Cùl Choirean. This, then, is vegetation of uniform high slopes with well-drained gravelly soil. It consists of an intimate mixture of a wide range of snow-tolerant species and is so richly varied that it is easy to record 40 species or more in a quadrat 2m x 2m. This is not a grassland, nor a fern-bed, nor a bryophytedominated community, nor a dwarf-herb community, but a mixture of elements from all four types. The most common species are Deschampsia cespitosa, Nardus stricta, Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, Cryptogramma crispa, Rumex acetosa, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga stellaris, Gnaphalium supinum, Salix herbacea, Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, K. blyttii, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Polytrichum sexangulare, P. alpinum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Diplophyllum albicans, Barbilophozia floerkei, Marsupella emarginata and Gymnomitrion concinnatum. The vascular sward also includes Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Blechnum spicant, Oreopteris limbosperma, Viola palustris, V. riviniana, Campanula rotundifolia, Alchemilla alpina and the rarities Cerastium cerastioides and Sibbaldia procumbens. The bryophytes include Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Dicranum fuscescens, Pohlia ludwigii, Conostomum tetragonum, Lophozia opacifolia, Nardia compressa, N. scalaris, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Marsupella sphacelata, M. brevissima and oceanic, western species such as Anastrepta orcadensis, Mylia taylorii and Bazzania tricrenata. 51

60 U13a Deschampsia cespitosa-galium saxatile grassland, Anthoxanthum odoratum-alchemilla alpina sub-community This upland grassland, though not confined to the montane zone in the study area, is a very widespread and extensive community of the upper slopes above about 600m. U13a forms tall green swards of the sharp-edged leaves of Deschampsia cespitosa, mixed with Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Carex bigelowii and speckled with small species such as Galium saxatile, Alchemilla alpina, Saxifraga stellaris and Rumex acetosa. There is a conspicuous layer of bryophytes over the damp soils, in which the most common species are Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, Polytrichum commune and Scapania undulata. The scarce S. uliginosa also occurs in this type of vegetation. We recorded the scarce alpine grass Phleum alpinum in U13a in the unnamed corrie to the north of the North-East Ridge of Aonach Beag. U13a covers slopes which have deep soils irrigated by cold water. Many, though not all, examples are in places which receive copious amounts of water from melting snow higher up. Some are below dripping cliffs with a continuous flow of water. Others are on flushed slopes where the water seeps diffusely though the upper layer of soil rather than emerging at the surface as a spring or flush. This type of vegetation is common on the sides and back walls of corries in the west Highlands. U13b Deschampsia cespitosa-galium saxatile grassland, Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community The flora of this type of vegetation has much in common with that of the Anthoxanthum-Alchemilla subcommunity U13a, but it is a mossy snow-bed rather than a grassland. Far less extensive in the study area than U13a, it occurs on the upper east-facing and north-facing slopes of Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag and the Grey Corries, in mosaics with other snow-beds and montane communities. U13b occurs as distinctive golden patches of Rhytidiadelphus loreus on steep upper slopes which are covered with snow all winter. The snow which accumulates here does not persist as long as it does over the more exacting Polytrichum-Kiaeria and Salix-Racomitrium snow-beds U11 and U12 (see above), but it lies for long enough to prevent the growth of most vascular plants. The soft, golden turf of R. loreus is dotted with species including Deschampsia cespitosa (much of which is ssp. alpina), Agrostis capillaris, Carex bigelowii, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris, Saxifraga stellaris, Alchemilla alpina and Gnaphalium supinum. Among the Rhytidiadelphus loreus are tufts and wefts of R. squarrosus, Hylocomium splendens, Polytrichum alpinum, P. commune, Pleurozium schreberi and Racomitrium lanuginosum, and shiny brown thalli of Cetraria islandica. This type of vegetation is a habitat of the scarce Sibbaldia procumbens and the rare montane lichen Solorina crocea. U13P Deschampsia cespitosa-galium saxatile grassland; form with much Polytrichum alpinum; not assigned to a sub-community This type of vegetation occurs on the ridge which runs south-west from the summit of Aonach Beag. It is a species-poor grassland with a short, dense, tufted, deep-green sward of Deschampsia cespitosa growing through a dark-green turf of Polytrichum alpinum. There is a speckling of Carex bigelowii, Agrostis canina, Viola palustris and Gnaphalium supinum and an assemblage of bryophytes including Racomitrium ericoides, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum and Barbilophozia floerkei. 52

61 This is an odd type of grassland which we have not seen elsewhere in Scotland. It resembles the Carex- Polytrichum heath U8 which occurs higher up on the same slope, but it differs from U8 in having a sward dominated by Deschampsia cespitosa. McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) sampled this very same vegetation on Aonach Beag. It grades into typical U8 higher up the slope and these authors considered that it was closely related to the Carex-Polytrichum heath, noting, as we do, that it is quite different from other montane Deschampsia grasslands. It is evidently a stable community and probably a climatic climax, as it has persisted at least from 1957 until the present day. It may be that this high slope, exposed to the prevailing winds which are funnelled up Glen Nevis, receives an extraordinarily high precipitation which may keep the soils so wet that Deschampsia cespitosa is able to flourish. This slope will also receive much of the runoff from the snow which gathers on the summit. U14 Alchemilla alpina-sibbaldia procumbens dwarf-herb community This, along with the Silene-Luzula sub-community of the Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed U12a, is one of the herb-dominated snow-beds. It is a vegetation type of high, shaded slopes and gullies and is especially characteristic of disturbed ground. For instance, it forms bands of vegetation around the crumbling upper edges of corries, where the great weight of the snow cornice in winter, freezing, thawing and slipping down the steep slopes, plucks at the ground around its upper edge. U14 is also characteristic of the loose, unstable sides of stream gullies and meltwater channels where sand and gravel are deposited over the vegetation when the snow melts or when streams run in spate. And it can occur on fell-fields of shifting gravel on high plateaux. In the study area it occurs on the upper west-facing screes of Ben Nevis, in Coire Leis and on the north-eastern cliffs of Ben Nevis and in the east-facing corries of the Carn Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. In the Grey Corries we found it only in Cùl Choirean. One of the main habitats of the scarce Sibbaldia procumbens, U14 consists of loose mats of this species and Alchemilla alpina, forming an attractive mixture of pale blue-grey leaves and silver-edged green leaves, decorated with frothy yellow flowers in summer. Poking up among these herbs are shoots of species such as Carex bigelowii, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Agrostis capillaris, Nardus stricta and Luzula spicata and other herbs including Galium saxatile, Potentilla erecta, Viola palustris, Gnaphalium supinum and Alchemilla glabra. Under the vascular plants is a golden-brown carpet of mosses made up of species such as Racomitrium fasciculare, R. heterostichum, R. lanuginosum and Kiaeria starkei, interspersed with Polytrichum alpinum, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Conostomum tetragonum, Marsupella emarginata and Barbilophozia floerkei. The soils are locally base-rich, perhaps because of the constant supply of nutrients in frost-churned gravel, and some examples have a few calcicoles such as Thymus polytrichus and Persicaria vivipara. U15 Saxifraga aizoides-alchemilla glabra banks This herb-rich vegetation is ecologically about half way between the base-rich stony Carex-Saxifraga flushes M11 and the Luzula-Geum tall-herb vegetation U17. It is a community of wet, base-rich rock faces and steep slopes, where there is enough soil to sustain a range of herbs as well as sedges and bryophytes. It has an open, sedgy sward of Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. panicea, C. pulicaris and Deschampsia cespitosa, enclosing a rich array of herbs which can tolerate wet, base-rich soils. Saxifraga aizoides and S. oppositifolia hang down in great clusters of glaucous leaves. S. aizoides has sprays of bright yellow flowers that make the community easy to see in summer. These plants grow with species such as S. hypnoides, Silene acaulis, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Pinguicula vulgaris, Oxyria digyna, Selaginella selaginoides, 53

62 Saussurea alpina, Thalictrum alpinum and Rhinanthus minor. Around them, on the dripping ledges and on wet gravel, are bryophytes such as Blindia acuta, Campylium stellatum, Plagiobryum zieri, Anoectangium aestivum, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Breutelia chrysocoma, Scorpidium scorpioides, Calliergonella cuspidata, Scapania undulata and Aneura pinguis. U15 occurs on the flushed limestone slopes of Meall Cumhann, where it is home to the rare Poa glauca, and also on Sgurr a Bhuic. U16a Luzula sylvatica-vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Dryopteris dilatata- Dicranum majus sub-community This is the characteristic tall-herb vegetation of acid cliff ledges. It occurs widely through the study area, though none of the patches are large. U16a is a tall, ungrazed assemblage of ferns including Dryopteris dilatata, D. filix-mas, Oreopteris limbosperma, Blechnum spicant and Phegopteris connectilis growing in a lush sward of Luzula sylvatica, Vaccinium myrtillus, Deschampsia cespitosa, D. flexuosa, Alchemilla alpina and Rumex acetosa. Saxifraga stellaris, Oxalis acetosella, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile are common, and Carex bigelowii grows in stands at higher altitudes. Under the vascular plants is a thick underlayer of bryophytes such as Dicranum scoparium, D. majus, Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum fallax, S. palustre, Diplophyllum albicans, Scapania undulata and Pellia epiphylla. U16b Luzula sylvatica-vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Anthoxanthum odoratum- Festuca ovina sub-community This is a type of tall-herb vegetation of acid ground where grazing is very light. It is especially extensive on the north-eastern slopes of the Allt a Mhuillin glen, below the cliffs of Carn Dearg. There are patches of it among heaths and grasslands on the south-eastern slopes of Sgurr a Bhuic and, more extensively, on the west-facing side of Coire Giubhsachan below the main line of cliffs on Aonach Beag. It also occurs in Coire an Eòin, on the northern slopes of Beinn na Socaich and on the south-facing slopes of Glen Nevis. U16b has a dense, vivid green sward of Luzula sylvatica and Vaccinium myrtillus interleaved with Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa, Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Juncus squarrosus, Carex binervis and Luzula multiflora, tufts of Blechnum spicant, Oxalis acetosella, Rumex acetosa, Viola palustris, Alchemilla alpina and Huperzia selago, and straggling shoots of Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. Among these plants are mats and cushions of bryophytes including Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Dicranum scoparium, Scleropodium purum and Diplophyllum albicans. U16c Luzula sylvatica-vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Species-poor sub-community As its name implies, U16c takes in the patches of almost pure Luzula sylvatica scattered on hillsides amid expanses of grassland and heath. It occurs on Sgurr a Bhuic, on Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór and in Coire Giubhsachan up to almost 800m, and on the east-facing slopes in the Lairig Leacach. U16c consists of tough, rustling green and russet-brown swards of Luzula sylvatica, together with a little Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa and Anthoxanthum odoratum and a freckling of small herbs such as Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Rumex acetosa. There is a sparse layer of bryophytes including species such as Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus and Hylocomium splendens. Some of the examples at high altitudes have Carex bigelowii in them and may be relicts of near-natural vegetation, persisting because grazing is only light. 54

63 U17a Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Alchemilla glabra-bryum pseudotriquetrum sub-community This type of tall-herb vegetation occurs on flushed and dripping ledges of base-rich rock on the cliffs of Meall Cumhann, Coire Giubhsachan, Sgurr a Bhuic and, most extensively, on the Agaidh Garbh and the North-East Ridge of Aonach Beag. There are small, isolated, scattered fragments elsewhere in the study area. Of all the sub-communities of U17 it is the one of the wettest substrates. Many of the species that grow here are plants which are also common in springs and flushes, for example Carex panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. pulicaris, Saxifraga aizoides, S. oppositifolia, Pinguicula vulgaris, Selaginella selaginoides and bryophytes such as Philonotis fontana, Bryum pseudotriquetrum and Blindia acuta. There are also many other herbs such as Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Trollius europaeus, Angelica sylvestris, Silene acaulis, Thalictrum alpinum, Geranium sylvaticum, Geum rivale, Oxyria digyna, Persicaria vivipara, Saussurea alpina, Sedum rosea, Luzula sylvatica, Taraxacum officinalis agg. and Orchis mascula. The herbs flower in summer in bright shades of yellow, white and purple, and the air around the cliffs is sweetly scented by the pale gold fragrant flowers of Trollius europaeus. There is a rich assemblage of bryophytes including calcicoles such as Tortella tortuosa, Anoectangium aestivum and the oceanic liverwort Herbertus stramineus. U17a reaches its highest elevation in the study area on the cliffs of Aonach Beag, and here there is a magnificent array of montane calcicoles including Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Silene acaulis, Poa alpina, P. glauca, Sibbaldia procumbens, the scarce Cerastium cerastioides, C. arcticum, C. alpinum and Veronica alpina, and the very rare Saxifraga cernua. There is also a rich flora of montane bryophytes including Moerckia blyttii, Scapania uliginosa, Marsupella alpina, M. adusta, M. brevissima, Anthelia juratzkana, Pleurocladula albescens, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Philonotis seriata, Oedopodium griffithianum, Polytrichum sexangulare, Pohlia wahlenbergii ssp. glacialis, P. ludwigii, Kiaeria glaciale, Orthothecium rufescens and Conostomum tetragonum. U17b Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Geranium sylvaticum sub-community This wonderful tall-herb community is extensive on the cliff ledges on the eastern side of Aonach Beag, on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan and on the south-facing slopes of Sgurr a Bhuic. There are also small patches on the eastern slopes of Stob Coire Gaibhre and Stob Coire na Ceannain. It consists of stupendously species-rich swards of grasses and tall mesotrophic herbs including Deschampsia cespitosa, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Festuca vivipara, Carex flacca, C. hostiana, C. panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, Luzula sylvatica, Sedum rosea, Angelica sylvestris, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Trollius europaeus, Ranunculus acris, Valeriana oficinalis, Polystichum lonchitis, Cystopteris fragilis, Rhinanthus minor, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Geranium sylvaticum, Galium boreale, Crepis paludosa, Oxyria digyna, Persicaria vivipara, Thymus polytrichus, Thalictrum alpinum, Silene acaulis, Saxifraga oppositifolia, S. aizoides, S. hypnoides, Plantago lanceolata, P. maritima, Selaginella selaginoides and Saussurea alpina, all growing together in great profusion, spilling over the ledges to hang down in dripping curtains over the rock faces and brilliant with flowers in summer. Around these plants are mats and clumps of bryophytes including Homalothecium sericeum, Tortella tortuosa, Ctenidium molluscum, Tortella tortuosa, Calliergonella cuspidata, Calliergon sarmentosum, Hylocomium splendens, Fissidens adianthoides, Plagiobryum zieri, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Ditrichum gracile, Orthothecium rufescens, Molendoa warburgii, Breutelia chrysocoma, Neckera crispa, Scapania gracilis, S. aspera, Preissia quadrata and the oceanic liverwort Herbertus stramineus. Fifty-two species were recorded in a 2m x 2m sample of U17b on the east face of Aonach Beag. The rare montane willow Salix lapponum grows in the study area in this sort of vegetation as well as in the more continuous willow scrub W20. 55

64 Cerastium alpinum, C. arcticum and Veronica alpina all grow in this type of vegetation on Aonach Beag. The tall herbs of U17b are sensitive to grazing, and so this type of vegetation is confined to cliff ledges and very steep, broken ground where animals cannot easily go. U17c Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Agrostis capillaris-rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community U17c has a tall sward of grasses and herbs. Unlike the other sub-communities of U17, it is not almost confined to cliffs, but will cover open and accessible slopes as long as grazing is light. In the study area it occurs on the steep ground below the south-west-facing cliffs of Meall Cumhann between 500 and 600m, below the cliffs in Coire na Easain and on the grassy slope below the near-vertical cliff at the south-east end of the Agaidh Garbh. The sward is made up of Deschampsia cespitosa, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Holcus lanatus and Festuca vivipara growing tall and dense. It conceals a great array of mesotrophic and base-tolerant species such as Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Plantago lanceolata, Lysimachia nemorum, Geum rivale, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Armeria maritima, Luzula sylvatica, Filipendula ulmaria, Geranium sylvaticum, Cirsium heterophyllum, Cardamine palustris, Persicaria vivipara, Galium boreale, Trollius europaeus, Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Valeriana officinalis, Thalictrum alpinum, Carex pulicaris, C. saxatilis and Veronica chamaedrys. At the bottom of the sward are mats of bryophytes including grassland species such as Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Scleropodium purum, Thuidium tamariscinum and Ptilium cristacastrensis. In the complete absence of grazing, this type of vegetation might revert to the more herb-dominated Geranium sub-community U17b, or even, at lower altitudes, to herb-rich Fraxinus-Sorbus-Mercurialis woodland W9. U17d Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Primula vulgaris-hyperichum pulchrum sub-community This is the sub-community of U17 which is most common at low altitudes in the west Highlands and the Hebrides, and in southern Scotland, England and Wales. It has a more heathy sward than the other sub-communities, with conspicuous dark clumps of Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea among the Thymus polytrichus, herbs and grasses. The characteristic species are plants of low altitudes and of herb-rich woodland, such as Anthyllis vulneraria, Primula vulgaris, Orchis mascula, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Viola riviniana, Hypericum pulchrum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta and Teucrium scorodonia. These grow together with more upland species such as Trollius europaeus, Geranium sylvaticum, Sedum rosea, Selaginella selaginoides, Silene acaulis, Saxifraga oppositifolia and Alchemilla alpina. There is a fine array of bryophytes including Anoectangium aestivum, Breutelia chrysocoma, Hylocomium splendens, Racomitrium lanuginosum, R. heterostichum, Fissidens bryoides, Hyocomium armoricum, Tortella tortuosa, Ditrichum gracile, Diplophyllum albicans, Frullania tamarisci and the oceanic Saccogyna viticulosa. U17d occurs on the west-facing cliffs of Meall Cumhann, and on the east-facing cliffs of Aonach Beag. U18 Cryptogramma crispa-athyrium distentifolium snow-bed U18 is unique among the snow-beds because the dominant plants are ferns. Ferns are able to thrive in snowbeds because the winter covering of snow insulates them from frost which would be fatal in more exposed situations. The finest examples in the Ben Nevis SSSI are in the depths of the shaded north-facing and east-facing corries of Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag and the north-facing Grey Corries. There are also tiny fragments of U18 high up in Coire Giubhsachan among the screes of Carn Mór Dearg and on the west-facing clopes of Aonach Beag and in Cùl Choirean. 56

65 This distinctive and attractive community consists of a canopy of the ferns Cryptogramma crispa or Athyrium distentifolium or both. They grow in lush green patches: the Cryptogramma crimped and crisped like the parsley of its common name; the Athyrium in tall elegant plumes, rising out of grey expanses of boulders and scree. Among the ferns is a sparse array of species such as Deschampsia flexuosa, Carex bigelowii, Viola palustris, Huperzia selago, Vaccinium myrtillus, Galium saxatile, Alchemilla alpina, Juncus trifidus and, locally, other ferns such as Blechnum spicant, Phegopteris connectilis, Dryopteris dilatata and the scarce D. oreades. The rare Cerastium cerastioides grows in this type of vegetation in Choire Lèith. The bryophyte flora is rich, with much Sphagnum denticulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Racomitrium lanuginosum, R. fasciculare, R. sudeticum, Polytrichum alpinum, P. commune, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium umbratum, Diplophyllum albicans, Mylia taylorii, Anastrepta orcadensis, Bazzania tricrenata, Barbilophozia floerkii and Marsupella emarginata. There are also several snow-bed specialists such as Diplophyllum taxifolium, Moerckia blyttii, Kiaeria blyttii, K. falcata, Andreaea alpina, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Anthelia juratzkana, Lophozia opacifolia, L. sudetica, Pleurocladula albescens and the very rare moss Kiaeria glacialis, a species which is particularly associated with this type of vegetation (Rothero 1991). On shaded north-facing slopes the bryophyte flora is richer still, with a number of scarce oceanic species including Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania ornithopodioides, S. nimbosa, Bazzania pearsonii and Plagiochila carringtonii. There is also a great diversity of lichens including Cetraria islandica, Coelocaulon aculeatum, Thamnolia vermicularis, Stereocaulon vesuvianum, Cladonia portentosa, C. uncialis, C. furcata, C. rangiferina, C. bellidiflora, C. arbuscula and C. coniocraea. U19 Thelypteris limbosperma-blechnum spicant community U19 is especially extensive, covering hundreds of square metres, on the northern slopes of the study area. It is also extensive above the woodland on the west-facing slope of Meall Cumhann, where it covers about a hectare with its characteristic yellow-green upright clumps of fronds. It occurs sporadically along Glen Nevis as far east as Sgurr a Bhuic, generally in small patches alongside watercourses on steep, well-drained, sheltered ground. Under the soft, lemon-scented canopy of the fern are smaller plants such as Blechnum spicant, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis canina, Festuca vivipara, Carex binervis, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Oxalis acetosella, Viola riviniana, Conopodium majus and Succisa pratensis. There is a deep, golden-green layer of bryophytes such as Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum, Scleropodium purum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichum commune and Dicranum majus. Much of the ground now occupied by U19 would once have been woodland, and the vegetation has much in common with the ground layer of grassy woodland on well-drained acid soil. U20a Pteridium aquilinum-galium saxatile community, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community There are patches of this type of bracken-dominated vegetation all along the low ground in Glen Nevis, among heaths and grasslands on the open slopes and in woodland glades. U20a is also extensive along the northern slopes of the study area, forming mosaics with woodland and with the Oreopteris community U19. U20a occurs on deep brown mineral soils and its distribution shows well, though not exclusively, where woodland could develop in the current climate. U20a is the grassy sub-community. The ground layer under the tall green canopy of bracken is very similar to Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland U4, with a dense, bright green sward of Festuca vivipara or F. ovina, F. rubra, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis capillaris and Carex binervis tangled with stems of the ubiquitous Galium saxatile and Potentilla erecta and dotted with a few other species such as Rumex acetosa, Cerastium fontanum and Viola riviniana. Woodland plants such as Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella and Anemone nemorosa can occur in this type of vegetation, in which the bracken provides shade and shelter. On the northern slopes of the study area, Trientalis europaea grows in this type of vegetation. There is a thin mat of bryophytes made up of Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Scleropodium purum and Hypnum jutlandicum. 57

66 U20b Pteridium aquilinum-galium saxatile community, Vaccinium myrtillus-dicranum scoparium sub-community The heathy form of bracken-dominated vegetation occurs on the north-facing slopes of the study area, where it forms mosaics with woodland, with the grassy U20a and with the Oreopteris limbosperma community U19. It looks very similar to U20a, with a tall, dense, green canopy of Pteridium aquilinum. But here, instead of a ground layer of grasses, there is a sward of Vaccinium myrtillus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Galium saxatile, Oxalis acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Viola riviniana and bryophytes such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium, D. majus, Hypnum jutlandicum and Polytrichum commune. U20 Pteridium aquilinum-galium saxatile community; damp form not classified to any sub-community On the southern slopes between Meall Cumhann and the Allt Coire Giubhsachan, in Coire an Eòin and Coire Choimhlidh, there are small patches of bracken which have been mapped as U20, without a sub-community. This is because they cover a ground layer of Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, Succisa pratensis and Viola palustris, with patches of Hypnum jutlandicum, Breutelia chrysocoma, Campylopus atrovirens and Pleurozium schreberi which is identical to the surrounding Molinia-Potentilla grassland M25 without a canopy of bracken. These patches are probably single plants of bracken growing clonally following chance establishment in this type of vegetation. U21 Cryptogramma crispa-deschampsia flexuosa community This fern community not a snow-bed like the Cryptogramma-Athyrium community U18 is characteristic of dry, well-drained scree on steep slopes. It is one of those types of upland vegetation which is more common in the south of the country than it is in the north. It is most extensive in Wales, the Lake District and the Southern Uplands. It does, however, occur in the Highlands in suitable habitats, and was recorded at over 1000m on the south-facing screes of Ben Nevis. It also occurs on the south-facing side of the Grey Corries. U21 is distinguished from U18 by the absence of snow-tolerant species. It consists of an open, patchy sward of Cryptogramma crispa, its brilliant green mounds of frothy foliage conspicuous in summer and the dead red-brown remains in winter equally visible. Other plants grow sparingly on the thin layer of humus that builds up around the clumps of Cryptogramma. They include Deschampsia flexuosa, Agrostis capillaris and an array of bryophytes such as Racomitrium lanuginosum, R. heterostichum, R. ericoides, R. sudeticum, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium, Andreaea rupestris and Ptilidium ciliare. There is a pale speckling of lichens such as Stereocaulon vesuvianum, Cladonia bellidiflora and C. subcervicornis. Dry aff: Dryopteris affinis community This type of fern-dominated vegetation was not sampled for the NVC but is known to be widespread in upland Britain (Rodwell et al. 2000). It occurs on the ruins of the house at Steall, in Glen Nevis. Some of it is on ground onto which stones have fallen from the ruins. Other patches of it are on the low, broad tops of the ruined stone walls. In both situations there is much soil among the stones. The vegetation has a tall sward of Dryopteris affinis with an understorey of Deschampsia cespitosa, D. flexuosa, Holcus lanatus, Agrostis capillaris, Ranunculus repens, Rumex acetosa, Cardamine pratensis and Galium saxatile. There is a thin mat of bryophytes made up of Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Thuidium tamariscinum and Scleropodium purum. 58

67 S9a Carex rostrata swamp, Carex rostrata sub-community S9a swamps consist of rustling grey-green swards of Carex rostrata growing in shallow water. There are small patches of S9a in the wetter parts of the mixed Carex rostrata mires and other mires on the level floor of Coire Giubhsachan. Most are in the shallow channels of water which wind across the corrie floor. The community also occurs in peaty lochans in Coire an Laoigh and on the south side of Sgurr a Bhuic. S10a Equisetum fluviatile swamp, Equisetum fluviatile sub-community These are swamps of Equisetum fluviatile. The long, supple stems emerge from shallow lochs or slow-moving streams. There is a patch of S10a in the still water of a large meander on the Allt Coire Giubhsachan, as it crosses the level floor of the corrie. OV24 Urtica dioica-galium aparine community There is a patch of this rank, weedy, lowland vegetation beside the sheep fank at Achriabhach, in Glen Nevis. It has a tall sward of Urtica dioica about a metre high, growing with Rubus fruticosus, Phleum pratense, Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus, Agrostis capillaris, Juncus effusus, Galium aparine, Rumex obtusifolius, Epilobium montanum, Cardamine pratensis and the moss Eurhynchium praelongum. Lich: Lichen heath Pure lichen heaths are the enigma of British upland vegetation. They are an important element in the vegetation of northern Scandinavia and the Arctic tundra, where they are grazed by reindeer. In the eastern Highlands there are examples of Calluna-Cladonia heath H13 and Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H19 where the lichens are more common than the dwarf shrubs, but there seems to be almost no pure lichen heath above the altitudinal limit of dwarf shrubs. McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) described small patches of pure lichen heath within a large tract of lichen-rich Carex-Racomitrium heath on the summit ridge of Carn nan Sac and Carn a Gheoidh in the Cairnwell hills. Birks and Ratcliffe (1980) reserved the code letter F in their scheme for pure lichen heaths, presumably in case somebody found some, but to our knowledge, nobody has done so. There is no mention of pure lichen heaths in the NVC. As a result of this, it was very exciting to come across distinct patches of pure lichen heath on the stony plateau reaching out from the summit of Ben Nevis towards Carn Dearg to the north-west. These patches cover only a couple of square metres at most, and consist of crisp, shiny brown mats of Cetraria islandica mixed with Cladonia portentosa and C. uncialis. Racomitrium lanuginosum grows in grey-green wisps. The lichen mats are dotted with Carex bigelowii, Polytrichum alpinum and Alchemilla alpina. These appear to be true lichen heaths, related to the foliose lichen heaths dominated by species of Cladonia, Cetraria and Stereocaulon with a sparse array of vascular plants which are widespread in the Arctic (Longton 1988). Lspi: Luzula spicata swards On the plateau of Aonach Mór there are a few patches of vegetation which are almost pure swards of Luzula spicata. The woodrush grows through a thin carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum dotted with Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Saxifraga stellaris and Polytrichum alpinum. Nothing like this seems to have been described from elsewhere in the British uplands. Je: Juncus effusus swards There are patches of Juncus effusus around the ruined dwelling of Steall, in the eastern part of Glen Nevis. These swards do not fit any of the Juncus effusus mires in the NVC. They occur on dry ground and the ground 59

68 layer under the dense sward of tall rushes is green and grassy. There is much Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis capillaris, Holcus lanatus, Festuca rubra, Potentilla erecta, Trifolium repens, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris and R. repens, growing with a few weedy species such as Cirsium arvense, Cerastium fontanum and Digitalis purpurea. There are wefts of bryophytes such as Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi. The vegetation lacks the wetland species of the J. effusus mires described in the NVC (ie M6c and M23b see above), and differs from the more lowland MG10 Juncus effusus-holcus lanatus grassland in its more acidophilous flora which shows an affinity with Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland U4. These rush swards are common on abandoned pasture, around old shielings and anywhere where there has been some disturbance in the past. Young larch Patches of young larch Larix europaeus trees form mosaics with heathland and bare ground in a very small area E of a track near the NW corner of the site. These larches have evidently seeded in from the nearby conifer plantation. Beech There are two small patches of mature beech by an old graveyard at NN in the lower part of Glen Nevis. These beeches appear to be planted. Fell-field On the stony plateau leading out from Ben Nevis to Carn Dearg in the north-west, on the ridge of the Carn Dearg hills to the east of Ben Nevis, on Aonach Mór and on Stob Coire Easain there are outcrops of shattered rock, great spreads of boulders and rock fragments, and also fell-fields, which are bare gravelly expanses of small stones on level ground. The result of erosion, they are common on hills made from granite or basalt which readily weather into small pieces, but they occur widely throughout the Highlands. From a distance they look totally bare, and indeed they are almost so. However, there is a sparse scattering of small plants. On Ben Nevis there is only Salix herbacea, Saxifraga stellaris and Carex bigelowii, but on the Carn Dearg hills, Aonach Mór and Stob Coire Easain the species include Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Luzula spicata, Juncus trifidus, Galium saxatile, Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea. There are tufts and patches of bryophytes such as Racomitrium lanuginosum, R. heterostichum, R. sudeticum and Polytrichum alpinum, and there are a few lichens such as Ochrolechia frigida, Cladonia uncialis and C. subcervicornis. Acidic rock (mapped as Rock) There is a great deal of exposed rock in the study area, especially on the steeper slopes and on the upper parts of Ben Nevis, and on the upper slopes of the Grey Corries which are largely composed of weathered quartzite blocks. Except where there are obvious patches of vegetation on the ledges, the rocks look bare. They are, in fact, far from being so. Much of the surface is covered by a thin layer of crustose lichens. There are spreads of algae where water seeps down, especially in shady situations. Bryophytes grow in tufts and cushions on tiny ledges, in crevices, and even on steep faces. There are also fragments of the vegetation of the surrounding open ground. Most of the rock is hard and is evidently acid, as judged by its flora of crustose lichens and common bryophytes such as Racomitrium lanuginosum, R. sudeticum, R. heterostichum and Andreaea spp. These acidic rocks occur in mosaics with a wide range of vegetation types such as Calluna-Erica dry heath H10 and Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15 at lower altitudes, and Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath H20 and Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 higher up. 60

69 Basic rock (mapped as BR) Although most of the rock has a flora which shows that it is acid, some outcrops and cliffs have a more basiphilous flora including calcicoles such as the bryophytes Amphidium mougeotii, Anoectangium aestivum, Neckera crispa, Tortella tortuosa, Ctenidium molluscum and Herbertus stramineus. These base-rich exposures of rock are on Meall Cumhann, Beinn na Socaich, Sgurr a Bhuic, Aonach Beag and in Coire Giubhsachan. They form mosaics with tall-herb communities and herb-rich grasslands, mires and montane willow scrub. Acidic scree (mapped as Scree) There are vast skirts of scree around the western and southern slopes of Ben Nevis, dropping like red-grey curtains from the knife-edge of the Carn Mór Dearg arête, striping the long slopes of Aonach Beag and Sgurr a Bhuic and clothing the ridges and summits of the Grey Corries. Like the rocks, the screes are not totally bare. They are covered with crustose lichens generally common pioneer species similar to those which colonise stone walls and other buildings. One of the characteristic species of stable scree is Racomitrium lanuginosum, which can form grey-green sheets looking very like Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 but without any of the montane species. R. ericoides and R. sudeticum are also common, along with a number of other saxicolous bryophytes such as Andreaea spp. The more stable screes can be partially vegetated. The most common types of vegetation are the Cryptogramma-Deschampsia fern community U21 and various types of Vaccinium heath H18 and H20. Vaccinium myrtillus is rhizomatous and is better than other dwarf shrubs at colonising scree, as it can creep among the rocks. Basic scree (mapped as BS) Almost all of the scree examined in this survey has a flora which shows that it is acid, or is so bare and species-poor that it appears best classed as acidic rather than basic scree. However, on the western and north-eastern slopes of Aonach Beag there are small areas of mica-schist scree, with a flora which is speciespoor and not very distinctive, but which contains some calcicole species including Saxifraga oppositifolia. This is therefore classed as basic scree. It occurs in mosaics with basic rock outcrops, tall herb vegetation U17, heaths, grasslands including the herb-rich CG11, CG12 and U5c types, and base-enriched sedge mires M10 and M12. Rock debris On the northern side of Aonach Beag there are slopes and patches of rock debris. This is not really scree, but bedrock being weathered away in this extreme montane environment by the action of frost and water. The shaly rock is crumbling and splitting into angular fragments, gravelly detritus and sand. Among the rock is late snow-bed vegetation dominated by snow-tolerant mosses, liverworts and herbs (see U11 and U12 above). This unstable slope is the main habitat for the rare Luzula arcuata in the Ben Nevis SSSI. Boulder field The summit of Ben Nevis is a huge boulder-field where the underlying rock has been shattered into large fragments by the weathering action of frost. At the great altitude of 1334m there are few plants here. The only vascular species are Saxifraga stellaris and Huperzia selago, but there is a sparse array of snowtolerant bryophytes such as Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, K. blyttii, Polytrichum alpinum, P. sexangulare and Brachythecium glaciale. These thicken up between the boulders to form species-poor patches of the Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed U11b. 61

70 There is a distinguished lichen flora on the boulders, including Amygdalaria consentiens, A. pelobotryon, Fuscidia gothoburgensis, Ionaspis odora, Verrucaria margacea and the montane Lecidea paupercula, Ionaspis cyanocarpa, Micarea granulosa, Sporastatia polyspora and Tephromela armenaica (Gilbert 2000). The summit is the only known British locality for Staurothele arctica, otherwise known only from Scandinavia (Gilbert 2000). There are also boulder-fields on the col between Aonach Mór and Stob a Chùl Choire, and at the head of Coire a Mhadaidh. River Some rocky rivers are wide enough to be delineated on the vegetation map. They are labelled River. Bare peat There are patches of bare, eroded peat, locally becoming recolonised by Eriophorum angustifolium, on the col between Sgurr a Bhuic and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and on the level ground of Tom a Choinneachaidh, enclosed by a large bend in the Water of Nevis, and in the Lairig Leacach at the eastern end of the site. Some of the largest expanses, however, are on the level flats in Coire an Eòin, and here there are forests of pine-stumps exposed by the eroding peat. Bare ground Two small areas of bare soil and stones were mapped as Bare ground. One is in mosaic with U4e grassland on steep slopes above a tributary stream south of Sgurr Chionnich Mor. The other is a very small area in mosaic with heathland and young larches on more or less level ground just east of a track at the NW corner of the site. Shingle Where Glen Nevis broadens out at the eastern end of the gorge, the Water of Nevis winds across a green, level meadow. Alongside its course are spreads of shingle, presumably deposited when the river comes down in spate, and shifting and changing from year to year. There are similar spreads in Coire an Eòin. They have a sparse flora of plants such as Festuca vivipara, Deschampsia flexuosa, Potentilla erecta, Viola riviniana and the moss Racomitrium ericoides. OW: Open water There are few large bodies of water in the study area. The largest is Lochan Meall an t-suidhe, which is about 750m long and 200m wide at its widest point. The lochan in Coire an Lochan in the Grey Corries is about 200m long. There are small corrie lochans in Coire on Lochain on the east side of Aonach Mór, and in Coire na Ceannain in the Grey Corries. Otherwise there are only a few peaty pools. 62

71 Table 3 List of vegetation and habitat types found by Ben and Alison Averis in this survey of Ben Nevis SSSI in W4b W4c W7c W9b W11a W11b W11 W17a W17b W17c W18d W18e W20 W24 W25b W25D H10a H10b H10c H10d H12a H12b H12bR H12c H13 H14 H15 H18a H18b H18c H19 H20a H20b H20c H20d H21a H21b H22a H22b M1 M3 M4 M6a M6b M6c M6d M7 M9a M10a M11a Betula pubescens-molinia caerulea woodland, Juncus effusus sub-community Betula pubescens-molinia caerulea woodland, Sphagnum sub-community Alnus glutinosa-fraxinus excelsior-lysimachia nemorum woodland, Deschampsia cespitosa sub-community Fraxinus excelsior-sorbus aucuparia-mercurialis perennis woodland, Crepis paludosa sub-community Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland, Dryopteris dilatata sub-community Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland, Blechnum spicant sub-community Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland, not classified to any sub-community Quercus-Betula-Dicranum majus woodland, Isothecium myosuroides-diplophyllum albicans sub-community Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-dicranum majus woodland, Typical sub-community Quercus-Betula-Dicranum majus woodland, Anthoxanthum odoratum-agrostis capillaris sub-community Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland, Sphagnum capillifolium/quinquefarium-erica tetralix sub-community Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland, Scapania gracilis sub-community Salix lapponum-luzula sylvatica scrub Rubus fruticosus-holcus lanatus underscrub Pteridium aquilinum-rubus fruticosus underscrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community Pteridium aquilinum-rubus fruticosus underscrub, damp form Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Typical sub-community Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Festuca ovina-anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Thymus polytrichus-carex pulicaris sub-community Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath, Typical sub-community Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-cladonia portentosa sub-community Calluna-Vaccinium heath, Vaccinium-Cladonia sub-community, Racomitrium lanuginosum form Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath, Galium saxatile-festuca ovina sub-community Calluna vulgaris-cladonia arbuscula heath Calluna vulgaris-racomitrium lanuginosum heath Calluna vulgaris-juniperus communis ssp. nana heath Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa heath, Hylocomium splendens-rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa heath, Alchemilla alpina-carex pilulifera sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa heath, Racomitrium lanuginosum-cladonia spp. sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-cladonia arbuscula heath Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Viola riviniana-thymus polytrichus sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Cetraria islandica sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Bazzania tricrenata-mylia taylori sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Rhytidiadelphus loreus-hylocomium splendens sub-community Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus-sphagnum capillifolium heath,calluna vulgaris-pteridium aquilinum sub-community Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum capillifolium heath, Mastigophora woodsii-herbertus aduncus sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-rubus chamaemorus heath, Polytrichum commune-galium saxatile sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-rubus chamaemorus heath, Plagiothecium undulatum-anastrepta orcadensis sub-community Sphagnum denticulatum bog pool community Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community Carex rostrata-sphagnum fallax mire Carex echinata-sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Carex echinata sub-community Carex echinata-sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Carex nigra-nardus stricta sub-community Carex echinata-sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Juncus effusus sub-community Carex echinata-sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Juncus acutiflorus sub-community Carex curta-sphagnum russowii mire Carex rostrata-calliergonella cuspidata/calliergon giganteum mire, Campylium stellatum-scorpidium scorpioides sub-community Carex dioica-pinguicula vulgaris mire, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-juncus bulbosus/kochii sub-community Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-saxifraga aizoides mire, Thalictrum alpinum-juncus triglumis sub-community 63

72 Table 3 M11b M12 M15a M15b M15c M15d M17a M17b M17c M19a M19c M23a M23b M25a M25b M25c M27 M31 M32a M32b M33 M37 MG9a CG10a CG10b CG10c CG11a CG11b CG12 CG14 U4a U4b U4d U4e U4eA U4F U5a U5b U5c U5e U6a U6aH U6c U6d U6R U7a U7b U7c U8 U9b U10a (continued) Carex viridula ssp.oedocarpa-saxifraga aizoides mire,palustriella commutata-eleocharis quinqueflora sub-community Carex saxatilis mire Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Carex panicea sub-community Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Typical sub-community Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Cladonia sub-community Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Vaccinium myrtillus sub-community Trichophorum cespitosum-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Drosera rotundifolia-sphagnum sub-community Trichophorum cespitosum-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Cladonia spp. sub-community Trichophorum-Eriophorum blanket mire, Juncus squarrosus-rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community Calluna vulgaris-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Erica tetralix sub-community Calluna vulgaris-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-hylocomium splendens sub-community Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-galium palustre rush pasture, Juncus acutiflorus sub-community Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-galium palustre rush pasture, Juncus effusus sub-community Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire, Erica tetralix sub-community Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire, Angelica sylvestris sub-community Filipendula ulmaria-angelica sylvestris tall-herb fen Anthelia julacea-sphagnum denticulatum spring Philonotis fontana-saxifraga stellaris spring, Sphagnum denticulatum sub-community Philonotis fontana-saxifraga stellaris spring, Montia fontana-chrysosplenium oppositifolium sub-community Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring Palustriella commutata-festuca rubra spring Holcus lanatus-deschampsia cespitosa grassland, Poa trivialis sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland, Trifolium repens-luzula campestris sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland, Carex pulicaris-carex panicea sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland, Saxifraga aizoides-ditrichum gracile sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-alchemilla alpina grassland, Typical sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-alchemilla alpina grassland, Carex pulicaris-carex panicea sub-community Festuca ovina-alchemilla alpina-silene acaulis community Dryas octopetala-silene acaulis ledge community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Typical sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-trifolium repens sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Luzula multiflora-rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa sub-community Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland, Vaccinium-Deschampsia sub-community, Alchemilla alpina variant Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, provisional Filipendula ulmaria sub-community Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Species-poor sub-community Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Agrostis canina-polytrichum commune sub-community Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Carex panicea-viola riviniana sub-community Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, Sphagnum sub-community Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, heathy form Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus sub-community Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, Agrostis capillaris-luzula multiflora sub-community Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, herb-rich form Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum-cetraria islandica sub-community Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Typical sub-community Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Alchemilla alpina-festuca ovina sub-community Carex bigelowii-polytrichum alpinum heath Juncus trifidus-racomitrium lanuginosum rush heath, Salix herbacea sub-community Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Galium saxatile sub-community 64

73 Table 3 U10b U10c U10cSP U11a U11b U12a U12b U12c U13a U13b U13P U14 U15 U16a U16b U16c U17a U17b U17c U17d U18 U19 U20a U20b U20 U21 S9a S10a OV24 HX: MX: UX: Plud: Rhet: Reri: Dry aff: Lich: Lspi: Je: Beech: Fell-field: Rock: BR: Scree: BS: Rock debris: Boulder field: River: Bare peat: Shingle: OW: (continued) Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Typical sub-community Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community, species-poor form Polytrichum sexangulare-kiaeria starkei snow-bed, Typical sub-community Polytrichum sexangulare-kiaeria starkei snow-bed, Species-poor sub-community Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Silene acaulis-luzula spicata sub-community Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Gymnomitrion concinnatum sub-community Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Marsupella brevissima sub-community Deschampsia cespitosa-galium saxatile grassland, Anthoxanthum odoratum-alchemilla alpina sub-community Deschampsia cespitosa-galium saxatile grassland, Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community Deschampsia cespitosa-galium saxatile grassland, Polytrichum alpinum form not assigned to a sub-community Alchemilla alpina-sibbaldia procumbens dwarf-herb community Saxifraga aizoides-alchemilla glabra banks Luzula sylvatica-vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Dryopteris dilatata-dicranum majus sub-community Luzula sylvatica-vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Anthoxanthum odoratum-festuca ovina sub-community Luzula sylvatica-vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Species-poor sub-community Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Alchemilla glabra-bryum pseudotriquetrum sub-community Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Geranium sylvaticum sub-community Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Agrostis capillaris-rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Primula vulgaris-hyperichum pulchrum sub-community Cryptogramma crispa-athyrium distentifolium snow-bed Thelypteris limbosperma-blechnum spicant community Pteridium aquilinum-galium saxatile community, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community Pteridium aquilinum-galium saxatile community, Vaccinium myrtillus-dicranum scoparium sub-community Pteridium aquilinum-galium saxatile community; damp form not classified to any sub-community Cryptogramma crispa-deschampsia flexuosa community Carex rostrata swamp, Carex rostrata sub-community Equisetum fluviatile swamp, Equisetum fluviatile sub-community Urtica dioica-galium aparine community Vaccinium myrtillus-sphagnum capillifolium heath Herb-rich small-sedge mire Mixed snow-bed Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed Racomitrium ericoides moss heath Dryopteris affinis community Lichen heath Luzula spicata swards Juncus effusus swards patches of planted beech Fell-field Acidic Rock Basic Rock Acidic Scree Basic Scree Rock debris Boulder field River Bare peat Shingle Open water 65

74 5 EVALUATION 5.1 General description of the site Ben Nevis, at 1344m the highest point in Britain, lies at the western end of the study area. Its massive bald summit is poised, like a breaking wave, over the depths of its stupendous north-eastern cliffs. To the northwest and to the south of the summit are two granite outliers, both called Carn Dearg. To the west is the small green eminence of Meall an t-suidhe, its steep slopes corrugated with tree-lined gullies. To the east the summit slopes of Ben Nevis drop to the airy knife-edge of the Carn Mór Dearg arête, its steep slopes draped in screes and seamed by black gullies. The arête runs from Ben Nevis out to Carn Mór Dearg; a tiny summit just big enough for someone to stand beside the cairn, and the highest point of a long granite ridge running from north to south. This rises to two other tops Carn Dearg Meadhonach and Carn Beag Dearg and is divided from Ben Nevis by the long green glen of the Allt a Mhuillin. This glen ends in Coire Leis under the highest inland cliffs in Britain. On the east side of the Carn Dearg ridge, three shallow corries face east across the glen of the Allt Daim, an unfrequented, trackless hollow in the hills. East again is the monumentally massive ridge of Aonach Mór. This almost level plateau, 1221m high, is defended to the west by a steep precipice lined with gullies and to the east by a fine series of cliff-bound corries. These corries are bounded to the east by the slender ridge of Tom na Sròine and Stob a Chùl Choire. To the south of Aonach Mór, and divided from it by a narrow col, is the smooth dome-shaped summit of Aonach Beag. At 1234m high it is only 100m lower than Ben Nevis itself. It is divided from the Ben by the hidden hanging glen of Coire Giubhsachan; a green valley bisected by its tumultuous white river and walled in by vast hillsides. At the south-eastern end of the glen is Meall Cumhann, with its limestone cliffs rising to a jagged crest. From Aonach Beag a ridge leads out south-east to Sgurr a Bhuic: a twisted pyramid at the head of its great south-western corrie. To the south of these hills runs the Water of Nevis, flowing westwards through a steep green glen, across a level upland meadow at Steall and then dropping through the wooded gorge of Glen Nevis. The gorge of the Water of Nevis and the upper Glen, with the white cascade of Steall waterfall dropping through tiers of black rocks and green slopes hung with trees, has been likened to parts of the Himalayas. It is certainly unlike most other parts of the Highlands. The hills at the eastern end of the SSSI are known, collectively, as the Grey Corries: an apt name as the upper slopes are draped in pale quartzite screes which contrast attractively with the smooth, golden-green tones of the middle and lower slopes. Although these hills are dwarfed by the massive ranges to the west, the highest point, Stob Coire Claurigh, is 1177m high not far below the height of Carn Mór Dearg and Aonach Mór and the ridge rarely drops below 1000m throughout the 6km of its length. The silvery spires of the summits are linked by a narrow wavering crest that is less than a metre wide in some parts. To the north is a parallel series of glens running up into deep-cut corries. The corries facing south are shallower, except for the incised hollow of Cùl Choirean at the eastern end of the study area. One of the most impressive parts of the study area is the glen which divides the Grey Corries from Tom na Sròine, Stob a Chùl Choire and Aonach Beag. In its lower reaches it is called Coire an Eòin: a wide green strath with a broad meandering river winding across level and boggy flats to fall in a white waterslide down an impressive series of red slabs surrounded by wooded rock outcrops. In its upper part, the glen splits into: Coire an Easain, high up under the walls of Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór; Coire Bhealaich, divided by a 730m col from Glen Nevis; and An Cùl Choire and An Coire Calma beneath the eastern cliffs of Aonach Beag. The eastern face of Aonach Beag is a prodigious piece of upland scenery. 66

75 A vast towering amphitheatre of dark, broken precipices and crumbling, splintered slopes, it is as high as the north-eastern precipice of Ben Nevis, though the cliffs are less continuous and are interspersed with vegetated ledges. They are at least as impressive as the Nevis cliffs. They drop almost sheer from the summit to about 600m, where they spread out in radiating ridges that wind like huge roots across the corrie floor. The upper part of An Cùl Choire, high up under the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag and walled in to the south by the North-East ridge of Aonach Beag, is a dark, shaded hollow seamed by montane springs and flushes where the ice age seems never to have really ended. In mid-august 2004 there was a patch of snow in the deep shadow of the North-East ridge which was still about 100m long and 75m wide. This patch, though it dwindled to the size of a hearthrug in the hot summer of 2003, nevertheless persisted when all the snow on the cliffs of the Ben had gone. 5.2 Vegetation General patterns of vegetation We recorded 154 types of vegetation and habitat here, ranging from woodlands and sub-montane communities to high montane moss heaths and snow-beds. In over 20 years of surveying vegetation in upland and lowland sites in Scotland, England and Wales, this is the highest total number of vegetation and habitat types we have ever recorded for a single site. The patterns of vegetation in the study area are fairly typical of the western Highlands. What is interesting and not at all common is the complete altitudinal sequence of vegetation from woodland to scrub and dwarf shrub heaths, then to montane grasslands, and finally to communities dominated by bryophytes or lichens. The altitudinal gradients of climate are very steep. In just over one vertical kilometre from the Water of Nevis to the top of the Ben, you travel from temperate rain-forest to an arctic environment. On the low ground in Glen Nevis and on the lower, north-facing slopes of Sgurr Finnisg-aig, Tom na Sròine, Coire an Eòin, Coire Choimhlidh and Beinn Bhàn there are deciduous native woods of birch, oak, holly, rowan and willow, with ash, elm, hazel and hawthorn on the richer soils. The woods in Glen Nevis are unusually extensive and the glen is a notably well-wooded landscape by British standards. Most of the woodland on the south-facing side of the glen is dry and grassy W11. There are smaller patches of dry, heathy, mossy woodland W17, flushed tracts with wet acid woodland W4, wet herb-rich woodland W7 and drier herb-rich woodland W9. On the north-facing slopes there is much damp, bryophyte-rich woodland W17. There are pine woods W18 on the north-facing side of Glen Nevis, and scattered pine trees in lower Coire an Eòin. The woodlands in the north of the study area are less extensive than the woodland symbols on the Ordnance Survey maps suggest. In particular, Coille Coire nan Eoin is not a continuous tract of woodland but a grassy slope with scattered ancient and moribund trees. There is closed woodland only on the steeper slopes and cliffs, and most of it belongs to the mossy type W17. There is, however, a small but herb-rich and attractive stand of W9 in the lower part of Coire Choimhlidh. Above the woods are typical west Highland mosaics of Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15 and Molinia- Potentilla grassland M25, with Trichophorum-Eriophorum blanket bog M17 on level flats and drier Calluna- Erica heath H10, Calluna-Vaccinium heath H12 and Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heath H21 on steep, rocky slopes. Higher up, or where grazing has been heavy in the past, there are sub-montane Vaccinium heaths H18 and Vaccinium-rich Trichophorum-Erica heaths M15d. There are also small amounts of sub-montane Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grasslands U4a and U4b, Nardus-Galium grasslands U5 and Juncus squarrosus- 67

76 Festuca ovina rush heaths U6. With increasing altitude, the heaths become more montane and mossy and pass into Vaccinium-Racomitrium heaths H20 and Vaccinium-Rubus heaths H22. There are also small patches of prostrate, montane dwarf shrub heath: Calluna-Racomitrium heath H14 in the western half of the site and Calluna-Cladonia heath H13 and Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H19 further east. On the exposed, south-facing slopes there are mossy Nardus-Galium grasslands U5e and Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grasslands U4d and U4e, and on level benches there are Calluna-Eriophorum blanket bogs M19c. On more sheltered ground in the corries and high up in the glens, there are vast swards of Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a. At the time of the survey these swards were tall, lightly grazed and flowering profusely: really attractive green grasslands with a silvery haze of flowers. Among and above the U13a grasslands are Nardus-Carex snowbed grasslands U7 and late snow-beds dominated by montane mosses and liverworts. There are Polytrichum- Kiaeria snow-beds U11, Salix-Racomitrium snow-beds U12, Rhytidiadelphus loreus snow-beds U13b and Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-beds U14. There are also large patches of snow-beds of types which are not described in the NVC: the Pohlia ludwigii commmunity, the Racomitrium heterostichum community and the mixed snow-bed mapped as UX. On the summits and ridges these heaths, grasslands and snow-beds give way to montane Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 and Carex-Polytrichum sedge-heath U8. On the Grey Corries the prevailing type of montane heath is the Juncus trifidus community U9b. There are small patches of Racomitrium ericoides moss heath and, on Ben Nevis, tiny examples of pure lichen heath. On Aonach Mór there are a few small patches where the vegetation is dominated by Luzula spicata. One thing that really brings home the great height of Ben Nevis is that on Meall Cumhann, which is around half its height, there are some fine stands of Carex- Racomitrium heath U10. U10 is generally the vegetation of the highest summits in the British uplands. On Meall Cumhann, in Coire Giubhsachan, on Sgurr a Bhuic, on the eastern side of Aonach Beag and on Beinn na Socaich there are exposures of limestone and calcareous schist, and much herb-rich vegetation. The most notable are the montane Salix lapponum scrub W20, the Saxifraga-Alchemilla community U15 and the Luzula-Geum tall-herb vegetation U17. There are also expanses of Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10, Festuca-Agrostis-Alchemilla grassland CG11 and Festuca-Alchemilla-Silene swards CG12. The montane Dryas-Silene community CG14 occurs on Beinn na Socaich. Fern communities are common. Bracken U20 and W25 and Oreopteris limbosperma fern-beds U19 occur on the low ground, Cryptogramma-Deschampsia vegetation U21 on steep exposed screes, and Cryptogramma- Athyrium snow-beds U18 among sheltered boulders in the high corries. The slopes are flushed and there is a great range of soligenous mires: Carex-Sphagnum mires M4 and M6 and heathy flushes M15a on the low ground, Carex curta-sphagnum mires M7 and Carex saxatilis mires M12 at high altitudes, and Carex rostrata-calliergonella mires M9, Carex-Pinguicula mires M10 and Carex-Saxifraga mires M11 where the irrigating water is base-rich. Bryophyte springs are very common. The Philonotis-Saxifraga type M32 and the Anthelia-Sphagnum type M31 are ubiquitous. The montane Pohlia wahlenbergii ssp. glacialis community M33 occurs in the sheltered corries of Ben Nevis, Carn Mór Dearg, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag and Stob Coire Easain. The base-demanding Palustriella-Festuca spring M37 occurs on Beinn na Socaich and in Coire Choimhlidh Wider British and European distributions of vegetation types The British distributions of the NVC types recorded in this survey are summarised in Table 4. This table also gives information about the distribution of similar vegetation elsewhere in Europe. 68

77 Table 4 British distribution of NVC types recorded in this survey at Ben Nevis in , and European distribution of similar vegetation Note: vegetation types not described in the NVC are omitted from this table because there is insufficient information available about their British and European distributions. Key to areas: 1 W Highlands 4 S Scotland 7 SW England 10 France/Germ/Belg/Holl/Lux 13 Central Europe 2 E Highlands 5 N England 8 SE England 11 Scandinavia 14 Spain/Portugal 3 Orkney/Shetland 6 Wales 9 Ireland 12 Faroe Islands 15 N Africa Key to symbols: + scarce ++ fairly common +++ common * present? possibly present c present, but information only meaningful at NVC community level W E Or S N Wa SW SE Ir Fr Sc Fa CE Sp N Hi Hi + Sc En le En En el Ge an er Eu + Af NVC gh gh Sh ot gl s gl gl an Ho di oe ro Po ri W4b ? + c c * W4c ? + c c? W7c ? c c W9b c c W11a ? c W11b * c * W17a ? * W17b *?? W17c *?? W18d + ++ * W18e + * W * W ? * * W ? *? H10a c * H10b ++ +? + +? c? H10c ? c? H10d ? c? H12abc * H * H * H15 + * H18abc * H * H20a + + H20b ++ ++? H20c + H20d + +? H21a * * 69

78 Table 4 (continued) W E Or S N Wa SW SE Ir Fr Sc Fa CE Sp N Hi Hi + Sc En le En En el Ge an er Eu + Af NVC gh gh Sh ot gl s gl gl an Ho di oe ro Po ri H21b * * H22a ? H22b ? M * * M * * M M6abcd * * * M * M * * * M10a * * * M11ab * * * M * * M15a * * M15b * * M15c * * M15d ??? M17a * M17b ?? M17c ?? M19a * c c M19c c c M23a * M23b * M25a ? M25b ? M25c ? M c c M ??? M32ab ? * * * M * M ?????? U4a *?? * U4b ???? U4d ???? U4e + +? ???? U5a ? ? c c U5b ++ ++? ? c c U5c c c U5e c c * U6a ++ ++? ? c c c c 70

79 Table 4 (continued) W E Or S N Wa SW SE Ir Fr Sc Fa CE Sp N Hi Hi + Sc En le En En el Ge an er Eu + Af NVC gh gh Sh ot gl s gl gl an Ho di oe ro Po ri U6c ++ ++? ? c c c c U6d + ++? ? c c c c U7a c c U7b c c U7c c c U * U9b + + c U10a *?? U10b ? * +++ U10c * ++ U11ab + ++ * * U12a c c U12b c c U12c + + c c U13ab c U * U * U16a c c c U16b c c c U16c c c c U17a ?? U17b + + *? U17c ? U17d ++ ++?? U * U ? ? U * U ????? CG10a ??? *? CG10b ??? *? CG10c + + +???? CG11a ? * CG11b + ++? * CG * CG * MG9 + +? ? *? S ??? S ??? 71

80 Most of the types of vegetation recorded in the study area are common in the British uplands. Deciduous birch and oak woodland W4, W11 and W17, wet heaths M15, damp Calluna heaths H21 and dry Calluna heaths H10 and H12, acid Nardus and Festuca-Agrostis grasslands U5 and U4, Molinia grasslands M25, Juncus squarrosus rush heaths U6 and blanket bogs M17 and M19 make up the bulk of the vegetation in the uplands of Scotland. The same is true in north-west England and Wales, except that there the wet heaths M15 and Trichophorum-Eriophorum blanket bogs M17 are less common and the acid grasslands U4, U5 and U6 are more extensive. The herb-rich woodlands W7 and W9 with a canopy of ash, alder, hazel, elm and hawthorn are less common in the uplands than their counterparts on acid soils, because base-rich rocks are less extensive than acid rocks. However, they are relatively extensive and well developed in some areas such as the Breadalbanes and the basalt islands of the Inner Hebrides. The woods in Glen Nevis contain some uncommon species such as Pinus sylvestris and the oceanic liverworts Scapania ornithopodioides, Plagiochila carringtonii, P. atlantica, Bazzania pearsonii and Mastigophora woodsii. They are just as notable for their extent. The whole glen is well-wooded. The upper parts have a particularly natural appearance, with patches of open birch and rowan woodland mounting the crags to a height of around 650m just south of the southern boundary of the SSSI. Most people, when they think of natural tree-lines, think of the scrubby pine and juniper in the Cairngorms at about 600m. It is rarely considered that some of the woodland in the west Highlands may also be at or near to its original altitudinal limit. The woods in upper Glen Nevis may be some of the best examples of this. In Britain, pine woodland is now native only in Scotland. It was once more widespread, and in periods with a favourable cool, dry climate it occurred from Wales northward to Sutherland and the Hebrides (Tipping 2001, Birks 1988). Its present distribution is from southern Sutherland southwards to north-eastern Argyll, north-western Stirlingshire and northern Perthshire. In the eastern Highlands, most examples are on well-drained ground and the understorey is dry and dominated by dwarf shrubs and pleurocarpous mosses. In the west the understorey is more commonly damp, with much Sphagna and, locally, oceanic bryophytes. These oceanic pine woods are especially important because they are so rare in mainland Europe, where the understorey tends to be dry and heathy. The pine woodland in Glen Nevis is less extensive than some other western examples such as Coulin and Beinn Eighe in Wester Ross. It is also less heathy than typical west Highland pine woodland; its ground layer is dominated by Molinia caerulea rather than dwarf shrubs. One of the most interesting types of vegetation in the study area is the montane willow scrub with a canopy of Salix lapponum. It occurs on the limestone and calcareous schist of Meall Cumhann, Coire Giubhsachan, Sgurr a Bhuic, Aonach Beag and in many places in the Grey Corries, on both acid and basic rock. It is one of the rarest types of British upland vegetation. It is most widespread on the basic rocks of the Breadalbane hills, and the largest stand in Britain is in Coire Sharrock at the head of Glen Clova in Angus. There are patches on the Drumochter hills, Creag Meagaidh and Ben Alder, within sight of the study area. W20 also occurs on the Affric-Cannich hills, on Beinn Dearg at the head of Loch Broom, and on Ben Hope (Averis et al. 2004). Montane willow scrub is much more common in Scandinavia, where the climate is more favourable. In western Norway, Salix lapponum and S. lanata form tall scrub with a herb-rich ground layer at about 1000m. In this, the willows are tall enough for a person to walk underneath the canopy. This Scandinavian willow scrub has a rich ground-flora of species such as Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Juniperus communis, Nardus stricta, Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa, Carex nigra, C. capillaris, C. atrata, Oreopteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina, Phegopteris connectilis, 72

81 Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Blechnum spicant, Potentilla erecta, P. crantzii, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Potentilla palustris, Trientalis europaeus, Cornus suecica, Campanula rotundifolia, Persicaria vivipara, Geranium sylvaticum, Saxifraga stellaris, S. aizoides, Filipendula ulmaria, Rubus saxatilis, Geum rivale and Thalictrum alpinum. This array of species has much in common with that of the various forms of W20, and it seems reasonable to suppose that willow scrub like this may once have occurred in the study area. It is interesting that the south-facing slope of Coire Rath is Leachd nan Craobhan Seilich slope of the willow trees, and that S. lapponum still occurs here. Perhaps the name refers to a time when there was much montane scrub in this remote corrie. The slope with this name is 600m and more above sea-level, where the montane willows are more likely to occur than more lowland species such as S. aurita and S. cinerea. It was, however, very interesting to see a mixed stand of S. lapponum and S. cinerea on cliffs on Stob Coire na Ceannain at an altitude of around 650m. It may be that this is a remnant of mixed willow scrub of a similar type to that in western Norway. The montane and sub-montane species are all plants of wet soils, and it is reasonable to suppose that in the natural altitudinal sequence of vegetation on flushed slopes, there is a zone in which montane and sub-montane species are able to co-exist. Salix lapponum also forms shorter scrub about half a metre tall on montane plateaux in Norway at about 1300m, growing with species such as Juniperus communis, Betula nana, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum, Carex bigelowii, Juncus squarrosus, Rubus chamaemorus, Sphagnum fuscum and Aulacomnium palustre in mosaics with bogs, mires, dwarf-shrub heaths, montane grasslands and bryophyte-dominated snow-beds. It is possible that there was once similar vegetation in at least some of these habitats in the study area. For example, there are patches of Salix lapponum in wet Juncus squarrosus grassland U6a on boggy ground on Beinn Bhàn and in montane Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19c and wet Nardus snow-bed U7a in Coire Easain, and it is easy to imagine extensive tracts of scrubby willow in the corries and on wet plateaux throughout the study area. Willow scrub in Britain is at the very edge of its geographical range and is almost restricted to inaccessible crags and slopes because the willows are grazed by sheep and deer. This is a community which may become more extensive if the numbers of grazing animals are reduced. Restoring montane willow scrub is difficult because the plants are readily browsed by sheep and deer, but if animals are excluded by fencing, the existing vegetation soon grows tall and dense and there is none of the bare ground which the willows need in order to become established. At present, the only practicable solution seems to be the approach taken on Ben Lawers (Mardon 1997), where nursery-raised willows are being planted in fenced exclosures, in the hope that eventually the populations will be sufficiently large and healthy to persist in the presence of grazing animals. Salix lapponum scrub survives on the Hardanger plateau in Norway despite the presence of 10,000 reindeer and also domestic goats. In Scandinavia, this type of scrub is used by nesting bluethroat, wood sandpiper and Lapland bunting. All are species which occasionally breed in Scotland, and which might be tempted to do so more regularly if there was more suitable habitat. The bogs, heaths and wet grasslands on the lower slopes Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15, Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17, Molinia-Potentilla grassland M25, damp Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heaths H21 and dry Calluna-Erica heaths H10 are typical examples of these types of vegetation. They are common throughout the west Highlands and Hebrides. All are distinctly western, oceanic types of vegetation which are rare in or absent from the hills of the European mainland. The liverwort-rich Mastigophora-Herbertus sub-community of Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heath H21b is especially noteworthy, as nothing remotely like it occurs except in Great Britain and Ireland. Indeed one of the characteristic species, Bazzania pearsonii, grows in Ireland and Scotland but nowhere else in Europe. 73

82 The Vaccinium-rich form of Trichophorum-Erica heath M15d is unusually extensive in these hills, from low altitudes up into some of the highest corries. Some of it may have been derived, by grazing and repeated burning, from Calluna-dominated forms of M15 or from heathy woodland, but the examples in the high corries are above the upper altitudinal limit of Calluna and may be near-natural communities of damp soils. They have montane species such as Carex bigelowii, Vaccinium uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum. Possibly they mark out places which were formerly covered with the damp, acid form of Salix lapponum willow scrub. It was also unusual to see so much of the more eastern, boreal Calluna- Vaccinium heath H12 in the study area, although it does occur sparingly in the west Highlands, mainly at higher altitudes. Some of the more montane examples of Calluna-Vaccinium heath H12, with an underlayer of Racomitrium lanuginosum rather than large pleurocarpous mosses, are an interesting form of vegetation which we have seen elsewhere only on Beinn Eighe in Wester Ross (Averis & Averis 1998). Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17, the characteristic community of wet, deep peat at low to moderate altitudes in western Britain, is common in the boggy glens of the study area. It also occurs at higher altitudes where the peat is particularly wet, for example at almost 850m in Coire na Ceannain. The more northern and boreal Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19, in contrast, occurs in the western Highlands on drier deep peat than that with the Trichophorum-Eriophorum community M17. At moderate altitudes it is generally represented by the oceanic Erica sub-community M19a, which has much of its flora in common with that of M17. However, at higher altitudes the more montane Vaccinium-Hylocomium sub-community M19c takes over. Around Lochan Meall an t-suidhe and on the eastern slopes of Stob Coire Gaibhre there are heathery examples of M19c, with good populations of the peat alpines Cornus suecica and Rubus chamaemorus. Higher up in the Grey Corries there are more montane examples, with the heather replaced by Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and with much Vaccinium uliginosum and Carex bigelowii in the sward as well as Rubus chamaemorus and Cornus suecica. There are good examples of this type of montane bog on the central and eastern Highland plateaux of the Affric-Cannich hills, Drumochter hills, the Monadhliath hills, Caenlochan, Lochnagar and the Cairngorms as well as on Breadalbane hills such as Ben Heasgarnich, Beinn Chonzie and Schiehallion. The sub-montane Vaccinium heaths H18 are generally less common in the north and west of the British uplands than they are further east and further south. This is because they are generally derived by grazing from Calluna-Vaccinium heath H12, and H12 is rare in the western Highlands. The H18 heaths in the study area may be the direct successors of heathy woodland with a field layer of Vaccinium myrtillus, such as those which still persist in Glen Nevis and in the north of the study area. The damp Vaccinium-Rubus heaths H22 fall into two types: those with a canopy of Vaccinium myrtillus H22a and those with more Calluna H22b. Of the two, the H22a heaths are the more distinct. They occur where snow lies long enough to suppress the growth of Calluna vulgaris and are most common in the eastern Highlands. In the east, Calluna heaths extend higher up the hills than they do in the west and the patches of H22a Vaccinium snow-bed heath stand out clearly among them. There are good examples of H22a in the Cairngorms and on the Drumochter hills. The Calluna-dominated H22b is closely related to the Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum damp heath H21, though it has more montane vascular plants and can also have a rather more diverse understorey of mosses. It occurs on high slopes throughout the Highlands. The acid Nardus U5 and Festuca-Agrostis grasslands U4, and Juncus squarrosus rush heaths U6, are unexceptional. They are common throughout the Highlands. The extensive mossy Nardus grassland U5e on the higher south-facing slopes is a notable component of upland vegetation in the far west, especially on 74

83 the hills of Harris and Lewis and along the western seaboard of the mainland. Some examples around the altitudinal limit of Calluna heaths contain a few montane species and may be near-natural. The Deschampsia cespitosa grasslands U13a are common in the Highlands, particularly in the long chain of hills which forms the west Highland watershed from Ben More Assynt in Sutherland down to Glen Coe. U13a is one of the most extensive types of vegetation on the shaded upper slopes and in the corries of these hills. It seems to be near natural. Almost all of that in the study area seems to be lightly-grazed and the swards of D. cespitosa were tall and flowering at the times of the survey, even high up in Coire an Lochain at over 1100m. Almost all is above the altitudinal limit of woodland, and much is above the limit of dwarf shrub heath. The Nardus snow-beds U7 are the characteristic grasslands where snow lies late. Common throughout the Highlands, they are rare in southern Scotland and northern England and confined to a few tiny patches in north Wales (Averis et al. 2004). Snow-bed grasslands similar to these occur in western Scandinavia and in the Faroes, although the damp, Racomitrium-rich form of Nardus snow-bed U7a is apparently confined to Scotland and the Faroe islands, and the Rhytidiadelphus form of the Deschampsia community U13b to Great Britain and Ireland. Herb-rich Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grasslands CG10, Festuca-Agrostis-Alchemilla grasslands CG11, Festuca- Agrostis-Galium grasslands U4F, Nardus-Galium grasslands U5c, Juncus squarrosus-festuca grasslands U6R, the dwarf-herb community CG12 and the Dryas-Silene heath CG14 are especially extensive on Beinn na Socaich. This extraordinary hill has base-rich rock high up, and an exceptional flora of montane calcicoles. Though these herb-rich communities occur throughout the Highlands wherever the underlying rocks are sufficiently base-rich, it is unusual to find them as species-rich and with such an array of uncommon calcicoles as on this hill. Some patches of damp Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c had over 40 species in a quadrat sample 2m x 2m, and these included the notable scarce species Carex capillaris, C. vaginata, Dryas octopetala, Tofieldia pusilla and Saussurea alpina. The patches of CG14 are equally interesting. This form of Dryas heath is almost always confined to inaccessible steep and rocky slopes out of the reach of grazing animals, but on Beinn na Socaich it covers open ground in mosaics with the other herb-rich grasslands. CG14 is confined to basic soils at high altitudes and is rare in the Highlands. It is most extensive on the Dalradian mica-schists of the Breadalbane hills from Ben Lui eastwards to Caenlochan, but there are outliers as far north as Beinn Stumanadh in Sutherland. There is similar vegetation in Scandinavia. The herbrich Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland U4F has a rich array of herbs including uncommon plants such as Coeloglossum viride, Crepis paludosa and Cirsium heterophyllum. This interesting form of grassland seems not to have been formally described until we found it in 1995 on coastal slopes on the island of Mull (Averis & Averis 1999). Since then, we have recorded it on Beinn Eighe, on Ladhar Bheinn in Knoydart, in Glen Coe and, most extensively, on Ben Lui. The finest herb-rich vegetation is on the inaccessible cliffs, where grazing-sensitive herbs are able to flourish out of the reach of sheep and deer. The best examples are on the eastern side of Aonach Beag and on the limestone of Meall Cumhann. The Luzula-Geum tall-herb community U17 and the Saxifraga-Alchemilla banks U15 are home to rare and scarce species such as Veronica alpina, Cerastium alpinum, C. arcticum, Cystopteris montana, Carex saxatilis, Saxifraga cernua, S. nivalis, Poa alpina and P. glauca, as well as more widespread but no less attractive plants such as Trollius europaeus, Geranium sylvaticum, Sedum rosea, Ranunculus acris, Saxifraga aizoides, S. oppositifolia, Geum rivale, Filipendula ulmaria, Valeriana officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Saussurea alpina, Polystichum lonchitis and Rubus saxatilis. Tall-herb vegetation such as this is most extensive on the Dalradian mica-schist cliffs of the Breadalbanes, notably on Ben Lui and Ben Lawers, but occurs throughout the Highlands and also in northern England and Wales, on base-rich crags. 75

84 On the upper slopes of the study area there is much Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath H20. This is the typical vegetation of rocky upper slopes in the west Highlands. H20 is one of the British specialities. It occurs in Scotland, northern England and Wales, but nothing exactly like it has been seen elsewhere in Europe. There is structurally similar vegetation in the far west of Norway, in Iceland and on Tristan da Cunha, suggesting that it is an extreme oceanic form of vegetation. In the eastern parts of the study area there are examples of the more continental lichen-dominated Calluna- Cladonia heaths H13 and Vaccinium-Cladonia heaths H19. These types of vegetation are far more common and extensive in the eastern and central Highlands than they are in the milder and wetter west. They are British outliers, on the edge of their geographical range, of the more extensive lichen heaths of Scandinavia. The patches in the study area are some of the furthest west in Europe. AA has seen vegetation similar to H19 in Norway with a sward of Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Salix herbacea, Vaccinium vitisidaea, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Carex bigelowii, Antennaria dioica, Cladonia arbuscula, Polytrichum norvegicum and Hylocomium splendens. However, there was also much Silene acaulis, Persicaria vivipara, Saussurea alpina, Potentilla crantzii, Cerastium alpinum, Thalictrum alpinum and Selaginella selaginoides. There is no herb-rich equivalent of these lichen-rich heaths in Britain. This is thought to be because there is more rain in Scotland, and the soils are more leached. Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 is the most common vegetation of high, exposed summits and ridges in Scotland. It has become scarce in England and Wales because of overgrazing, trampling and, possibly, pollution (Averis et al. 2004). Even within the study area, there are grazed, more grassy examples of U10 on Meall an t-suidhe, Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, Meall Cumhann and Stob Coire na Ceannain, where there is a higher density of sheep than elsewhere in the study area. The more natural-looking examples of U10 are on Aonach Mór, the Carn Dearg ridge, Sgurr a Bhuic, the north side of Aonach Beag, the western side of Ben Nevis and most of the broader ridges of the Grey Corries. Ben Nevis and Aonach Beag are among the few places in Scotland, and probably the only places outwith the Cairngorms, where Racomitrium heath forms a band of vegetation through which one passes on the way to the summit, rather than clothing the highest ground of all. Ben Nevis and Aonach Beag rise above the altitudinal zone of Racomitrium heath and have snow-bed vegetation because they are under snow for so much of the year. Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 occurs in arctic environments where the climate is cool and oceanic. Common in Britain and Ireland, it is scarce in mainland Europe except on the western coastal fringe of Norway. The herb-rich form of Carex-Racomitrium heath, U10c, occurs on the Carn Dearg ridge and on Stob Coire Gaibhre, but is bestdeveloped and most herb-rich on the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. Here it includes notable species such as Luzula arcuata, Sibbaldia procumbens, Cerastium alpinum and C. cerastioides as well as Saussurea alpina, Persicaria vivipara, Ranunculus acris, Achillea millefolium, Silene acaulis, Thalictrum alpinum and the montane lichens Ochrolechia frigida and Solorina crocea. U10c occurs on base-rich summits in the Breadalbanes, for example on Beinn Heasgarnich and in the Ben Lui SSSI, but further north and west in the Highlands it is less dependent on base-rich rock, so that in Wester Ross and Sutherland there are examples on acid schists and sandstones. It is likely that the frost-heaving or cryoturbation in these high montane environments releases a continual supply of nutrients. On Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag, Carn Mór Dearg, Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór, Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, Stob Coire Easain, Stob a Choire Lèithèith, Stob Coire Claurigh and Stob Coire na Ceannain are Carex-Polytrichum heaths U8. These examples of U8 are western outliers of a community which reaches its fullest expression on the plateaux of the eastern Highlands. Carex-Polytrichum heath U8 is a more continental type of summit vegetation and is widespread in Scandinavia (Averis et al. 2004). Another more continental 76

85 type of vegetation which occurs only at the eastern end of the study area, from Aonach Mór eastwards, is Juncus trifidus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath U9b. This is the Salix herbacea sub-community: the one which is more common in the west. However, the examples in the study area are some of the most westerly in Britain. The Cladonia-Cetraria sub-community U9a is almost confined to the eastern Highlands, and is the typical community of the granite plateaux of the Cairngorms. There are Juncus trifidus heaths in Scandinavia, but they occur at higher altitudes than anywhere in Britain and are more associated with late-lying snow. In Scotland, J. trifidus is able to grow just as readily in the moss-dominated snow-beds U11, where snow lies longest of all, as in the summit heaths of exposed ground where winter snow does not linger. One of the more notable montane communities in the study area is the Racomitrium ericoides heath on Aonach Mór. It covers an area of several tens of square metres close to the summit cairn. It was observed here by McVean & Ratcliffe (1962), who noted that it apparently owed its existence to the continued deposition of wind-blown sand from an eroding hollow nearby. This process of erosion and redeposition is still going on today. R. ericoides is the characteristic dominant of moss heaths on Jan Mayen island and in places in Iceland (Mcvean & Ratcliffe 1962), and we have also seen R. ericoides moss heath in the Faroes (Hobbs & Averis 1991). In Britain, the only places we have seen it are on Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag, Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg ridge (all in this survey) and on Stob Coire an Lochan, one of the outlying spurs of Bidean nam Bian in Glen Coe (Averis & Averis 2003). In all of these places the vegetation covers only a few square metres. The lichen heath on the summit plateau of Ben Nevis is another interesting form of upland vegetation. Lichendominated heaths are locally extensive in the Arctic and are dominated by species of Cetraria, Cladonia and Stereocaulon (Longton 1988); a similar range of genera to those in the lichen heath on Ben Nevis. These Arctic lichen heaths, too, are communities which occur where the snow-cover is prolonged. McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) recorded small patches of pure lichen heath in hollows within a stand of lichen-rich Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 on Carn nan Sac near the Cairnwell in the eastern Highlands, presumably also showing where snow accumulates. These authors mention that lichen heath is common in Norway, but is dominated there by Cladonia stellaris, C. mitis, Cetraria delisei, C. nivalis and Alectoria ochroleuca. The Norwegian lichen heaths are one of the habitats for the east Highland rarity Lychnis alpina. On the summit of Aonach Mór are a few almost pure swards of Luzula spicata, growing with small amounts of Racomitrium lanuginosum, Juncus trifidus and Saxifraga stellaris. We had similar Luzula swards on Bidean nam Bian (Averis & Averis 2003), but have not seen anything like this elsewhere in the Highlands. McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) make no mention of it and if it does occur elsewhere, it must be rare. The Polytrichum-Kiaeria U11, Salix-Racomitrium U12, Rhytidiadelphus loreus U13b, Alchemilla-Sibbaldia U14, Cryptogramma-Athyrium U18, Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis M33, Pohlia ludwigii and Racomitrium heterostichum communities all owe their existence to very late-lying snow. The hills in the study area have more of these types of vegetation than anywhere in Britain outwith the eastern and central Highlands. The examples of the Pohlia ludwigii snow-beds are almost certainly the furthest west in Britain. They are unusually extensive, even by Cairngorms standards, on the upper cliffs of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. This type of vegetation also occurs on the upper slopes of Beinn Alder, and on Beinn Dearg in Wester Ross. Away from the summit of Aonach Beag, the Marsupella brevissima sub-community of Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed U12c has been recorded only in the Cairngorms (Rodwell 1992). The Cryptogramma-Athyrium snow-bed U18 has its centre of distribution in the corries of the big hills of the west Highland watershed, although there are outliers in the Cairngorms. 77

86 The west has milder winters than the east, and snow-beds are confined to hills of such great height that winters are cold because of the altitude. For example, Ladhar Bheinn in Knoydart has more snow-bed vegetation than one would expect so far west (Averis 2001), simply because it is such a big hill. It is the same on Ben Nevis and Aonach Beag. These hills are interesting because they have snow-bed vegetation on their summits, showing that snow accumulates on them in the winter rather than being blown away into the sheltered corries. There is also snow-bed vegetation on the plateaux of Ben Alder (1148m) and its neighbour Geal Chàrn (1107m), and on Creag Meagaidh (1110m). The summit of Aonach Beag is most interesting as it is possibly the highest continuously-vegetated hill top in Britain. Apart from Ben Nevis, the only higher summits are in the Cairngorms, where the granite block-scree and gravel of Beinn MacDui, Braeriach, Cairn Toul and Cairn Gorm is not completely covered by vegetation. The snow cornices on the north-eastern edge of the plateau of Ben Nevis can build up to a depth of 12m or more, and photographs taken in winter invariably show massive amounts of snow on the plateau. It is hardly surprising that there is snow-bed vegetation on the summit. In the altitudinal sequence, the next stage after this would be permanent snow. The summit of Ben Nevis lies close to the level of perpetual snow and would need to be little more than 100m higher to have a permanent snow-cap. Indeed, some of the snow patches on the north-eastern cliffs melt completely only in an exceptional summer as in 2003 when by August there was no snow on the Ben at all. They are so long-lasting that they become colonised by a snowtolerant alga, Chlamydomonas nivalis, which gives the snow a pinkish-red tinge. In the two years of our survey, however, the most extensive late-lying snow, and the snow which persisted longest in the hot summer of 2003, was not on Ben Nevis at all but on the eastern cliffs of Aonach Beag. These semi-permanent patches of snow are lying not on vegetation but on scree. This is also true of most of the semi-permanant snow-beds in the Cairngorms, and the longest-lying ones on hills such as Ben Alder, Craig Meagaidh and the Affric-Cannich hills. Bidean nam Bian in Glen Coe to the south, and Ben Lui, further south again, also have fine examples of snow-bed vegetation, but otherwise there are no really large snow-beds this far west. To find similarly extensive snow-bed vegetation one has to go east to Creag Meagaidh and Ben Alder, or north-east to the hills around Glen Affric and Glen Cannich. Most of the higher hills in the Highlands, from Ben More Assynt south to Ben Lomond, have at least small patches of bryophyte-dominated snow-bed vegetation on high and shaded slopes. There are outliers of the less exacting Salix-Racomitrium community U12 in the Southern Uplands, but otherwise the bryophyte-dominated snow-beds are confined to the Highlands. Snow-bed vegetation is much more common in Scandinavia and the Alps, where vegetation of the Kiaeria-Polytrichum, Pohlia ludwigii-polytrichum norvegicum and mixed hepatic types can cover hundreds of hectares. There is also similar vegetation further south on high hills where snow lies late, for example on the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain (A.M. Averis, pers. observation). The montane flushes and springs in the study area are also fascinating examples of upland vegetation. One of the most notable is the Carex saxatilis mire M12. This is an interesting community in Scotland. In the Breadalbanes it is thought of as a herb-rich community of basic soils and, indeed, it has a rich flora of small montane calcicoles. This is the type described by McVean & Ratcliffe (1962), though they note that C. saxatilis does also grow in more acid flushes. Although the calcicolous type certainly occurs in the study area, and throughout the Highlands, the further north and west one goes in Scotland the more this is a snowbed community of acid ground rather than a herb-rich mire. Our quadrat samples show this range well. Carex saxatilis mires occur in Norway and there, too, they are herb-rich communities. 78

87 The more common mire of acid montane flushes is the Carex curta-sphagnum lindbergii type M7. It occurs in many of the high corries. Like the Carex saxatilis mire M12 it is covered by snow for most of the winter. M7 mires are widespread in the Highlands, especially in the north and east. They also occur in Norway, where Salix lapponum commonly grows in them. The M7 mires in the study area could well be home to S. lapponum in the absence of grazing. The more herb-rich examples on Stob Coire Easain, with much Thalictrum alpinum, Persicaria vivipara, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa and Drepanocladus revolvens, are interesting forms of what is normally an acid, species-poor mire. We have seen nothing like these elsewhere in the Highlands. There are fine examples of Carex-Pinguicula mires M10 and Carex-Saxifraga mires M11 with a rich flora including Juncus triglumis, Thalictrum alpinum, Persicaria vivipara, Saxifraga aizoides, S. oppositifolia and Tofieldia pusilla. Mires of these types are common throughout the Highlands and in northern England and north Wales, wherever the irrigating water is base-rich. The upland spring communities are very well-represented in the study area. The Anthelia-Sphagnum springs M31 and the Philonotis-Saxifraga springs M32 are very common on the slopes and in the high corries of the study area. They are home to several rare species, notably Cerastium cerastioides which is probably more common in M32 springs than in any other type of vegetation in the study area. Other uncommon plants in these springs include Epilobium anagallidifoliaum, E. alsinifolium, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina and the bryophytes Philonotis seriata and Scapania uliginosa. There is almost identical vegetation in Norway and the Faroe islands. The rare Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M33 is a snow-bed community which is confined to the higher Scottish hills from Ben Lui north to the Monar Forest and east to Ben Wyvis and the Cairngorms. There are some fine stands in the study area: those on Stob Coire nan Easain are among the largest we have ever seen, and although they are exceptionally species-poor, they do include Cerastium cerastioides. The examples on the east-facing slopes of Aonach Mór are unusually species-rich and have Saxifraga rivularis, Veronica alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens and Cerastium cerastioides as well as an array of more widespread base-tolerant species such as Trollius europaeus, Ranunculus acris and Alchemilla glabra. In general, the patterns of vegetation in the study area are similar to those on hills elsewhere in the west Highlands, such as the Black Mount, Bidean nam Bian, the Mamore Forest and the Monar Forest in Wester Ross. The hills in most parts of the study area have less heather, and less vegetation with oceanic bryophytes, than hills further west such as Ladhar Bheinn in Knoydart. This, however, is more likely to be the result of past management rather than of climate. Creag Meagaidh and Ben Alder, to the east of the study area, are hills with extensive montane plateaux. They also have a more continental climate, and have larger expanses of more eastern vegetation such as Carex-Polytrichum heath U8, Juncus-Racomitrium heath U9 and Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H19. The Affric-Cannich hills, north of the Great Glen, are also more continental, with more Calluna-Cladonia heath H13, Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H19, Carex-Polytrichum heath U8 and Juncus-Racomitrium heath U9. 79

88 5.2.3 Vegetation types of special interest A number of vegetation types found at this site are especially interesting because they are uncommon in Great Britain. They are: W9b W17a W18d W18e W20 W25D H12bR H13 H14 H15 H18b H19 H20 H21b H22 M7 M9a M11 M12 M25c M31 M33 M37 CG10c CG11 CG12 CG14 U4eA U4F U5c U6R U7 U8 U9b U10c U10cSP U11 U12 U13 U14 U15 U17 U18 U20 U21 UX: Plud: Rhet: Reri: Dry aff: Lich: Lspi: Fell-field: Fraxinus excelsior-sorbus aucuparia-mercurialis perennis woodland, Crepis paludosa sub-community Quercus-Betula-Dicranum majus woodland, Isothecium myosuroides-diplophyllum albicans sub-community Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland, Sphagnum capillifolium/quinquefarium-erica tetralix sub-community Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland, Scapania gracilis sub-community Salix lapponum-luzula sylvatica scrub Pteridium aquilinum-rubus fruticosus underscrub, damp form Calluna-Vaccinium heath, Vaccinium-Cladonia sub-community, Racomitrium lanuginosum form Calluna vulgaris-cladonia arbuscula heath Calluna vulgaris-racomitrium lanuginosum heath Calluna vulgaris-juniperus communis ssp. nana heath Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa heath, Alchemilla alpina-carex pilulifera sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-cladonia arbuscula heath Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum capillifolium heath, Mastigophora woodsii-herbertus aduncus sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-rubus chamaemorus heath Carex curta-sphagnum russowii mire Carex rostrata-calliergonella cuspidata/calliergon giganteum mire, Campylium stellatum-scorpidium scorpioides sub-community Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-saxifraga aizoides mire Carex saxatilis mire Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire, Angelica sylvestris sub-community Anthelia julacea-sphagnum denticulatum spring Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring Palustriella commutata-festuca rubra spring Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland, Saxifraga aizoides-ditrichum gracile sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-alchemilla alpina grassland Festuca ovina-alchemilla alpina-silene acaulis community Dryas octopetala-silene acaulis ledge community Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland, Vaccinium-Deschampsia sub-community, Alchemilla alpina variant Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, provisional Filipendula ulmaria sub-community Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Carex panicea-viola riviniana sub-community Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, herb-rich form Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath Carex bigelowii-polytrichum alpinum heath Juncus trifidus-racomitrium lanuginosum rush heath, Salix herbacea sub-community Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community, species-poor form Polytrichum sexangulare-kiaeria starkei snow-bed Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed Deschampsia cespitosa-galium saxatile grassland Alchemilla alpina-sibbaldia procumbens dwarf-herb community Saxifraga aizoides-alchemilla glabra banks Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community Cryptogramma crispa-athyrium distentifolium snow-bed Pteridium aquilinum-galium saxatile community; damp form not classified to any sub-community Cryptogramma crispa-deschampsia flexuosa community Mixed snow-bed Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed Racomitrium ericoides moss heath Dryopteris affinis community Lichen heath Luzula spicata swards Fell-field 80

89 Most of these are not very extensive in the study area, but there are good extents of H20, H22, CG11, U7, U11 and U13. Some vegetation types have markedly western, oceanic distributions in Europe and are most common in Britain and Ireland. They are: W11a W11b W17a W18d W18e W25 H10 H13 H14 H15 H20 H21 M1 M3 M15 M17 M19a M25 U10 U20 Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland, Dryopteris dilatata sub-community Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland, Blechnum spicant sub-community Quercus-Betula-Dicranum majus woodland, Isothecium myosuroides-diplophyllum albicans sub-community Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland, Sphagnum capillifolium/quinquefarium-erica tetralix sub-community Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland, Scapania gracilis sub-community Pteridium aquilinum-rubus fruticosus underscrub Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath Calluna vulgaris-cladonia arbuscula heath Calluna vulgaris-racomitrium lanuginosum heath Calluna vulgaris-juniperus communis ssp. nana heath Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus-sphagnum capillifolium heath Sphagnum denticulatum bog pool community Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath Trichophorum cespitosum-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire Calluna vulgaris-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Erica tetralix sub-community Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath Pteridium aquilinum-galium saxatile community Of these, H10, H20, M15, M17, M19a, M25 and U20 are extensive here. 81

90 Many vegetation and habitat types found in this survey are of interest for reasons other than scarcity, though many of these are uncommon too. The following vegetation types are of interest in that they are commonly species-rich: W9b W17a W18e W20 H10d H20c H21b M10a M11 M12 M15a M25c M32b CG10 CG11 CG12 CG14 U4F U5c U6R U10c U12a U14 U15 U17 U18 MX: UX: Fraxinus excelsior-sorbus aucuparia-mercurialis perennis woodland, Crepis paludosa sub-community Quercus-Betula-Dicranum majus woodland, Isothecium myosuroides-diplophyllum albicans sub-community Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland, Scapania gracilis sub-community Salix lapponum-luzula sylvatica scrub Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Thymus polytrichus-carex pulicaris sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Bazzania tricrenata-mylia taylori sub-community Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum capillifolium heath, Mastigophora woodsii-herbertus aduncus sub-community Carex dioica-pinguicula vulgaris mire, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-juncus bulbosus/kochii sub-community Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-saxifraga aizoides mire Carex saxatilis mire Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Carex panicea sub-community Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire, Angelica sylvestris sub-community Philonotis fontana-saxifraga stellaris spring, Montia fontana-chrysosplenium oppositifolium sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-alchemilla alpina grassland Festuca ovina-alchemilla alpina-silene acaulis community Dryas octopetala-silene acaulis ledge community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, provisional Filipendula ulmaria sub-community Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Carex panicea-viola riviniana sub-community Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, herb-rich form Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Silene acaulis-luzula spicata sub-community Alchemilla alpina-sibbaldia procumbens dwarf-herb community Saxifraga aizoides-alchemilla glabra banks Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community Cryptogramma crispa-athyrium distentifolium snow-bed Herb-rich small-sedge mire Mixed snow-bed 82

91 Several vegetation and habitat types are important habitats for uncommon plant species: W17a W18 W20 H13 H14 H15 H19 H20 H21b H22 M10a M11 M12 M15a M19c M31 M32 M33 CG10c CG11b CG12 CG14 U4eA U4F U5c U5e U6R U7a U7b U8 U9b U10b U10c U10cSP U11 U12 U13 U14 U15 U17a U17b U18 UX: Plud: Rhet: Reri: Lspi: Fell-field: Rock: BR: Rock debris: Boulder field: Quercus-Betula-Dicranum majus woodland, Isothecium myosuroides-diplophyllum albicans sub-community Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland Salix lapponum-luzula sylvatica scrub Calluna vulgaris-cladonia arbuscula heath Calluna vulgaris-racomitrium lanuginosum heath Calluna vulgaris-juniperus communis ssp. nana heath Vaccinium myrtillus-cladonia arbuscula heath Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum capillifolium heath, Mastigophora woodsii-herbertus aduncus sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-rubus chamaemorus heath Carex dioica-pinguicula vulgaris mire, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-juncus bulbosus/kochii sub-community Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-saxifraga aizoides mire Carex saxatilis mire Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Carex panicea sub-community Calluna vulgaris-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-hylocomium splendens sub-community Anthelia julacea-sphagnum denticulatum spring Philonotis fontana-saxifraga stellaris spring Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland, Saxifraga aizoides-ditrichum gracile sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-alchemilla alpina grassland, Carex pulicaris-carex panicea sub-community Festuca ovina-alchemilla alpina-silene acaulis community Dryas octopetala-silene acaulis ledge community Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland, Vaccinium-Deschampsia sub-community, Alchemilla alpina variant Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, provisional Filipendula ulmaria sub-community Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Carex panicea-viola riviniana sub-community Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, herb-rich form Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum-cetraria islandica sub-community Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Typical sub-community Carex bigelowii-polytrichum alpinum heath Juncus trifidus-racomitrium lanuginosum rush heath, Salix herbacea sub-community Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Typical sub-community Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community, species-poor form Polytrichum sexangulare-kiaeria starkei snow-bed Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed Deschampsia cespitosa-galium saxatile grassland Alchemilla alpina-sibbaldia procumbens dwarf-herb community Saxifraga aizoides-alchemilla glabra banks Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Alchemilla glabra-bryum pseudotriquetrum sub-community Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Geranium sylvaticum sub-community Cryptogramma crispa-athyrium distentifolium snow-bed Mixed snow-bed Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed Racomitrium ericoides moss heath Luzula spicata swards Fell-field Acidic rock Basic rock Rock debris Boulder field 83

92 Several vegetation and habitat types are of interest here because at least some of the examples in the study area may be, or appear very likely to be, near natural: W4 W7c W9b W11a W17a W17b W18 W20 W25D H10b H10d H12b H12bR H13 H14 H15 H19 H20 H20d H21b H22 M1 M4 M7 M9a M10a M11 M12 M15a M15c M15d M17 M19 M31 M32 M33 M37 CG10c CG11 CG12 CG14 U5e U6a U6aH Betula pubescens-molinia caerulea woodland Alnus glutinosa-fraxinus excelsior-lysimachia nemorum woodland, Deschampsia cespitosa sub-community Fraxinus excelsior-sorbus aucuparia-mercurialis perennis woodland, Crepis paludosa sub-community Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland, Dryopteris dilatata sub-community Quercus-Betula-Dicranum majus woodland, Isothecium myosuroides-diplophyllum albicans sub-community Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-dicranum majus woodland, Typical sub-community Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland Salix lapponum-luzula sylvatica scrub Pteridium aquilinum-rubus fruticosus underscrub, damp form Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Thymus polytrichus-carex pulicaris sub-community Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-cladonia portentosa sub-community Calluna-Vaccinium heath, Vaccinium-Cladonia sub-community, Racomitrium lanuginosum form Calluna vulgaris-cladonia arbuscula heath Calluna vulgaris-racomitrium lanuginosum heath Calluna vulgaris-juniperus communis ssp. nana heath Vaccinium myrtillus-cladonia arbuscula heath Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Rhytidiadelphus loreus-hylocomium splendens sub-community Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum capillifolium heath, Mastigophora woodsii-herbertus aduncus sub-community Vaccinium myrtillus-rubus chamaemorus heath Sphagnum denticulatum bog pool community Carex rostrata-sphagnum fallax mire Carex curta-sphagnum russowii mire Carex rostrata-calliergonella cuspidata/calliergon giganteum mire, Campylium stellatum-scorpidium scorpioides sub-community Carex dioica-pinguicula vulgaris mire, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-juncus bulbosus/kochii sub-community Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-saxifraga aizoides mire Carex saxatilis mire Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Carex panicea sub-community Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Cladonia sub-community Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Vaccinium myrtillus sub-community Trichophorum cespitosum-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire Calluna vulgaris-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire Anthelia julacea-sphagnum denticulatum spring Philonotis fontana-saxifraga stellaris spring Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring Palustriella commutata-festuca rubra spring Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland, Saxifraga aizoides-ditrichum gracile sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-alchemilla alpina grassland Festuca ovina-alchemilla alpina-silene acaulis community Dryas octopetala-silene acaulis ledge community Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, Sphagnum sub-community Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, heathy form 84

93 U6R U7a U7b U7c U8 U9b U10b U10c U10cSP U11 U12 U13 U14 U15 U16a U17a U17b U17d U18 U21 S9a S10a UX: Plud: Rhet: Reri: Lich: Lspi: Fell-field: Rock: BR: Scree: BS: Rock debris: Boulder field: River: Shingle: Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, herb-rich form Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum-cetraria islandica sub-community Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Typical sub-community Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Alchemilla alpina-festuca ovina sub-community Carex bigelowii-polytrichum alpinum heath Juncus trifidus-racomitrium lanuginosum rush heath, Salix herbacea sub-community Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Typical sub-community Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community, species-poor form Polytrichum sexangulare-kiaeria starkei snow-bed Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed Deschampsia cespitosa-galium saxatile grassland Alchemilla alpina-sibbaldia procumbens dwarf-herb community Saxifraga aizoides-alchemilla glabra banks Luzula sylvatica-vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Dryopteris dilatata-dicranum majus sub-community Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Alchemilla glabra-bryum pseudotriquetrum sub-community Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Geranium sylvaticum sub-community Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Primula vulgaris-hyperichum pulchrum sub-community Cryptogramma crispa-athyrium distentifolium snow-bed Cryptogramma crispa-deschampsia flexuosa community Carex rostrata swamp, Carex rostrata sub-community Equisetum fluviatile swamp, Equisetum fluviatile sub-community Mixed snow-bed Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed Racomitrium ericoides moss heath Lichen heath Luzula spicata swards Fell-field Acidic rock Basic rock Acidic scree Basic scree Rock debris Boulder field River Shingle 85

94 Qualifying EC Habitats Directive Annex I Habitats Several vegetation types found here are so scarce in Europe that they are listed among the Annex I habitats in the EC Habitats Directive. Some of these are considered by Scottish Natural Heritage to be important enough here to count as Qualifying Annex I Habitats for the Ben Nevis Special Area of Conservation. The NVC types assigned to each Annex I type are taken from the lists in Averis et al. (2004). Alpine and boreal heaths NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: H12 H13 H14 H15 H18 H19 H20 H21 H22 Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium mytillus heath (where above tree-line) Calluna vulgaris-cladonia arbuscula heath Calluna vulgaris-racomitrium lanuginosum heath Calluna vulgaris-juniperus communis ssp. nana heath Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa heath (where above tree-line) Vaccinium myrtillus-cladonia arbuscula heath Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus-sphagnum capillifolium heath (where above tree-line) Vaccinium myrtillus-rubus chamaemorus heath H12 above the tree-line is rare here, occurring on some high south-west-facing to east-facing slopes. Small patches of H13 are widespread on very exposed ground in the east of the study area. There are small patches of H14 on similarly exposed ground in Coire a Bhuic, on Tom na Sròine and in Coire Choille-rais. H15 was found here only in small quantity on inaccessible cliff ledges in An Cùl Choire on the eastern side of Aonach Mór. H18 above the tree-line is widespread and common on well-drained slopes in the study area. There are small areas of H19 on exposed ground on Bein na Socaich and Stob Coire na Ceannain. H20 is widespread and extensive on well-drained slopes. H21 above the tree line is rare, occupying small areas of north-facing slope on the south side of Glen Nevis. H22 is widespread and quite extensive on middle and upper slopes in the study area. In total there is a good range of heaths in this EC Annex I category. These heathland types are generally not very species-rich and are made up mostly of common species, but some examples include uncommon species such as Vaccinium uliginosum, Cornus suecica, Arctostaphylos alpinus, Juniperus communis ssp. nana and several oceanic bryophytes. European dry heaths NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: H10 H12 H18 H21 Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath (below the tree-line) Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa heath (below the tree-line) Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus-sphagnum capillifolium heath (where below tree-line) H10 is widespread on steeper south-facing slopes at low to moderate altitudes. H12 below the tree-line is widespread here but less extensive than H10. H18 and H21 below the tree-line are widespread and common here. The range of heaths in this EC Annex I category is similar to that in most parts of the western Highlands. These heathland types are mostly species-poor and made up mainly of common species, but some examples include some uncommon species such as the oceanic liverworts in H21b. 86

95 Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: M15 Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath M15 is widespread and extensive throughout this site. There is a very good extent and range of wet heath here, including all four sub-communities of M15 and ranging from low-altitude to montane types. This is one of the best sites which we have seen for montane forms of wet heath. Most of the wet heath in the study area is not species-rich and consists mainly or entirely of nationally common species, but some contains uncommon species such as Sphagnum strictum, and some examples have species-rich assemblages which show the influence of base-enriched flushing. Siliceous alpine and boreal grasslands NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U14 Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath Carex bigelowii-polytrichum alpinum heath Juncus trifidus-racomitrium lanuginosum rush heath Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath Polytrichum sexangulare-kiaeria starkei snow-bed Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed Alchemilla alpina-sibbaldia procumbens snow-bed Six closely-related vegetation types which are not described in the NVC could belong here too: Racomitrium ericoides moss heath R. heterostichum snow-bed Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed UX mixed snow-bed Luzula spicata swards Lichen heath U7 is widespread and extensive on the upper slopes. Most of it is not very species-rich and lacks rare species. U8 occurs on high plateaux and summits, most extensively on Aonach Beag and Aonach Mór, but also on Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór, Carn Mór Dearg, Stob Coire Easain, Stob a Choire Lèith, Stob Choire Claurigh and Stob Coire na Ceannain. It is mostly species-poor but can contain uncommon montane bryophyte species. U9 occurs on very exposed ground on Aonach Mór, on Stob a Chùl Choire and on the quartzite ridge of the Grey Corries. As with U8 it is mostly species-poor but is dominated by the uncommon Juncus trifidus. U10 is widespread and common on high, exposed summits, slopes and ridges. It is mostly species-poor but some examples of U10c contain species-rich assemblages which are evidence of base-enrichment. Some U10 includes uncommon species such as Luzula arcuata, Juncus trifidus, Solorina crocea and Thamnolia vermicularis. U11 and U12 are widespread and quite extensive on the higher ground, especially on the steep upper north-facing to east-facing slopes of Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. These are some of the largest and best-developed examples of these bryophyte-dominated snow-bed types in Britain, and they contain several 87

96 uncommon species such as Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, L. arcuata, Sibbaldia procumbens, Gnaphalium supinum, Cerastium cerastioides, C. arcticum, Veronica alpina, Saxifraga cernua, Poa alpina, P. glauca, Kiaeria spp., Oedipodium griffithianum, Conostomum tetragonum, Marsupella spp. and Pleurocladula albescens. Patches of U14 occur in similar situations but are less extensive. Again, these are nationally important examples of a scarce snow-bed vegetation type, and they contain uncommon species including Sibbaldia procumbens. In total there is a very good extent and range of this Annex I type at this site. This Annex I type should also include six other scarce and interesting montane vegetation types found in this survey but not described in the NVC: Racomitrium ericoides moss heath (scarce on Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag and the Carn Dearg ridge), R. heterostichum snow-bed (scattered on high north-facing to east-facing slopes), Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed (scattered on high north-facing to east-facing slopes), UX mixed snow-bed (on high north-facing to east-facing slopes on Aonach Mór and the Carn Dearg ridge), Luzula spicata swards (rare on Aonach Mór) and lichen heath (rare on Ben Nevis). This is a nationally important site for all of these. Various uncommon species such as Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, Sibbaldia procumbens, Gnaphalium supinum, Cerastium cerastioides, Saxifraga cernua, Veronica alpina, Kiaeria spp., Polytrichum sexangulare, Conostomum tetragonum and Marsupella brevissima are scattered among the first five of these six communities. In addition, UX includes some of the most species-rich snow-bed vegetation found in this survey. Siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation The habitat found here which appears to belong to this EC Annex I type is: Rock (= acidic rock). Note: this habitat and vegetation is not described in the NVC This habitat is very widespread and common here. Most of it has a sparse, species-poor flora consisting mainly of common species, but it also includes several scarce species and forms mosaics with a wide range of interesting vegetation types such as snow-beds, woodlands and various heaths. Siliceous scree of the montane to snow levels NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: U18 Cryptogramma crispa-athyrium distentifolium snow-bed U21 Cryptogramma crispa-deschampsia flexuosa community Also: Scree (= acidic scree) where it is associated with snow-bed vegetation These vegetation and habitat types are widespread and common on high, steep slopes. U18 is one of the important snow-bed vegetation types at this site; as well as the uncommon Athyrium distentifolium it contains other scarce species including several oceanic and snow-bed bryophytes, and can be species-rich. Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation The habitat found here which appears to belong to this EC Annex I type is: BR = basic rock. Note: this habitat and vegetation is not described in the NVC This occurs in mosaic with tall herb vegetation U17, willow scrub W20 and other vegetation types on very steep slopes on Meall Cumhann, Aonach Beag and Beinn na Socaich. 88

97 Calcareous and calcshist screes of the montane to alpine levels The habitat found here which appears to belong to this EC Annex I type is: BS = basic scree. Note: this habitat and vegetation is not described in the NVC Small areas of this habitat occur among tall herb vegetation U17, grasslands, mires and heaths on the western and north-eastern slopes of Aonach Beag. Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: CG12 CG14 Festuca ovina-alchemilla alpina-silene acaulis community Dryas octopetala-silene acaulis heath CG12 occurs on Meall Cumhann, on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan, on the Agaidh Garbh, in Coire a Mhadaidh and on Beinn na Socaich. CG14 occurs on the upper slopes at the northern end of Beinn na Socaich. Neither of these vegetation types is extensive here but there are good, species-rich examples of both. They include uncommon species such as Dryas octopetala, Silene acaulis, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Tofieldia pusilla, Luzula spicata and Salix lapponum. Species-rich Nardus grassland on siliceous substrates in mountain areas NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: CG10 CG11 U5c U4F Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-alchemilla alpina grassland Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Carex panicea-viola riviniana sub-community Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Filipendula ulmaria type These species-rich grassland types are widespread at this site. CG10 occurs on the steep, south-facing slopes of Ben Nevis, on the west side of Carn Dearg and Meall an t-suidhe, on Meall Cumhann, on the east side of Coire Giubhsachan, and on the slopes of Beinn na Socaich and Stob Coire Gaibhre. CG11 is common on the higher slopes of the study area, especially on Meall Cumhann and on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan. U5c occurs on the west side of Ben Nevis, on Meall Cumhann, Sgurr a Bhuic and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, in Coire Giubhsachan, on Beinn na Sochaich and on Beinn Bhàn. There are a few patches of U4F on the lightly-grazed lower slopes on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan, but it is most extensive on Beinn na Socaich and on the northern end of Stob Coire Gaibhre. These four types of grassland are among the most species-rich vegetation types found at this site. Some examples include uncommon species such as Persicaria vivipara, Thalictrum alpinum, Silene acaulis, Tofieldia pusilla, Carex capillaris, C. vaginata and Dryas octopetala. Alpine pioneer formations of the Caricion bicoloris-atrofuscae NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: M10 M11 M12 Carex dioica-pinguicula vulgaris mire (with montane species) Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-saxifraga aizoides mire Carex saxatilis mire 89

98 These mires are widespread and common on the middle and upper slopes in the study area. They are generally good examples of these mire types, being at least moderately species-rich with some examples containing uncommon montane or upland species such as Carex saxatilis (dominant in M12), Persicaria vivipara, Thalictrum alpinum, Tofieldia pusilla, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Equisetum variegatum, Eriophorum latifolium and the moss Calliergon trifarium. Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and montane to alpine levels NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: U17 Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community (U15 Saxifraga aizoides-alchemilla glabra banks) U17 is widespread here on steep, rocky slopes. It is not very extensive, but is species-rich. It contains uncommon species such as Salix lapponum, Saxifraga cernua, S. oppositifolia, S. nivalis, Thalictrum alpinum, Persicaria vivipara, Saussurea alpina, Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Silene acaulis, Poa alpina, P. glauca, Sibbaldia procumbens, Cerastium cerastioides, C. alpinum, C. arcticum, C. alpinum, Veronica alpina and the bryophytes Moerckia blyttii, Scapania uliginosa, Marsupella alpina, M. adusta, M. brevissima, Anthelia juratzkana, Pleurocladula albescens, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Philonotis seriata, Oedopodium griffithianum, Polytrichum sexangulare, Pohlia wahlenbergii ssp. glacialis, P. ludwigii, Kiaeria glaciale, Orthothecium rufescens and Conostomum tetragonum. This is an important site for U17, which contributes significantly to the total botanical interest here. The related U15, although not recognised by the UK nature conservation agencies as representing this Annex I type, is worthy of mention here too. This species-rich vegetation shares many species with U17, including some uncommon ones such as Saxifraga oppositifolia, Silene acaulis and Poa glauca. It occurs on the flushed limestone slopes of Meall Cumhann and Sgurr a Bhuic. Sub-arctic Salix spp. scrub NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: W20 Salix lapponum-luzula sylvatica scrub This montane willow scrub is widespread here, on steep, rocky slopes. The most herb-rich examples are on the northern slopes and the cliffs of Meall Cumhann, on the west-facing crags of Coire Giubhsachan, on the south-facing slopes of Sgurr a Bhuic and Stob Coire Easain and, most extensively, on the eastern cliffs of Aonach Beag. A less herb-rich form occurs on the south side of Sgurr a Bhuic, in Coire Giubhsachan, and on Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór, Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and Stob Coire na Ceannain in the Grey Corries area. As well as Salix lapponum this vegetation contains other uncommon species such as Polystichum lonchitis, Cerastium arcticum, C. alpinum, Veronica alpina, Juncus triglumis and Carex saxatilis. Altogether this is an important site for W20. Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: W11 W17 Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-dicranum majus woodland 90

99 These two woodland types are widespread on well-drained lower slopes in the north of the study area and in Glen Nevis. Their ground flora is generally typical of that in W11 and W17 in the western Highlands as a whole. The vegetation is composed mainly of common species, though in some of the north-facing W17 in Glen Nevis there are some of the best examples of assemblages of northern, montane woodland oceanic bryophytes in Britain. Most of the W11 and W17 at this site has a canopy dominated by birch, with no oak. As such it does not qualify as belonging to this Annex I type. However, oak is scattered thinly but widely among the lower-altitude W11 and W17 woodland in Glen Nevis. The total extent of woodland in Glen Nevis is notably large. It is composed mainly of W11 and W17, much of which belongs in this Annex I type. Caledonian forest NVC type found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: W18 Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland Small patches of W18 are scattered among the more extensive W11, W17 and W4 birch-dominated woods in Glen Nevis. They are not as large as some other western pinewoods such as those at Beinn Eighe in Wester Ross. They are also less heathy, with correspondingly more Molinia caerulea than is usual in Scottish W18, but they are still valuable for nature conservation. Their ground flora is generally not very species-rich, but some examples of W18e on steeper banks contain good bryophyte assemblages including Herbertus aduncus. Blanket bog (active) NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: M1 M3 M17a M19 Sphagnum denticulatum bog pool community Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community Trichophorum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Drosera-Sphagnum sub-community Calluna vulgaris-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire This Annex I type is widespread and quite extensive here, especially on the lower ground. It encompasses a good deal of variation, from the very wet bog pools and M17a to the drier M19. The M19 includes montane examples with Calluna replaced by Empetrum nigrum and Vaccinium spp. Some areas of blanket bog contain uncommon species such as Carex pauciflora, Vaccinium uliginosum, Listera cordata, Cornus suecica and Rubus chamaemorus. M1 bog pools are not extensive here. They are scattered among some of the blanket bogs around Lochan Meall an t-suidhe, at the northern end of the Allt a Mhuillin glen, in Coire Bhealach to the north of Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór and in the Lairig Leacach at the eastern edge of the site. M3 is scattered among some of the bogs at this site, but these examples are in eroded bogs and cannot be classd as active blanket bog. Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or the Isoeto-Nanojuncetea We did not survey the aquatic flora of the lochs and lochans. We cannot therefore comment on the status of this EC Annex I type at this site. 91

100 Non-qualifying EC Annex I Habitats Several other vegetation and habitat types found in this survey belong to EC Annex I habitats, but are considered by Scottish Natural Heritage as Non-qualifying Annex I Habitats for the Ben Nevis Special Area of Conservation: Alkaline fens NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: M10 Carex dioica-pinguicula vulgaris mire (sub-montane examples) These are widespread on the lower to middle slopes. They are typical examples of M10 mires in the Highlands generally. They can be moderately species-rich. Their flora consists mainly of nationally common species. Petrifying springs with tufa formation NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: M37 Palustriella commutata-festuca rubra spring M37 springs are scattered throughout the Grey Corries, but are most common on the slopes of Beinn na Socaich and Beinn Bhàn in Coire a Mhadaidh. These are good, typical examples of this vegetation type. They are not particularly species-rich, but some examples contain uncommon species such as Equisetum variegatum, Thalictrum alpinum and Persicaria vivipara. Transition mires and quaking bogs NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: M4 M9 Carex rostrata-sphagnum fallax mire Carex rostrata-calliergonella cuspidata/calliergon giganteum mire M4 occurs in lower Coire Giubhsachan (extensively), around Lochan Meall an t-suidhe, on the boggy flats in Coire an Eòin and An Coire Calma to the east of Aonach Beag, around the lochans in lower Coire na Ceannain and in upper Glen Nevis. There is a tiny patch of M9 on the col of the Bealach Cumhann. These are quite typical of these two NVC types in Scotland generally. They are not particularly species-rich. Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: M1 M15 Sphagnum denticulatum bog pool community (some examples) Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath (some examples) The M1 bog pools found in this survey lack Rhynchospora alba and fit better into the Blanket Bog (active) Annex I habitat than into the Rhynchosporion type. However, R. alba is abundant in some M15a flushes in the lower parts of Glen Nevis; these flushes are a better fit for the Rhynchosporion. 92

101 Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: W9 Fraxinus excelsior-sorbus aucuparia-mercurialis perennis woodland There are small patches of W9 on the SW side of Meall Cumhann. There are also patches along the banks of the Allt Coire a Mhadaidh in the north-east of the study area. Both places are good examples of typical west Highland W9, with a varied canopy and shrub layer and a herb-rich ground flora Notable vegetation types which are not EC Annex I Habitats A large number of vegetation and habitat types at this site are of special interest for one reason or another. In total these cover most of the site. Most of these vegetation and habitat types of special interest are included in EC Annex I habitat types (see above), but some are not: W4 W7c W11a M7 M25 M31 M32 M33 U4eA U6a U6aH U16a S9a S10a MX: Fell-field: Shingle: Betula pubescens-molinia caerulea woodland (some W4 is in the Annex I type Bog woodland, but the W4 found in this survey is not of this type) Alnus glutinosa-fraxinus excelsior-lysimachia nemorum woodland, Deschampsia cespitosa sub-community (some W7 is in the Annex I type Alluvial forests with alder and ash but the W7 found in this survey is not of this floodplain type) Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland, Dryopteris dilatata sub-community (W11a can belong to the Annex I type Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles, but the W11a here does not, because it lacks oak) Carex curta-sphagnum russowii mire Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire (some M25 belongs to the Annex I types Blanket bog and Degraded raised bog, but most of the M25 here does clearly not belong to either of those bog habitats) Anthelia julacea-sphagnum denticulatum spring Philonotis fontana-saxifraga stellaris spring Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland, Vaccinium-Deschampsia sub-community, Alchemilla alpina variant Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, Sphagnum sub-community Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, heathy form Luzula sylvatica-vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Dryopteris dilatata-dicranum majus sub-community Carex rostrata swamp, Carex rostrata sub-community Equisetum fluviatile swamp, Equisetum fluviatile sub-community Herb-rich small-sedge mire Fell-field Shingle Most of these vegetation types occur here only in small quantity, though M25, U4eA and Fell-field are quite extensive in places. The most botanically notable of these vegetation types, and therefore the main omission from the Annex I types here, are the M31, M32 and M33 springs and the Fell-fields. The high-altitude M31, M32 and M33 springs are particularly special because they are home to uncommmon montane species such as Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Carex saxatilis, Cerastium cerastioides, Saxifraga rivularis, Veronica alpina, Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis, P. ludwigii, Philonotis seriata, Rhizomnium magnifolium, Polytrichum sexangulare, Scapania uliginosa and S. paludosa. These montane springs are closely associated with the snow-bed vegetation types U7, U11, U12, U13, UX and the Pohlia ludwigii community. They are an important part of the whole snow-bed environment. 93

102 5.3 Flora This site has a rich flora. We have found 292 vascular plant species and 263 bryophytes here. We could not attempt a comprehensive species survey because our main task was to map and describe the vegetation. Our species list is therefore very incomplete. There are many other species which have been recorded here by other people but which we did not see. These bring the species totals up to 331 vascular plants and 321 bryophytes. All of these species are listed in Appendix 2. Among the species which we have seen here some are new records for this site, and others are the first records here for many years Phytogeography of the flora Appendix 2 shows the placement of each species into the European phytogeographical groups by Preston & Hill (1997) (for vascular plants) and Hill & Preston (1998) (for bryophytes). The flora of the Ben Nevis area encompasses a wide range of European phytogeographical groups (Table 5). 59% of the vascular plant species and 39% of the bryophyte species recorded here are widespread in Europe, with no northern, southern, oceanic or continental tendency. Many others have a moderate northern, southern or western bias in their European distributions, and a significant minority are more distinctly northern, southern or western. 59 vascular plant species (18% of the total vascular flora at this site) and 82 bryophyte species (26% of the bryophyte flora) have strongly northern distributions in Europe. These species are listed in Table 6. Species with distinctly southern European distributions (Table 7) are much scarcer: only 19 vascular plants (6%) and 20 bryophytes (6%). 14 vascular plants (4%) and 39 bryophytes (12%) have strongly western, oceanic distributions in Europe (Table 8). Only one species is recorded here which has an eastern, continental distribution in Europe: Melica nutans. Only five non-native species have been recorded in the Ben Nevis SSSI: Acer pseudoplatanus, Epilobium brunnescens, Fagus sylvatica, Larix sp. and (not seen in this survey) Tilia cordata. Each of these five species is rare here. 94

103 Table 5 Number of species in each phytogeographical group, and their percentage representation of the total flora recorded at Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC Vascular plants Bryophytes No. % No. % 11 Oceanic Arctic-montane 1 < Suboceanic Arctic-montane <1 13 European Arctic-montane Eurosiberian Arctic-montane <1 15 Eurasian Arctic-montane 2 < Circumpolar Arctic-montane Oceanic Boreo-arctic Montane Suboceanic Boreo-arctic Montane <1 23 European Boreo-arctic Montane 1 < Eurosiberian Boreo-arctic Montane 1 <1 1 <1 26 Circumpolar Boreo-arctic Montane Suboceanic Wide-boreal <1 34 Eurosiberian Wide-boreal 1 < Eurasian Wide-boreal 1 < Circumpolar Wide-boreal Oceanic Boreal-montane 1 < Suboceanic Boreal-montane 1 < European Boreal-montane Eurosiberian Boreal-montane <1 45 Eurasian Boreal-montane 1 < Circumpolar Boreal-montane Oceanic Boreo-temperate Suboceanic Boreo-temperate 2 < European Boreo-temperate Eurosiberian Boreo-temperate <1 55 Eurasian Boreo-temperate Circumpolar Boreo-temperate European Wide-temperate Eurosiberian Wide-temperate Eurasian Wide-temperate 2 < Circumpolar Wide-temperate Hyperoceanic Temperate Oceanic Temperate <1 72 Suboceanic Temperate European Temperate Eurosiberian Temperate Eurasian Temperate Circumpolar Temperate 2 < Hyperoceanic Southern-temperate Oceanic Southern-temperate 1 <1 2 <1 82 Suboceanic Southern-temperate European Southern-temperate <1 84 Eurosiberian Southern-temperate <1 85 Eurasian Southern-temperate 1 <1 1 <1 86 Circumpolar Southern-temperate 1 <1 1 <1 91 Mediterranean-Atlantic Submediterranean-Subatlantic Mediterranean-montane Introduced <1 Total

104 Table 6 Vascular plants and bryophytes recorded in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC which have strongly northern distributions in Europe Vascular plants Alchemilla alpina Arabis petraea Arctostaphylos alpinus Athyrium distentifolium Carex atrata Carex bigelowii Carex capillaris Carex dioica Carex lachenalii Carex saxatilis Carex vaginata Cerastium alpinum Cerastium arcticum Cerastium cerastioides Cochlearia micacea Cochlearia pyrenaica Cornus suecica Diphasiastrum alpinum Dryas octopetala Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Empetrum nigrum nigrum Epilobium alsinifolium Epilobium anagallidifolium Equisetum variegatum Eriophorum vaginatum Euphrasia frigida Festuca rubra alpina Festuca vivipara Gnaphalium supinum Huperzia selago Juncus biglumis Juncus castaneus Juncus trifidus Juncus triglumis Juniperus communis nana Loiseleuria procumbens Luzula arcuata Luzula spicata Lycopodium annotinum Minuartia sedoides Myosotis alpestris Oxyria digyna Persicaria vivipara Phleum alpinum Poa alpina Poa flexuosa Poa glauca Poa x jemtlandica Sagina saginoides Salix herbacea Salix lapponum Salix myrsinites Salix phylicifolia Salix reticulata Saussurea alpina Saxifraga aizoides Saxifraga cernua Saxifraga cespitosa Saxifraga nivalis Saxifraga oppositifolia Saxifraga rivularis Saxifraga stellaris Sedum rosea Sibbaldia procumbens Silene acaulis Thalictrum alpinum Tofieldia pusilla Vaccinium uliginosum Vaccinium vitis-idaea Veronica alpina Mosses Amphidium lapponicum Andreaea blyttii Andreaea nivalis Andreaea rupestris Arctoa fulvella Aulacomnium turgidum Bartramia ithiphylla Blindia acuta Brachythecium glaciale Brachythecium trachypodium Calliergon sarmentosum Calliergon trifarium Conostomum tetragonum Dichodontium pellucidum Dicranoweisia crispula Dicranum fuscescens Distichium capillaceum Ditrichum zonatum Drepanocladus revolvens Fissidens osmundoides Grimmia torquata Hygrohypnum ochraceum Hypnum callichroum Isopterygiopsis pulchella Kiaeria blyttii Kiaeria falcata Kiaeria glaciale Kiaeria starkei Meesia uliginosa Oligotrichum hercynicum Orthothecium intricatum Orthothecium rufescens Philonotis seriata Philonotis tomentella Plagiobryum zieri Plagiopus oederianus Pogonatum urnigerum Pohlia cruda Pohlia drummondii Pohlia ludwigii Polytrichum alpinum Polytrichum sexangulare Polytrichum strictum Racomitrium lanuginosum Racomitrium sudeticum Schistidium strictum Scorpidium scorpioides Sphagnum fuscum Tetraplodon mnioides Liverworts Anastrophyllum minutum Anthelia julacea Anthelia juratzkana Barbilophozia lycopodioides Blepharostoma trichophyllum Diplophyllum taxifolium Gymnomitrion apiculatum Gymnomitrion concinnatum Harpanthus flotovianus Jungermannia borealis Jungermannia sphaerocarpa Lophozia opacifolia Lophozia sudetica Marsupella adusta Marsupella alpina Marsupella boeckii Marsupella brevissima Marsupella condensata Marsupella sphacelata Marsupella sprucei Moerckia blyttii Nardia breidleri Nardia geoscyphus Odontoschisma macounii Pleurocladula albescens Preissia quadrata Ptilidium ciliare Scapania aequiloba Scapania calcicola Scapania paludosa Scapania uliginosa Tetralophozia setiformis Tritomaria polita Tritomaria quinquedentata 96

105 Table 7 Vascular plants and bryophytes recorded in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC which have strongly southern distributions in Europe Vascular plants Asplenium trichomanes Cardamine hirsuta Carex flacca Carum verticillatum Dactylis glomerata Digitalis purpurea Hedera helix Holcus lanatus Hypochaeris radicata Ilex aquifolium Juncus articulatus Juncus effusus Lolium perenne Lonicera periclymenum Lotus corniculatus Plantago lanceolata Ranunculus ficaria Rubus fruticosus Rumex crispus Teucrium scorodonia Mosses Dicranum scottianum Ptychomitrium polyphyllum Fissidens taxifolius Homalothecium sericeum Rhynchostegium riparioides Trichostomum brachydontium Liverworts Calypogeia arguta Frullania dilatata Frullania teneriffae Harpalejeunea molleri Lejeunea patens Lepidozia cupressina Leptoscyphus cuneifolius Plagiochila killarniensis Plagiochila punctata Plagiochila spinulosa Radula aquilegia Saccogyna viticulosa Scapania compacta Scapania gracilis Table 8 Vascular plants and bryophytes recorded in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC which have strongly western, oceanic distributions in Europe Vascular plants Carex binervis Carex laevigata Carum verticillatum Cochlearia micacea Conopodium majus Dryopteris aemula Erica cinerea Euphrasia arctica Hyacinthoides non-scripta Hymenophyllum wilsonii Narthecium ossifragum Pinguicula lusitanica Saxifraga hypnoides Ulex europaeus Mosses Andreaea alpina Andreaea mutabilis Breutelia chrysocoma Bryoerythrophyllum caledonicum Bryum riparium Campylopus atrovirens Dicranum scottianum Hyocomium armoricum Molendoa warburgii Oedipodium griffithianum Paraleptodontium recurvifolium Ptychomitrium polyphyllum Racomitrium ellipticum Rhabdoweisia crenulata Sphagnum strictum Liverworts Anastrophyllum donnianum Bazzania pearsonii Douinia ovata Frullania teneriffae Gymnomitrion crenulatum Harpalejeunea molleri Herbertus aduncus Herbertus stramineus Lejeunea patens Lepidozia cupressina Lepidozia pearsonii Leptoscyphus cuneifolius Mastigophora woodsii Plagiochila atlantica Plagiochila carringtonii Plagiochila killarniensis Plagiochila punctata Plagiochila spinulosa Pleurozia purpurea Radula aquilegia Saccogyna viticulosa Scapania gracilis Scapania nimbosa Scapania ornithopodioides 97

106 5.3.2 Uncommon plant species Many plant species which we found in this survey are uncommon at least locally in Great Britain. These species are listed in Table 9. The target notes for the locations of species of particular interest are given in Appendix 3, and their locations are shown on the 1:10,000 maps in Appendix Nationally Scarce and Nationally Rare vascular plants Four vascular plant species recorded at this site are Nationally Rare (recorded in <16 10km squares in Great Britain since 1950), and 28 vascular plant species recorded here are Nationally Scarce (recorded in km squares in Great Britain since 1950). Some populations of some of these species have been recorded by various observers in the past. The most detailed and comprehensive survey was by Rothero (2002), whose records are reproduced in Appendices 3B and 3D of this report. Rothero (2002) stated in his report that he was not able to search all the potential sites for these species in the time allowed for his survey. By concentrating on places he was unable to visit, we were able to add many more records for Carex saxatilis, Cerastium cerastioides, C. arcticum, Sibbaldia procumbens and Veronica alpina. We also added to his records for Luzula arcuata. There is no doubt at all that the site is of immense value for its rare montane vascular plant species. The four Nationally Rare species grow mostly in inaccessible and perilous locations on cliffs and screes. The Nationally Scarce species grow in a wider range of habitats. Details of the populations of the plants, and their locations and habitats, are given in Appendix 3. Table 10 gives a summary of the distribution and habitats of each Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular species at this site. Details of individual locations, from our survey and that of Rothero (2002), are given in Appendix 3D. 98

107 Table 9 Plant species recorded in this survey of the Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC in which are uncommon in Great Britain generally Key to symbols after species names: * = Nationally Scarce (recorded in x10km squares in Great Britain since 1950) ** = Nationally Rare (recorded in <16 10x10km squares in Great Britain since 1950) (*) = Classed as Nationally Scarce until recent years. Now no longer Nationally Scarce because the number of 10km square records exceeds 100, but still included in this table because it is almost Nationally Scarce = Recorded by other observers but not seen here by us Vascular plants Alchemilla alpina Antennaria dioica Anthyllis vulneraria Arabis petraea * Arctostaphylos alpinus (*) Asplenium viride Athyrium distentifolium * Botrychium lunaria Carex atrata * Carex bigelowii Carex capillaris * Carex lachenalii ** Carex pauciflora Carex saxatilis * Carex vaginata * Carum verticillatum Cerastium alpinum * Cerastium arcticum * Cerastium cerastioides * Cirsium heterophyllum Cochlearia micacea * Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina?* Coeloglossum viride Cornus suecica Crepis paludosa Cryptogramma crispa Cystopteris montana * Diphasiastrum alpinum Dryas octopetala * Dryopteris aemula Dryopteris expansa Dryopteris oreades Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum Epilobium alsinifolium Epilobium anagallidifolium Equisetum variegatum (*) Eriophorum latifolium Eupatorium cannabinum Euphrasia frigida * Festuca rubra ssp. alpina * Galium boreale Gentianella campestris Geranium sylvaticum Geum rivale Gnaphalium supinum Gymnadaenia conopsea Helictotrichon pratense Huperzia selago Hymenophyllum wilsonii Juncus biglumis * Juncus castaneus * Juncus trifidus Juncus triglumis Juniperus communis ssp. nana Listera cordata Loiseleuria procumbens Luzula arcuata * Luzula spicata Lycopodium annotinum Lycopodium clavatum Melica nutans Minuartia sedoides * Myosotis alpestris Orthilia secunda Oxyria digyna Parnassia palustris Persicaria vivipara Phleum alpinum * Pinguicula lusitanica Pinus sylvestris * Poa alpina * Poa flexuosa ** Poa glauca * Poa x jemtlandica * Polystichum lonchitis Populus tremula Pseudorchis albida Pyrola media Pyrola minor Rhynchospora alba Rubus chamaemorus Rubus saxatilis Sagina saginoides * Salix herbacea Salix lapponum * Salix myrsinites * Salix phylicifolia Salix reticulata * Saussurea alpina Saxifraga aizoides Saxifraga cernua ** Saxifraga cespitosa ** Saxifraga hypnoides Saxifraga nivalis * Saxifraga oppositifolia Saxifraga rivularis * Saxifraga stellaris Sedum rosea Sibbaldia procumbens (*) Silene acaulis Silene uniflora Thalictrum alpinum Thalictrum minus Tofieldia pusilla Trientalis europaea Trollius europaeus Vaccinium uliginosum Veronica alpina * Mosses Amphidium lapponicum * Andreaea alpina Andreaea blyttii ** Andreaea frigida ** Andreaea mutabilis * Andreaea nivalis ** Antitrichia curtipendula Arctoa fulvella * Aulacomnium turgidum * Bartramia hallerana * Brachythecium glaciale ** Brachythecium reflexum ** Brachythecium starkei ** Brachythecium trachypodium ** Bryoerythrophyllum caledonicum ** Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens Bryum dixonii ** Bryum muehlenbeckii ** Bryum riparium * Calliergon trifarium * Campylopus gracilis * Conostomum tetragonum * Dicranodontium uncinatum * Dicranoweisia crispula * Dicranum scottianum Didymodon ferrugineus Distichium capillaceum Ditrichum lineare * Ditrichum zonatum * Dryptodon patens 99

108 Table 9 (continued) Encalypta ciliata * Grimmia torquata Hylocomium pyrenaicum * Hylocomium umbratum Hypnum callichroum Isopterygiopsis pulchella Isopterygiopsis muelleriana * Kiaeria blyttii * Kiaeria falcata * Kiaeria glaciale * Kiaeria starkei * Meesia uliginosa * Mnium marginatum Molendoa warburgii Oedipodium griffithianum * Orthothecium intricatum Orthothecium rufescens * Paraleptodontium recurvifolium * Philonotis seriata * Philonotis tomentella ** Plagiobryum zieri Plagiopus oederianus * Pohlia ludwigii * Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis * Polytrichum sexangulare * Pseudobryum cinclidioides * Pseudoleskea patens * Pterigynandrum filiforme * Ptilium crista castrensis Racomitrium ellipticum Racomitrium elongatum Rhabdoweisia crenulata * Rhizomnium magnifolium * Schistidium strictum Sphagnum affine * Sphagnum fuscum Sphagnum magellanicum Sphagnum strictum Splachnum ampullaceum Tetraplodon angustatus * Ulota hutchinsiae Liverworts Anastrepta orcadensis Anastrophyllum donnianum * Anthelia juratzkana * Apometzgeria pubescens Barbilophozia atlantica * Barbilophozia lycopodioides * Bazzania pearsonii * Bazzania tricrenata Calypogeia azurea * Diplophyllum taxifolium * Douinia ovata Frullania teneriffae Gymnomitrion apiculatum ** Gymnomitrion concinnatum Gymnomitrion crenulatum Gymnomitrion obtusum Harpalejeunea molleri Harpanthus flotovianus * Harpanthus scutatus Herbertus aduncus Herbertus stramineus Hygrobiella laxifolia Jamesoniella autumnalis * Jungermannia borealis * Jungermannia sphaerocarpa Kurzia trichoclados Lepidozia cupressina Lepidozia pearsonii Leptoscyphus cuneifolius * Lophozia opacifolia * Lophozia sudetica Marsupella adusta * Marsupella alpina * Marsupella boeckii * Marsupella brevissima * Marsupella condensata ** Marsupella sphacelata * Marsupella sprucei * Mastigophora woodsii * Metzgeria leptoneura Moerckia blyttii * Nardia breidleri ** Nardia compressa Nardia geoscyphus * Odontoschisma macounii ** Plagiochila atlantica * Plagiochila carringtonii * Plagiochila killarniensis Plagiochila punctata Pleurocladula albescens * Pleurozia purpurea Porella arboris vitae Radula aquilegia Riccardia palmata Scapania aequiloba * Scapania calcicola * Scapania degenii * Scapania nimbosa * Scapania ornithopodioides * Scapania paludosa ** Scapania uliginosa * Sphenolobopsis pearsonii * Tetralophozia setiformis * Tritomaria exsecta * Tritomaria polita * 100

109 Table 10 Summary of details about locations and habitats of Nationally Scarce and Nationally Rare vascular plant species in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC Key to symbols after species names: * = Nationally Scarce (recorded in km squares in Great Britain since 1950) ** = Nationally Rare (recorded in <16 10km squares in Great Britain since 1950) (*) = Classed as Nationally Scarce until recent years. Now no longer Nationally Scarce because the number of 10km square records exceeds 100, but still included in this table because it is almost Nationally Scarce. Species Arctostaphylos alpinus (*) Athyrium distentifolium * Carex atrata * Carex capillaris * Carex lachenalii ** Carex saxatilis * Carex vaginata * Carex x grahamii * Cerastium alpinum * Summary of locations and habitats in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC Before 2003: recorded on exposed ground in a few places near the N edge of the central part of the site, and also on the N end of Beinn na Socaich. In our survey in we found it on the northern slopes of Carn Beag Dearg, Beinn na Socaich and Beinn Bhàn, in Vaccinium- Racomitrium heath H20. The populations are small, though the plants appear healthy and are not browsed. Before 2003: found to be widespread on N-E-facing rocky slopes. It is one of the defining species of the Cryptogramma-Athyrium fern community U18, although it does not grow in all the stands. In our survey in we found it in Coire Leis, in the east-facing corries of the Carn Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, and in Choire Lèith, Cùl Choirean, Coire na Ceannain and Coire nan Laogh in the Grey Corries. The populations are large and healthy, and the plant grows among boulders out of the reach of grazing animals. Before 2003: recorded on E facing cliffs on Stob Coire Bhealaich (Aonach Beag). We did not find it in our survey in Before 2003: recorded on An Aghaidh Gharbh on the E side of Aonach Beag. In our survey in we found it to be more widespread. It is plentiful in wet Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c on Beinn na Socaich, and grows in this type of vegetation on the eastern side of Stob Coire Gaibhre. We also found it in flushed Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15 in Coire Choimlidh. There are probably several hundred plants in the study area. Before 2003: recorded on steep upper eastern slopes of Ben Nevis, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. We did not see it in our survey in It is a small sedge which grows up to 20cm tall. It has narrow bright-green leaves and dense clusters of 2 4 oval, brownish flowerheads. It grows in flushes and on wet ledges. Rothero (2002) found it in Coire na Ciste (below Trident Buttress, near the base of No. 4 Gully) on Ben Nevis, but was unable to re-find this species on Aonach Beag even though he had seen it there previously and was able to revist the exact location where he knew it to grow. It is interesting that this species was recorded once on Bidean nam Bian (Averis & Averis 2003) but cannot be re-found, even by the person who had originally seen it. C. lachenalii is a perennial, but it may be a short-lived one; individual populations may not last more than a few years. Before 2003: found to be quite widespread in wet flushes. In our survey in we found it to be more widespread still. It grows in flushes in almost all the north-facing corries and glens in the study area, and in several of the south-facing ones too. The total population must number thousands of plants. Before 2003: recorded on Stob Coire Bhealaich (Aonach Beag) and Beinn na Socaich. In our survey in we found it in damp, herb-rich Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c on Beinn na Socaich. Before 2003: recorded on Stob Coire Bhealaich (Aonach Beag). We did not see it in our survey in Before 2003: recorded on Aonach Beag and nearby Stob Coire Bhealaich. In our survey in we found it in tall-herb vegetation on the cliffs of Meall Cumhann, on north-facing cliffs below the summit of Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór and on the eastern side of Aonach Beag. We found it to be the rarest of the three montane mouse-ears in the study area. It has tight, silvery rosettes of pointed grey leaves covered in a dense felt of long silky hairs, and large white starry flowers. 101

110 Table 10 (continued) Species Cerastium arcticum * Cerastium cerastioides * Cochlearia micacea * Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina (probably *) Cystopteris montana * Dryas octopetala * Summary of locations and habitats in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC Before 2003: recorded on Ben Nevis, Carn Mór Dearg, Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag, at the head of Coire an Easain below Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór and on crags W of Caisteal in the Grey Corries. In our survey in we found it on Meall Cumhann, in Coire Leis, in the eastfacing Carn Dearg corries, in the corries of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, in Coire an Eòin and on the north-facing cliffs below the summit of Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór. Before 2003: found to be quite widespread on Ben Nevis, the Carn Mór Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag and the Grey Corries. In our survey in we found it common in the high corries, spreading its delicate tracery of creeping stems, studded with white flowers, over the mossy ground around springs and rills and through summit heath vegetation. It occurs in Coire Leis, in the east-facing corries of the Carn Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, in the north-facing Grey Corries and in Cùl Choirean. It grows on the summit plateau of Aonach Mór and in several places on the ridge of the Grey Corries. Before 2003: recorded on the steep N slope of Aonach Beag. We did not find it in our survey in Before 2003: apparently no records made of this taxon. In our survey in we found it in springs and tall herb vegetation on the SW, NW and NE sides of Ben Nevis, on the E side of Aonach Mór and on the NE side of Sgurr Choinnich Beag. Before 2003: recorded on An Aghaidh Gharbh on the E side of Aonach Beag, and just E of the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. In our survey in we found it in the latter site, but not in the former. Before 2003: recorded on Stob Coire Bhealaich and Beinn na Socaich. In our survey in we found it on base-rich soils and over rock outcrops on both sides of Beinn na Socaich. Equisetum variegatum (*) Before 2003: recorded on Beinn na Socaich. We found it here in our survey in , in Carex-Saxifraga mires M11 and Palustriella-Festuca springs M37. Festuca rubra ssp. alpina * Juncus biglumis * Juncus castaneus * Luzula arcuata * Lycopodium annotinum Minuartia sedoides * Phleum alpinum * Before 2003: recorded on N side of Aonach Beag (in 1969). Not recorded in the SSSI since then. Before 2003: recorded on An Aghaidh Gharbh on the E side of Aonach Beag. We did not see it in our survey in Before 2003: recorded at head of Coire an Easain below Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór, and around Stob Coire na Ceannain-Stob Choire Claurigh. We did not see it in our survey in Before 2003: recorded on N side of Aonach Beag, and screes in Coire Leis. In our survey in we found it more extensively on Aonach Beag (on the upper northern and western slopes and on the north-facing cliff of the North-East ridge). There are probably many tens of plants here. We also found a few plants of it on the southern end of the summit ridge of Aonach Mór. We did not find it in Coire Leis. Before 2003: recorded in a few places in the north-central part of the site. In our survey in we found it on quartzite cliffs and rocky ground in An Coire Calma and on the eastern side of the Carn Dearg ridge. There are a few tens of plants here. Before 2003: no location or habitat details available to us. We did not see it in our survey in Before 2003: recorded in E-facing coire between Carn Dearg Meadhonach and Carn Mór Dearg. In our survey in we found it in montane Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a in the upper part of An Cùl Choire, on the eastern side of Aonach Beag. 102

111 Table 10 (continued) Species Pinus sylvestris * Summary of locations and habitats in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC Before 2003: recorded in Glen Nevis and (in smaller quantity) N of Beinn na Socaich. We found it in these same places in our survey in In Glen Nevis it is common enough to form stands of pine woodland W18. In the lower part of Coire an Eòin (close to the river and on crags) there are just isolated trees with no distinctive woodland vegetation around them. It is obvious that the species was once much more common. Hundreds of old stumps are exposed in eroding peat on the boggy flats in Coire an Eòin and in upper Glen Nevis. Poa alpina * Before 2003: found to be quite widespread on steep, rocky slopes. In our survey in we found it in herb-rich ledge vegetation on Meall Cumhann and on the east-facing cliffs of Aonach Beag. Poa flexuosa ** Poa glauca * Poa x jemtlandica * Sagina saginoides * Sagina x normanniana * Before 2003: recorded in earthy gullies and screes where snow lies late on the lower part of the steep N-NE-facing slopes running down from the summit plateau of Ben Nevis ( plants found here in 1974, but only about 30 plants in 2002). We did not see it in our survey in Before 2003: recorded on W side of Meall Cumhann and E side of Aonach Beag. In our survey in we found it in herb-rich ledge vegetation on Meall Cumhann and on the east-facing cliffs of Aonach Beag. Before 2003: recorded on N sides of Ben Nevis and Aonach Beag. Not recorded in this survey in Before 2003: no location or habitat details available to us. We did not see it in our survey in Before 2003: recorded on E facing cliffs on Stob Coire Bhealaich (Aonach Beag). We did not see it in our survey in Salix lapponum * Before 2003: found to be quite widespread on steep, rocky slopes. In our survey in we found it to be widely scattered throughout the study area, especially in the Grey Corries where there are few streams without the odd bush on thier banks and few cliffs without a clump or two. The best populations, where there is actually willow scrub rather than scattered bushes, are on the eastern cliffs of Aonach Beag, on the eastern side of Glen Giubhsachan, in the upper parts of An Coire Calma and on the south-facing slopes of Sgurr a Bhuic and Na h-easain. Most plants of Salix lapponum are easy to recognise and clearly belong to this species, with long, pointed leaves clothed on both sides in silky silvery hairs. However, on Meall Cumhann and in Glen Giubhsachan there are plants with the right leaf-shape for S. lapponum but with almost hairless leaves. These may be hybrids with S. repens; a cross which has been recorded in Scotland (Stace 1997). On the other hand, they may simply be rather hairless examples of what is known to be a fairly variable species. For instance, a twig from a hairless bush in Glen Giubhsachan, brought home in order to identify and kept in a jar of water, sprouted roots and then put out shoots of normal, silky-hairy leaves. Salix myrsinites * Saxifraga cernua ** Before 2003: no location or habitat details available to us. In our survey in we found an inaccessible bush on Stob Coire na Ceannain which may belong to this species. Before 2003: recorded on steep, damp, base-rich rocks on high N-E-facing slopes on Ben Nevis, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. In our survey in we found it only at its known location on the eastern side of the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. There are several tens of plants here on crumbling cliff ledges, beneath overhangs and in finegrained, saturated gravel. It is an attractive plant with small, lobed, waxy grey-green leaves which contrast with the bright red bulbils; its sole means of spread as the plants do not set seed in Britain. The white starry flowers are surprisingly large for the size of the plant and are borne at the tips of the stems. 103

112 Table 10 (continued) Species Saxifraga cespitosa ** Saxifraga nivalis * Saxifraga rivularis * Sibbaldia procumbens (*) Veronica alpina * Summary of locations and habitats in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC Before 2003: recorded on steep, damp, N-E-facing rocks high on Ben Nevis (>100 plants), on Stob Coire an Laoigh (2 clumps of rosettes) and in Coire a Mhadaidh (5 plants seen). We did not see it in our survey in Before 2003: recorded on SE side of Ben Nevis, Meall Cumhann, Stob Coire Bhealaich (Aonach Beag) and Stob Coire an Laoigh (Grey Corries). In our survey in we found it on the cliffs of Meall Cumhann and on the eastern face of Aonach Beag. Before 2003: recorded on steep, wet, rocky places on N-E-facing slopes on Ben Nevis, Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag and Stob Coire an Laoigh. In our survey in we found it in several places at the foot of the upper cliffs in the east-facing corries of Aonach Mór, where most of the plants were growing in Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis springs M33. It is similar to S. cernua, but grows in small rosettes rather than as upright shoots. Its lobed leaves are a dull mid-green and it has tiny white flowers with the petals separated by the green sepals. Before 2003: found to be widespread. In our survey in we found it to be even more widespread, though it is more common in the western part of the study area than it is in the east. In the Grey Corries we found it only in Cùl Choirean, whereas on Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg hills, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag there are large populations, and many patches of its particular community, the Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U14. There are many hundreds of plants in the study area. Before 2003: found to be widespread. In our survey in we found it to be more widespread than the earlier records suggest, though it is more common in the west than in the east. It grows on the west-facing screes of Ben Nevis, in a gully in the corrie between Carn Mór Dearg and Carn Dearg Meadhonach, in the east-facing corries of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, and on the cliffs of Aonach Beag. The three rarest saxifrages Saxifraga cernua, S. cespitosa and S. rivularis are much more common elsewhere in the world. They are widespread in the Arctic. S. cernua also occurs in the Alps, the Carpathians, Central Asia, the Himalayas, Japan and the Rocky Mountains of North America. S. rivularis and S. cespitosa grow in the mountains of Asia, Greenland and North America, but not in the Alps. These three species are evidently late-glacial relicts which are able to hang on in Britain only where the climate is at its most arcticalpine. They are here at the extreme western edge of their range, where the climate might be no longer ideal and their survival may be in jeopardy. We found some new records of several Nationally Scarce species: Arctostaphylos alpinus, Athyrium distentifolium, Carex capillaris, C. saxatilis, Cerastium alpinum, C. arcticum, C. cerastioides, Dryas octopetala, Luzula arcuata, Lycopodium annotinum, Phleum alpinum, Salix lapponum, Sibbaldia procumbens and Veronica alpina. We did not find the following Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular species: Carex atrata, C. lachenalii, C. x grahami, Juncus biglumis, J. castaneus, Minuartia sedoides, Poa flexuosa, Sagina saginoides, S. x normaniana, Salix myrsinites and Saxifraga cespitosa. Most of these species have been seen here in recent years (Rothero 2002). Those which have not are Minuartia sedoides, Sagina saginoides and Salix myrsinites. We have no details of the locations and dates of previous records of these three species. 104

113 Uncommon bryophyte species Although we were not asked specifically to look at uncommon bryophytes, many such species do occur here and we recorded several of them in the course of our work. Many of these uncommon bryophytes are plants of the snow-bed communities, and they are rare because their habitat itself is rare. They include the mosses Conostomum tetragonum, Pohlia ludwigii, Polytrichum sexangulare, Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, K. blyttii, K. glaciale, Philonotis seriata, Brachythecium glaciale and Andreaea nivalis, and the liverworts Moerckia blyttii, Scapania uliginosa, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Marsupella adusta, M. alpina, M. condensata, M. brevissima, M. boeckii and Pleurocladula albescens. Many uncommon bryophytes are species of montane springs. They have some overlap with those of snowbeds and include Pohlia ludwigii, P. wahlenbergii var. glacialis, Philonotis seriata, Rhizomnium magnifolium, Scapania paludosa and S. uliginosa. Several uncommon calcicole bryophyte species also grow in the study area: for example Calliergon trifarium, Molendoa warburgii, Orthothecium rufescens, Paraleptodontium recurvifolium, Herbertus stramineus and Tritomaria polita. Base-enriched flushes M11 and tall herb ledges U17 are particularly important habitats for these plants. The site is of great importance for western, oceanic bryophytes which are scarce in Europe as a whole. Forty-one oceanic bryophyte species are recorded here (Table 8). There are particularly high concentrations of these plants in the north-facing woods in Glen Nevis and on the rocky slopes above them, and in montane heaths and snow-beds in the corries. The most notable oceanic bryophyte species which we found in the Glen Nevis woods are Dicranum scottianum, Rhabdoweisia crenulata, Harpalejeunea molleri, Herbertus aduncus, Leptoscyphus cuneifolius, Mastigophora woodsii, Plagiochila atlantica, P. carringtonii and Scapania ornithopodioides. On the north-facing slopes of Glen Nevis, above the woodland, there are patches of liverwort-rich Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heath H21b with a flora including the uncommon oceanic liverworts Herbertus aduncus, Pleurozia purpurea, Bazzania pearsonii, Lepidozia pearsonii, Mastigophora woodsii, Plagiochila carringtonii and Scapania ornithopodioides. The uncommon sub-oceanic moss Dicranodontium uncinatum grows in this type of vegetation. Montane Vaccinium-Racomitrium heaths H20c and fern-dominated snow-beds U18 have the uncommon montane oceanic species Anastrophyllum donnianum, Bazzania pearsonii, Scapania ornithopodioides, S. nimbosa and Plagiochila carringtonii. There are good examples of both types of vegetation in Coire Leis, in the east-facing corries of the Carn Dearg ridge, on the eastern side of Aonach Beag and in the north-facing Grey Corries. These species even grow in the south-facing Cùl Choirean, where a rampart of stones at the head of the corrie has a slope which faces north. 5.4 Summary of the total botanical interest The Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC has more diverse and varied vegetation than any other area we have surveyed, with a total of 154 types of vegetation and habitat. There is little Scottish upland vegetation that is not represented here. The study area is especially notable because of the complete altitudinal range of vegetation from temperate woodland to arctic-alpine heaths and snow-beds. Woodland reaches what may be its natural altitudinal limit on the south side of Glen Nevis, and the glen is exceptionally well-wooded by British standards. The woods are very varied, taking in acid pine woodland and mossy birch-oak woodland as well as herb-rich mixed woodlands on flushed, base-rich soils. 105

114 One of the most notable types of vegetation is montane willow scrub W20 dominated by Salix lapponum. It comes in two forms: one acid with Vaccinium species and much Racomitrium lanuginosum, and one basic, with a rich array of tall herbs and grasses. Although most patches are individually small, W20 is the predominant type of vegetation on one large cliff on the eastern side of Aonach Beag. We would not be surprised if the area measurements show, when the areas of W20 throughout the site are added up, that it is at least as extensive in the study area as on some of the better-known sites in the Breadalbanes and the Caenlochan hills. There is a fine array of heaths and grasslands, encompassing both sub-montane and montane forms and including both the characteristically western types such as Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15, liverwort-rich Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum damp heath H21b, Calluna-Racomitrium heath H14 and Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath H20, and the more eastern Calluna-Cladonia heath H13 and Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H19. There is some of the best-developed montane vegetation in Britain. This includes an excellent extent and diversity of snow-beds. All of the British snow-bed vegetation types occur here, most of them extensively. There is also a good diversity of high montane vegetation types of exposed ground from which snow is blown off, in contrast to the snow-beds where it collects. These vegetation types include the eastern Carex- Polytrichum heath U8 and Juncus-Racomitrium heath U9 as well as the more widespread Carex-Racomitrium heath U10. There is also an example of lichen heath, and patches of Luzula spicata sward; both of these vegetation types are very rare in Britain. The site has an excellent range of herb-rich vegetation types of base-rich soils. These include various grasslands, heaths, mires, springs, woodlands, tall-herb ledge communities and even snow-beds. Some of the base-rich crags and slopes resemble those of the Breadalbane hills: the part of Scotland which is bestknown for its calcicolous flora and vegetation. The site therefore has some of the best British calcicolous upland vegetation in combination with some of the finest acidophilous woodlands, heaths and snow-beds. The site has an exceptionally rich flora including four Nationally Rare vascular plant species, 28 Nationally Scarce vascular species and many rare or uncommon mosses, liverworts and lichens. There is no doubt that the SSSI richly deserves to be scheduled as a Special Area of Conservation. 5.5 Relationships between vegetation and environment Geology and geomorphology Most of the SSSI/SAC is made of hard and acid rocks, and the gentler slopes are clothed with peat. As a result, most of the vegetation consists of acid heaths, grasslands and bryophyte-dominated heaths and snowbeds, with blanket bog on the deeper peats and woodland on the low ground. Only where there are outcrops of base-rich rock or areas of base-rich flushing are there patches of herb-rich basic mires, scrub, dwarf-shrub heaths, tall-herb vegetation or grassland. Table 11 shows the vegetation and habitat types at this site in relation to two broad groups based on rock and soil type. 106

115 Many of the communities of acid ground are valuable for nature conservation and are uncommon in the British uplands. The most notable of these are the bryophyte-dominated late snow-beds U11, U12 and the related Pohlia ludwigii, Racomitrium heterostichum and UX snow-beds, the fern-dominated Cryptogramma- Athyrium snow-bed community U18, the montane moss springs M32 and M33, the liverwort-rich Calluna- Vaccinium-Sphagnum damp heaths H21b and Vaccinium-Racomitrium heaths H20c, the pine woodland W18 and rocky, bryophyte-rich birch woodland W17a. Many of the uncommon montane species such as Juncus trifidus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Salix herbacaea, Loiselurea procumbens, Arctostaphylos alpinus, Gnaphalium supinum, Athyrium distentifolium, Luzula spicata and the very rare L. arcuata, and most of the snow-bed bryophytes, are species of acid soils. There is a great contrast between the vegetation of the acid granite and Dalradian rocks and that of the basic limestone and schist. These basic outcrops are notable for their herb-rich vegetation, especially montane willow scrub W20 and tall-herb ledge vegetation U17 and U15. Herb-rich grasslands U4F, U5c, CG10, CG11 and CG12, and Dryas-Silene heath CG14, occur on basic soils, most notably on the east and west sides of Aonach Beag, on Meall Cumhann and on Beinn na Socaich. All these types of vegetation are home to a great array of base-tolerant species, some of them scarce, such as Tofieldia pusilla, Cerastium alpinum, Juncus triglumis, Poa alpina and P. glauca. The basic Dalradian schist on the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag is noteworthy because it is at such a high altitude almost 1100m. The vegetation here includes includes herb-rich Carex-Racomitrium heath U10c with the montane calcicoles Cerastium alpinum, Saussurea alpina and Persicaria vivipara. There is a great diversity of landforms in the study area, including: level straths covered with peat or with alluvium and shingle; long, steep slopes seamed with stream gullies; craggy hillsides; outcrops and pavements of rock; cliffs, screes, eroded slopes and boulder-fields; narrow ridges; sharp-pointed peaks and rounded summits. The summit of Ben Nevis, though a rounded plateau in profile, is covered with jagged boulders. The summit of Sca Fell, the highest point in England, is also a boulder-field, whereas the summit of Snowdon, the highest point in Wales, has a smooth, soily summit like that of Aonach Beag. It would be vegetated were it not for the erosion caused by the feet of thousands of vistors. Fortunately, Ben Nevis does not have this problem. As the highest hill in Britain it is among the most-visited, but the boulder-strewn plateau is little-affected by trampling and is disfigured only by an astonishing multitude of cairns and by the ruins of the old observatory. On the summits and upper slopes of the hills especially on Ben Nevis, Aonach Beag and the hills of the Grey Corries are fine examples of solifluction terraces, solifluction hummocks, stonesorted patterns such as stone stripes and polygons, and frost-heaved stones. These periglacial features are probably still active, especially on the unstable ground of the north-facing slope of Aonach Beag. 107

116 Table 11 Occurrence of vegetation and habitat types in relation to broad rock and soil type, as found in this survey of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC in Basic = limestone and schist. Acidic = mainly schist, quartzite, igneous rocks including granite, and coverings of peat. Where no X is given for a vegetation type, we do not know enough about the rocks and soils where it occurs. Vegetation/ habitat type Basic Acidic W4 X W7 X W9 X W11 X W17 X W18 X W20 X W24 W25 H10abc X H10d X H12 X H13 X H14 X H15 X H18a X H18b X X H18c X H19 X H20 X X H21 X H22 X HX X M1 X M3 X M4 X M6 X M7 X M9 X M10 X X M11 X X M12 X X M15a X X M15b X M15c X X M15d X M17 X M19 X M23 M25a X X M25b X X M25c X M27 M31 X M32a X M32b X X M33 X M37 X MX MG9 Vegetation/ habitat type Basic Acidic CG10 X X CG11 X X CG12 X CG14 X U4a X X U4b U4d X U4e X U4eA X U4F X U5a X X U5b X X U5c X U5e X X U6acd X U6R U7a X U7b X X U7c X X U8 X U9 X U10 X X U11 X X U12 X X U13 X X U14 X U15 X U16 X X U17abc X U17b X U17d X X U18 X U19 X X U20a X X U20b X U21 X S9 X S10 X Je Reri X Plud X X Rhet X X UX X X Lspi X Lichen heath X Fell-field X Rock X X Scree X X Boulder-field X Shingle 108

117 5.5.2 Climate This part of Scotland has a cool, oceanic climate and the vegetation reflects this. Many of the types of vegetation recorded here have a western distribution in Britain, such as damp pine woodland W18d and W18e, mossy Quercus-Betula-Dicranum woodland W17a, Calluna-Erica dry heath H10, Trichophorum-Eriophorum blanket bog M17, Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15, liverwort-rich Calluna- Vaccinium-Sphagnum heath H21b and Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath H20c, herb-rich Carex-Racomitrium heath U10c and Rhytidiadelphus loreus snow-beds U13b. The blanket bogs and wet heaths are especially extensive, and there is a rich flora of western, oceanic species. In the eastern parts of the study area the vegetation is still generally western in character but there are fine examples of some more eastern, continental, cold-tolerant plant communities such as Calluna-Cladonia heath H13, Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H19, Carex-Polytrichum heath U8 and Juncus-Racomitrium heath U9, suggesting that there is a noticeable climatic gradient across the 15km east-west length of the site. Western, oceanic bryophytes flourish here because the climate is cool and wet. The oceanic species cannot tolerate extremes of temperature nor prolonged drought (Ratcliffe 1968, Averis 1994), which is why they are confined to those parts of the world where the climate is equable and very wet. Many have remarkably disjunct distributions in the world, as a result of this need for a very particular type of climate. As well as the west of Britain and Ireland and the extreme west of Norway, other homes for these species are the west coast of British Columbia, the foothills of the Himalayas and, perhaps more surprisingly, high altitudes on tropical mountains. These are thought to be relicts from a more continuous distribution in Tertiary times, before it was fragmented by the Pleistocene glaciations; the evidence for this was summarised by Averis (1994). Ben Nevis, Carn Mór Dearg, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag are so high that winter temperatures on the summits are very cold. The annual precipitation is high and most of the typical eastern, more continental plant communities, such as the lichen-rich heaths, do not occur. However, there are some fine examples of Carex-Polytrichum heath U8, which is a more eastern type of vegetation, and on Aonach Beag there are also patches of Marsupella brevissima snow-bed U12c, otherwise known only from the Cairngorms. Aonach Beag at 1234m is a very high hill indeed, and it was a surprise to find any sort of continuous vegetation at this altitude in the extreme oceanic climate of the west Highlands. It is even more interesting that the vegetation is a snow-bed rather than a community such as Juncus trifidus heath which forms the uppermost zone of vegetation on wind-blasted, exposed ground in the Cairngorms. This suggests that because of the high precipitation here, and because of the low temperatures at this great height, snow builds up in a frozen covering over the hill top in winter rather than being blown off into the eastern corrie. Since there is extensive soil on this summit it is possible for there to be continuous vegetation rather than fragments among the stones as there is on Ben Nevis. There is another interesting type of vegetation on the upper southwestern spur of Aonach Beag: a montane grassland intermediate between Carex-Polytrichum sedge heath U8 and Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a which is apparently not known elsewhere in Britain. It is fascinating to speculate about what would be on the top of Ben Nevis if it had a smooth rather than a boulder-clad plateau. Would it, too, have a continuous sward of snow-bed vegetation? Aonach Beag is likely to have an especially cold, wet and windy local climate, with very high preipitation all year round and a deep cover of snow in winter. It stands at the head of Glen Nevis, exposed to southwesterly winds which are funnelled up the glen and to rain and snow coming in from the west. It is equally exposed to the east, with the high precipice of the Aghaidh Gharbh towering above the ridge of the 109

118 Grey Corries. In the hot, dry summer of 2003, when every scrap of snow disappeared from the cliffs of Ben Nevis, there was still a small patch on the screes below the North-East ridge in mid-august. Even earlier in the year, the snow cornices on the east-facing edge of the summit plateau of Aonach Beag were deeper and more extensive than anything remaining on Ben Nevis at that time. Oceanic climates are fascinating because cold-tolerant and thermophilous species and types of vegetation can occur close together. Winters are not too cold for some thermophilous species, nor summers too warm for some cold-tolerant plants. There is a great range of habitats from the woodlands on the lower slopes with luxuriant layers of tall herbs and ferns under the trees and a mild and temperate microclimate, to the moss heaths and snow-beds of the highest ground where the conditions are near-arctic. As is usual in the oceanic climate of the far west, the ecological gradients are steep and it is possible to stand in snow-bed vegetation and look down on sheltered woodlands only one kilometre below. In the high montane zone there is an enormous contrast between the exposed summits and ridges and the sheltered, shaded corries. Bryophytes predominate in both, but the species and the communities they form are very different. The Carex- Racomitrium heaths U10, Juncus-Racomitrium heaths U9 and Carex-Polytrichum heaths U8 on the bare summit ridges are able to tolerate extremes of exposure from bitter winter cold to the scorching sun on clear days in summer, and are resistant to wind and ice. The bryophytes of the snow-beds on the high sunless slopes of the corries can flourish in an environment where they may be covered by snow for up to eleven months of the year. Mosses and liverworts can survive in these places because they need so little light for photosynthesis (Russel 1990) that they are able to grow even under snow. Many of them contain chemicals which have antifungal and antibiotic properties; see Averis (1994) for a summary of these chemical studies. This means that they do not succumb to moulds even though they grow in still, damp and shaded conditions. The snow-bed species are able to grow very quickly once the snow melts. Ground which appeared bare and black around the edges of melting snow-fields in June was covered in a dense green sward of Pohlia ludwigii and Polytrichum sexangulare, the shoots almost obscured by masses of spore capsules, only a month later. One of the more interesting plant communities in the study area is the mixed snow-bed which is not described in the NVC but which we have mapped and described as UX. It comprises elements from all the described types of snow-bed vegetation: the mosses of the Polytrichum-Kiaeria community U11, the liverwort crusts of the Salix-Racomitrium community U12, the small herbs of the Silene-Luzula sub-community of the Salix- Racomitrium snow-bed U12a and the Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U14, the grasses of the Deschampsia- Galium grassland U13 and the ferns of the Cryptogramma-Athyrium snow-bed U18. These species grow in intimate mixtures over tens of square metres. This type of vegetation clothes slopes which are steep but smooth and uniform, without rock outcrops, hollows or gullies. They are at high altitudes facing north or east and accumulate a great deal of snow over the winter. The soils vary from free-draining granite gravel to thin layers of silty humus lying over scree. UX has not been described elsewhere in the Highlands though, in retrospect, we would now assign some of the snow-bed vegetation in the high corries of Bidean nam Bian to this community. Our description of those snow-beds at the time read: most of it is intermediate vegetation with characteristics of more than one [NVC] type, and there are extensive mosaics where the individual patches of distinct types of vegetation are less than a metre square (Averis & Averis 2003). These mosaics would probably be better seen as large stands of the mixed snow-bed community, UX. The amount of snow and the time it lies can vary a great deal from year to year. In June 2003, there was a lot of snow on the cliffs of Ben Nevis, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, and small patches in the east- 110

119 facing corries of the Carn Dearg ridge. There was one small patch in upper Coire a Mhadaidh, in the Grey Corries. By July, most of this had disappeared, and by mid-august there was no snow at all on the Ben, the Carn Dearg ridge and Aonach Mór and only one small patch on the screes below Aonach Beag. However, in 2004 there was much more snow on all the hills in the early part of the summer. All the late snow-bed vegetation on Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag and the Carn Dearg ridge was still covered with snow, and there were large patches in upper Coire a Mhadaidh in the Grey Corries. Although these patches dwindled during the summer, and some patches melted out completely, several patches remained until snow once again fell in the autumn. Indeed, some of the patches were topped up during the summer. In the wet, stormy week of July there were several occasions when the clouds parted to reveal new snow on the high tops, and Alison Averis was actually out in falling snow on the summit of Stob Coire na Ceannain on 18 July. Not the most comfortable place to sit out a snow-storm! 5.6 Land-use and management History of vegetation, land use and management When the ice began to retreat at the end of the last Pleistocene glaciation, plants would have moved in to colonise these hills and glens. Among the first colonists were probably species such as Dryas octopetala, Saxifraga rivularis, S. cernua, S. cespitosa, S. nivalis, S. oppositifolia, S. stellaris, Salix lapponum, S. herbacea, Epilobium alsinifolium, Oxyria digyna, Cerastium cerastioides, C. arcticum, C. alpinum, Poa alpina, P. glauca and Luzula arcuata, together with bryophytes such as Pohlia ludwigii, P. wahlenbergii var. glacialis, Kiaeria falcata, K. blyttii, K. starkei, K. glacialis, Brachythecium glaciale, Pleurocladula albescens, Marsupella alpina, M. adusta, M. sphacelata, M. boeckii, M. condensata, M. brevissima, Moerckia blyttii and Diplophyllum taxifolium. All are species which grow today in the study area. They may have grown here continuously since late-glacial times. As the climate became warmer, trees arrived from the milder lands to the south. Juniper and willows came first, then birch and rowan. They were followed by pine, hazel, alder, oak and elm. Ash was a late colonist as it cannot tolerate shade, and its population probably expanded only after human settlers began to clear the woodlands from about 5000 years ago (Tipping 2003). These original native woodlands were probably at their most extensive about 6000 years ago (Birks 1988, Tipping 2003), although even then, Scotland would not have been covered by a continuous sea of trees. There would also have been tracts of bog, rocky ground and exposed summits and ridges with either low scrub or no trees at all. The extensive woodlands would have been dominated by pine and birch, with hazel, elm and oak on the lower ground (Tipping 2003). There would have been much rowan and holly, and alder and willows on wet soils (Birks 1988). The woodland at the tree-line probably consisted of birch, rowan and juniper (Birks 1988) and would have been at about 700m. It is interesting that there are still birch and rowan trees on crags at this altitude on the north-facing side of Glen Nevis, suggesting that there may well be a natural tree-line here. However, it is likely that the upper limit of really dense woodland would have been at about 500m in this part of the country (Tipping 2003). Dwarf juniper Juniperus communis ssp. nana is scattered in the study area and may once have been much more extensive, forming montane scrub above the tree line. It seems reasonable to assume that it may have grown with Salix lapponum, a species which still grows in this habitat today. The ground vegetation under the pine and birch would probably have been heathy, with much Calluna and Vaccinium species and with a rich array of oceanic bryophytes clothing the ground, the rocks and the lower 111

120 trunks of the trees in richly-coloured mats and patches. On more basic soils there may have been tall and flowery swards of herbs and grasses. The earliest clearance of woodland on a large scale in this part of Scotland is thought to have been about 400 years ago (Birks 1988), although people would have been living in the area long before then and would have created small or temporary clearings in the forests. Almost all of the woodland which persists today in the study area is dominated by birch, with smaller amounts of Scots pine, oak, rowan and holly. There is alder and willow on the wet soils, and pockets of ash, elm and hazel on basic soils. The study area is within the current range of pine woodland in Scotland, although pine is now common only in Glen Nevis. The place-name Coire Giubhsachan corrie of the pine trees suggests that pine grew here in historical times, although the glen is no longer wooded. There are plenty of places where pine stumps are visible in the peat of eroding bogs. The most notable is the glen of Coire an Eoin-An Coire Calma, where there are huge expanses of eroding peat full of old pine stumps and roots clearly the remains of extensive pine woodland which filled the floor of the glen when the climate was cooler and more boreal. This glen is interesting because of the way it displays so much of the history of Scottish climate and vegetation. In the lower glen there are mixed deciduous woodlands with a mossy underlayer, which are favoured by the current climate and which would have flourished during the milder, wetter periods of the last 10,000 years. Old pine stumps also occur in eroding bogs in the upper part of Glen Nevis. There are scraps of juniper, Dryas octopetala and montane willow scrub, still hanging on from early postglacial times. And in the high recesses of An Cùl Choire there is late-glacial vegetation amid patches of semi-permanant snow: this vegetation may have persisted for 10,000 years despite the many changes going on in the glen far below. Leachd nan Craobhan Seilich slope of the willow trees, mentioned earlier, suggests that there was once much scrubby woodland high in Glen Nevis and Coire Rath where there are now wet heaths and grasslands Grazing The vegetation in the study area is grazed by sheep and red deer. Most of the sheep were, at the times of the survey, on the slopes of Meall an t-suidhe, on Meall Cumhann and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, high in the eastern corries of the Carn Dearg ridge, on the summit of Aonach Mór and in the corries to the east, and on Stob Coire na Ceannain. There were about half a dozen old ewes in Coire Giubhsachan which looked as if they have not been gathered or clipped for years. There are, however, large numbers of red deer in the glens of the Grey Corries, in the east of the study area. One hundred and twelve stags were counted in Coire an Fhir Duibhe on 10 August 2003, and on 1 August 2004 there was a herd of 186 stags, and another of seven hinds, in Coire nan Laoigh. Stag numbers such as these are excessive by anyone s standards. The remains of old shielings in Glen Nevis show that these slopes were used for summer pastures, probably up until the mid-nineteenth century. There are several examples of Coire nan Laogh or Laoigh corrie of the calf and the slope south of Sgurr a Bhuic is Coire nan Each corrie of horses. On the slopes of Meall an t-suidhe are Cnocan a Bhuachaille small hill of the shepherd and Creagan nan Gabhar crags of the goats as well as Slochd an Daimh hollow of the stag. Apart from sheep, goats and red deer, there will always have been small numbers of native herbivores including roe deer, brown hare and voles. 112

121 The brown, heathery slopes in the Lairig Leacach at the eastern end of the study area suggest that the greener, more grassy slopes further west may also once have been heathery but since been grazed hard so that heathery heaths have turned into blaeberry heaths and grasslands. Calluna-dominated vegetation in these more grassy areas is confined to the steeper slopes and cliffs, which supports this idea. Even at the eastern end of the study area, there are mosaics of the heathery Vaccinium-Rubus heath H22b and the Vaccinium-dominated H22a which seem to be more the result of differential grazing than of differences in snow-lie. The green and grassy slopes in upper Glen Nevis are far from natural, and although it is true that Calluna loses its competitiveness on wetter soils, one would expect, by comparison with other upland areas in this part of Scotland, to see more heather in the wet heaths and bogs than there is today. There are too many sheep for the long-term health of the montane heaths on Stob Coire na Ceannain and Sgurr Chòinnich Mór, and the montane heaths and snow-beds on Aonach Mór. In the summers of 2003 and 2004 there were many ewes and lambs on the plateau of Aonach Mór, where they were grazing in Carex- Racomitrium heath U10. Much of the U10 heath on this summit belongs to the grassy sub-community U10a, which is believed to be the result of excessive grazing and trampling (Rodwell 1992, Averis et al. 2004). In order to reach the plateau, the sheep have ascended from the east-facing corries. There are few places where they can get up between the cliffs, and so they have concentrated on the smoother slopes. There is much trampling and erosion through some fine patches of Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed U11a and Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed. There are also some conspicuous sheep-tracks up through the snow-beds at the tops of the eastern corries of the Carn Dearg ridge. Rothero (1990) noted that sheep had a tendency to search out and graze the vascular plants in the patches of Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M33 on Aonach Mór, and that most examples of this community were badly poached by late summer. Snow-bed communities are so rare in Scotland, and they are among the types of vegetation most susceptible to climate change; it seems wrong for them to be damaged by domestic animals. Woodland is extensive in Glen Nevis and on some of the northern slopes, but is unable to regenerate because of browsing. There is a copious source of seed in Glen Nevis, and innumerable seedlings of all the tree species, but almost all have had their tips nipped off. The John Muir Trust, in partnership with their neighbours Alcan, have proposed a scheme to restore woodland along the whole length of Glen Nevis. This would restore to the Glen something of its original nature. It is implicit in a scheme of this sort that any expansion of woodland will be at the expense of the existing open ground. Some species may become scarcer than they are at present, but other species will become more common. In general, any move towards increasing the woodland cover of Scotland is desirable, as woodland was the original natural vegetation over much of the country before human intervention. The idea of the original woodland consisting of an almost unbroken sea of trees is now believed to be incorrect. Modern thinking seems to be that the original forest cover of Scotland may have been more patchy and open than previously thought, and that even within small areas such as Glen Nevis there would have been great changes over time in the relative contribution of different tree species to the woodland canopy, and in the distribution of patches of dense woodland and open ground (eg Tipping 2003, Gilbert et al. 1997). Unlike many Scottish glens, Glen Nevis is still remarkably well-wooded, especially in the middle section. Much of the botanical interest of the glen lies within the remaining woods rather than in the open heaths, grasslands and mires. It seems likely that new woodland, though perhaps species-poor and lacking diversity at first, will, over many decades, develop into vegetation which is more valuable for nature conservation 113

122 than that which exists today. Even in the early days of woodland restoration, the appearance of the landscape would be improved. The glen is an ideal place to show large numbers of people what the bare hillsides of Scotland should really look like, and to explain how the restoration is being done. It is a good idea to rely on natural regeneration rather than planting. This is partly because the woodland will develop in more natural patterns with a more diverse age structure and species composition, and partly because it is cheaper. Planted trees often die because they have been put in an unsuitable place. This may be because trees depend very much on mycorrhizal fungi, and there may be an insufficient supply of the right types of fungi on ground which has long been unwooded (Avery & Mason 2004). Because the existing woodland is large, there is an abundant seed-source for most of the component species. Indeed, there are already many seedlings and saplings of birch, rowan, holly and more locally pine and oak. These are currently suppressed by browsing, but are ready to grow taller if given the chance. If the numbers of grazing animals are reduced, there will probably soon be a noticeable difference in the vegetation: more young trees, especially birch, and taller dwarf shrubs in the heaths and bogs and in the woodland understorey. The difficulty with this type of regeneration scheme is in controlling the grazing of the free-ranging sheep and red deer in order that trees will be able to grow. At the times of our field survey here in 2003 there were fairly high numbers of sheep on the southern and western slopes of Meall an-t-suidhe, but very few in the middle and upper sections of the proposed Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme (SFGS) area. Red deer also seemed scarce: we saw six (hinds and calves) in Coire Giubhsachan, but none in the main glen. However, we saw much larger numbers of animals on the adjacent land. The vegetation on the southern slopes of Sgurr Chòinnich Mór and Sgurr Choinnich Beag is grazed quite hard, and there are many sheep on the upper slopes. There is a very big population of red deer here. We saw a herd of over 40 hinds and calves in the glen of the Allt Daim (to the north of Coire Giubhsachan) on two occasions in June In mid- August 2003 we saw a herd of 112 stags in An Coire Calma, which is separated from Glen Nevis only by the 700m watershed between Sgurr a Bhuic and Sgurr Coinnich Beag. On one afternoon in August 2004 Alison Averis counted 186 stags and seven hinds in Coire an Laoigh, at the eastern end of Glen Nevis. There are also reported to be large numbers of deer in the Mamore Forest (Keith Miller, pers. comm.). It is quite likely that once the vegetation in Glen Nevis begins to develop back into woodland and to look tall and lush, many deer and perhaps sheep from outwith the glen will move onto the better grazing there. It will probably be necessary to control the numbers of animals over a larger area than the SFGS area itself. It is important to remember that no grazing at all is as unnatural as the current overgrazing by unsustainable numbers of sheep and deer. There would always have been natural herbivores: red and roe deer, voles, hares and a wide range of plant-eating invertebrates and birds. In remote antiquity there would also have been beavers, brown bears, horses, wild boar, wild cattle and more species of deer (Tipping 2003). These animals would have been preyed on by an array of large predators such as wolves and lynx, and in a natural ecosystem it is unlikely that the numbers of herbivores would have risen above the carrying-capacity of the land. The effects of no grazing at all are often fascinating, but can result in vegetation which has less value for nature conservation than the grazed, much-modified precursor. For example, ungrazed grasslands can become tall and rank, and a few robust species can come to dominate at the expense of smaller grasses, herbs and bryophytes. It can also be difficult for dwarf shrubs and trees to establish in such thick turf. Ungrazed woodlands can develop such a dense canopy that the ground vegetation is almost entirely shaded out, and rich assemblages of grasses, ferns and herbs can be replaced by a sprinkling of etiolated plants over expanses of bare soil. There are good examples of this in the exclosures at Rassal NNR 114

123 (Averis 2002). In milder climates the woodland understorey can develop into thickets of bracken and bramble which themselves may shade out many more interesting species. Ungrazed woods can become so dark that important populations of bryophytes and, especially, lichens are unable to survive. Although it may be necessary to exclude all grazing animals for a short period, in order to allow the regeneration of dwarf shrubs and trees, it is not advisable to exclude them indefinitely but rather to reduce their numbers to a level at which trees and shrubs can survive. The ideal is to find a balance where deer and even sheep can live as part of a healthy and sustainable ecosystem Burning There was no evidence of recent burning in the study area except on the heathery slopes of the Lairig Leacach, where the heather has been burned in small patches. Some of the burnt patches are recent; other patches are recovering from being burnt a few years ago. In the past, the heaths and bogs throughout the study area would probably have been burned in large patches to provide young, nutritious growth for sheep, cattle and deer. The absence of liverwort-rich Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heaths H21b from almost all suitable-looking slopes, and the current restriction of juniper scrub H15 to cliff ledges, suggests that burning in the past may have been sufficiently extensive and severe to have modified the vegetation considerably. We do not consider burning to benefit the botanical interest in any part of the SSSI Atmospheric pollution Surprisingly for a site in the Highlands, the study area suffers from acid rain and a moderate amount of nitrate pollution. This is partly because of the excessively high rainfall, but also because of its proximity to the town of Fort William. There is an aluminium smelter and a whisky distillery in the town. Atmospheric pollution from these factories is carried into the hills when the wind is from the west, and at such times Alison Averis was aware of a distinct chemical smell as far up the Allt a Mhuillin glen as the C.I.C. hut. Hamish Brown (1978) also remarked on the smell of factory fumes outside the C.I.C. hut. The lichen flora on the trees in the woods of Glen Nevis and along the northern edge of the site is less rich in large foliose plants, such as the Lobaria species, than one might expect in this part of the country. The same is true of woods along the western side of Loch Linnhe such as those at Doire Donn (Averis 2000); Brian Coppins (pers. comm.) recollects the flora of these Loch Linnhe woods being richer before the papermill was built at Corpach, and apparently there are lists made by Francis Rose to prove it. Since large foliose lichens are known to succumb to atmospheric pollution, it seems likely that they have declined in the Ben Nevis SSSI for this reason. It is hard to say whether there are other, more insidious effects of atmospheric pollution here. Snow-bed species are especially susceptible because snow patches can scavenge pollutants from mist and cloud blowing over them. As they melt, they release polluted water over the plants below (Woolgrove 1994). Studies in Glen Coe (Woolgrove & Woodin 1995) showed that this can cause such an increase in tissue nitrogen in some bryophytes, such as the Kiaeria species, that the plants die. 115

124 5.6.5 Human views and recreation Until the middle of the 19th century the study area was probably used and seen by few people apart from cattle-drovers and locals who grazed their animals on the summer pasture or hunted the deer. The main road, such as it was, led from Fort William through to Spean Bridge in the north. Nobody knows who was the first person to stand on the summit of Ben Nevis. The botanist James Robertson made an ascent in 1771, and the geologist John Williams went up in In 1789 an English clergyman counted 30 cairns on the summit, so the present rash of them is nothing new. In the early years of the 19th century, once it had been established that this was the highest hill in Britain, tourists started to visit. One of the earliest was the poet John Keats in He said that he felt like a fly climbing up a wainscot perhaps a slight exaggeration, but a valid comment on the vast scale of the landscape, which seems to diminish people and their endeavours almost to vanishing point. The ascent was made easier after 1883, when a track suitable for ponies was constructed to the summit and the Observatory built. In 1884 there were about 4000 visitors. The throngs still go there today. Throughout the summer there is a constant stream of walkers on the tourist route, and smaller numbers ascending by the Carn Mór Dearg arête or by the northern cliffs. The tourists are augmented by packs of hundreds doing mass ascents of the Three Peaks Snowdon, Sca Fell and Ben Nevis. However, almost everybody keeps to the path and there is little erosion within the study area, although there is an unsightly path across the boggy col of Lochan Meall an t-suidhe. The path on the rocky ridge of Carn Mór Dearg and the arête, though a popular route, is not obtrusive, as it crosses very little vegetation. There is little more than a stalker s path leading up into Coire Giubhsachan, and no obvious paths up any of the north-facing glens and corries. Further east there is a discontinuous path between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, and a faint path along the ridge of the Grey Corries. Again, these summits and ridges are so rocky that the passing feet have left little evidence. The Grey Corries are certainly less visited than the bigger hills to the west. They are more remote, and many parts of the ridge are very narrow, so they need to be approached with more skill and respect. We spent many long days in the glens and corries of the study area without seeing anyone at all, and even the summits of Carn Dearg Meadhonach, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag are far less frequented than Ben Nevis. It was a common experience in the summer of 2003 to stand on the totally deserted plateau of Aonach Mór and count, thorough binoculars, more than one hundred people on and around the top of Ben Nevis. The main climbing cliffs are in Coire Leis, where some of the classic Scottish routes ascend the vast unvegetated buttresses. The gullies are generally climbed in winter, when they are long and challenging iceclimbs. The east-facing cliffs of the southern arm of Coire an Lochain on Aonach Mór are also popular for winter climbing. Indeed, Alison Averis found about 40 worth of discarded climbing hardware from the slopes at the foot of these cliffs. 5.7 Assessment of the Upland Vegetation Survey vegetation map of Ben Nevis The vegetation map produced by the Upland Vegetation Survey (UVS) team of the Nature Conservancy Council in 1984 and 1987 (Nature Conservancy Council 1987) was presented as a series of overlays on a base of aerial photographs at a scale of 1:25,000. The vegetation of everything apart from the far eastern end of the Grey Corries was surveyed and mapped in 1984, using the upland vegetation 116

125 classification of Birks & Ratcliffe (1980). The site was revisited in 1987, and some re-mapping was done using the newly-available National Vegetation Classification for mires and the Birks and Ratcliffe classification for all other types of vegetation. The scheme of Birks & Ratcliffe is not as detailed as the NVC, but it does distinguish most of the types of vegetation which occur in this area. The UVS survey work was carried out by A. Brown, D. Horsfield and R. Payne in September 1984, and by D. Horsfield and G. Dalby in The final vegetation map file (Nature Conservancy Council 1987) included a key to the vegetation types and a copy of Ratcliffe s (1977) short account of the vegetation and flora of the area. It is unfair to be too critical of the Upland Vegetation Survey map of Ben Nevis. It was produced at the scale of 1:25,000, and it would have been impossible to show the amount of detail that we were able to show at the scale of 1:10,000. Also, most of the Upland Survey mapping was done using the Birks & Ratcliffe (1980) classification, which is much less detailed and allows for fewer communities than the NVC scheme. The vegetation on many of the hillsides in this study area is very complicated, with small patches of different types of vegetation growing in intimate mosaics. Yet it can look quite uniform even at close range. These patterns of vegetation are impossible to pick out on the black and white aerial photographs used by the UVS team. It was generally found during UVS surveys that the aerial photographs of less heathery hills showed little but featureless hillsides of a uniform texture and pale-grey tone. Some of the cliffs with tall-herb ledge vegetation are so thickly vegetated that they did not stand out well from the smooth slopes. And since there are no contours on photographs it was particularly difficult both to navigate and to plot stands of vegetation with any accuracy. Given this it is hardly surprising that the UVS surveyors found themselves unequal to the task of reconciling the vegetation and the photographs. Even with good-quality 1:10,000 maps and the guidance of the NVC the vegetation of the Ben Nevis SSSI is still bewilderingly complex and we, too, had to map many stands of vegetation as large mosaics of a lot of different types. Indeed, given that three of the surveyors were inexperienced persons in their first field season, the team did well to cover the ground and find so much interesting vegetation. For example, they noticed the late snowbed vegetation in the eastern corries of Aonach Mór and on the summit of Aonach Beag. They found the springs with Saxifraga rivularis in Coire an Lochain, though they used the Birks & Ratcliffe code I4d, for S. rivularis spring rather than I4c which is the Pohlia walhlenbergii var. glacialis spring M33 and the correct classification. This is presumably because S. rivularis is easier to identify than P. wahlenbergii var. glacialis. They found the herb-rich grasslands, dwarf-herb vegetation and Dryas heath CG14 on Beinn na Socaich, and the P. wahlenbergii var. glacialis springs M33 on Stob Coire nan Easain, and they found several patches of Carex saxatilis mire M12. As in many other examples of UVS surveys, the maps are not blatantly incorrect (though there are a few remarkable errors) but they oversimplify the real diversity, miss many of the types of vegetation which occur, and lack detail. Some of the boundaries delineated between the zones of vegetation on the aerial photographs look very different from those on our paper maps, even when we are evidently outlining the same piece of ground. This is largely the result of the distortion implicit in aerial photographs. There is the foreshortening effect of the high ground being closer to the camera than the low ground. The image is distorted towards the edges of the photograph so that some hillsides appear strangely elongated and others are compressed almost to vanishing point. There is also the problem of shadow, especially on north-facing cliffs, which can obscure the details of the image and make it impossible to delineate vegetation boundaries. None of these problems occur with paper maps, which have the added great advantage of contour lines to show the shapes of 117

126 otherwise featureless slopes. Maps do lack the different tones of the photographs. Variation in tone was fundamental to the way in which the vegetation was mapped by the UVS. However, Alison Averis, who worked for eight years on the Upland Survey team, has since been amazed at the erroneous mapping that can be produced by relying on differences in shades of grey. Using the Birks & Ratcliffe classification, the UVS team found 58 types of vegetation at this site. These can be equated with up to 92 NVC types. We found more than 140 distinct types of vegetation. This difference is partly because of the limitations of the Birks & Ratcliffe classification. For instance, the Birks & Ratcliffe code E3 for late-lying snow-beds was used for vegetation which can now be assigned to U11a, U11b, U12a, U12b, U12c and U14, to say nothing of the Pohlia ludwigii, Racomitrium heterostichum and UX mixed snow-bed communities which are not covered by either classification. All the dry Calluna heaths were covered by the single code B1a in the Birks & Ratcliffe scheme; these heaths at this site encompass seven NVC types four sub-communities of Calluna-Erica heath H10 and three sub-communities of Calluna- Vaccinium heath H12. Vaccinium heaths are not served particularly well by either scheme, but the Birks & Ratcliffe types were found to be misleading in the field and the NVC types are easier to distinguish and make more ecological and floristic sense. Our survey may have been more thorough. There are instances where the UVS mapping seems to have been done from a distance, for example where patches of Oreopteris limbosperma have been labelled D7, which is bracken, and where patches of Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a have been labelled incorrectly as the Rhytididelphus sub-community U13b. The Juncus-Racomitrium community U9 on the ridge of the Grey Corries has been incorrectly mapped as either Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 or as Nardus-Carex grassland U7. Most of the willow scrub has been missed, especially on the Aghaidh Gharbh, where it is so extensive that it is hard to see how anybody could visit this part of the site and not see it. Indeed, the Aghaidh Gharbh and An Cùl Choire have been mapped as one large, undifferentiated unit with a label which omits some of the more conspicuous communities, such as the tall-herb ledge vegetation. It makes one wonder whether the surveyors actually went there at all. In the lower part of this glen, the east side of Coire an Eòin a vast slope with a complicated mixture of vegetation which is predominantly Vacciniumrich Trichophorum-Erica heath M15d, Racomitrium-rich Trichophorum-Erica heath M15c and Vaccinium heath H18, interspersed with herb-rich swards and a whole array of flushes and springs was mapped as sub-montane Nardus grassland with smaller amounts of Vaccinium heath. Nardus grassland is no more than a minor component of the vegetation on this slope and anyone who had actually been on the ground would have seen that. This is not really surprising, though, as this part of the site is so remote and difficult to reach. To get to the far end of the corrie from the north takes half an hour on a bicycle followed by three hours walking over trackless terrain and an ascent of about 700m. The summit plateau of Ben Nevis was mapped as rock debris completely devoid of vegetation, and Alison Averis was confidently assured by one of the original survey team that the summit was too high for vegetation and that nothing grew there. We found 10 different plant communities on the plateau, albeit in small patches. Similarly, in upper Coire Leis, we found 13 plant communities in what the UVS mapped as bare rock debris. One mystery of the UVS survey is that in Coire an Lochain they mapped large swards of the Rhytidiadelphus sub-community of Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13b, where we found the vegetation to belong to the Anthoxanthum-Alchemilla sub-community U13a with an unusually tall, dense, flowering sward of the grass. 118

127 It is possible that grazing was heavier in the mid-1980s than it is today, and that there was less Deschampsia cespitosa and more moss in these swards. This would suggest that the relationship between the two sub-communities has more to do with grazing than with variation in the environment. It is impossible to tell, but would make an interesting research project. 5.8 Extra note on birds and animals seen during this survey In the woods in Glen Nevis we noted buzzard, hooded crow, willow warbler, wood warbler, redstart, robin, tree pipit, wren, chaffinch, great tit, coal tit and pied wagtail. The birds of the open hillsides include wheatear, meadow pipit, mistle thrush, skylark, ring ouzel, grey wagtail, wren, dipper, snipe, golden plover, common sandpiper (a nest with 4 eggs was seen in Coire an Eòin on 15 June 2004), kestrel, merlin, sparrowhawk, buzzard, red grouse and ptarmigan. Swifts, swallows and house martins hunt over the hillsides. There are snow buntings on the summit of Ben Nevis, as well as herring gulls scavenging from the tourists. We also saw snow buntings in Coire an Lochan and Coire a Mhadaidh in A pair of golden eagles was seen over Coire an Eòin on several occasions in Young dotterel were seen on Aonach Mór in July and August 2003, and a male on Beinn na Socaich on 17 June There are foxes, mountain hares, field voles, frogs and common lizards in the study area. We saw small colonies of Mountain Ringlet butterflies in Glen Giubhsachan in July 2003, and in Coire na Gaibhre, Coire Cnamhan and lower Coire nan Easain in

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131 Appendix 1 Quadrat data recorded in this survey of the vegetation Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC in Note: the definition of the word quadrat as used by botanists and ecologists is different from that in the English dictionary, so a definition is provided here for the reader unfamiliar with its meaning in this context. This word used by botanists to mean a square-shaped area of ground defined for the purpose of recording information about the vegetation. This square area may be marked (eg with wooded pegs) so that it can be visited again in future to observe changes in the vegetation, or, as in this survey, it may be unmarked and defined only temporarily for the purpose of recording information about a typical or representative example of a particular type of vegetation. We recorded details about the vegetation in quadrats measuring 2m x 2m, except for the canopy layer (trees and shrubs) in woodland, for which we used a quadrat size of 10m x 10m (surrounding 2m x 2m quadrats of ground vegetation). Within each quadrat we recorded the approximate quantity of the aerial parts of each plant species seen, using the DOMIN scale: 1 = <4% cover (few individuals) 6 = 26 33% cover 2 = <4% cover (several individuals) 7 = 34 50% cover 3 = <4% cover (many individuals) 8 = 51 75% cover 4 = 4 10% cover 9 = 76 90% cover 5 = 11 25% cover 10 = % cover We recorded the location of each quadrat as an 8-figure Ordnance Survey grid reference. We also recorded the altitude (in metres above sea-level), slope aspect (in degrees from north), slope gradient (in degrees from horizontal) and approximate vegetation height (in centimetres) for each quadrat. We have presented the quadrat data here as a series of tables; one for each vegetation type. Within each table we have listed the species in decreasing order of the number of quadrats in which we found them. 123

132 W4b Betula pubescens-molinia caerulea woodland, Juncus effusus sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Canopy: Alnus glutinosa height (m) Alnus glutinosa d.b.h. (cm) Alnus glutinosa DOMIN cover 7 5 Betula pubescens height (m) Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) Betula pubescens DOMIN cover Shrub layer: Salix aurita height (m) Salix aurita DOMIN cover 1 5 Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Birch leaf litter (DOMIN) 4 quadrats Thuidium tamariscinum Molinia caerulea Sphagnum palustre Hylocomium splendens Agrostis canina Potentilla erecta Blechnum spicant Polytrichum formosum Agrostis capillaris 5 1 Carex echinata 5 1 Polytrichum commune 5 1 Sphagnum subnitens 5 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 4 1 Holcus mollis 4 1 Juncus effusus 4 1 Epilobium palustre 3 1 Equisetum sylvaticum 3 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 3 1 Oreopteris limbosperma 3 1 Phegopteris connectilis 3 1 Pellia epiphylla

133 W4b (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Scleropodium purum 3 1 Viola palustris 3 1 Viola riviniana 3 1 Hyocomium armoricum 2 1 Lysimachia nemorum 2 1 Myrica gale 2 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 2 1 Scapania gracilis 2 1 Sphagnum fallax 2 1 Succisa pratensis 2 1 Conopodium majus 1 1 Dryopteris filix-mas 1 1 Mnium hornum 1 1 Scapania nemorea 1 1 Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) 1 1 Total no. of field/ground layer spp Mean no. in a 2x2m quadrat

134 W4c Betula pubescens-molinia caerulea woodland, Sphagnum sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) 1 1 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Canopy: Alnus glutinosa height (m) Alnus glutinosa d.b.h. (cm) Alnus glutinosa DOMIN cover 5 5 Betula pubescens height (m) Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 9 9 Shrub layer: Salix aurita height (m) Salix aurita DOMIN cover 5 5 Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): Height of vegetation (cm) Birch leaf litter (DOMIN) No. of quadrats Sphagnum fallax Sphagnum fimbriatum Molinia caerulea Sphagnum palustre Carex echinata Potentilla erecta Fraxinus excelsior (seedling) Polytrichum commune 4 1 Thuidium tamariscinum 4 1 Juncus bulbosus 3 1 Agrostis canina 1 1 Holcus mollis 1 1 Juncus effusus 1 1 Myrica gale 1 1 Total no. of field/ground layer spp Mean no. in a 2x2m quadrat

135 W7c Alnus glutinosa-fraxinus excelsior-lysimachia nemorum woodland, Deschampsia cespitosa sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Canopy: Alnus glutinosa height (m) Alnus glutinosa d.b.h. (cm) Alnus glutinosa DOMIN cover Betula pubescens height (m) 10 Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 25 Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 4 Fraxinus excelsior height (m) Fraxinus excelsior d.b.h. (cm) Fraxinus excelsior DOMIN cover Shrub layer: Corylus avellana height (m) Corylus avellana DOMIN cover 5 5 Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Deschampsia cespitosa Agrostis capillaris Thuidium tamariscinum Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Anthoxanthum odoratum Atrichum undulatum Fraxinus excelsior (seedling) Dryopteris filix-mas Holcus lanatus Juncus effusus Oxalis acetosella Potentilla erecta Rhytidiadelphus loreus Holcus mollis Viola palustris Eurhynchium praelongum Lysimachia nemorum Carex pallescens

136 W7c (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Mnium hornum Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) Athyrium filix-femina 5 1 Lophocolea bidentata 4 1 Scleropodium purum 4 1 Hylocomium brevirostre 3 1 Isothecium myosuroides 3 1 Pellia epiphylla 3 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Polytrichum formosum 3 1 Scapania nemorea 3 1 Viola riviniana 3 1 Blechnum spicant 2 1 Carex binervis 2 1 Epilobium montanum 2 1 Hylocomium splendens 2 1 Molinia caerulea 2 1 Tritomaria quinquedentata 2 1 Carex echinata 1 1 Carex viridula oedocarpa 1 1 Cirsium palustre 1 1 Galium saxatile 1 1 Poa pratensis 1 1 Ranunculus acris 1 1 Total no. of field/ground layer spp Mean no. in a 2x2m quadrat

137 W9b Fraxinus excelsior-sorbus aucuparia-mercurialis perennis woodland, Crepis paludosa sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Canopy: Betula pubescens height (m) 6 10 Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 15 2 Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 5 Salix caprea height (m) 9 Salix caprea d.b.h. (cm) 30 Salix caprea DOMIN cover 5 Sorbus aucuparia height (m) 4 8 Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) 10 Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover 5 Alnus glutinosa height (m) Alnus glutinosa d.b.h. (cm) Alnus glutinosa DOMIN cover Fraxinus excelsior height (m) Fraxinus excelsior d.b.h. (cm) Fraxinus excelsior DOMIN cover Ulmus glabra height (m) Ulmus glabra d.b.h. (cm) Ulmus glabra DOMIN cover Shrub layer: Corylus avellana height (m) Corylus avellana DOMIN cover Fraxinus excelsior height (m) 4 Fraxinus excelsior DOMIN cover 1 Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock (DOMIN) quadrats Fraxinus excelsior (seedling) Athyrium filix-femina Isothecium myosuroides Thuidium tamariscinum Epilobium montanum Dryopteris filix-mas Isothecium alopecuroides Geum urbanum Geranium robertianum Oxalis acetosella

138 W9b (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Racomitrium aciculare Hypnum cupressiforme Rhytidiadelphus loreus Filipendula ulmaria Stachys sylvatica Brachythecium plumosum Rubus idaeus Prunella vulgaris Fragaria vesca Hylocomium brevirostre Agrostis canina Atrichum undulatum Viola riviniana Fissidens dubius Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Ptychomitrium polyphyllum Dryopteris affinis 6 1 Brachypodium sylvaticum 5 1 Melica nutans 5 1 Succisa pratensis 5 1 Deschampsia cespitosa 4 1 Molinia caerulea 4 1 Potentilla erecta 4 1 Sanicula europaea 4 1 Eurhynchium praelongum 3 1 Geranium sylvaticum 3 1 Hylocomium splendens 3 1 Lysimachia nemorum 3 1 Primula vulgaris 3 1 Angelica sylvestris 2 1 Cardamine flexuosa 2 1 Plagiommnium undulatum 2 1 Ranunculus acris 2 1 Saccogyna viticulosa 2 1 Solidago virgaurea 2 1 Teucrium scorodonia 2 1 Veronica serpyllifolia 2 1 Blechnum spicant 1 1 Dicranum majus 1 1 Dicranum scoparium 1 1 Erica cinerea 1 1 Fraxinus excelsior (sapling) 1 1 Frullania tamarisci 1 1 Mnium hornum 1 1 Thuidium delicatulum 1 1 Thymus polytrichus 1 1 Total no. of field/ground layer spp Mean no. in a 2x2m quadrat

139 W11a Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland, Dryopteris dilatata sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1709 Northing 6913 Altitude (m) 135 Slope aspect (o) 157 Slope gradient (o) 10 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Canopy: Betula pubescens height (m) 10 Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 25 Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 6 Corylus avellana height (m) 5 Corylus avellana d.b.h. (cm) 15 Corylus avellana DOMIN cover 4 Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): Height of vegetation (cm) 60 Dryopteris filix-mas 7 Thuidium tamariscinum 7 Carex sylvatica 6 Hylocomium umbratum 6 Potentilla erecta 5 Sorbus aucuparia seedling 4 Viola riviniana 4 Polytrichum commune 4 Dryopteris dilatata 4 Ajuga reptans 3 Hylocomium splendens 3 Conopodium majus 3 Scapania gracilis 3 Holcus mollis 3 Hypericum perforatum 2 Total no. of field/ground layer spp

140 W11b Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella sub-community woodland, Blechnum spicant Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Canopy: Betula pubescens height (m) Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 9 9 Sorbus aucuparia height (m) 6 6 Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover 3 3 Fraxinus excelsior height (m) Fraxinus excelsior d.b.h. (cm) Fraxinus excelsior DOMIN cover 1 1 Shrub layer: Corylus avellana height (m) 4 4 Corylus avellana DOMIN cover 1 1 Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock 1 quadrats Agrostis canina Anthoxanthum odoratum Hylocomium splendens Thuidium tamariscinum Potentilla erecta Oxalis acetosella Ranunculus acris Viola riviniana Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Scleropodium purum Hypnum cupressiforme Polytrichum formosum Prunella vulgaris Holcus lanatus 5 1 Primula vulgaris 5 1 Oreopteris limbosperma 4 1 Ptilium cristacastrensis

141 W11b (continued) No. of Quadrat number 1 2 quadrats Succisa pratensis 4 1 Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus 3 1 Veronica chamaedrys 3 1 Blechnum spicant 2 1 Cirriphyllum piliferum 2 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 2 1 Conopodium majus 1 1 Dicranum majus 1 1 Epilobium montanum 1 1 Fissidens taxifolius 1 1 Fraxinus excelsior (seedling) 1 1 Luzula multiflora 1 1 Scapania nemorea 1 1 Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) 1 1 Total no. of field/ground layer spp Mean no. in a 2x2m quadrat

142 W11 Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-oxalis acetosella woodland, not classified to any sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B B B B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Canopy: Betula pubescens height (m) Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 9 4 Sorbus aucuparia height (m) 6 6 Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover 5 5 Alnus glutinosa height (m) Alnus glutinosa d.b.h. (cm) Alnus glutinosa DOMIN cover Fraxinus excelsior height (m) 6 6 Fraxinus excelsior d.b.h. (cm) Fraxinus excelsior DOMIN cover 4 4 Shrub layer: Crataegus monogyna height (m) 6 Crataegus monogyna DOMIN cover 1 Salix aurita height (m) 3 Salix aurita DOMIN cover 4 Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare ground (stones) (DOMIN) 5 quadrats Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Anthoxanthum odoratum Agrostis capillaris Holcus mollis Thuidium tamariscinum Potentilla erecta Oxalis acetosella Polytrichum formosum Conopodium majus Hylocomium splendens Viola palustris Viola riviniana

143 W11 (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Ranunculus acris Molinia caerulea Scleropodium purum Deschampsia cespitosa Ranunculus repens Rumex acetosella Agrostis canina 8 1 Festuca rubra 5 1 Holcus lanatus 5 1 Lolium perenne 5 1 Ajuga reptans 4 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 4 1 Luzula sylvatica 4 1 Oreopteris limbosperma 4 1 Rumex acetosa 4 1 Hypnum cupressiforme 3 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 1 Galium saxatile 3 1 Prunella vulgaris 3 1 Trifolium repens 3 1 Carex binervis 2 1 Cirsium palustre 2 1 Danthonia decumbens 2 1 Mnium hornum 2 1 Pleurozium schreberi 2 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 2 1 Succisa pratensis 2 1 Brachythecium plumosum 1 1 Racomitrium aciculare 1 1 Racomitrium fasciculare 1 1 Centaurea nigra 1 1 Cladonia coniocraea 1 1 Dryopteris filix-mas 1 1 Hyacinthoides non-scripta 1 1 Hypochoeris radicata 1 1 Isothecium myosuroides 1 1 Juncus effusus 1 1 Plantago lanceolata 1 1 Pteridium aquilinum 1 1 Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) 1 1 Total no. of field/ground layer spp Mean no. in a 2x2m quadrat

144 W17a Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-dicranum majus woodland, Isothecium myosuroides- Diplophyllum albicans sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Canopy: Betula pubescens height (m) Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) Betula pubescens DOMIN cover Sorbus aucuparia height (m) Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover Pinus sylvestris height (m) 3 7 Pinus sylvestris d.b.h. (cm) Pinus sylvestris DOMIN cover 1 Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock (DOMIN) quadrats Hymenophyllum wilsonii Hylocomium splendens Vaccinium myrtillus Rhytidiadelphus loreus Polytrichum formosum Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) Diplophyllum albicans Frullania tamarisci Hypnum jutlandicum Racomitrium lanuginosum Plagiochila spinulosa Deschampsia flexuosa Dicranum scoparium Dicranum majus Oxalis acetosella Scapania gracilis Agrostis canina Sphagnum quinquefarium Molinia caerulea Racomitrium aquaticum Galium saxatile Bazzania tricrenata Thuidium tamariscinum Polypodium vulgare Cladonia subcervicornis Festuca vivipara Lepidozia pearsonii Pleurozium schreberi

145 W17a (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Calluna vulgaris Plagiochila punctata Solidago virgaurea Cladonia coniocraea Dryopteris dilatata Erica cinerea Isothecium myosuroides 6 1 Herbertus aduncus 5 1 Pleurozia purpurea 5 1 Potentilla erecta 5 1 Scapania ornithopodioides 5 1 Ctenidium molluscum 4 1 Lejeunea patens 4 1 Mnium hornum 4 1 Palustriella commutata 4 1 Plagiochila carringtonii 4 1 Tortella tortuosa 4 1 Amphidium mougeotti 3 1 Andreaea rupestris 3 1 Anoectangium aestivum 3 1 Bartramia pomiformis 3 1 Breutelia chrysocoma 3 1 Dicranodontium denudatum 3 1 Douinia ovata 3 1 Hypnum cupressiforme 3 1 Parmelia saxatilis 3 1 Sphaerophorus globosus 3 1 Tritomaria quinquedentata 3 1 Anastrepta orcadensis 2 1 Anemone nemorosa 2 1 Aneura pinguis 2 1 Dicranella heteromalla 2 1 Hieracium sp. 2 1 Lophozia ventricosa 2 1 Luzula sylvatica 2 1 Mylia taylorii 2 1 Peltigera sp. 2 1 Rhizomnium punctatum 2 1 Blechnum spicant 1 1 Campylopus atrovirens 1 1 Campylopus flexuosus 1 1 Cladonia portentosa 1 1 Dicranum scottianum 1 1 Holcus lanatus 1 1 Melampyrum pratense 1 1 Oreopteris limbosperma 1 1 Plagiomnium undulatum 1 1 Taraxacum agg. 1 1 Total no. of field/ground layer spp Mean no. in a 2x2m quadrat

146 W17b Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-dicranum majus woodland, Typical sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1743 Northing 6891 Altitude (m) 2225 Slope aspect (o) 27 Slope gradient (o) 25 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Canopy: Betula pubescens height (m) 6 Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 6 Sorbus aucuparia height (m) 4 Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) 5 15 Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover 6 Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): Height of vegetation (cm) 30 Hylocomium splendens 8 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 8 Vaccinium myrtillus 8 Deschampsia flexuosa 5 Pleurozium schreberi 5 Dicranum scoparium 4 Polytrichum formosum 4 Thuidium tamariscinum 4 Agrostis capillaris 3 Calluna vulgaris 3 Carex binervis 3 Hypnum jutlandicum 3 Lepidozia reptans 3 Plagiothecium undulatum 3 Blechnum spicant 2 Oxalis acetosella 2 Sorbus aucuparia (<1.5m tall) 2 Sphagnum quinquefarium 2 Total no. of field/ground layer spp

147 W17c Quercus petraea-betula pubescens-dicranum majus woodland, Anthoxanthum odoratum- Agrostis capillaris sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Canopy: Betula pubescens height (m) 9 10 Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 6 7 Corylus avellana height (m) 5 6 Corylus avellana d.b.h. (cm) Corylus avellana DOMIN cover 5 7 Sorbus aucuparia height (m) 5 4 Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover 4 3 Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare ground 4 quadrats Thuidium tamariscinum Hylocomium splendens Hylocomium umbratum Rhytidiadelphus loreus Agrostis capillaris Oxalis acetosella Viola riviniana Hypnum cupressiforme 5 1 Mnium hornum 5 1 Isothecium myosuroides 4 1 Potentilla erecta 4 1 Dicranum scoparium 3 1 Dryopteris filix-mas 3 1 Galium saxatile 3 1 Isothecium alopecuroides 3 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 1 Scapania gracilis 3 1 Blechnum spicant 2 1 Conopodium majus 2 1 Lysimachia nemorum 2 1 Sorbus aucuparia (<1.5m tall) 2 1 Total no. of field/ground layer spp Mean no. in a 2x2m quadrat

148 W18d Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland, Sphagnum capillifolium/ quinquefarium-erica tetralix sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Canopy: Betula pubescens height (m) Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) Betula pubescens DOMIN cover Sorbus aucuparia height (m) Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover Pinus sylvestris height (m) Pinus sylvestris d.b.h. (cm) Pinus sylvestris DOMIN cover Shrub layer: Pinus sylvestris height (m) Pinus sylvestris DOMIN cover 3 3 Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock (DOMIN) quadrats Molinia caerulea Hypnum jutlandicum Deschampsia flexuosa Hylocomium splendens Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) Vaccinium myrtillus Rhytidiadelphus loreus Dicranum majus Pteridium aquilinum Scapania gracilis Diplophyllum albicans Potentilla erecta Blechnum spicant Betula pubescens (seedling) Racomitrium lanuginosum Cladonia coniocraea Dicranum scoparium

149 W18d (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Galium saxatile Sphagnum capillifolium Ptilium cristacastrensis Agrostis canina Mylia taylorii Pleurozium schreberi Plagiothecium undulatum Polytrichum formosum Campylopus flexuosus Calluna vulgaris Odontoschisma denudatum Cladonia portentosa Dicranodontium denudatum 4 1 Sphagnum quinquefarium 4 1 Sphagnum papillosum 4 1 Cladonia arbuscula 3 1 Lepidozia reptans 3 1 Lophozia ventricosa 3 1 Thuidium tamariscinum 3 1 Mnium hornum 2 1 Narthecium ossifragum 2 1 Andreaea rupestris 1 1 Cladonia subcervicornis 1 1 Cladonia uncialis 1 1 Juncus bulbosus 1 1 Oreopteris limbosperma 1 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 1 1 Solidago virgaurea 1 1 Oxalis acetosella 1 1 Hieracium sp. 1 1 Total no. of field/ground layer spp Mean no. in a 2x2m quadrat

150 W18e Pinus sylvestris-hylocomium splendens woodland, Scapania gracilis sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Canopy: Betula pubescens height (m) Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) Betula pubescens DOMIN cover Sorbus aucuparia height (m) Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover Pinus sylvestris height (m) Pinus sylvestris d.b.h. (cm) Pinus sylvestris DOMIN cover Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock (DOMIN) quadrats Molinia caerulea Vaccinium myrtillus Hypnum jutlandicum Diplophyllum albicans Mnium hornum Bazzania tricrenata Dicranodontium denudatum Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) Plagiothecium undulatum Mylia taylorii Sphagnum quinquefarium Rhytidiadelphus loreus Hymenophyllum wilsonii Polytrichum formosum Andreaea rupestris Cladonia coniocraea Festuca vivipara Plagiochila spinulosa Potentilla erecta Parmelia saxatilis Deschampsia flexuosa 4 1 Dicranum majus

151 W18e (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Herbertus aduncus 4 1 Hylocomium splendens 4 1 Racomitrium lanuginosum 4 1 Agrostis canina 3 1 Lepidozia reptans 3 1 Pleurozium schreberi 3 1 Gymnomitrion obtusum 2 1 Hypogymnia physodes 2 1 Lophozia incisa 2 1 Oxalis acetosella 2 1 Racomitrium aciculare 2 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 1 1 Blechnum spicant 1 1 Dicranella heteromalla 1 1 Isothecium myosuroides 1 1 Platismatia glauca 1 1 Thuidium tamariscinum 1 1 Total no. of field/ground layer spp Mean no. in a 2x2m quadrat

152 W20 Salix lapponum-luzula sylvatica scrub Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Salix lapponum Hylocomium splendens Luzula sylvatica Sphagnum fallax Alchemilla alpina Festuca vivipara Sedum rosea Crepis paludosa Saxifraga stellaris Deschampsia cespitosa 7 1 Vaccinium myrtillus 7 1 Thalictrum alpinum 6 1 Carex viridula oedocarpa 5 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 5 1 Pleurozium schreberi 5 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 5 1 Diplophyllum albicans 4 1 Ranunculus acris 4 1 Sphagnum palustre 4 1 Vaccinium uliginosum 4 1 Calliergon sarmentosum 3 1 Carex pulicaris 3 1 Cladonia arbuscula 3 1 Cladonia portentosa 3 1 Drepanocladus revolvens 3 1 Eriophorum angustifolium 3 1 Galium saxatile 3 1 Hieracium sp. 3 1 Juncus articulatus 3 1 Mnium stellare 3 1 Narthecium ossifragum 3 1 Oxalis acetosella 3 1 Oxyria digyna 3 1 Pellia epiphylla 3 1 Persicaria vivipara 3 1 Phegopteris connectilis 3 1 Philonotis fontana 3 1 Pinguicula vulgaris 3 1 Viola palustris 3 1 Dicranum scoparium 2 1 Dryopteris dilatata 2 1 Huperzia selago 2 1 Pohlia elongata 2 1 Trichophorum cespitosum 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

153 W24 Rubus fruticosus-holcus lanatus underscrub Quadrat number 1 Easting 1447 Northing 6851 Altitude (m) 55 Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 100 W25b Pteridium aquilinum-rubus fruticosus underscrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1681 Northing 6912 Altitude (m) 140 Slope aspect (o) 163 Slope gradient (o) 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 150 Rubus fruticosus 8 Holcus lanatus 6 Potentilla erecta 5 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 5 Agrostis capillaris 4 Ranunculus acris 4 Rumex acetosa 4 Pleurozium schreberi 4 Molinia caerulea 3 Plantago lanceolata 3 Ranunculus repens 2 Corylus avellana seedling 1 Total number of species 12 Pteridium aquilinum 9 Rubus idaeus 6 Holcus lanatus 5 Agrostis capillaris 4 Rubus fruticosus 3 Ranunculus repens 3 Digitalis purpurea 3 Trifolium repens 3 Plantago major 3 Rumex obtusifolius 3 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 Thuidium tamariscinum 3 Urtica dioica 2 Epilobium montanum 2 Poa annua 2 Calliergonella cuspidata 2 Total number of species

154 H10a Calluna vulgaris- Erica cinerea heath, Typical sub-community H10b Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1617 Northing 6882 Altitude (m) 140 Slope aspect (o) 170 Slope gradient (o) 10 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 20 Quadrat number 1 Easting 2666 Northing 7669 Altitude (m) 490 Slope aspect (o) 101 Slope gradient (o) 15 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 25 Bare gravel 4 Erica cinerea 8 Calluna vulgaris 7 Deschampsia flexuosa 4 Pleurozium schreberi 4 Hypnum jutlandicum 4 Dicranum scoparium 3 Euphrasia officinalis agg. 3 Potentilla erecta 3 Carex pilulifera 2 Hieracium sp. 2 Cladonia coccifera 2 Total number of species 11 Calluna vulgaris 8 Erica cinerea 8 Racomitrium lanuginosum 8 Cladonia portentosa 5 Pleurozium schreberi 5 Blechnum spicant 4 Potentilla erecta 4 Betula pubescens seedling 3 Carex binervis 3 Diphasiastrum alpinum 3 Deschampsia flexuosa 2 Hieracium sp. 2 Hylocomium splendens 2 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 2 Vaccinium myrtillus 2 Carex pilulifera 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 1 Sorbus aucuparia seedling 1 Total number of species

155 H10c Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Festuca ovina-anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community H10d Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Thymus polytrichus-carex pulicaris sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1746 Northing 6972 Altitude (m) 460 Slope aspect (o) 182 Slope gradient (o) 15 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 15 Quadrat number 1 Easting 2816 Northing 7463 Altitude (m) 510 Slope aspect (o) 69 Slope gradient (o) 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 35 Bare rock 3 Erica cinerea 8 Calluna vulgaris 7 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 7 Anthoxanthum odoratum 6 Festuca vivipara 6 Pleurozium schreberi 6 Potentilla erecta 5 Agrostis canina 4 Danthonia decumbens 4 Galium saxatile 4 Hylocomium splendens 4 Hypnum jutlandicum 4 Cladonia portentosa 3 Nardus stricta 3 Racomitrium lanuginosum 3 Carex binervis 2 Euphrasia officinalis agg. 2 Luzula multiflora 2 Polytrichum commune 2 Sorbus aucuparia seedling 2 Succisa pratensis 2 Total number of species 21 Calluna vulgaris 8 Alchemilla alpina 4 Blechnum spicant 4 Deschampsia flexuosa 4 Galium saxatile 4 Hylocomium splendens 4 Potentilla erecta 4 Thymus polytrichus 4 Carex binervis 3 Erica cinerea 3 Hypericum pulchrum 3 Phegopteris connectilis 3 Pleurozium schreberi 3 Racomitrium lanuginosum 3 Ranunculus acris 3 Viola riviniana 3 Anemone nemorosa 2 Polygala serpyllifolia 2 Polytrichum commune 2 Veronica officinalis 2 Listera cordata 1 Taraxacum officinale agg. 1 Total number of species

156 H10c-H12c Heath intermediate between H10c Calluna vulgaris-erica cinerea heath, Festuca ovina-anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community and H12c Calluna vulgaris- Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Galium saxatile-festuca ovina sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Calluna vulgaris Erica cinerea Pleurozium schreberi Vaccinium myrtillus Deschampsia flexuosa Rhytidiadelphus loreus Vaccinium vitis-idaea Potentilla erecta Hylocomium splendens Racomitrium lanuginosum Carex binervis Agrostis capillaris Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Anthoxanthum odoratum Campanula rotundifolia Galium saxatile Alchemilla alpina Blechnum spicant Cladonia furcata Thymus polytrichus Cladonia uncialis Festuca vivipara 4 1 Cetraria islandica 3 1 Euphrasia officinalis 3 1 Luzula multiflora 3 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 1 Succisa pratensis 3 1 Viola riviniana 3 1 Cladonia arbuscula 2 1 Cladonia maxima 2 1 Diplophyllum albicans 2 1 Dryopteris dilatata 2 1 Hieracium sp. 2 1 Racomitrium ericoides 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

157 H12a Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath, Typical sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 2745 Northing 7539 Altitude (m) 525 Slope aspect (o) 38 Slope gradient (o) 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 15 Calluna vulgaris 9 Vaccinium myrtillus 7 Pleurozium schreberi 7 Hylocomium splendens 7 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 6 Carex binervis 3 Potentilla erecta 3 Hypnum jutlandicum 3 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 Polytrichum commune 2 Plagiothecium undulatum 2 Blechnum spicant 2 Carex pilulifera 1 Juncus squarrosus 1 Luzula sylvatica 1 Total number of species

158 H12b Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-cladonia portentosa sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Calluna vulgaris Hylocomium splendens Rhytidadelphus loreus Vaccinium myrtillus Racomitrium lanuginosum Deschampsia flexuosa Vaccinium vitis-idaea Pleurozium schreberi Empetrum nigrum nigrum Blechnum spicant Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 4 1 Carex bigelowii 3 1 Cladonia portentosa 3 1 Luzula pilosa 3 1 Polytrichum alpinum 3 1 Potentilla erecta 3 1 Carex binervis 2 1 Cladonia uncialis 2 1 Juncus squarrosus 2 1 Melampyrum pratense 2 1 Polytrichum commune 2 1 Succisa pratensis 2 1 Trichophorum cespitosum 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

159 H12bR Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-cladonia portentosa sub-community, form with much Racomitrium lanuginosum Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Calluna vulgaris Racomitrium lanuginosum Vaccinium myrtillus Cladonia uncialis Deschampsia flexuosa Vaccinium vitis-idaea Cladonia arbuscula Potentilla erecta Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 7 1 Rhytidadelphus loreus 5 1 Polytrichum commune 4 1 Carex bigelowii 3 1 Cladonia portentosa 3 1 Pleurozium schreberi 3 1 Blechnum spicant 2 1 Juncus squarrosus 2 1 Nardus stricta 2 1 Erica cinerea 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

160 H12c Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus heath, Galium saxatile-festuca ovina sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1791 Northing 7007 Altitude (m) 570 Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 15 Calluna vulgaris 8 Deschampsia flexuosa 8 Vaccinum myrtillus 8 Hylocomium splendens 7 Agrostis capillaris 5 Nardus stricta 5 Potentilla erecta 5 Rhytiadelphus loreus 5 Carex binervis 4 Festuca vivipara 4 Hypnum jutlandicum 4 Blechnum spicant 3 Pleurozium schreberi 3 Polytrichum formosum 2 Oreopteris limbosperma 1 Total number of species

161 H13 Calluna vulgaris-cladonia arbuscula heath Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) 208 Slope gradient (o) 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) 5 3 quadrats Calluna vulgaris Cladonia arbuscula Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Cladonia portentosa Vaccinium myrtillus Cladonia coniocraea Cladonia furcata Cladonia rangiferina Polytrichum alpinum Carex bigelowii Deschampsia flexuosa Trichophorum cespitosum Racomitrium lanuginosum Cladonia uncialis 8 1 Coelocaulon aculeatum 4 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 4 1 Loiselurea procumbens 4 1 Cetraria islandica 3 1 Ochrolechia frigida 3 1 Potentilla erecta 3 1 Vaccinium uliginosum 3 1 Vaccinium vitis-idaea 3 1 Festuca vivipara 2 1 Hylocomium splendens 2 1 Nardus stricta 2 1 Ptilidium ciliare 2 1 Solidago virgaurea 2 1 Carex pilulifera 1 1 Polytrichum commune 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

162 H14 Calluna vulgaris-racomitrium lanuginosum heath Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) 10 1 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B A B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) Bare rock (DOMIN) 5 5 No. of Bare soil (DOMIN) quadrats Calluna vulgaris Racomitrium lanuginosum Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Vaccinium myrtillus Cladonia uncialis Juncus trifidus Loiselurea procumbens Alchemilla alpina Festuca vivipara Potentilla erecta Diphasiastrum alpinum Deschampsia flexuosa Ochrolechia frigida Vaccinium vitis-idaea Agrostis canina Carex bigelowii Coelocaulon aculeatum Cetraria islandica Hieracium sp Nardus stricta Antennaria dioica Carex pilulifera Hypnum jutlandicum 6 1 Salix herbacea 4 1 Cladonia portentosa 3 1 Huperzia selago 3 1 Succisa pratensis 3 1 Campanula rotundifolia 2 1 Dicranum scoparium 2 1 Erica cinerea 2 1 Euphrasia officinalis 2 1 Gnaphalium supinum 2 1 Lotus cormiculatus 2 1 Melampyrum pratense 2 1 Polytrichum alpinum 2 1 Solidago virgaurea 2 1 Trichophorum cespitosum 2 1 Vaccinium uliginosum 2 1 Molinia caerulea 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

163 H18a Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa heath, Hylocomium splendens-rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1640 Northing 7007 Altitude (m) 630 Slope aspect (o) 180 Slope gradient (o) 15 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 10 Bare rock (DOMIN) 2 Vaccinium myrtillus 8 Hylocomium splendens 7 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 5 Deschampsia flexuosa 5 Vaccinium vitis-idaea 5 Festuca vivipara 4 Agrostis canina 4 Galium saxatile 4 Hypnum jutlandicum 4 Polytrichum commune 4 Potentilla erecta 4 Racomitrium lanuginosum 3 Pleurozium schreberi 3 Anthoxanthum odoratum 3 Alchemilla alpina 1 Carex binervis 1 Nardus stricta 1 Total number of species

164 H18b Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa heath, Alchemilla alpina-carex pilulifera sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock (DOMIN) 4 quadrats Hylocomium splendens Rhytidiadelphus loreus Vaccinium myrtillus Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Alchemilla alpina Festuca vivipara Potentilla erecta Racomitrium lanuginosum Galium saxatile Thymus polytrichus Vaccinium vitis-idaea 5 1 Agrostis canina 4 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 4 1 Calluna vulgaris 4 1 Carex binervis 4 1 Carex pilulifera 4 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 4 1 Luzula sylvatica 4 1 Pleurozium schreberi 4 1 Campanula rotundifolia 3 1 Diplophyllum albicans 3 1 Nardus stricta 3 1 Deschampsia cespitosa 2 1 Polytrichum alpinum 2 1 Blechnum spicant 1 1 Cladonia uncialis 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

165 H18c Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa heath, Racomitrium lanuginosum-cladonia spp. sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1697 Northing 7482 Altitude (m) 617 Slope aspect (o) 360 Slope gradient (o) 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 7 Hylocomium splendens 7 Vaccinium myrtillus 6 Vaccinium vitis-idaea 6 Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 5 Cladonia arbuscula 4 Deschampsia flexuosa 4 Polytrichum alpinum 4 Racomitrium lanuginosum 4 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 4 Agrostis canina 3 Cladonia uncialis 3 Festuca vivipara 3 Galium saxatile 3 Hypnum jutlandicum 3 Nardus stricta 3 Potentilla erecta 3 Total number of species

166 H19 Vaccinium myrtillus-cladonia arbuscula heath Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) 15 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock (DOMIN) 4 quadrats Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Vaccinium myrtillus Cladonia arbuscula Carex bigelowii Cladonia uncialis Nardus stricta Racomitrium lanuginosum Cladonia portentosa Ochrolechia frigida Polytrichum alpinum Cladonia furcata Diphasiastrum alpinum Vaccinium vitis-idaea Loiselurea procumbens Vaccinium uliginosum 6 1 Cetraria islandica 4 1 Hylocomium splendens 4 1 Calluna vulgaris 3 1 Cladonia rangiferina 3 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 1 Festuca vivipara 3 1 Huperzia selago 3 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 3 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Potentilla erecta 3 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 3 1 Solidago virgaurea 3 1 Galium saxatile 2 1 Ptilidium ciliare 2 1 Racomitrium heterostichum 2 1 Carex pilulifera 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

167 H20a Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Viola riviniana-thymus polytrichus sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1634 Northing 7368 Altitude (m) 740 Slope aspect (o) 270 Slope gradient (o) 20 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 5 Bare rock 4 Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 7 Racomitrium lanuginosum 5 Alchemilla alpina 4 Cladonia uncialis 4 Diphasiastrum alpinum 4 Festuca vivipara 4 Loiselurea procumbens 4 Ochrolechia frigida 4 Agrostis canina 3 Carex bigelowii 3 Cladonia portentosa 3 Thymus polytrichus 3 Vaccinium myrtillus 3 Vaccinium vitis-idaea 3 Galium saxatile 2 Racomitrium fasciculare 1 Total number of species

168 H20b Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Cetraria islandica sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B B B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) Bare rock (DOMIN) No. of Bare soil (DOMIN) 5 quadrats Racomitrium lanuginosum Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Carex bigelowii Festuca vivipara Vaccinium myrtillus Diphasiastrum alpinum Cladonia arbuscula Deschampsia flexuosa Racomitrium sudeticum Rhytidiadelphus loreus Dicranum scoparium Nardus stricta Cladonia uncialis Huperzia selago Cladonia gracilis Vaccinium uliginosum Loiselurea procumbens Hylocomium splendens Pleurozium schreberi Agrostis canina Hypnum jutlandicum Ptilidium ciliare Thamnolia vermicularis Vaccinium vitis-idaea Cetraria islandica Juncus trifidus Alchemilla alpina 3 1 Lophozia ventricosa 3 1 Ochrolechia frigida 3 1 Cladonia coniocraea 2 1 Diplophyllum albicans 2 1 Polytrichum alpinum 2 1 Salix herbacea 2 1 Solidago virgaurea 2 1 Campylopus flexuosus 1 1 Cladonia bellidiflora 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

169 H20c Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Bazzania tricrenata-mylia taylori sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A B B A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock 8 5 quadrats Vaccinium myrtillus Carex bigelowii Bazzania tricrenata Diplophyllum albicans Cladonia uncialis Racomitrium lanuginosum Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Sphagnum capillifolium Mylia taylorii Rhytidiadelphus loreus Nardus stricta Cladonia arbuscula Huperzia selago Deschampsia flexuosa Galium saxatile Hylocomium splendens Plagiochila carringtonii Anastrepta orcadensis Cladonia furcata Scapania gracilis Hypnum jutlandicum Anastrophyllum donnianum Vaccinium vitis-idaea Cetraria islandica Polytrichum commune Dicranodontium uncinatum Plagiothecium undulatum Calluna vulgaris 4 1 Cladonia portentosa 4 1 Pleurozia purpurea 4 1 Campylopus flexuosus 3 1 Cladonia bellidiflora 3 1 Dicranum fuscescens

170 H20c (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Dicranum scoparium 3 1 Lophozia ventricosa 3 1 Luzula sylvatica 3 1 Barbilophozia floerkei 2 1 Bazzania pearsonii 2 1 Cladonia coniocraea 2 1 Gymnomitrion crenulatum 2 1 Ptilidium ciliare 2 1 Scapania nimbosa 2 1 Scapania ornithopodioides 2 1 Cladonia gracilis 1 1 Dryopteris dilatata 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

171 H20d Vaccinium myrtillus-racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Rhytidiadelphus loreus- Hylocomium splendens sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) 5 20 quadrats Hylocomium splendens Vaccinium myrtillus Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Pleurozium schreberi Rhytidiadelphus loreus Vaccinium vitis-idaea Deschampsia flexuosa Racomitrium lanuginosum Alchemilla alpina Luzula sylvatica 5 1 Carex bigelowii 5 1 Festuca vivipara 3 1 Galium saxatile 3 1 Cladonia arbuscula 3 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 4 1 Cetraria islandica 3 1 Diphasiastrum alpinum 2 1 Polytrichum alpinum 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

172 H21a Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus-sphagnum capillifolium heath, Calluna vulgaris- Pteridium aquilinum sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Calluna vulgaris Sphagnum capillifolium Vaccinium myrtillus Hypnum jutlandicum Potentilla erecta Blechnum spicant Deschampsia flexuosa Plagiothecium undulatum Hylocomium splendens Rhytidiadelphus loreus Pleurozium schreberi Polytrichum commune Agrostis canina Cornus suecica Ptilium cristacastrensis Carex binervis Festuca vivipara Galium saxatile Vaccinium vitis-idaea Anastrepta orcadensis 3 1 Cladonia portentosa 3 1 Eriophorum angustifolium 3 1 Juncus squarrosus 3 1 Lophozia ventricosa 3 1 Racomitrium lanuginosum 3 1 Tritomaria quinquedentata 3 1 Empetrum nigrum 2 1 Nardus stricta 2 1 Oxalis acetosella 2 1 Sphagnum subnitens 2 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 1 1 Dicranum scoparium 1 1 Sorbus aucuparia seedling 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

173 H21b Calluna vulgaris-vaccinium myrtillus-sphagnum capillifolium heath, Mastigophora woodsii- Herbertus aduncus sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1798 Northing 6816 Altitude (m) 350 Slope aspect (o) 360 Slope gradient (o) 30 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 25 Calluna vulgaris 8 Vaccinium myrtillus 8 Sphagnum capillifolium 8 Herbertus aduncus 5 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 4 Hylocomium splendens 4 Solidago virgaurea 3 Dicranum scoparium 3 Polytrichum commune 3 Pleurozia purpurea 3 Bazzania tricrenata 3 Mastigophora woodsii 3 Scapania gracilis 3 Mylia taylorii 3 Diplophyllum albicans 3 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 Hymenophyllum wilsonii 3 Hypnum jutlandicum 2 Anastrepta orcadensis 2 Bazzania pearsonii 2 Plagiothecium undulatum 2 Tritomaria quinquedentata 2 Luzula sylvatica 1 Lepidozia pearsonii 1 Saccogyna viticulosa 1 Total number of species

174 H22a Vaccinium myrtillus-rubus chamaemorus heath, Polytrichum commune-galium saxatile sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B A B B A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock 4 1 quadrats Vaccinium myrtillus Sphagnum capillifolium Hylocomium splendens Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Rhytidadelphus loreus Deschampsia flexuosa Polytrichum commune Pleurozium schreberi Nardus stricta Vaccinium vitis-idaea Racomitrium lanuginosum Luzula sylvatica Dicranum scoparium Potentilla erecta Vaccinium uliginosum Cornus suecica Blechnum spicant Anastrepta orcadensis Diplophyllum albicans Calluna vulgaris Juncus squarrosus Galium saxatile Festuca vivipara Carex bigelowii Cladonia arbuscula Ptilidium ciliare Alchemilla alpina Eriophorum vaginatum 4 1 Rubus chamaemorus 4 1 Bazzania tricrenata 4 1 Calypogeia muelleriana 3 1 Lophozia ventricosa 3 1 Trichophorum cespitosum

175 H22a (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Trientalis europaea 3 1 Carex binervis 3 1 Cladonia furcata 3 1 Deschampsia cespitosa 3 1 Mylia taylorii 3 1 Plagiothecium undulatum 2 1 Polytrichum strictum 2 1 Melampyrum pratense 3 1 Racomitrium heterostichum 2 1 Scapania gracilis 2 1 Stereocaulon vesuvianum 3 1 Cladonia uncialis 2 1 Cladonia portentosa 3 1 Cladonia coccifera 2 1 Cladonia coniocraea 2 1 Sphagnum palustre 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

176 H22b Vaccinium myrtillus-rubus chamaemorus heath, Plagiothecium undulatum-anastrepta orcadensis sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) 10 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Hylocomium splendens Calluna vulgaris Vaccinium myrtillus Rhytidiadelphus loreus Sphagnum capillifolium Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Pleurozium schreberi Vaccinium vitis-idaea Blechnum spicant Deschampsia flexuosa Galium saxatile Juncus squarrosus Cornus suecica 5 1 Carex binervis 4 1 Vaccinium uliginosum 4 1 Carex bigelowii 3 1 Cladonia arbuscula 3 1 Cladonia coniocraea 3 1 Cladonia uncialis 3 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Potentilla erecta 3 1 Stereocaulon vesuvianum 3 1 Luzula sylvatica 2 1 Melampyrum pratense 2 1 Nardus stricta 2 1 Oxalis acetosella 2 1 Trichophorum cespitosum 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

177 HX Vaccinium myrtillus-sphagnum capillifolium heath Quadrat number 1 Easting 2015 Northing 7650 Altitude (m) 440 Slope aspect (o) 45 Slope gradient (o) 20 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 20 Vaccinium myrtillus 9 Hylocomium splendens 7 Pleurozium schreberi 6 Sphagnum capillifolium 5 Blechnum spicant 4 Deschampsia flexuosa 4 Agrostis canina 4 Potentilla erecta 4 Galium saxatile 3 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 3 Oxalis acetosella 3 Thuidium tamariscinum 3 Polytrichum commune 1 Nardus stricta 1 Sorbus aucuparia (20cm tall) 1 Total number of species

178 M1 Sphagnum denticulatum bog pool community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Open water (DOMIN) 4 4 quadrats Sphagnum denticulatum Eriophorum angustifolium Sphagnum cuspidatum 6 1 Myrica gale 3 1 Narthecium ossifragum 3 1 Carex echinata 1 1 Erica tetralix 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat 4 M3 Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1857 Northing 6862 Altitude (m) 220 Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 35 Bare wet peat 8 Eriophorum angustifolium 5 Trichophorum cespitosum 3 Carex panicea 3 Juncus bulbosus 2 Narthecium ossifragum 2 Total number of species 5 170

179 M4 Carex rostrata-sphagnum fallax mire Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B B A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Open water (DOMIN) 5 quadrats Carex rostrata Carex nigra Carex echinata Eriophorum angustifolium Sphagnum fallax Potentilla erecta Sphagnum denticulatum Molinia caerulea Viola palustris Polytrichum commune Euphrasia officinalis Juncus bulbosus Succisa pratensis Parnassia palustris 5 1 Festuca vivipara 4 1 Juncus squarrosus 4 1 Myrica gale 4 1 Ranunculus acris 4 1 Sphagnum palustre 4 1 Carex panicea 3 1 Epilobium palustre 3 1 Juncus acutiflorus 3 1 Juncus articulatus 3 1 Leontodon autumnalis 3 1 Plagiomnium undulatum 3 1 Pleurozium schreberi 3 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 3 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 1 Narthecium ossifragum 2 1 Pedicularis sylvatica 2 1 Drosera rotundifolia 1 1 Sphagnum cuspidatum 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

180 M6a Carex echinata-sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Carex echinata sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1460 Northing 7324 Altitude (m) 560 Slope aspect (o) 336 Slope gradient (o) 2 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 15 Carex echinata 9 Sphagnum denticulatum 8 Viola palustris 4 Calluna vulgaris 3 Carex panicea 3 Euphrasia officinalis 3 Leontodon autumnalis 3 Molinia caerulea 3 Potentilla erecta 3 Sphagnum palustre 3 Erica tetralix 2 Eriophorum angustifolium 2 Juncus bulbosus 2 Nardus stricta 2 Pinguicula vulgaris 2 Total number of species

181 M6b Carex echinata-sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Carex nigra-nardus stricta sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Open water 3 quadrats Sphagnum fallax Carex echinata Carex nigra Sphagnum palustre Eriophorum angustifolium Potentilla erecta Juncus squarrosus Molinia caerulea Nardus stricta Viola palustris Juncus effusus Aulacomnium palustre Leontodon autumnalis Ranunculus flammula Sphagnum denticulatum Succisa pratensis Galium saxatile Carex panicea 5 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 4 1 Carex viridula oedocarpa 3 1 Epilobium alsinifolium 3 1 Festuca vivipara 3 1 Pedicularis sylvatica 3 1 Pinguicula vulgaris 3 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Ranunculus acris 3 1 Selaginella selaginoides 3 1 Agrostis canina 2 1 Erica tetralix 2 1 Juncus articulatus 2 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 2 1 Holcus lanatus 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

182 M6c Carex echinata-sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Juncus effusus sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Juncus effusus Polytrichum commune Carex nigra Holcus lanatus Potentilla erecta Rumex acetosa Galium saxatile Hylocomium splendens 5 1 Sphagnum palustre 4 1 Eriophorum angustifolium 2 1 Molinia caerulea 2 1 Viola palustris 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

183 M6d Carex echinata-sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Juncus acutiflorus sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) 180 Slope gradient (o) 1 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Juncus acutiflorus Sphagnum fallax Carex nigra Polytrichum commune Potentilla erecta Viola palustris Eriophorum angustifolium Juncus effusus Sphagnum denticulatum 8 1 Carex echinata 4 1 Sphagnum palustre 3 1 Sphagnum papillosum 3 1 Galium saxatile 2 1 Holcus lanatus 2 1 Carex rostrata 1 1 Luzula multiflora 1 1 Ranunculus acris 1 1 Rumex acetosa 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

184 M7 Carex curta-sphagnum russowii mire Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Carex curta Eriophorum angustifolium Polytrichum commune Sphagnum denticulatum Carex bigelowii Scapania undulata Sphagnum fallax Drepanocladus revolvens Deschampsia cespitosa Viola palustris Pinguicula vulgaris Potentilla erecta Thalictrum alpinum Carex viridula oedocarpa Sphagnum cuspidatum Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Saxifraga stellaris Alchemilla alpina Rhytidiadelphus loreus Agrostis capillaris 5 1 Sphagnum papillosum 5 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 4 1 Sphagnum palustre 4 1 Sphagnum squarrosum 4 1 Calliergonella cuspidata 3 1 Caltha palustris 3 1 Carex nigra 3 1 Euphrasia officinalis 3 1 Juncus bulbosus 3 1 Marsupella emarginata 3 1 Nardus stricta 3 1 Pellia epiphylla 3 1 Persicaria vivipara 3 1 Scapania uliginosa 3 1 Trichophorum cespitosum

185 M7 (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Agrostis canina 2 1 Dicranella palustris 2 1 Galium saxatile 2 1 Huperzia selago 2 1 Hylocomium splendens 2 1 Narthecium ossifragum 2 1 Pleurozium schreberi 2 1 Racomitrium heterostichum 2 1 Rubus chamaemorus 2 1 Salix herbacea 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

186 M9a Carex rostrata-calliergonella cuspidata/calliergon giganteum mire, Campylium stellatum- Scorpidium scorpioides sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1783 Northing 7004 Altitude (m) 555 Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 30 Carex rostrata 7 Trichophorum cespitosum 6 Calliergonella cuspidata 4 Carex viridula oedocarpa 4 Succisa pratensis 4 Thalictrum alpinum 4 Carex nigra 3 Carex panicea 3 Ctenidium molluscum 3 Eriophorum angustifolium 3 Juncus squarrosus 3 Narthecium ossifragum 3 Pinguicula vulgaris 3 Potentilla erecta 3 Taraxacum officinale agg. 3 Viola palustris 3 Blindia acuta 2 Carex dioica 2 Rhinanthus minor 2 Total number of species

187 M10a Carex dioica-pinguicula vulgaris mire, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-juncus bulbosus/ kochii sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock/stones (DOMIN) quadrats Carex panicea Narthecium ossifragum Scorpidium scorpioides Carex dioica Carex viridula oedocarpa Eriophorum angustifolium Blindia acuta Carex hostiana Trichophorum cespitosum Pinguicula vulgaris Erica tetralix Campylium stellatum Drepanocladus revolvens Juncus bulbosus Drosera rotundifolia Racomitrium fasciculare Aneura pinguis Hylocomium splendens Sphagnum denticulatum Succisa pratensis Calliergon trifarium 7 1 Molinia caerulea 3 1 Rhizomnium punctatum 3 1 Breutelia chrysocoma 2 1 Carex pulicaris 2 1 Juncus articulatus 2 1 Parmelia omphalodes 2 1 Racomitrium lanuginosum 2 1 Rhynchospora alba 2 1 Selaginella selaginoides 2 1 Sphagnum subnitens 2 1 Triglochin palustris 2 1 Anthelia julacea 1 1 Euphrasia agg. 1 1 Fraxinus excelsior (seedling) 1 1 Juncus squarrosus 1 1 Leontodon autumnalis 1 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 1 1 Saxifraga aizoides 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

188 M11a Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-saxifraga aizoides mire, Thalictrum alpinum-juncus triglumis sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock, stones and soil quadrats Blindia acuta Saxifraga aizoides Carex viridula oedocarpa Carex panicea Carex pulicaris Pinguicula vulgaris Festuca vivipara Euphrasia officinalis agg Selaginella selaginoides Carex dioica Campylium stellatum Drepanocladus revolvens Juncus triglumis Aneura pinguis Narthecium ossifragum Thalictrum alpinum Hylocomium splendens Taraxacum agg Ctenidium molluscum 4 1 Scorpidium scorpioides 4 1 Agrostis capillaris 3 1 Bryum pseudotriquetrum 3 1 Juncus bulbosus 3 1 Lotus corniculatus 3 1 Molinia caerulea 3 1 Potentilla erecta 3 1 Scapania undulata 3 1 Viola palustris 3 1 Carex nigra 2 1 Crepis paludosa 2 1 Deschampsia cespitosa 2 1 Drosera rotundifolia 2 1 Leontodon autumnalis

189 M11a (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Linum catharticum 2 1 Nardus stricta 2 1 Palustriella commutata 2 1 Philonotis fontana 2 1 Ranunculus acris 2 1 Thymus poytrichus 2 1 Tofieldia pusilla 2 1 Trichophorum cespitosum 2 1 Erica tetralix 1 1 Luzula sylvatica 1 1 Plantago maritima 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

190 M11b Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-saxifraga aizoides mire, Palustriella commutata- Eleocharis quinqueflora sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 2374 Northing 7517 Altitude (m) 575 Slope aspect (o) 60 Slope gradient (o) 10 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 15 Rock/stones 6 Scorpidium scorpioides 7 Carex panicea 4 Carex viridula oedocarpa 4 Saxifraga aizoides 4 Carex dioica 3 Eriophorum latifolium 3 Pinguicula vulgaris 3 Trichophorum cespitosum 3 Triglochin palustris 3 Blindia acuta 2 Palustriella commutata 2 Tofieldia pusilla 2 Total number of species

191 M12 Carex saxatilis mire Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A B A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Carex saxatilis Viola palustris Nardus stricta Deschampsia cespitosa Hylocomium splendens Scapania undulata Thalictrum alpinum Sphagnum denticulatum Ranunculus acris Alchemilla alpina Pinguicula vulgaris Trichophorum cespitosum Anthelia julacea Potentilla erecta Calliergonella cuspidata Alchemilla glabra Eriophorum angustifolium Anthoxanthum odoratum Carex viridula oedocarpa Polytrichum commune Campylium stellatum Juncus squarrosus Marsupella emarginata Narthecium ossifragum Polytrichum alpinum Carex pulicaris 6 1 Persicaria vivipara 5 1 Calliergon trifarium 4 1 Carex bigelowii 4 1 Carex dioica 4 1 Ctenidium molluscum 4 1 Galium saxatile 4 1 Racomitrium lanuginosum 4 1 Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus 4 1 Succisa pratensis

192 M12 (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Calliergon sarmentosum 3 1 Carex curta 3 1 Carex panicea 3 1 Epilobium anagallidifolium 3 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 1 Salix herbacea 3 1 Saxifraga stellaris 3 1 Silene acaulis 3 1 Sphagnum contortum 3 1 Taraxacum officinale agg. 3 1 Tofieldia pusilla 3 1 Vaccinium myrtillus 3 1 Coeloglossum viride 2 1 Juncus bulbosus 2 1 Leontodon autumnalis 2 1 Ranunculus flammula 2 1 Sphagnum capillifolium 2 1 Sphagnum fallax 2 1 Thymus polytrichus 2 1 Huperzia selago 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

193 M15a Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Carex panicea sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B B A B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock/wet peat/open water quadrats Narthecium ossifragum Trichophorum cespitosum Sphagnum denticulatum Carex panicea Eriophorum angustifolium Molinia caerulea Drosera rotundifolia Erica tetralix Rhynchospora alba Myrica gale Breutelia chrysocoma Carex viridula oedocarpa Juncus bulbosus Hylocomium splendens Carex echinata Sphagnum capillifolium Succisa pratensis Nardus stricta Potentilla erecta Sphagnum papillosum Hypnum jutlandicum Potamogeton polygonifolius Calluna vulgaris Juncus squarrosus Pedicularis sylvatica Selaginella selaginoides Nardia compressa 8 1 Thuidium tamariscinum 5 1 Calliergon sarmentosum 4 1 Campylopus atrovirens 4 1 Drepanocladus revolvens 4 1 Scorpidium scorpidioides 4 1 Sphagnum subnitens 4 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum

194 W15a (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Euphrasia agg. 3 1 Festuca ovina 3 1 Festuca vivipara 3 1 Linum catharticum 3 1 Plantago lanceolata 3 1 Prunella vulgaris 3 1 Ranunculus acris 3 1 Ranunculius flammula 3 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 1 Scleropodium purum 3 1 Thymus polytrichus 3 1 Viola riviniana 3 1 Anthelia julacea 2 1 Agrostis canina 2 1 Blindia acuta 2 1 Carex nigra 2 1 Carex pulicaris 2 1 Lathyrus linifolius 2 1 Pinguicula vulgaris 2 1 Pleurozium schreberi 2 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 2 1 Racomitrium lanuginosum 2 1 Anemone nemorosa 1 1 Carex capillaris 1 1 Dactylorhiza maculata 1 1 Frullania tamarisci 1 1 Leontodon autumnalis 1 1 Salix aurita (20cm tall) 1 1 Thalictrum alpinum 1 1 Vaccinium myrtillus 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

195 M15b Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Typical sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Sphagnum capillifolium Trichophorum cespitosum Molinia caerulea Erica tetralix Narthecium ossifragum Juncus squarrosus Potentilla erecta Sphagnum tenellum Sphagnum papillosum Polygala serpyllifolia Drosera rotundifolia Rhytidiadelphus loreus Myrica gale 6 1 Eriophorum angustifolium 4 1 Agrostis canina 3 1 Hylocomium splendens 3 1 Carex echinata 2 1 Pleurozium schreberi 2 1 Racomitrium lanuginosum 2 1 Sphagnum cuspidatum 2 1 Sphagnum denticulatum 2 1 Calluna vulgaris 1 1 Cladonia uncialis 1 1 Dicranum scoparium 1 1 Eriophorum vaginatum 1 1 Juncus acutiflorus 1 1 Nardus stricta 1 1 Pedicularis sylvatica 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

196 M15c Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Cladonia sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B A B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock 1 4 quadrats Racomitrium lanuginosum Trichophorum cespitosum Calluna vulgaris Potentilla erecta Molinia caerulea Erica cinerea Nardus stricta Erica tetralix Cladonia uncialis Sphagnum capillifolium Narthecium ossifragum Polygala serpyllifolia Sphagnum tenellum Carex panicea Succisa pratensis Cladonia portentosa 6 1 Cladonia arbuscula 5 1 Breutelia chrysocoma 4 1 Campylopus atrovirens 4 1 Eriophorum angustifolium 4 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 4 1 Pleurozia purpurea 4 1 Agrostis canina 3 1 Euphrasia officinalis agg. 3 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Dactylorhiza maculata 2 1 Drosera rotundifolia 2 1 Juncus squarrosus 2 1 Pedicularis sylvatica 2 1 Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) 2 1 Campylopus flexuosus 1 1 Carex binervis 1 1 Huperzia selago 1 1 Pinguicula vulgaris 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

197 M15d Trichophorum cespitosum-erica tetralix wet heath, Vaccinium myrtillus sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Trichophorum cespitosum Juncus squarrosus Rhytidiadelphus loreus Sphagnum capillifolium Hylocomium splendens Vaccinium myrtillus Calluna vulgaris Hypnum jutlandicum Nardus stricta Vaccinium vitis-idaea Deschampsia flexuosa Empetrum nigrum nigrum Potentilla erecta Cladonia arbuscula Eriophorum angustifolium Molinia caerulea 6 1 Vaccinium uliginosum 6 1 Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 5 1 Erica tetralix 4 1 Polytrichum strictum 4 1 Cladonia portentosa 3 1 Cladonia uncialis 3 1 Listera cordata 3 1 Agrostis canina 2 1 Carex bigelowii 2 1 Dicranum scoparium 2 1 Luzula multifora 2 1 Narthecium ossifragum 2 1 Plagiothecium undulatum 2 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 2 1 Ptilidium ciliare 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

198 M17a Trichophorum cespitosum-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Drosera rotundifolia- Sphagnum sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Sphagnum papillosum Trichophorum cespitosum Sphagnum capillifolium Calluna vulgaris Eriophorum angustifolium Narthecium ossifragum Eriophorum vaginatum Molinia caerulea Potentilla erecta Erica tetralix Drosera rotundifolia Sphagnum tenellum Juncus squarrosus Pleurozia purpurea 4 1 Cladonia arbuscula 3 1 Cladonia uncialis 3 1 Euphrasia officinalis 3 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 3 1 Mylia anomala 3 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 3 1 Sphagnum cuspidatum 3 1 Carex echinata 2 1 Carex pauciflora 2 1 Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 2 1 Huperzia selago 2 1 Pinguicula vulgaris 2 1 Racomitrium lanuginosum 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

199 M17c Trichophorum cespitosum-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Juncus squarrosus- Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) 5 1 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare peat + open water (DOMIN) 4 quadrats Sphagnum capillifolium Juncus squarrosus Calluna vulgaris Drosera rotundifolia Sphagnum papillosum Eriophorum vaginatum Erica tetralix Eriophorum angustifolium Molinia caerulea Potentilla erecta Trichophorum cespitosum Narthecium ossifragum Nardus stricta Sphagnum tenellum Pinguicula vulgaris Viola palustris Polygala serpyllifolia Sphagnum cuspidatum 6 1 Carex echinata 4 1 Pleurozium schreberi 4 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 4 1 Vaccinum myrtillus 4 1 Carex panicea 3 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 3 1 Lophozia ventricosa 3 1 Mylia anomala 3 1 Agrostis canina 2 1 Cladonia uncialis 2 1 Festuca vivipara 2 1 Hylocomium splendens 2 1 Polytrichum commune 2 1 Huperzia selago 1 1 Racomitrium lanuginosum 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

200 M19a Calluna vulgaris-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Erica tetralix sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) 5 2 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Calluna vulgaris Eriophorum vaginatum Sphagnum capillifolium Hylocomium splendens Erica tetralix Rhytidiadelphus loreus Eriophorum angustifolium Molinia caerulea Pleurozium schreberi 6 1 Empetrum nigrum nigrum 4 1 Narthecium ossifragum 3 1 Potentilla erecta 3 1 Sphagnum papillosum 3 1 Listera cordata 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

201 M19c Calluna vulgaris-eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Vaccinium vitis-idaea- Hylocomium splendens sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B B A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Eriophorum vaginatum Sphagnum capillifolium Hylocomium splendens Pleurozium schreberi Vaccinium myrtillus Calluna vulgaris Rhytidiadelphus loreus Vaccinium vitis-idaea Eriophorum angustifolium Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Rubus chamaemorus Juncus squarrosus Cornus suecica Deschampsia flexuosa Carex bigelowii Empetrum nigrum nigrum Polytrichum commune Sphagnum papillosum Trichophorum cespitosum Cladonia portentosa Melampyrum pratense Plagiothecium undulatum Potentilla erecta Vaccinium uliginosum 8 1 Carex binervis 3 1 Listera cordata 3 1 Mylia taylorii 3 1 Ptilidium ciliare 3 1 Racomitrium lanuginosum 3 1 Sphagnum tenellum 3 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 2 1 Cladonia uncialis 2 1 Galium saxatile 2 1 Luzula sylvatica 2 1 Nardus stricta 2 1 Narthecium ossifragum 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

202 M23a Juncus effusus/acutiflorus- Galium palustre rush pasture, Juncus acutiflorus sub-community M23b Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-galium palustre rush pasture, Juncus effusus sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 2266 Northing 7595 Altitude (m) 240 Slope aspect (o) 312 Slope gradient (o) 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 60 Quadrat number 1 Easting 1813 Northing 6856 Altitude (m) 215 Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 70 Juncus acutiflorus 7 Viola palustris 6 Ranunculus acris 5 Anthoxanthum odoratum 4 Carex echinata 4 Hylocomium splendens 4 Polytrichum commune 4 Agrostis capillaris 3 Calliergonella cuspidata 3 Carex nigra 3 Cirsium palustre 3 Crepis paludosa 3 Epilobium palustre 3 Filipendula ulmaria 3 Holcus lanatus 3 Juncus effusus 3 Molinia caerulea 3 Ranunculus flammula 3 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 Sphagnum fallax 3 Succisa pratensis 3 Achillea ptarmica 2 Galium palustre 2 Juncus effusus 8 Thuidium tamariscinum 8 Calliergonella cuspidata 5 Rumex acetosa 5 Hylocomium splendens 4 PseudoScleropodium purum 4 Ranunculus acris 4 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 4 Viola palustris 4 Deschampsia cespitosa 3 Digitalis purpurea 3 Dryopteris dilatata 3 Galium saxatile 3 Holcus lanatus 3 Lophocolea bidentata 3 Polytrichum commune 3 Total number of species 16 Total number of species

203 M25a Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire, Erica tetralix sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) 2 2 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Molinia caerulea Potentilla erecta Trichophorum cespitosum Agrostis canina Carex echinata Galium saxatile Hypnum jutlandicum Eriophorum vaginatum 4 1 Sphagnum capillifolium 4 1 Pleurozium schreberi 3 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Oreopteris limbosperma 2 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 2 1 Juncus squarrosus 1 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

204 M25b Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Molinia caerulea Hylocomium splendens Hypnum jutlandicum Agrostis canina Anthoxanthum odoratum Galium saxatile Polytrichum commune Potentilla erecta Carex panicea Festuca vivipara Nardus stricta 4 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 4 1 Trichophorum cespitosum 4 1 Carex echinata 3 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 1 Holcus lanatus 3 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 3 1 Viola palustris 3 1 Festuca ovina 2 1 Juncus squarrosus 2 1 Luzula multiflora 2 1 Blechnum spicant 1 1 Juncus effusus 1 1 Oreopteris limbosperma 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

205 M25c Molinia caerulea-potentilla erecta mire, Angelica sylvestris sub-community M27 Filipendula ulmaria- Angelica sylvestris tall-herb fen Quadrat number 1 Easting 2247 Northing 7561 Altitude (m) 305 Slope aspect (o) 358 Slope gradient (o) 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 30 Quadrat number 1 Easting 1449 Northing 6858 Altitude (m) 55 Slope aspect (o) 231 Slope gradient (o) 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 150 Molinia caerulea 9 Calliergonella cuspidata 5 Succisa pratensis 5 Anthoxanthum odoratum 4 Carex echinata 4 Potentilla erecta 4 Cirsium palustre 3 Holcus lanatus 3 Hylocomium splendens 3 Lysimachia nemorum 3 Narthecium ossifragum 3 Parnassia palustris 3 Polytrichum commune 3 Prunella vulgaris 3 Ranunculus flammula 3 Rhinanthus minor 3 Sphagnum fallax 3 Carex panicea 2 Dactylorhiza maculata 2 Euphrasia agg. 2 Filipendula ulmaria 2 Pedicularis sylvatica 2 Pinguicula vulgaris 2 Ranunculus acris 2 Selaginella selaginoides 2 Valeriana officinalis 2 Carex rostrata 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 1 Filipendula ulmaria 7 Athyrium filix-femina 4 Calliergonella cuspidata 4 Cirsium palustre 3 Epilobium palustre 3 Rumex obtusifolius 3 Juncus effusus 3 Cardamine pratensis 3 Rumex acetosa 3 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 Galium saxatile 2 Lophocolea bidentata 2 Total number of species 12 Total number of species

206 M31 Anthelia julacea-sphagnum denticulatum spring Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A A B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare peat + surface water 5 quadrats Anthelia julacea Deschampsia cespitosa Sphagnum denticulatum Scapania undulata Racomitrium lanuginosum Pinguicula vulgaris Narthecium ossifragum Saxifraga stellaris Polytrichum alpinum Marsupella emarginata Thalictrum alpinum Galium saxatile Nardus stricta Carex saxatilis Eriophorum angustifolium Oligotrichum hercynicum Polytrichum commune Trichophorum cespitosum Viola palustris Agrostis capillaris Huperzia selago Persicaria vivipara Salix herbacea Philonotis seriata Anthelia juratzkana 4 1 Caltha palustris radicans 4 1 Thymus polytrichus 4 1 Alchemilla alpina 3 1 Armeria maritima 3 1 Cochlearia pyrenaica alpina 3 1 Dicranella palustris 3 1 Diphasiastrum alpinum 3 1 Epilobium anagallidifolium 3 1 Juncus trifidus

207 M31 (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Kiaeria starkei 3 1 Luzula multiflora 3 1 Pohlia ludwigii 3 1 Polytrichum sexangulare 3 1 Potentilla erecta 3 1 Racomitrium fasciculare 3 1 Selaginella selaginoides 3 1 Carex bigelowii 2 1 Carex curta 2 1 Hylocomium splendens 2 1 Pleurocladula albescens 2 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 2 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 2 1 Scapania uliginosa 2 1 Taraxacum officinale agg. 2 1 Alchemilla glabra 1 1 Calluna vulgaris 1 1 Ranunculus acris 1 1 Sphagnum papillosum 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

208 M32a Philonotis fontana-saxifraga stellaris spring, Sphagnum denticulatum sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Sphagnum denticulatum Polytrichum commune Saxifraga stellaris Eriophorum angustifolium Viola palustris Scapania undulata Philonotis fontana Anthoxanthum odoratum Agrostis canina Sphagnum squarrosum 7 1 Calliergon sarmentosum 6 1 Carex bigelowii 4 1 Festuca vivipara 3 1 Agrostis vineale 2 1 Deschampsia cespitosa 2 1 Huperzia selago 2 1 Juncus bulbosus 2 1 Juncus squarrosus 2 1 Ranunculus flammula 2 1 Drepanocladus fluitans 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat 9 200

209 M32b Philonotis fontana-saxifraga stellaris spring, Montia fontana-chrysosplenium oppositifolium sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Open water 4 4 quadrats Philonotis fontana Scapania undulata Saxifraga stellaris Dicranella palustris Deschampsia cespitosa alpina Sphagnum denticulatum Thalictrum alpinum Epilobium anagallidifolium Drepanocladus fluitans Montia fontana Scapania uliginosa Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Festuca vivipara Viola palustris Philonotis seriata 9 1 Epilobium alsinifolium 4 1 Eriophorum angustifolium 4 1 Jungermannia exsertifolia 4 1 Caltha palustris radicans 3 1 Carex hostiana 3 1 Cerastium cerastioides 3 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Rumex acetosa 3 1 Sphagnum fallax 3 1 Sphagnum squarrosum 3 1 Agrostis capillaris 2 1 Carex bigelowii 2 1 Pellia epiphylla 2 1 Ranunculus acris 2 1 Alchemilla glabra 1 1 Equisetum arvense 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

210 M33 Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare stones 3 3 quadrats Pohlia wahlenbergii glacialis Saxifraga stellaris Deschampsia cespitosa alpina Cerastium cerastioides Philonotis fontana Pohlia ludwigii Saxifraga rivularis Palustriella commutata 5 1 Bryum pseudotriquetrum 4 1 Cochlearia pyrenaica alpina 4 1 Agrostis capillaris 3 1 Dicranum glaciale 3 1 Kiaeria starkei 3 1 Philonotis seriata 3 1 Rhizomnium punctatum 3 1 Alchemilla glabra 2 1 Carex bigelowii 2 1 Ranunculus acris 2 1 Sibbaldia procumbens 2 1 Trollius europaeus 2 1 Veronica alpina 2 1 Hylocomium splendens 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat 7 202

211 M37 Palustriella commutata-festuca rubra spring Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) Bare rock (DOMIN) 5 No. of Open water (DOMIN) quadrats Palustriella commutata Bryum pseudotriquetrum Festuca rubra Saxifraga aizoides Ranunculus acris Pinguicula vulgaris Carex viridula oedocarpa Deschampsia cespitosa Taraxacum officinale Persicaria vivipara Carex panicea 5 1 Festuca ovina 5 1 Dicranella palustris 3 1 Leiocolea bantriensis 3 1 Montia fontana 3 1 Philonotis fontana 3 1 Trifolium repens 3 1 Brachythecium plumosum 2 1 Euphrasia officinalis agg. 2 1 Thalictrum alpinum 2 1 Trichophorum cespitosum 2 1 Blindia acuta 1 1 Equisetum arvense 1 1 Equisetum variegatum 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat 9 203

212 MX Herb-rich small-sedge mire Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Succisa pratensis Nardus stricta Calliergonella cuspidata Carex echinata Carex nigra Potentilla erecta Sphagnum fallax Carex panicea Festuca vivipara Ranunculus acris Hylocomium splendens Molinia caerulea Parnassia palustris Polytrichum commune Euprasia officinalis agg Galium saxatile Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Viola palustris Carex binervis Anthoxanthum odoratum 5 1 Juncus bulbosus 5 1 Luzula multiflora 4 1 Sphagnum palustre 4 1 Trifolium repens 4 1 Agrostis canina 3 1 Aulacomnium palusre 3 1 Cardamine pratensis 3 1 Carex pulicaris 3 1 Carex viridula oedocarpa 3 1 Epilobium palustre 3 1 Juncus squarrosus 3 1 Leontodon autumnalis 3 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 3 1 Ranunculus flammula 3 1 Rumex acetosa 3 1 Sphagnum squarrosum

213 MX (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Ajuga reptans 2 1 Carex hostiana 2 1 Cirsium palustre 2 1 Prunella vulgaris 2 1 Rhinanthus minor 2 1 Taraxacum agg. 2 1 Danthonia decumbens 1 1 Pinguicula vulgaris 1 1 Scleropodium purum 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

214 MG9a Holcus lanatus-deschampsia cespitosa grassland, Poa trivialis sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1868 Northing 6879 Altitude (m) 225 Slope aspect (o) 152 Slope gradient (o) 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 150 Juncus effusus 7 Deschampsia cespitosa 6 Dryopteris filix-mas 6 Holcus lanatus 6 Polytichum commune 5 Rumex acetosa 5 Thuidium tamariscinum 5 Festuca vivipara 4 Hylocomium splendens 4 Lophocolea bidentata 3 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 Total number of species

215 CG10a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland, Trifolium repens- Luzula campestris sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) 345 Slope gradient (o) 2 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Festuca vivipara Thymus polytrichus Agrostis capillaris Hylocomium splendens Potentilla erecta Galium saxatile Euphrasia officinalis agg Ranunculus acris Viola riviniana Luzula multiflora Pleurozium schreberi 8 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 6 1 Carex binervis 5 1 Carex caryophyllea 5 1 Lotus corniculatus 4 1 Plantago lanceolata 4 1 Prunella vulgaris 4 1 Rumex acetosa 4 1 Trifolium repens 4 1 Alchemilla alpina 3 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 3 1 Campanula rotundifolia 3 1 Danthonia decumbens 3 1 Hieracium sp. 3 1 Hypochoeris radicata 3 1 Mnium hornum 3 1 Persicaria vivipara 3 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 3 1 Racomitrium ericoides 3 1 Succisa pratensis 3 1 Taraxacum officinale agg. 3 1 Veronica officinalis 3 1 Deschampsia cespitosa 2 1 Holcus lanatus 2 1 Polytrichum commune 2 1 Rumex acetosella 2 1 Vaccinium myrtillus 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

216 CG10b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland, Carex pulicaris- Carex panicea sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1746 Northing 6964 Altitude (m) 395 Slope aspect (o) 216 Slope gradient (o) 25 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 7 Festuca vivipara 8 Anthoxanthum odoratum 6 Hylocomium splendens 6 Carex pulicaris 5 Thymus polytrichus 5 Breutelia chrysocoma 4 Carex caryophyllea 4 Galium saxatile 4 Plantago lanceolata 4 Potentilla erecta 4 Prunella vulgaris 4 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 4 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 4 Achillea millefolium 3 Alchemilla alpina 3 Carex flacca 3 Carex panicea 3 Euphrasia officinalis 3 Holcus lanatus 3 Linum catharticum 3 Nardus stricta 3 Polygala serpyllifolia 3 Racomitrium lanuginosum 3 Ranunculus acris 3 Rumex acetosa 3 Viola riviniana 3 Anemone nemorosa 2 Botrychium lunaria 2 Conopodium majus 2 Filipendula ulmaria 2 Luzula multiflora 2 Pteridium aquilinum 2 Geranium sylvaticum 1 Total number of species

217 CG10c Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-thymus polytrichus grassland, Saxifraga aizoides- Ditrichum gracile sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Festuca vivipara Thymus polytrichus Carex pulicaris Saxifraga aizoides Carex panicea Alchemilla alpina Selaginella selaginoides Breutelia chrysocoma Campanula rotundifolia Persicaria vivipara Viola riviniana Alchemilla glabra Carex capillaris Ditrichum flexicaule Galium saxatile Linum catharticum Euphrasia officinalis Pinguicula vulgaris Ctenidium molluscum Saxifraga oppositifolia Anthoxanthum odoratum Danthonia decumbens Potentilla erecta Nardus stricta Prunella vulgaris Carex viridula oedocarpa Hylocomium splendens Plantago lanceolata Racomitrium lanuginosum Ranunculus acris Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Antennaria dioica Carex vaginata Frullania tamarisci Galium boreale

218 CG10c (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Oxyria digyna Rhinanthus minor Silene acaulis Geum rivale Succisa pratensis Festuca rubra 5 1 Agrostis capillaris 3 1 Bryum pseudotriquetrum 3 1 Carex flacca 3 1 Dryas octopetala 3 1 Hypnum lacunosum 3 1 Plagiochila porelloides 3 1 Plantago maritima 3 1 Preissia quadrata 3 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 1 Saussurea alpina 3 1 Taraxacum officinale agg. 3 1 Thalictrum alpinum 3 1 Trichophorum cespitosum 3 1 Trollius europaeus 3 1 Alchemilla vestita 2 1 Anemone nemorosa 2 1 Aneura pinguis 2 1 Carex caryophyllea 2 1 Carex pallescens 2 1 Filipendula ulmaria 2 1 Geranium sylvaticum 2 1 Hieracium sp. 2 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 2 1 Lotus corniculatus 2 1 Luzula sylvatica 2 1 Molinia caerulea 2 1 Oreopteris limbosperma 2 1 Plagiobryum zieri 2 1 Tofieldia pusilla 2 1 Vaccinium myrtillus 2 1 Valeriana officinalis 2 1 Betula pubescens seedling 1 1 Rhizomnium punctatum 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

219 CG11a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-alchemilla alpina grassland, Typical sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1432 Northing 7205 Altitude (m) 520 Slope aspect (o) 165 Slope gradient (o) 30 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 15 Bare rock 4 Alchemilla alpina 6 Festuca vivipara 6 Racomitrium lanuginosum 5 Thymus polytrichus 5 Agrostis canina 4 Anthoxanthum odoratum 4 Hylocomium splendens 4 Nardus stricta 4 Potentilla erecta 4 Achillea millefolium 3 Euphrasia officinalis 3 Polytrichum piliferum 3 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 Vaccinium myrtillus 3 Andreaea rupestris 2 Deschampsia flexuosa 2 Galium saxatile 2 Luzula multiflora 2 Lotus corniculatus 1 Racomitrium sudeticum 1 Total number of species

220 CG11b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-alchemilla alpina grassland, Carex pulicaris- Carex panicea sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Alchemilla alpina Festuca vivipara Anthoxanthum odoratum Racomitrium lanuginosum Hylocomium splendens Campanula rotundifolia Viola riviniana Selaginella selaginoides Vaccinium myrtillus Thymus polytrichus Thalictrum alpinum Carex caryophyllea Galium saxatile Nardus stricta Euphrasia officinalis Breutelia chrysocoma Carex pulicaris Agrostis capillaris Potentilla erecta Ranunculus acris Deschampsia cespitosa cespitosa Carex pilulifera Polytrichum commune Carex panicea Plantago lanceolata Hypnum jutlandicum Blechnum spicant Carex viridula oedocarpa Pinguicula vulgaris Pleurozium schreberi Prunella vulgaris Cerastium fontanum Scleropodium purum Calluna vulgaris Rhytidiadelphus loreus

221 CG11b (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Persicaria vivipara 4 1 Anemone nemorosa 3 1 Calliergonella cuspidata 3 1 Filipendula ulmaria 3 1 Fissidens bryoides 3 1 Geum rivale 3 1 Hypnum lacunosum 3 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 3 1 Succisa pratensis 3 1 Taraxacum officinale agg. 3 1 Trichophorum cespitosum 3 1 Trifolium repens 3 1 Trollius europaeus 3 1 Aneura pinguis 2 1 Carex echinata 2 1 Cladonia coniocraea 2 1 Cladonia furcata 2 1 Dicranum scoparium 2 1 Diphasiastrum alpinum 2 1 Erica cinerea 2 1 Gentianella campestris 2 1 Hieracium sp. 2 1 Huperzia selago 2 1 Luzula multiflora 2 1 Pellia epiphylla 2 1 Plagiomnium undulatum 2 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 2 1 Saxifraga aizoides 2 1 Silene acaulis 2 1 Tortella tortuosa 2 1 Viola palustris 2 1 Cladonia arbuscula 1 1 Cladonia uncialis 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

222 CG12 Festuca ovina-alchemilla alpina-silene acaulis community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Silene acaulis Thymus polytrichus Alchemilla alpina Anthoxantum odoratum Ranunculus acris Campanula rotundifolia Selaginella selaginoides Thalictrum alpinum Deschampsia cespitosa Carex pulicaris Festuca vivipara Viola riviniana Carex bigelowii Vaccinium myrtillus Carex pilulifera Carex viridula oedocarpa Ctenidium molluscum Racomitrium lanuginosum Trollius europaeus Agrostis capillaris Euphrasia officinalis agg Hylocomium splendens Persicaria vivipara Ditrichum flexicaule Huperzia selago Rhytidiadelphus loreus Andreaea alpina Pinguicula vulgaris Succisa pratensis Pleurozium schreberi 7 1 Armeria maritima 4 1 Marsupella emarginata 4 1 Plantago lanceolata 4 1 Potentilla erecta 4 1 Rhinanthus minor 4 1 Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus 4 1 Alchemilla glabra

223 CG12 (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Brachypodium sylvaticum 3 1 Breutelia chrysocoma 3 1 Carex caryophyllea 3 1 Carex flacca 3 1 Carex panicea 3 1 Cerastium alpinum 3 1 Cerastium fontanum 3 1 Empetrum nigrum nigrum 3 1 Galium boreale 3 1 Herbertus stramineus 3 1 Linum catharticum 3 1 Lotus corniculatus 3 1 Luzula multiflora 3 1 Nardus stricta 3 1 Polytrichum alpinum 3 1 Saussurea alpina 3 1 Saxifraga oppositifolia 3 1 Scapania undulata 3 1 Taraxacum officinale agg. 3 1 Calliergon sarmentosum 2 1 Campylium stellatum 2 1 Campylopus atrovirens 2 1 Cerastium arcticum 2 1 Danthonia decumbens 2 1 Galium saxatile 2 1 Geum rivale 2 1 Hieracium sp. 2 1 Luzula spicata 2 1 Polytrichum commune 2 1 Racomitrium ericoides 2 1 Saxifraga stellaris 2 1 Thuidium tamariscinum 2 1 Trichophorum cespitosum 2 1 Veronica serpyllifolia humifusa 2 1 Angelica sylvestris 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

224 CG14 Dryas octopetala-silene acaulis ledge community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Dryas octopetala Thymus polytrichus Festuca vivipara Carex pulicaris Ctenidium molluscum Alchemilla alpina Thalictrum alpinum Racomitrium lanuginosum Ditrichum flexicaule Persicaria vivipara Carex panicea Silene acaulis Hylocomium splendens Selaginella selaginoides Trollius europaeus Alchemilla glabra Linum catharticum Plantago lanceolata Vaccinium myrtillus Deschampsia cespitosa Polygala serpyllifolia Potentilla erecta Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Saxifraga oppositifolia Antennaria dioica Galium boreale Pinguicula vulgaris Saussurea alpina Anthoxanthum odoratum 5 1 Vaccinium uliginosum 5 1 Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 4 1 Festuca rubra 4 1 Herbertus stramineus 4 1 Campanula rotundifolia 3 1 Carex capillaris 3 1 Carex viridula oedocarpa

225 CG14 (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Euphrasia officinalis agg. 3 1 Frullania tamarisci 3 1 Gentianella campestris 3 1 Geum rivale 3 1 Lotus corniculatus 3 1 Nardus stricta 3 1 Plantago maritima 3 1 Pleurozium schreberi 3 1 Prunella vulgaris 3 1 Rhinanthus minor 3 1 Sorbus aucuparia seedling 3 1 Succisa pratensis 3 1 Taraxacum officinalis agg. 3 1 Tortella tortuosa 3 1 Viola riviniana 3 1 Carex bigelowii 2 1 Carex binervis 2 1 Carex pallescens 2 1 Cladonia bellidiflora 2 1 Cladonia portentosa 2 1 Cladonia uncialis 2 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 2 1 Hieracium sp. 2 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 2 1 Viola palustris 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

226 U4a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Typical sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) 2 2 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock (DOMIN) 1 quadrats Agrostis capillaris Anthoxanthum odoratum Hylocomium splendens Potentilla erecta Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Galium saxatile Pleurozium schreberi Danthonia decumbens Nardus stricta Polytrichum commune Trifolium repens Viola palustris Ranunculus acris Festuca vivipara 8 1 Festuca rubra 5 1 Campanula rotundifolia 3 1 Conopodium majus 3 1 Euphrasia agg. 3 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 3 1 Molinia caerulea 3 1 Achillea millefolium 2 1 Carex binervis 2 1 Carex pilulifera 2 1 Holcus lanatus 2 1 Rumex acetosa 2 1 Succisa pratensis 2 1 Pedicularis sylvatica 1 1 Racomitrium fasciculare 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

227 U4b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-trifolium repens sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 2207 Northing 7458 Altitude (m) 375 Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 15 Festuca vivipara 8 Agrostis capillaris 6 Pleurozium schreberi 6 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 6 Trifolium repens 6 Anthoxanthum odoratum 5 Potentilla erecta 5 Achillea millefolium 4 Carex binervis 4 Galium saxatile 4 Rumex acetosa 4 Euphrasia officinalis agg. 3 Lotus corniculatus 3 Ranunculus acris 3 Viola palustris 3 Plagiomnium undulatum 2 Prunella vulgaris 2 Total number of species

228 U4d Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris- Galium saxatile grassland, Luzula multiflora-rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community U4e Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris- Galium saxatile grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus-deschampsia flexuosa sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 2642 Northing 7353 Altitude (m) 1025 Slope aspect (o) 188 Slope gradient (o) 10 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 10 Quadrat number 1 Easting 1736 Northing 6978 Altitude (m) 480 Slope aspect (o) 199 Slope gradient (o) 10 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 15 Rhytidadelphus loreus 9 Anthoxanthum odoratum 7 Festuca vivipara 7 Carex bigelowii 6 Galium saxatile 4 Hylocomium splendens 4 Pleurozium schreberi 4 Luzula multiflora 3 Polyrichum commune 3 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 Viola palustris 3 Agrostis canina 2 Nardus stricta 2 Racomitrium lanuginosum 2 Vaccinium myrtillus 2 Anthoxanthum odoratum 8 Festuca vivipara 8 Racomitrium lanuginosum 8 Agrostis capillaris 4 Potentilla erecta 4 Euphrasia officinalis agg. 3 Hylocomium splendens 3 Pleurozium schreberi 3 Racomitrium ericoides 3 Vaccinium myrtillus 3 Luzula multiflora 2 Polygala serpyllifolia 2 Total number of species 12 Total number of species

229 U4eA Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus- Deschampsia flexuosa sub-community, Alchemilla alpina variant Quadrat number 1 Easting 2702 Northing 7607 Altitude (m) 480 Slope aspect (o) 45 Slope gradient (o) 10 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 8 Festuca vivipara 8 Alchemilla alpina 5 Breutelia chrysocoma 5 Galium saxatile 5 Potentilla erecta 5 Agrostis capillaris 4 Carex caryophyllea 4 Blechnum spicant 3 Campanula rotundifolia 3 Carex binervis 3 Danthonia decumbens 3 Euphrasia agg. 3 Hylocomium splendens 3 Racomitrium lanuginosum 3 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 Vaccinium myrtillus 3 Veronica officinalis 3 Viola riviniana 3 Calluna vulgaris 2 Plantago lanceolata 2 Polytrichum commune 2 Ranunculus acris 2 Selaginella selaginoides 2 Oreopteris limbosperma 1 Total number of species

230 U4F Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, provisional Filipendula ulmaria sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Festuca vivipara Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Ranunculus acris Anthoxanthum odoratum Potentilla erecta Galium saxatile Viola riviniana Agrostis capillaris Hylocomium splendens Plantago lanceolata Prunella vulgaris Thuidium tamariscinum Deschampsia cespitosa Scleropodium purum Anemone nemorosa Carex pulicaris Persicaria vivipara Conopodium majus Polygala serpyllifolia Trifolium repens Carex flacca 5 1 Carex panicea 5 1 Festuca ovina 5 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 5 1 Carex caryophyllea 4 1 Cirsium heterophyllum 4 1 Nardus stricta 4 1 Ajuga reptans 3 1 Alchemilla alpina 3 1 Alchemilla glabra 3 1 Breutelia chrysocoma 3 1 Campanula rotundifolia 3 1 Carex binervis 3 1 Carex pallescens 3 1 Filipendula ulmaria

231 U4F (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Geranium sylvaticum 3 1 Luzula sylvatica 3 1 Pleurozium schreberi 3 1 Ranunculus repens 3 1 Rumex acetosa 3 1 Succisa pratensis 3 1 Crepis paludosa 2 1 Lathyrus linifolius 2 1 Luzula multiflora 2 1 Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus 2 1 Taraxacum agg. 2 1 Thymus polytrichus 2 1 Betula pubescens (seedling) 1 1 Euphrasia agg. 1 1 Trollius europaeus 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

232 U5a Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Species-poor sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1366 Northing 7443 Altitude (m) 370 Slope aspect (o) 315 Slope gradient (o) 25 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 30 Nardus stricta 9 Hylocomium splendens 6 Pleurozium schreberi 6 Polytrichum commune 5 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 5 Luzula sylvatica 4 Vaccinium myrtillus 4 Agrostis capillaris 3 Carex binervis 3 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 Galium saxatile 2 Racomitrium lanuginosum 2 Festuca vivipara 1 Juncus squarrosus 1 Oxalis acetosella 1 Total number of species

233 U5b Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Agrostis canina-polytrichum commune sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Nardus stricta Polytrichum commune Sphagnum capillifolium Hylocomium splendens Vaccinium myrtillus Rhytidiadelphus loreus Pleurozium schreberi Hypnum jutlandicum Potentilla erecta Agrostis capillaris Plagiothecium undulatum Deschampsia flexuosa Anthoxanthum odoratum Blechnum spicant Carex binervis Agrostis canina 3 1 Festuca vivipara 3 1 Galium saxatile 3 1 Luzula sylvatica 3 1 Ptilium cristacastrensis 3 1 Anastrepta orcadensis 2 1 Dicranum scoparium 2 1 Calluna vulgaris 1 1 Calypogeia muelleriana 1 1 Molinia caerulea 1 1 Oreopteris limbosperma 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

234 U5c Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Carex panicea-viola riviniana sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Nardus stricta Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Festuca vivipara Potentilla erecta Galium saxatile Carex binervis Carex panicea Ranunculus acris Thymus polytrichus Viola palustris Campanula rotundifolia Agrostis capillaris 6 1 Hylocomium splendens 6 1 Plantago lanceolata 5 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 4 1 Calliergonella cuspidata 4 1 Carex pulicaris 4 1 Agrostis canina 3 1 Anemone nemorosa 3 1 Carex pilulifera 3 1 Euphrasia officinalis 3 1 Juncus squarrosus 3 1 Lysimachia nemorum 3 1 Persicaria vivipara 3 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 3 1 Prunella vulgaris 3 1 Vaccinium myrtillus 3 1 Alchemilla glabra 2 1 Blechnum spicant 2 1 Linum catharticum 2 1 Scleropodium purum 2 1 Thuidium tamariscinum 2 1 Alchemilla alpina 1 1 Betula pubescens (10cm tall) 1 1 Luzula sylvatica 1 1 Salix aurita (15cm tall) 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

235 U5e Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Nardus stricta Racomitrium lanuginosum Potentilla erecta Vaccinium myrtillus Cladonia arbuscula Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Cladonia portentosa Cladonia uncialis Festuca vivipara Hypnum jutlandicum Carex bigelowii Galium saxatile Juncus squarrosus 5 1 Agrostis canina 4 1 Alchemilla alpina 4 1 Carex pilulifera 3 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 1 Diphasiastrum alpinum 3 1 Hylocomium splendens 3 1 Pleurozium schreberi 3 1 Polytrichum alpinum 3 1 Ptilidium ciliare 3 1 Salix herbacea 3 1 Calluna vulgaris 2 1 Blechnum spicant 1 1 Campanula rotundifolia 1 1 Deschampsia cespitosa 1 1 Huperzia selago 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

236 U6a Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, Sphagnum sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Juncus squarrosus Sphagnum capillifolium Eriophorum angustifolium Agrostis canina Sphagnum papillosum Potentilla erecta Galium saxatile Nardus stricta Polytrichum commune Anthoxanthum odoratum Festuca vivipara Lophozia ventricosa Vaccinium myrtillus Rhytidiadelphus loreus Sphagnum fallax 8 1 Trichophorum cespitosum 4 1 Carex panicea 3 1 Hylocomium splendens 3 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 1 Sphagnum palustre 3 1 Vaccinium uliginosum 3 1 Viola palustris 3 1 Calluna vulgaris 2 1 Carex bigelowii 2 1 Dactylorhiza maculata 2 1 Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 2 1 Empetrum nigrum nigrum 2 1 Narthecium ossifragum 2 1 Plagiothecium undulatum 2 1 Carex binervis 1 1 Cladonia portentosa 1 1 Eriophorum vaginatum 1 1 Huperzia selago 1 1 Luzula multiflora 1 1 Luzula sylvatica 1 1 Molinia caerulea 1 1 Vaccinium vitis-idaea 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

237 U6aH Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, heathy form Quadrat number 1 Easting 2611 Northing 7691 Altitude (m) 637 Slope aspect (o) 360 Slope gradient (o) 6 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 25 Calluna vulgaris 7 Juncus squarrosus 7 Sphagnum capillifolium 6 Plagiothecium undulatum 5 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 5 Cornus suecica 4 Hylocomium splendens 4 Vaccinium myrtillus 4 Galium saxatile 3 Polytrichum commune 3 Potentilla erecta 3 Sphagnum palustre 3 Deschampsia flexuosa 2 Listera cordata 2 Luzula multiflora 2 Anthoxanthum odoratum 1 Eriophorum vaginatum 1 Festuca vivipara 1 Total number of species

238 U6c Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) 1 15 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Juncus squarrosus Hylocomium splendens Vaccinium myrtillus Deschampsia flexuosa Sphagnum capillifolium Potentilla erecta Rhytidiadelphus loreus Trichophorum cespitosum Galium saxatile Vaccinium vitis-idaea Luzula multiflora Narthecium ossifragum Dicranum scoparium Calluna vulgaris 5 1 Carex binervis 5 1 Nardus stricta 5 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 4 1 Agrostis canina 3 1 Calypogeia muelleriana 3 1 Empetrum nigrum nigrum 3 1 Molinia caerulea 3 1 Plagiothecium undulatum 3 1 Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 2 1 Festuca vivipara 2 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 2 1 Viola palustris 2 1 Polytrichum strictum 1 1 Scapania umbrosa 1 1 Q1: Calluna short but much recent growth straight. Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

239 U6d Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, Agrostis capillaris-luzula multiflora sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1702 Northing 7436 Altitude (m) 728 Slope aspect (o) 360 Slope gradient (o) 1 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 20 Juncus squarrosus 7 Nardus stricta 6 Hylocomium splendens 5 Potentilla erecta 5 Agrostis canina 4 Festuca vivipara 4 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 4 Anthoxanthum odoratum 3 Campanula rotundifolia 3 Carex bigelowii 3 Deschampsia cespitosa 3 Hypnum jutlandicum 3 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 Trichophorum cespitosum 3 Viola palustris 3 Calluna vulgaris 2 Succisa pratensis 2 Vaccinium myrtillus 2 Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 1 Galium saxatile 1 Sphagnum tenellum 1 Total number of species

240 U6R Juncus squarrosus-festuca ovina grassland, herb-rich form Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Juncus squarrosus Ranunculus acris Potentilla erecta Thalictrum alpinum Taraxacum officinale agg Calliergonella cuspidata Carex nigra Hylocomium splendens Nardus stricta Carex echinata Galium saxatile Viola palustris Alchemilla glabra Euphrasia officinalis Sphagnum fallax 6 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 5 1 Festuca vivipara 4 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 4 1 Scapania undulata 4 1 Alchemilla alpina 3 1 Carex binervis 3 1 Carex viridula oedocarpa 3 1 Danthonia decumbens 3 1 Deschampsia cespitosa 3 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 1 Drepanocladus revolvens 3 1 Geum rivale 3 1 Molinia caerulea 3 1 Parnassia palustris 3 1 Persicaria vivipara 3 1 Ranunculus repens 3 1 Rhizomnium punctatum 3 1 Sphagnum denticulatum 3 1 Sphagnum palustre 3 1 Valeriana officinalis 3 1 Chiloscyphos polyanthus 2 1 Luzula multiflora 2 1 Luzula sylvatica 2 1 Philonotis fontana 2 1 Pinguicula vulgaris 2 1 Polytrichum commune 2 1 Rhinanthus minor 2 1 Saxifraga stellaris 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

241 U7a Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum- Cetraria islandica sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B A A A B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare stones 3 quadrats Nardus stricta Carex bigelowii Trichophorum cespitosum Vaccinium myrtillus Sphagnum capillifolium Racomitrium lanuginosum Hylocomium splendens Deschampsia flexuosa Rhytidiadelphus loreus Cetraria islandica Pleurozium schreberi Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Galium saxatile Potentilla erecta Cladonia uncialis Dicranum scoparium Juncus squarrosus Polytrichum alpinum Cladonia arbuscula Carex binervis 3 1 Cladonia bellidiflora 3 1 Festuca vivipara 3 1 Narthecium ossifragum 3 1 Plagiothecium undulatum 3 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 1 Sphagnum denticulatum 3 1 Vaccinium uliginosum 3 1 Vaccinium vitis-idaea 3 1 Viola palustris 3 1 Cladonia furcata 2 1 Euphrasia agg. 2 1 Huperzia selago 2 1 Polygala serpyllifolia 2 1 Rubus chamaemorus 2 1 Scapania undulata 2 1 Calluna vulgaris 1 1 Diplophyllum albicans 1 1 Melampyrum pratense 1 1 Sphagnum tenellum 1 1 Agrostis canina 3 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

242 U7b Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Typical sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A B A B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Nardus stricta Carex bigelowii Galium saxatile Pleurozium schreberi Racomitrium lanuginosum Vaccinium myrtillus Rhytidiadelphus loreus Hylocomium splendens Polytrichum alpinum Hypnum jutlandicum Cetraria islandica Agrostis canina Cladonia uncialis Deschampsia flexuosa Dicranum scoparium Rumex acetosa Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 6 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 4 1 Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 4 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Potentilla erecta 3 1 Barbilophozia floerkei 2 1 Carex pilulifera 2 1 Cladonia bellidiflora 2 1 Cladonia coniocraea 2 1 Cryptogramma crispa 2 1 Huperzia selago 2 1 Persicaria vivipara 2 1 Silene acaulis 2 1 Viola palustris 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

243 U7c Nardus stricta-carex bigelowii grass heath, Alchemilla alpina-festuca ovina sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Nardus stricta Hylocomium splendens Carex bigelowii Vaccinium myrtillus Anthoxanthum odoratum Potentilla erecta Alchemilla alpina Pleurozium schreberi Carex pilulifera Festuca vivipara Blechnum spicant Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Euphrasia officinalis Racomitrium lanuginosum 4 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 4 1 Thymus polytrichus 6 1 Thalictrum alpinum 4 1 Viola palustris 4 1 Alchemilla glabra 3 1 Deschampsia cespitosa 3 1 Pinguicula vulgaris 3 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Ranunculus acris 3 1 Selaginella selaginoides 3 1 Taraxacum officinale 3 1 Trichophorum cespitosum 3 1 Viola riviniana 3 1 Carex saxatilis 2 1 Eriophorum angustifolium 2 1 Racomitrium ericoides 2 1 Luzula sylvatica 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

244 U8 Carex bigelowii-polytrichum alpinum heath Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Carex bigelowii Racomitrium lanuginosum Cetraria islandica Polytrichum alpinum Dicranum fuscescens Oligotrichum hercynicum Deschampsia flexuosa Racomitrium ericoides Deschampsia cespitosa Anthelia juratzkana Luzula spicata Marsupella brevissima Pleurozium schreberi Festuca vivipara Cladonia uncialis Racomitrium heterostichum 7 1 Nardus stricta 5 1 Salix herbacea 4 1 Agrostis capillaris 3 1 Conostomum tetragonum 3 1 Ptilidium ciliare 3 1 Rumex acetosa 3 1 Viola palustris 3 1 Alchemilla alpina 2 1 Barbilophozia floerkei 2 1 Dicranum scoparium 2 1 Racomitrium sudeticum 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat 9 236

245 U9b Juncus trifidus-racomitrium lanuginosum rush heath, Salix herbacea sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare stones 4 3 quadrats Juncus trifidus Racomitrium lanuginosum Carex bigelowii Deschampsia flexuosa Cladonia coniocraea Cladonia uncialis Festuca vivipara Galium saxatile Polytrichum alpinum Polytrichum commune Huperzia selago Pleurozium schreberi 6 1 Cetraria islandica 4 1 Cladonia portentosa 4 1 Coelocaulon aculeatum 4 1 Dicranum scoparium 4 1 Luzula spicata 4 1 Racomitrium ericoides 4 1 Salix herbacea 4 1 Agrostis capillaris 3 1 Dicranum fuscescens 3 1 Diplophyllum albicans 3 1 Ochrolechia frigida 3 1 Oligotrichum hercynicum 3 1 Rumex acetosa 3 1 Stereocaulon vesuvianum 3 1 Cladonia furcata 2 1 Racomitrium sudeticum 2 1 Vaccinium myrtillus 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

246 U10a Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Galium saxatile sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock/stones 5 quadrats Racomitrium lanuginosum Festuca vivipara Carex bigelowii Deschampsia flexuosa Galium saxatile Agrostis capillaris Vaccinium myrtillus Cladonia uncialis Pleurozium schreberi Alchemilla alpina Juncus trifidus Cladonia arbuscula Diphasiastrum alpinum 4 1 Hylocomium splendens 4 1 Vaccinium vitis-idaea 4 1 Agrostis canina 3 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 3 1 Carex pilulifera 3 1 Cetraria islandica 3 1 Dicranum scoparium 3 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 3 1 Huperzia selago 2 1 Polytrichum alpinum 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

247 U10b Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Typical sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A B B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock/stones 6 5 quadrats Racomitrium lanuginosum Carex bigelowii Deschampsia flexuosa Polytrichum alpinum Cetraria islandica Salix herbacea Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Festuca vivipara Cladonia uncialis Vaccinium myrtillus Vaccinium vitis-idaea Nardus stricta Cladonia arbuscula Juncus trifidus Agrostis canina Oligotrichum hercynicum Ochrolechia frigida Saxifraga stellaris Racomitrium sudeticum Thamnolia vermicularis Luzula arcuata 5 1 Agrostis capillaris 3 1 Cladonia coniocraea 3 1 Cladonia portentosa 3 1 Dicranum scoparium 3 1 Hylocomium splendens 3 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 3 1 Parmelia omphalodes 3 1 Sphaerophorus globosus 3 1 Vaccinium uliginosum 3 1 Diphasiastrum alpinum 2 1 Racomitrium ericoides 2 1 Racomitrium heterostichum 2 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 1 1 Cladonia gracilis 1 1 Galium saxatile 1 1 Polytrichum piliferum 1 1 Potentilla erecta 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

248 U10c Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Racomitrium lanuginosum Carex bigelowii Silene acaulis Deschampsia flexuosa Alchemilla alpina Polytrichum alpinum Luzula spicata Salix herbacea Cetraria islandica Cladonia uncialis Dicranum scoparium Deschampsia cespitosa alpina Juncus trifidus Taraxacum officinale agg Saxifraga stellaris Racomitrium ericoides Galium saxatile Oligotrichum hercynicum Gnaphalium supinum Achillea millefolium Persicaria vivipara Ochrolechia frigida Rumex acetosa Thalictrum alpinum Thamnolia vermicularis Huperzia selago Hylocomium splendens 5 1 Thymus polytrichus 5 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 4 1 Vaccinium myrtillus 4 1 Agrostis vineale 3 1 Alchemilla glabra 3 1 Cerastium alpinum 3 1 Euphrasia oficinalis 3 1 Festuca vivipara 3 1 Hypnum lacunosum

249 U10c (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Nardus stricta 3 1 Pleurozium schreberi 3 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 3 1 Saussurea alpina 3 1 Sibbaldia procumbens 3 1 Viola palustris 3 1 Barbilophozia floerkei 2 1 Campanula rotundifolia 2 1 Cladonia coniocraea 2 1 Conopodium tetragonum 2 1 Diplophyllum albicans 2 1 Marsupella sphacelata 2 1 Nardia compressa 2 1 Polytrichum commune 2 1 Racomitrium sudeticum 2 1 Ranunculus acris 2 1 Cladonia arbuscula 1 1 Solorina crocea 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

250 U10cSP Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community, species-poor form Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A B A B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) Bare rock (DOMIN) No. of Bare soil (DOMIN) 5 7 quadrats Juncus trifidus Racomitrium lanuginosum Deschampsia flexuosa Festuca vivipara Salix herbacea Carex bigelowii Polytrichum alpinum Oligotrichum hercynicum Ochrolechia frigida Racomitrium heterostichum Cladonia uncialis Alchemilla alpina Luzula spicata Polytrichum piliferum Diplophyllum albicans Cladonia bellidiflora Cladonia coniocraea Huperzia selago Loiselurea procumbens 7 1 Deschampsia cespitosa 4 1 Gymnomitrion concinnatum 4 1 Nardia scalaris 4 1 Silene acaulis 4 1 Agrostis canina 3 1 Carex pilulifera 3 1 Cetraria islandica 3 1 Cladonia subcervicornis 3 1 Euphrasia agg. 3 1 Galium saxatile 3 1 Nardus stricta 3 1 Racomitrium fasciculare 3 1 Racomitrium sudeticum 3 1 Saxifraga stellaris 3 1 Solorina crocea 3 1 Vaccinium myrtillus 3 1 Vaccinium vitis-idaea 3 1 Cladonia arbuscula 2 1 Conostomum tetragonum 2 1 Gnaphalium supinum 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

251 Reri: Racomitrium ericoides moss heath Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) 295 Slope gradient (o) 10 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Racomitrium ericoides Carex bigelowii Deschampsia flexuosa Oligotrichum hercynicum Polytrichum alpinum Racomitrium lanuginosum Cetraria islandica Deschampsia cespitosa Saxifraga stellaris Juncus trifidus Gnaphalium supinum Salix herbacea 6 1 Silene acaulis 4 1 Luzula spicata 3 1 Viola palustris 3 1 Barbilophozia floerkei 2 1 Kiaeria starkei 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat 8 243

252 U11a Polytrichum sexangulare-kiaeria starkei snow-bed, Typical sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock 3 3 quadrats Kiaria starkei Kiaeria falcata Polytrichum sexangulare Saxifraga stellaris Kiaeria blyttii Oligotrichum hercynicum Gnaphalium supinum Deschampsia cespitosa alpina Polytrichum commune Salix herbacea Racomitrium ericoides Deschampsia flexuosa Nardus stricta Polytrichum alpinum Barbilophozia floerkei Carex bigelowii Juncus trifidus Oedopodium griffithianum Pohlia ludwigii Agrostis capillaris Racomitrium lanuginosum Conostomum tetragonum Galium saxatile Cerastium cerastioides 4 1 Racomitrium sudeticum 4 1 Sibbaldia procumbens 4 1 Cryptogramma crispa 3 1 Luzula spicata 3 1 Marsupella emarginata 3 1 Pleurocladula albescens 3 1 Racomitrium heterostichum 3 1 Rumex acetosa 3 1 Solorina crocea 3 1 Cladonia bellidiflora 2 1 Cladonia coniocraea 2 1 Gymnomitrion concinnatum 2 1 Huperzia selago 2 1 Lophozia opacifolia 2 1 Marsupella adusta 2 1 Marsupella boeckii 2 1 Montia fontana 2 1 Rhytidadelphus loreus 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

253 U12a Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Silene acaulis-luzula spicata sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Silene acaulis Alchemilla alpina Carex bigelowii Salix herbacea Deschampsia cespitosa alpina Gnaphalium supinum Juncus trifidus Oligotrichum hercynicum Huperzia selago Luzula spicata Racomitrium lanuginosum Gymnomitrion concinnatum Kiaria starkei Nardus stricta Polytrichum alpinum Sibbaldia procumbens Festuca vivipara Saxifraga stellaris Marsupella emarginata 7 1 Anthelia juratzkana 6 1 Scapania undulata 6 1 Anthelia julacea 5 1 Racomitrium fasciculare 5 1 Thymus polytrichus 5 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 4 1 Galium saxatile 4 1 Vaccinium myrtillus 4 1 Agrostis capillaris 3 1 Agrostis vineale 3 1 Andreaea alpina 3 1 Aneura pinguis 3 1 Campanula rotundifolia 3 1 Conostomum tetragonum 3 1 Dicranum scoparium 3 1 Diplophyllum albicans 3 1 Euphrasia officinalis 3 1 Nardia compressa

254 W12a (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Persicaria vivipara 3 1 Pleurocladula albescens 3 1 Racomitrium ericoides 3 1 Racomitrium heterostichum 3 1 Selaginella selaginoides 3 1 Dicranum glaciale 2 1 Kiaeria blyttii 2 1 Kiaeria falcata 2 1 Polytrichum sexangulare 2 1 Veronica alpina 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

255 U12b Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Gymnomitrion concinnatum sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) <1 2 1 Bare rock (DOMIN) No. of Bare soil (DOMIN) 5 quadrats Gymnomitrion concinnatum Oligotrichum hercynicum Racomitrium lanuginosum Anthelia juratzkana Nardus stricta Salix herbacea Nardia compressa Juncus trifidus Racomitrium heterostichum Agrostis vineale Deschampsia flexuosa Gnaphalium supinum Nardia scalaris Carex bigelowii Andreaea alpina Marsupella brevissima Kiaeria starkei Pleurocladula albescens Viola palustris Cetraria islandica Conostomum tetragonum Galium saxatile Racomitrium ericoides Cladonia coniocraea Huperzia selago Luzula spicata Anthelia julacea 3 1 Lophozia opacifolia Marsupella adusta 3 1 Oedopodium griffithianum 3 1 Polytrichum alpinum 3 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Racomitrium sudeticum 3 1 Cladonia subcervicornis

256 U12b (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Cladonia uncialis 2 1 Diphasiastrum alpinum 2 1 Diplophyllum taxifolium 2 1 Polytrichum piliferum 2 1 Racomitrium fasciculare 2 1 Saxifraga stellaris 1 1 Thamnolia vermicularis 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

257 U12c Salix herbacea-racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Marsupella brevissima sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) 2 1 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock/soil (DOMIN) 5 quadrats Marsupella brevissima Oligotrichum hercynicum Carex bigelowii Gymnomitrion concinnatum Salix herbacea Conostomum tetragonum Kiaeria starkei Polytrichum sexangulare Nardia compressa Racomitrium heterostichum Anthelia juratzkana 7 1 Polytrichum alpinum 5 1 Festuca vivipara 4 1 Luzula arcuata 4 1 Nardia scalaris 4 1 Kiaeria falcata 3 1 Luzula spicata 3 1 Racomitrium sudeticum 3 1 Gnaphalium supinum 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

258 Plud: Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Pohlia ludwigii Deschampsia cespitosa alpina Polytrichum sexangulare Kiaeria falcata Saxifraga stellaris Oligotrichum hercynicum Scapania uliginosa Deschampsia flexuosa 4 1 Scapania undulata 4 1 Brachythecium glaciale 3 1 Carex bigelowii 3 1 Conostomum tetragonum 3 1 Kiaeria blyttii 3 1 Kiaeria starkei 3 1 Agrostis capillaris 2 1 Marsupella adusta 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat 6 250

259 Rhet: Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Racomitrium heterostichum Racomitrium lanuginosum Polytrichum alpinum Oligotrichum hercynicum Anthelia juratzkana Saxifraga stellaris Deschampsia cespitosa alpina Cladonia bellidiflora 5 1 Andreaea alpina 4 1 Cetraria islandica 4 1 Salix herbacea 4 1 Carex bigelowii 3 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 1 Gnaphalium supinum 3 1 Sibbaldia procumbens 3 1 Cladonia uncialis 2 1 Stereocaulon vesuvianum 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat 9 251

260 UX: Mixed snow-bed Quadrat number 1 Easting 2635 Northing 7400 Altitude (m) 1070 Slope aspect (o) 55 Slope gradient (o) 15 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 5 15 Deschampsia cespitosa 6 Kiaeria starkei 6 Kiaeria falcata 6 Nardus stricta 4 Carex bigelowii 4 Saxifraga stellaris 4 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 4 Polytrichum sexangulare 4 Cryptogramma crispa 4 Gymnomitrion concinnatum 4 Kiaeria blyttii 3 Oreopteris limbosperma 3 Marsupella emarginata 3 Salix herbacea 3 Campanula rotundifolia 3 Galium saxatile 3 Gnaphalium supinum 3 Lophozia opacifolia 3 Nardia compressa 3 Nardia scalaris 3 Tritomaria quinquedentata 3 Racomitrium lanuginosum 3 Juncus trifidus 3 Marsupella sphacelata 3 Blechnum spicant 2 Cerastium cerastioides 2 Cladonia coniocraea 2 Polytrichum alpinum 2 Sibbaldia procumbens 2 Huperzia selago 2 Viola riviniana 2 Pohlia ludwigii 2 Oligotrichum hercynicum 2 Conostomum tetragonum 2 Polytrichum commune 2 Andreaea alpina 2 Marsupella brevissima 2 Alchemilla alpina 2 Luzula spicata 2 Total number of species

261 U13a Deschampsia cespitosa-galium saxatile grassland, Anthoxanthum odoratum- Alchemilla alpina sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Deschampsia cespitosa Polytrichum commune Carex bigelowii Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Rhytidiadelphus loreus Agrostis capillaris Galium saxatile Saxifraga stellaris Alchemilla alpina Viola palustris Scapania uliginosa 8 1 Rumex acetosa 4 1 Scapania undulata 4 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 3 1 Carex binervis 3 1 Cerastium cerastioides 3 1 Gnaphalium supinum 3 1 Hylocomium splendens 3 1 Kiaeria starkei 3 1 Pleurozium schreberi 3 1 Racomitrium ericoides 3 1 Thymus polytrichus 3 1 Euphrasia agg. 2 1 Nardia compressa 2 1 Oxalis acetosella 2 1 Philonotis fontana 2 1 Plagiothecium undulatum 2 1 Sibbaldia procumbens 2 1 Sphagnum denticulatum 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

262 U13b Deschampsia cespitosa-galium saxatile grassland, Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Rhytidiadelphus loreus Deschampsia cespitosa alpina Galium saxatile Carex bigelowii Viola palustris Agrostis capillaris Polytrichum alpinum Alchemilla alpina Hylocomium splendens Pleurozium schreberi Polytrichum commune Vaccinium myrtillus Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Sibbaldia procumbens Festuca vivipara Racomitrium lanuginosum Anthoxanthum odoratum Cetraria islandica Hypnum jutlandicum 5 1 Gnaphalium supinum 4 1 Dicranum scoparium 3 1 Oxalis acetosella 3 1 Rumex acetosa 3 1 Anastrepta orcadensis 2 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 2 1 Diphasiastrum alpinum 2 1 Euphrasia officinalis agg. 2 1 Nardus stricta 2 1 Plagiothecium undulatum 2 1 Potentilla erecta 2 1 Racomitrium ericoides 2 1 Ranunculus acris 2 1 Solorina crocea 2 1 Sphagnum capillifolium 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

263 U13P Deschampsia cespitosa-galium saxatile grassland; form with much Polytrichum alpinum; not assigned to a sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) 1 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Deschampsia cespitosa Polytrichum alpinum Carex bigelowii Racomitrium ericoides Agrostis canina 4 1 Dicranum scoparium 4 1 Racomitrium lanuginosum 4 1 Viola palustris 3 1 Barbilophozia floerkei 2 1 Gnaphalium supinum 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat 7 255

264 U14 Alchemilla alpina-sibbaldia procumbens dwarf-herb community Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Alchemilla alpina Sibbaldia procumbens Deschampsia cespitosa alpina Galium saxatile Racomitrium fasciculare Marsupella emarginata Racomitrium lanuginosum Kiaeria starkei Viola palustris Racomitrium heterostichum Thymus polytrichus Agrostis capillaris Nardus stricta Gnaphalium supinum Oligotrichum hercynicum Polytrichum alpinum Carex bigelowii Silene acaulis Barbilophozia floerkei Deschampsia flexuosa Hypnum jutlandicum Luzula spicata Potentilla erecta Festuca vivipara Saxifraga stellaris Andreaea alpina Campanula rotundifolia 5 1 Racomitrium ericoides 5 1 Carex pilulifera 4 1 Cryptogramma crispa 4 1 Juncus trifidus 4 1 Polytrichum commune 4 1 Anastrepta orcadensis 3 1 Anthoxanthum odoratum 3 1 Cladonia uncialis 3 1 Conostomum tetragonum

265 U14 (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Diplophyllum albicans 3 1 Juncus squarrosus 3 1 Nardia compressa 3 1 Nardia scalaris 3 1 Persicaria vivipara 3 1 Polytrichum sexangulare 3 1 Sedum rosea 3 1 Viola riviniana 3 1 Agrostis canina 2 1 Alchemilla glabra 2 1 Anthelia juratzkana 2 1 Dicranum glaciale 2 1 Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 2 1 Gymnomitrion crenulatum 2 1 Huperzia selago 2 1 Marsupella sphacelata 2 1 Racomirium sudeticum 2 1 Scapaniaundulata 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

266 U15 Saxifraga aizoides-alchemilla glabra banks Quadrat number 1 Easting 1775 Northing 6992 Altitude (m) 560 Slope aspect (o) 317 Slope gradient (o) 15 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 5 Bare rock 4 Blindia acuta 7 Saxifraga aizoides 7 Campylium stellatum 6 Carex panicea 5 Carex pulicaris 5 Saxifraga oppositifolia 5 Carex viridula oedocarpa 4 Plagiobryum zieri 4 Scapania undulata 4 Silene acaulis 4 Alchemilla alpina 3 Deschampsia cespitosa 3 Huperzia selago 3 Oxyria digyna 3 Pinguicula vulgaris 3 Poa glauca 3 Racomitrium heterostichum 3 Saussaurea alpina 3 Selaginella selaginoides 3 Succisa pratensis 3 Thalictrum alpinum 3 Viola riviniana 3 Rhinanthus minor 2 A U16a Luzula sylvatica-vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Dryopteris dilatata- Dicranum majus sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 2176 Northing 7149 Altitude (m) 700 Slope aspect (o) 336 Slope gradient (o) 20 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 50 Vaccinium myrtillus 8 Luzula sylvatica 6 Dryopteris dilatata 5 Deschampsia cespitosa 5 Alchemilla alpina 5 Diplophyllum albicans 5 Sphagnum palustre 4 Dicranum scoparium 4 Deschampsia flexuosa 4 Racomitrium lanuginosum 4 Sphagnum fallax 4 Phegopteris connectilis 4 Scapania undulata 3 Saxifraga stellaris 3 Carex bigelowii 3 Plagiothecium undulatum 3 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 3 Pellia epiphylla 2 Total number of species 18 Total number of species

267 U16b Luzula sylvatica-vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Anthoxanthum odoratum- Festuca ovina sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 2239 Northing 7048 Altitude (m) 670 Slope aspect (o) 200 Slope gradient (o) 20 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 25 Luzula sylvatica 8 Vaccinium myrtillus 7 Galium saxatile 6 Deschampsia cespitosa 5 Potentilla erecta 5 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 5 Pleurozium schreberi 5 Blechnum spicant 4 Polytrichum commune 3 Oxalis acetosella 3 Rumex acetosa 3 Viola palustris 3 Hylocomium splendens 3 Sphagnum fallax 2 Alchemilla alpina 2 Juncus squarrosus 2 Diplophyllum albicans 2 U16c Luzula sylvatica-vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Species-poor sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1873 Northing 7204 Altitude (m) 820 Slope aspect (o) 228 Slope gradient (o) 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 20 Luzula sylvatica 9 Deschampsia flexuosa 5 Galium saxatile 4 Potentilla erecta 4 Anthoxanthum odoratum 3 Deschampsia cespitosa 3 Rumex acetosa 3 Carex bigelowii 2 Pleurozium schreberi 2 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 2 Vaccinium myrtillus 2 Total number of species 11 Total number of species

268 U17a Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Alchemilla glabra-bryum pseudotriquetrum sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1771 Northing 6988 Altitude (m) 550 Slope aspect (o) 307 Slope gradient (o) 40 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 15 Anthoxanthum odoratum 6 Carex panicea 6 Festuca vivipara 6 Trollius europaeus 6 Alchemilla alpina 5 Racomitrium lanuginosum 5 Thalictrum alpinum 5 Thymus polytrichus 5 Blindia acuta 4 Carex pulicaris 4 Geranium sylvaticum 4 Herbertus stramineus 4 Racomitrium heterostichum 4 Saxifraga aizoides 4 Saxifraga oppositifolia 4 Silene acaulis 4 Angelica sylvestris 3 Antennaria dioica 3 Calluna vulgaris 3 Ctenidium molluscum 3 Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 3 Fissidens bryoides 3 Frullania tamarisci 3 Galium saxatile 3 Geum rivale 3 Huperzia selago 3 Linum catharticum 3 Luzula multiflora 3 Oxyria digyna 3 Persicaria vivipara 3 Pinguicula vulgaris 3 Rhinanthus minor 3 Sedum rosea 3 Selaginella selaginoides 3 Succisa pratensis 3 Taraxacum officinale agg. 3 Tortella tortuosa 3 Anoectangium aestivum 2 Orchis mascula 2 Saussurea alpina 1 Total number of species

269 U17b Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Geranium sylvaticum sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 2065 Northing 7158 Altitude (m) 650 Slope aspect (o) 102 Slope gradient (o) 30 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 35 Sedum rosea 6 Saxifraga oppositifolia 5 Alchemilla alpina 5 Herbertus stramineus 4 Festuca vivipara 4 Deschampsia cespitosa 4 Carex flacca 4 Rhinanthus minor 4 Trollius europaeus 4 Alchemilla glabra 4 Thymus polytrichus 4 Ranunculus acris 4 Geranium sylvaticum 4 Thalictrum alpinum 4 Plantago maritima 3 Luzula multiflora 3 Carex hostiana 3 Carex viridula oedocarpa 3 Saussurea alpina 3 Cystopteris fragilis 3 Silene acaulis 3 Persicaria vivipara 3 Hieracium sp. 3 Geum rivale 3 Rhizomnium punctatum 3 Marsupella emarginata 3 Oxyria digyna 3 Campanula rotundifolia 3 Andreaea rupestris 3 Ditrichum flexicaule 3 Breutelia chrysocoma 3 Hylocomium splendens 3 Selaginella selaginoides 3 Angelica sylvestris 3 Anthoxanthum odoratum 3 Luzula sylvatica 3 261

270 U17b (continued) Quadrat number 1 Pinguicula vulgaris 2 Anoectangium warburgii 2 Saxifraga aizoides 2 Huperzia selago 2 Sphagnum denticulatum 2 Vaccinium myrtillus 2 Cerastium alpinum 2 Potentilla erecta 2 Galium boreale 2 Racomitrium ericoides 2 Cardamine pratensis 2 Euphrasia officinalis agg. 2 Succisa pratensis 2 Rumex acetosa 2 Taraxacum officinale agg. 2 Dryopteris filix-mas 1 Total number of species

271 U17c Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Agrostis capillaris-rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) No. of Height of vegetation (cm) quadrats Deschampsia cespitosa Ranunculus acris Anthoxanthum odoratum Nardus stricta Geum rivale Cerastium fontanum Luzula multiflora Pinguicula vulgaris Thalictrum alpinum Euphrasia officinalis Hylocomium splendens 7 1 Prunella vulgaris 7 1 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 6 1 Festuca vivipara 5 1 Plantago lanceolata 5 1 Agrostis capillaris 4 1 Breutelia chrysocoma 4 1 Filipendula ulmaria 4 1 Geranium sylvaticum 4 1 Holcus lanatus 4 1 Lotus corniculatus 4 1 Lysimachia nemorum 4 1 Rhizomnium punctatum 4 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 4 1 Taraxacum officinale agg. 4 1 Alchemilla alpina 3 1 Alchemilla glabra 3 1 Aneura pinguis 3 1 Armeria maritima 3 1 Blechnum spicant 3 1 Campanula rotundifolia 3 1 Cardamine pratensis 3 1 Carex bigelowii 3 1 Carex curta 3 1 Carex pulicaris

272 U17c (continued) No. of Quadrat number 1 2 quadrats Cirsium heterophyllum 3 1 Galium boreale 3 1 Galium saxatile 3 1 Luzula sylvatica 3 1 Marsupella emarginata 3 1 Oxalis acetosella 3 1 Persicaria vivipara 3 1 Polytrichum commune 3 1 Pteridium aquilinum 3 1 Rumex acetosa 3 1 Saxifraga stellaris 3 1 Scapania undulata 3 1 Sphagnum denticulatum 3 1 Succisa pratensis 3 1 Trollius europaeus 3 1 Thymus polytrichus 3 1 Valeriana officinalis 3 1 Veronica chamaedrys 3 1 Carex saxatilis 2 1 Cochlearia pyrenaica alpina 2 1 Pellia epiphylla 2 1 Polygala vulgaris 2 1 Ptilium crista-castrensis 2 1 Vaccinium myrtillus 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

273 U17d Luzula sylvatica-geum rivale tall-herb community, Primula vulgaris-hyperichum pulchrum sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1763 Northing 6961 Altitude (m) 500 Slope aspect (o) 251 Slope gradient (o) 35 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 Height of vegetation (cm) 30 Calluna vulgaris 7 Thymus polytrichus 6 Alchemilla alpina 5 Anoectangium aestivum 5 Breutelia chrysocoma 5 Erica cinerea 5 Festuca vivipara 5 Geranium sylvaticum 5 Hylocomium splendens 5 Racomitrium lanuginosum 5 Antennaria dioica 4 Festuca rubra 4 Frullania tamarisci 4 Hieracium sp. 4 Silene acaulis 4 Succisa pratensis 4 Anthyllis vulneraria 3 Carex caryophyllea 3 Carex pulicaris 3 Diplophyllum albicans 3 Ditrichum flexicaule 3 Linum catharticum 3 Lotus corniculatus 3 Plantago lanceolata 3 Polygala vulgaris 3 Racomitrium heterostichum 3 Selaginella selaginoides 3 Viola riviniana 3 Fissidens bryoides 2 Hyocomium armoricum 2 Poa glauca 2 Saccogyna viticulosa 2 Saxifraga oppositifolia 2 Tortella tortuosa 2 Sedum rosea 1 Trollius europaeus 1 Total number of species

274 U18 Cryptogramma crispa-athyrium distentifolium snow-bed Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Rock quadrats Galium saxatile Racomitrium lanuginosum Polytrichum commune Diplophyllum taxifolium Athyrium distentifolium Diplophyllum albicans Deschampsia flexuosa Pleurozium schreberi Carex bigelowii Mylia taylorii Cladonia portentosa Cetraria islandica Scapania nimbosa Cladonia furcata Dicranum glaciale Huperzia selago Cryptogramma crispa Barbilophozia floerkei Juncus trifidus Vaccinium myrtillus Viola palustris Cladonia bellidiflora Anastrophyllum donnianum Anastrepta orcadensis Scapania ornithopodioides Sphagnum denticulatum Dryopteris oreades Phegopteris connectilis Rhytidiadelphus loreus Alchemilla alpina Dryopteris dilatata Nardus stricta Bazzania tricrenata Marsupella emarginata Racomitrium ericoides

275 U18 (continued) No. of Quadrat number quadrats Hylocomium umbratum Polytrichum alpinum Cladonia arbuscula Ptilidium ciliare Deschampsia cespitosa 4 1 Hypnum jutlandicum 4 1 Blechnum spicant 3 1 Cladonia coniocraea 3 1 Dicranum scoparium 3 1 Oligotrichum hercynicum 3 1 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 1 Stereocaulon vesuvianum 3 1 Tritomaria quinquedentata 3 1 Agrostis capillaris 2 1 Cerastium cerastioides 2 1 Cladonia rangiferina 2 1 Cladonia uncialis 2 1 Coelocaulon aculeatum 2 1 Conostomum tetragonum 2 1 Hylocomium splendens 2 1 Kiaeria blyttii 2 1 Kiaeria falcata 2 1 Lophozia opacifolia 2 1 Plagiothecium undulatum 2 1 Racomitrium fasciculare 2 1 Racomitrium sudeticum 2 1 Rumex acetosa 2 1 Thamnolia vermicularis 2 1 Gymnomitrion obtusum 1 1 Lophozia sudetica 1 1 Moerckia blyttii 1 1 Nardia compressa 1 1 Pleurocladula albescens 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

276 U19 Thelypteris limbosperma-blechnum spicant community Quadrat number 1 Easting 2628 Northing 7741 Altitude (m) 370 Slope aspect (o) 5 Slope gradient (o) 40 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 40 Fern litter (DOMIN) 4 Oreopteris limbosperma 9 Agrostis canina 5 Potentilla erecta 4 Blechnum spicant 4 Viola riviniana 3 Viola palustris 3 Tritomaria quinquedentata 3 Thuidium tamariscinum 3 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 3 Hylocomium splendens 3 Galium saxatile 3 Diplophyllum albicans 3 Anthoxanthum odoratum 3 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 2 Ranunculus acris 2 Oxalis acetosella 2 Narthecium ossifragum 2 Mnium hornum 2 Hypnum jutlandicum 2 Hylocomium umbratum 2 Vaccinium myrtillus 1 Succisa pratensis 1 Polytrichum commune 1 Hieracium sp. 1 Festuca vivipara 1 Dicranum scoparium 1 Dicranum majus 1 Conopodium majus 1 Carex echinata 1 Campylopus fragilis 1 Betula pubescens (seedling) 1 Anastrepta orcadensis 1 Alchemilla alpina 1 Total number of species

277 U20a Pteridium aquilinum-galium saxatile community, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1861 Northing 6882 Altitude (m) 235 Slope aspect (o) 146 Slope gradient (o) 5 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 150 Pteridium aquilinum 9 Agrostis capillaris 7 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 7 Pleurozium schreberi 6 Holcus lanatus 5 Potentilla erecta 5 Rumex acetosa 5 Anthoxanthum odoratum 4 Festuca vivipara 4 Galium saxatile 4 Hylocomium splendens 4 Ranunculus acris 4 Conopodium majus 3 Viola riviniana 3 Total number of species

278 U21 Cryptogramma crispa-deschampsia flexuosa community Quadrat number 1 2 Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) 30 2 Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Bare rock/scree 8 8 quadrats Cryptogramma crispa Racomitrium lanuginosum Pleurozium schreberi Cladonia bellidiflora Racomitrium sudeticum Saxifraga stellaris 5 1 Dicranum scoparium 4 1 Andreaea rupestris 3 1 Carex bigelowii 3 1 Cladonia furcata 3 1 Cladonia uncialis 3 1 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 1 Hylocomium splendens 3 1 Juncus trifidus 3 1 Ptilidium ciliare 3 1 Racomitrium ericoides 3 1 Racomitrium heterostichum 3 1 Stereocaulon vesuvianum 3 1 Anastrepta orcadensis 2 1 Polytrichum alpinum 2 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat

279 Dry aff: Dryopteris affinis community OV24 Urtica dioica-galium aparine community Quadrat number 1 Easting 1870 Northing 6883 Altitude (m) 230 Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 70 Quadrat number 1 Easting 1450 Northing 6851 Altitude (m) 55 Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 Height of vegetation (cm) 100 Dryopteris affinis 9 Deschampsia cespitosa 5 Holcus lanatus 5 Ranunculus repens 5 Conopodium majus 5 Rumex acetosa 4 Agrostis capillaris 4 Hylocomium splendens 4 Galium saxatile 4 Pleurozium schreberi 4 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 Cardamine pratensis 3 Thuidium tamariscinum 3 Scleropodium purum 3 Urtica dioica 9 Rumex obtusifolius 6 Juncus effusus 5 Galium aparine 4 Phleum arvense 4 Dactylis glomerata 4 Holcus lanatus 4 Epilobium montanum 3 Agrostis capillaris 3 Eurhynchium praelongum 3 Rubus fruticosus 2 Cardamine pratensis 2 Total number of species 12 Total number of species

280 Fell-field Quadrat number Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope aspect (o) Slope gradient (o) Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B Year of survey (2003 or 2004) Height of vegetation (cm) No. of Stones (DOMIN) quadrats Festuca vivipara Racomitrium lanuginosum Racomitrium sudeticum Juncus trifidus Polytrichum alpinum 4 1 Ochrolechia frigida 3 1 Salix herbacea 3 1 Luzula spicata 2 1 Cladonia uncialis 1 1 Total number of species Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat 5 272

281 Appendix 2 List of all plant species recorded in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC This is a list of all species found by us during this survey of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC in , with additional species recorded here by other people before 2003 but not seen here by us. This list also gives a rough indication of the quantity of each species as found in this survey. To do this we used the categories 1 (rare), 2 (uncommon), 3 (common) and 4 (abundant). These equate with rare, occasional, frequent and abundant as used by many botanists, but occasional and frequent are inappropriate for this purpose because they are specifically to do with time and not quantity. For records of species not seen here by us, a letter X is used instead of a number 1, 2, 3 or 4; most or even all of these species are probably rare here. This species list also shows which species are recorded in each of the Ordnance Survey 10km x 10m grid squares containing this site. The left hand column gives the appropriate European phytogeographical group, following the classifications by Preston & Hill (1997) for vascular plants and Hill & Preston (1998) for bryophytes: 11 Oceanic Arctic-montane 12 Suboceanic Arctic-montane 13 European Arctic-montane 14 Eurosiberian Arctic-montane 15 Eurasian Arctic-montane 16 Circumpolar Arctic-montane 21 Oceanic Boreo-arctic Montane 22 Suboceanic Boreo-arctic Montane 23 European Boreo-arctic Montane 24 Eurosiberian Boreo-arctic Montane 26 Circumpolar Boreo-arctic Montane 32 Suboceanic Wide-boreal 34 Eurosiberian Wide-boreal 35 Eurasian Wide-boreal 36 Circumpolar Wide-boreal 41 Oceanic Boreal-montane 42 Suboceanic Boreal-montane 43 European Boreal-montane 44 Eurosiberian Boreal-montane 45 Eurasian Boreal-montane 46 Circumpolar Boreal-montane 51 Oceanic Boreo-temperate 52 Suboceanic Boreo-temperate 53 European Boreo-temperate 54 Eurosiberian Boreo-temperate 55 Eurasian Boreo-temperate 56 Circumpolar Boreo-temperate 63 European Wide-temperate 64 Eurosiberian Wide-temperate 65 Eurasian Wide-temperate 66 Circumpolar Wide-temperate 70 Hyperoceanic Temperate 71 Oceanic Temperate 72 Suboceanic Temperate 73 European Temperate 74 Eurosiberian Temperate 75 Eurasian Temperate 76 Circumpolar Temperate 80 Hyperoceanic Southern-temperate 81 Oceanic Southern-temperate 82 Suboceanic Southern-temperate 83 European Southern-temperate 84 Eurosiberian Southern-temperate 85 Eurasian Southern-temperate 86 Circumpolar Southern-temperate 91 Mediterranean-Atlantic 92 Submediterranean-Subatlantic 93 Mediterranean-montane An i in the left hand column indicates an introduced (ie non native) species. 273

282 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (vascular plants) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 i Acer pseudoplatanus Achillea millefolium Achillea ptarmica Agrostis canina Agrostis capillaris Agrostis stolonifera X 73 Agrostis vinealis Ajuga reptans Alchemilla alpina Alchemilla filicaulis vestita Alchemilla glabra Allium ursinum Alnus glutinosa Anemone nemorosa Angelica sylvestris Antennaria dioica Anthoxanthum odoratum Anthyllis vulnereria Arabis hirsuta X 15 Arabis petraea X X 16 Arctostaphylos alpinus Armeria maritima Arrhenatherum elatius Asplenium adiantum-nigrum Asplenium trichomanes Asplenium viride 1 1 X 16 Athyrium distentifolium Athyrium filix-femina Bellis perennis Betula pendula Betula pubescens Blechnum spicant Botrychium lunaria Brachypodium sylvaticum Calluna vulgaris Caltha palustris Campanula rotundifolia Cardamine flexuosa Cardamine hirsuta X 36 Cardamine pratensis Carex atrata X 16 Carex bigelowii Carex binervis Carex capillaris Carex caryophyllea Carex curta Carex dioica

283 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (vascular plants) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 53 Carex echinata Carex flacca Carex hostiana Carex lachenalii X X 71 Carex laevigata X 54 Carex nigra Carex ovalis Carex pallescens Carex panicea Carex pauciflora Carex pilulifera Carex pulicaris Carex remota Carex rostrata Carex saxatilis Carex sylvatica Carex vaginata Carex viridula Carum verticillatum Centaurea nigra Cerastium alpinum Cerastium arcticum Cerastium cerastoides Cerastium fontanum Chamerion angustifolium Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Circaea x intermedia Circaea lutetiana Cirsium arvense Cirsium heterophyllum Cirsium palustre Cirsium vulgare Cochlearia officinalis X 11 Cochlearia micacea X X 13 Cochlearia pyrenaica Coeloglossum viride Conopodium majus Cornus suecica Corylus avellana Crataegus monogyna Crepis paludosa Cryptogramma crispa Cystopteris fragilis Cystopteris montana Dactylis glomerata Dactylorhiza maculata Danthonia decumbens

284 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (vascular plants) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 36 Deschampsia cespitosa Deschampsia flexuosa Digitalis purpurea Diphasiastrum alpinum Drosera rotundifolia Dryas octopetala Dryopteris aemula X 73 Dryopteris affinis Dryopteris dilatata Dryopteris expansa X 76 Dryopteris filix-mas Dryopteris oreades Eleocharis palustris Eleocharis quinqueflora Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum Empetrum nigrum nigrum Epilobium alsinifolium Epilobium anagadillifolium i Epilobium brunnescens Epilobium montanum Epilobium palustre Equisetum arvense Equisetum fluviatile Equisetum sylvaticum Equisetum variegatum Erica cinerea Erica tetralix Eriophorum angustifolium Eriophorum latifolium Eriophorum vaginatum Eupatorium cannabinum X 73 Euphrasia officinalis agg Euphrasia arctica X 14 Euphrasia frigida Euphrasia micrantha i Fagus sylvatica Festuca ovina Festuca rubra Festuca vivipara Filipendula ulmaria Fragaria vesca Fraxinus excelsior Galium aparine Galium boreale Galium odoratum Galium palustre Galium saxatile

285 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (vascular plants) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 53 Gentianella campestris Geranium robertianum Geranium sylvaticum Geum rivale Geum urbanum Glyceria declinata X 73 Glyceria fluitans Gnaphalium supinum Gymnadaenia conopsea Gymnocarpium dryopteris Hedera helix Helictotrichon pratense X 55 Heracleum sphondylium Hieracium agg Holcus lanatus Holcus mollis Huperzia selago Hyacinthoides non-scripta Hymenophyllum wilsonii Hypericum pulchrum Hypochaeris radicata Ilex aquifolium Juncus acutiflorus Juncus articulatus Juncus biglumis X X 66 Juncus bufonius Juncus bulbosus Juncus castaneus X X 73 Juncus conglomeratus Juncus effusus Juncus squarrosus Juncus trifidus Juncus triglumis Juniperus communis nana Lapsana communis i Larix sp Lathyrus linifolius montanus Leontodon autumnalis Linum catharticum Listera cordata Littorella uniflora Lobelia dortmanna Loiseleuria procumbens Lolium perenne Lonicera periclymenum Lotus corniculatus Luzula arcuata

286 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (vascular plants) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 73 Luzula campestris Luzula multiflora Luzula pilosa Luzula spicata Luzula sylvatica Lycopodium annotinum Lycopodium clavatum Lysimachia nemorum Melampyrum pratense Melica nutans Melica uniflora X 56 Menyanthes trifoliata Mercurialis perennis Minuartia sedoides X 54 Molinia caerulea Montia fontana Myosotis alpestris X 52 Myrica gale Nardus stricta Narthecium ossifragum Orchis mascula Oreopteris limbosperma Orthilia secunda X 55 Oxalis acetosella Oxyria digyna Parnassia palustris Pedicularis sylvatica Persicaria vivipara Phegopteris connectilis Phleum alpinum Phleum pratense Pilosella officinarum Pinguicula lusitanica Pinguicula vulgaris Pinus sylvestris Plantago lanceolata Plantago major Plantago maritima Platanthera bifolia Poa alpina Poa annua Poa flexuosa X X 13 Poa x jemtlandica X X 26 Poa glauca Poa pratensis Poa trivialis Polygala serpyllifolia

287 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (vascular plants) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 73 Polygala vulgaris Polypodium vulgare Polystichum aculeatum Polystichum lonchitis Populus tremula Potamogeton natans Potamogeton polygonifolius Potentilla erecta Potentilla palustris X X 72 Potentilla sterilis Primula vulgaris Prunella vulgaris Prunus padus Pseudorchis albida Pteridium aquilinum Pyrola media X 46 Pyrola minor X 73 Quercus petraea X 73 Quercus robur Ranunculus acris Ranunculus ficaria Ranunculus flammula Ranunculus repens Rhinanthus minor Rhynchospora alba Rosa canina Rubus chamaemorus Rubus fruticosus Rubus idaeus Rubus saxatilis Rumex acetosa Rumex acetosella Rumex crispus Rumex obtusifolius Sagina procumbens Sagina saginoides X 53 Salix aurita Salix caprea Salix cinerea Salix herbacea Salix lapponum Salix myrsinites 1? 26 Salix phylicifolia X 54 Salix repens Salix reticulata X 73 Sanicula europaea Saussurea alpina Saxifraga aizoides

288 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (vascular plants) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 16 Saxifraga cernua Saxifraga cespitosa Saxifraga hypnoides Saxifraga nivalis 1 1 X 1 16 Saxifraga oppositifolia Saxifraga rivularis X X X 13 Saxifraga stellaris Scrophularia nodosa Sedum rosea Selaginella selaginoides Senecio jacobea Sibbaldia procumbens Silene acaulis Silene dioica Silene uniflora X 55 Solidago virgaurea Sorbus aucuparia Stachys sylvatica Stellaria holostea X 73 Stellaria uliginosa X 74 Succisa pratensis Taraxacum officinale agg Teucrium scorodonia Thalictrum alpinum Thalictrum minus X 53 Thymus polytrichus i Tilia cordata X 16 Tofieldia pusilla Trichophorum cespitosum Trientalis europaea Trifolium repens Triglochin palustre Trollius europaeus Tussilago farfara Ulex europaeus X 73 Ulmus glabra Urtica dioica Vaccinium myrtillus Vaccinium uliginosum Vaccinium vitis-idaea Valeriana officinalis Veronica alpina Veronica chamaedrys Veronica montana X 53 Veronica officinalis Veronica serpyllifolia Viola palustris Viola riviniana

289 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (mosses) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 26 Amphidium lapponicum X X X 46 Amphidium mougeotii Andreaea alpina Andreaea blyttii X X 43 Andreaea frigida X X 41 Andreaea mutabilis X X 13 Andreaea nivalis Andreaea rothii Andreaea rupestris Anoectangium aestivum Anomobryum filiforme Antitrichia curtipendula Arctoa fulvella X X 56 Atrichum undulatum Aulacomnium palustre Aulacomnium turgidum X X 43 Bartramia hallerana Bartramia ithiphylla Bartramia pomiformis Blindia acuta Brachythecium glaciale Brachythecium plumosum Brachythecium reflexum X X 56 Brachythecium rivulare Brachythecium rutabulum Brachythecium starkei X 16 Brachythecium trachypodium X 70 Breutelia chrysocoma Bryoerythrophyllum caledonicum X X 44 Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens X X 56 Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum Bryum alpinum Bryum capillare Bryum dixonii X X 43 Bryum muehlenbeckii X X 36 Bryum pallens Bryum pseudotriquetrum Bryum riparium X X 26 Calliergon sarmentosum Calliergon trifarium Calliergonella cuspidata Campylium stellatum Campylopus atrovirens Campylopus flexuosus Campylopus fragilis Campylopus gracilis X X i Campylopus introflexus Ceratodon purpureus Cirriphyllum piliferum Climacium dendroides? 16 Conostomum tetragonum

290 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (mosses) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 53 Ctenidium molluscum Dichodontium pellucidum Dicranella heteromalla Dicranella palustris Dicranella rufescens X 43 Dicranodontium denudatum Dicranodontium uncinatum Dicranoweisia crispula X X X 26 Dicranum fuscescens Dicranum majus Dicranum scoparium Dicranum scottianum Didymodon ferrugineus X X 53 Diphyscium foliosum Distichium capillaceum Ditrichum gracile Ditrichum heteromallum Ditrichum lineare X 13 Ditrichum zonatum X X 26 Drepanocladus revolvens Dryptodon patens Encalypta ciliata Eurhynchium praelongum Eurhynchium striatum Fissidens adianthoides Fissidens bryoides Fissidens dubius Fissidens osmundoides Fissidens taxifolius Fontinalis antipyretica Grimmia torquata Hedwigia stellata Heterocladium heteropterum Homalothecium sericeum Hookeria lucens Hygrohypnum luridum Hygrohypnum ochraceum 1 1 X 73 Hylocomium brevirostre Hylocomium pyrenaicum X X 36 Hylocomium splendens Hylocomium umbratum Hymenostylium recurvirostrum X 71 Hyocomium armoricum Hypnum andoi Hypnum callichroum Hypnum cupressiforme Hypnum jutlandicum Hypnum lacunosum Hypnum resupinatum Isopterygiopsis pulchella X X 42 Isopterygiopsis muelleriana X 282

291 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (mosses) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 53 Isothecium alopecuroides Isothecium myosuroides Kiaeria blyttii Kiaeria falcata Kiaeria glaciale Kiaeria starkei Leucobryum glaucum Meesia uliginosa X X 73 Mnium hornum Mnium marginatum Mnium stellare Molendoa warburgii Neckera complanata Neckera crispa Oedipodium griffithianum Oligotrichum hercynicum Orthothecium intricatum Orthothecium rufescens 1 1 X 53 Orthotrichum affine Palustriella commutata Paraleptodontium recurvifolium 1 X X 66 Philonotis fontana Philonotis seriata Philonotis tomentella X X 26 Plagiobryum zieri Plagiomnium undulatum Plagiopus oederianus X 56 Plagiothecium denticulatum Plagiothecium succulentum Plagiothecium undulatum Pleurozium schreberi Pogonatum aloides Pogonatum urnigerum Pohlia cruda Pohlia drummondii X X 46 Pohlia elongata Pohlia ludwigii Pohlia nutans Pohlia wahlenbergi var. glacialis Polytrichum alpinum Polytrichum commune Polytrichum formosum Polytrichum juniperinum Polytrichum piliferum Polytrichum sexangulare Polytrichum strictum Pseudobryum cinclidioides X X 43 Pseudoleskea patens X 52 Pseudotaxyphyllum elegans Pterigynandrum filiforme X X 46 Ptilium crista-castrensis Ptychomitrium polyphyllum

292 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (mosses) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 52 Racomitrium aciculare Racomitrium aquaticum Racomitrium ellipticum Racomitrium elongatum X 32 Racomitrium ericoides Racomitrium fasciculare Racomitrium heterostichum Racomitrium lanuginosum Racomitrium sudeticum Rhabdoweisia crenulata Rhabdoweisia crispata Rhizomnium magnifolium Rhizomnium punctatum Rhynchostegium riparioides Rhytidiadelphus loreus Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Schistidium apocarpum Schistidium strictum X X 73 Scleropodium purum Scorpidium scorpioides Sphagnum affine Sphagnum capillifolium Sphagnum compactum Sphagnum contortum Sphagnum cuspidatum Sphagnum denticulatum Sphagnum fallax Sphagnum fimbriatum Sphagnum fuscum Sphagnum magellanicum Sphagnum palustre Sphagnum papillosum Sphagnum quinquefarium Sphagnum squarrosum Sphagnum strictum Sphagnum subnitens Sphagnum tenellum Tetraphis pellucida Tetraplodon angustatus X 26 Tetraplodon mnioides X X 73 Thamnobryum alopecurum Thuidium delicatulum Thuidium tamariscinum Tortella tortuosa Trichostomum brachydontium Trichostomum tenuirostre Ulota crispa Ulota drummondii Ulota hutchinsiae Warnstorfia exannulata 1 1 X 1 56 Warnstorfia fluitans

293 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (liverworts) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 42 Anastrepta orcadensis Anastrophyllum donnianum Anastrophyllum minutum Aneura pinguis Anthelia julacea Anthelia juratzkana Apometzgeria pubescens X X 42 Barbilophozia atlantica Barbilophozia floerkei Barbilophozia lycopodioides X X X 41 Bazzania pearsonii Bazzania tricrenata Bazzania trilobata Blepharostoma trichophyllum Calypogeia arguta Calypogeia azurea X X 72 Calypogeia fissa Calypogeia muelleriana Cephalozia bicuspidata Cephalozia lunulifolia Cephaloziella divaricata Diplophyllum albicans Diplophyllum taxifolium 1 2 X 71 Douinia ovata Frullania dilatata Frullania fragilifolia Frullania tamarisci Frullania teneriffae Gymnomitrion apiculatum X X 16 Gymnomitrion concinnatum Gymnomitrion crenulatum Gymnomitrion obtusum Haplomitrium hookeri X X 80 Harpalejeunea molleri Harpanthus flotovianus X X 43 Harpanthus scutatus X 41 Herbertus aduncus Herbertus stramineus Hygrobiella laxifolia X X 56 Jamesoniella autumnalis Jungermannia atrovirens Jungermannia borealis X X 43 Jungermannia exsertifolia Jungermannia gracillima Jungermannia hyalina X X 43 Jungermannia obovata X X 26 Jungermannia sphaerocarpa X 285

294 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (liverworts) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 42 Kurzia trichoclados Lejeunea cavifolia Lejeunea patens Lepidozia cupressina X X 70 Lepidozia pearsonii Lepidozia reptans Leptoscyphus cuneifolius Lophocolea bidentata Lophozia opacifolia Lophozia sudetica Lophozia ventricosa Marsupella adusta Marsupella alpina Marsupella boeckii Marsupella brevissima Marsupella condensata Marsupella emarginata Marsupella sphacelata Marsupella sprucei X X 41 Mastigophora woodsii Metzgeria conjugata Metzgeria furcata Microlejeunea ulicina Moerckia blyttii 1 1 X 46 Mylia anomala Mylia taylorii Nardia breidleri X X 42 Nardia compressa Nardia geoscyphus X X 53 Nardia scalaris Nowellia curvifolia Odontoschisma macounii X X 72 Odontoschisma sphagni Pellia epiphylla Plagiochila asplenioides Plagiochila atlantica Plagiochila carringtonii Plagiochila killarniensis Plagiochila porelloides Plagiochila punctata Plagiochila spinulosa Pleurocladula albescens 1 2 X 41 Pleurozia purpurea Preissia quadrata Ptilidium ciliare Radula aquilegia X X 286

295 Appendix 2 (continued) Whole Phyt Species name (liverworts) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 56 Radula complanata Riccardia chamedryfolia Riccardia multifida Riccardia palmata Saccogyna viticulosa Scapania aequiloba Scapania aspera X X 26 Scapania calcicola X X 92 Scapania compacta Scapania degenii X X 80 Scapania gracilis Scapania nemorea Scapania nimbosa 1 1 X 41 Scapania ornithopodioides X 26 Scapania paludosa Scapania uliginosa Scapania umbrosa Scapania undulata Tetralophozia setiformis X X 46 Tritomaria exsecta Tritomaria polita 1 1 X 26 Tritomaria quinquedentata

296 Appendix 3 Target notes recorded in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC Each of these Target Notes has a prefix letter and a number. The prefix letters are as follows: A records from this survey by Ben and Alison Averis in (Appendix 3A) R records from the vascular plant Site Condition Monitoring survey by Rothero (2002) (Appendix 3B) E extra records from other (pre-2002) surveys or visits (Appendix 3C) The numbers form a series within each of these three sets of Target Notes. The location of each Target Note is marked on Maps 2a 2w (scale 1:10,000) in Appendix 5. The location is shown by a circled dot. This is labelled with a code (eg A1, A2, A3 etc), which is the same code as that which appears in the text of Appendices 3A, 3B and 3C below. The text here in Appendices 3A, 3B and 3C gives information about the species found at each Target Note location. In this text we have given an 8-figure Ordnance Survey grid reference for each Target Note, to make cross-referencing the text and maps easier and clearer. Finally, Appendix 3D gives information about each population of each Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular plant species. This information is copied from the relevant parts of Appendices 3A, 3B and 3C, and ordered by species instead of by location. 288

297 Appendix 3A Target Notes recorded in this survey of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC by Ben and Alison Averis in Each Target Note has a code prefix A, which stands for Averis, followed by a number in a series from This is followed by an 8-figure Ordnance Survey grid reference, then the botanical details, and finally the year in which the Target Note was recorded. A1. NN Rhynchospora alba abundant in flushes (M15a) A2. NN Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna bushes near path A3. NN Flora of crags includes rowan and moss Racomitrium ellipticum A4. NN Summit flora of Meall an t-suidhe includes Loiselurea procumbens, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Carex bigelowii, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Salix herbacea and Polytrichum alpinum A5. N Oxyria digyna on gravel and among rocks beside the Red Burn, presumably from seeds washed down from higher up the hill A6. NN Listera cordata in bog (M19a) A7. NN Carex pauciflora in bog (M17a) A8. NN Trees along the Allt a Mhuillin include birch Betula pubescens, rowan Sorbus aucuparia, Salix cinerea, S. aurita and S. caprea A9. NN Gymnadaenia conopsea on slopes N of road A10. NN Pinus sylvestris scattered widely among woodland and rock outcrops on this steep S-SE-facing slope A11. NN Veronica alpina and Cerastium cerastioides in Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath H20a A12. NN Carn Dearg. Species around here, on exposed spur, include Sibbaldia procumbens, Cerastium cerastioides, Thalictrum alpinum, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Carex bigelowii and the moss Calliergon sarmentosum A13. NN Philonotis-Saxifraga springs M32b with Philonotis seriata, and patches of lichen heath up to a metre or two square, consisting of Cetraria islandica and Cladonia uncialis dotted with Racomitrium lanuginosum, Carex bigelowii, Alchemilla alpina and Polytrichum alpinum A14. NN Sibbaldia procumbens and Cerastium cerastioides in Alchemilla-Sibbaldia vegetation U A15. NN Sibbaldia procumbens in Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U A16. NN Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina in Anthelia-Sphagnum spring M A17. NN Good patches of the moss Andreaea nivalis found around here in this survey, with other species including the mosses Kiaeria starkei, Polytrichum sexangulare and Conostomum tetragonum, and the liverwort Pleurocladula albescens

298 Appendix 3A (continued) A18. NN Sibbaldia procumbens in Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed A19. NN Salix herbacea at the top of No. 2 gully A20. NN Carum verticillatum common on flushed lower slopes A21. NN Sibbaldia procumbens in Rhytidiadelphus loreus snow-bed U13b A22. NN Mylia taylorii, Scapania gracilis, S. ornithopodioides, Anastrepta orcadensis, Bazzania tricrenata, Pleurozia purpurea and Plagiochila carringtonii in Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath H20c A23. NN Carex bigelowii flushes within Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17a A24. NN Veronica alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens, Thymus polytrichus, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla glabra, Ranunculus acris, Oxyria digyna, Athyrium distentifolium, Selaginella selaginoides, Sedum rosea, Gnaphalium supinum, Saxifraga stellaris, Solidago virgaurea, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Trollius europaeus, Cerastium arcticum and Philonotis seriata along the base of the cliff A25. NN Sibbaldia procumbens in Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U A26. NN Hymenophyllum wilsonii and oceanic liverworts Herbertus aduncus, Plagiochila carringtonii, P. spinulosa, Lepidozia pearsonii, Pleurozia purpurea, Scapania gracilis and S. ornithopodioides in W17a birch woodland on steep N-facing slope A27. NN Pinus sylvestris scattered widely on these N-NW-facing slopes A28. NN Hymenophyllum wilsonii and oceanic moss Dicranum scottianum in W17a birch woodland A29. NN Small patches of bryophyte-dominated late snow-bed vegetation on the plateau of Ben Nevis, with Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, K. blyttii, Racomitrium ericoides, R. sudeticum, Polytrichum sexangulare, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Pohlia ludwigii, Anthelia julacea, A. juratzkana and Pleurocladula albescens. The only vascular plants are Saxifraga stelaris and Huperzia selago A30. NN Sibbaldia procumbens (3 plants, 2 of which were flowering) growing with Plantago major, Trifolium repens, Rubus fruticosus, Salix aurita and Holcus lanatus in track. At 300m this is an unusually low altitude for Sibbaldia A31. NN Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis in Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a and Philonotis-Saxifraga springs M32b A32. NN The montane flora on the upper west-facing end of the ridge includes Carex bigelowii, Cornus suecica, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Loiselurea procumbens, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Salix herbacea, Luzula spicata, Juncus trifidus, the moss Conostomum tetragonum and the lichens Solorina crocea and Thamnolia vermicularis A33. NN Juniperus communis ssp. nana on banks of stream

299 Appendix 3A (continued) A34. NN Listera cordata in heath A35. NN Salix aurita common near river A36. NN Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania nimbosa, Bazzania tricrenata and Mylia taylorii in screes below the Douglas Boulder A37. NN Gymnadaenia conopsea and moss Sphagnum strictum plentiful in wet heath A38. NN Listera cordata and Cornus suecica in heath A39. NN Scattered rowans and Salix aurita bushes near river A40. NN Loiselurea procumbens in heath A41. NN Arctostaphylos alpinus, Loiselurea procumbens, Vaccinium uliginosum and Salix herbacea in H20 Vaccinium heath and U5e heathy Nardus grassland A42. NN Silene acaulis tufts pulled out by grazing sheep in herb-rich Carex-Racomitrium heath U10c A43. NN Sibbaldia procumbens in herb-rich Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed U12a A44. NN Rare montane liverwort Marsupella condensata in Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed U12b in incised stream gully A45. NN Athyrium distentifolium, Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania nimbosa, S. ornithopodioides, S. gracilis, Bazzania tricrenata and Mylia taylorii in Cryptogramma-Athyrium fern community U A46. NN Young Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis among boulders in fern-dominated snow-bed U18, growing in a mat of Anastrophyllum donnianum and Mylia taylorii, with other species including Athyrium distentifolium A47. NN Flora of woodland around here includes Betula pubescens, Sorbus aucuparia, Salix caprea, S. aurita, Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus excelsior, Ulmus glabra, Corylus avellana, Pinus sylvestris (on both sides of the river), Hymenophyllum wilsonii, Melica nutans, Geum urbanum, Geranium sylvaticum, G. robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Filipendula ulmaria, Rubus idaeus, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Sanicula europaea, Lysimachia nemorum, Angelica sylvestris, Carex pallescens, Athyrium filix-femina, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Luzula sylvatica, the mosses Anoectangium aestivum, Breutelia chrysocoma, Campylopus atrovirens, Distichium capillaceum, Encalypta ciliata, Hylocomium umbratum, Hyocomium armoricum, Neckera pumila, Ptilium cristacastrensis, Ptychomitrium polyphyllum, Rhabdoweisia crenulata, R. crispata and Thuidium delicatulum, and the liverworts Douinia ovata, Frullania fragilifolia, Gymnomitrion crenulatum, Harpalejeunea molleri, Jamesoniella autumnalis, Lejeunea patens, Plagiochila atlantica, P. killarniensis, P. spinulosa, Preissia quadrata, Riccardia palmata, Saccogyna viticulosa and Scapania gracilis A48. NN Scapania uliginosa in Philonotis-Saxifraga spring and Sibbaldia procumbens by the tiny lochan

300 Appendix 3A (continued) A49. NN Carex saxatilis in C. saxatilis mire M A50. NN Mixed snow-bed vegetation UX on the steep upper slopes of the corrie. Species include Cryptogramma crispa, Gnaphalium supinum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Juncus trifidus, Carex bigelowii, Salix herbacea, Saxifraga stellaris, Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Luzula spicata, Nardus stricta, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris, Blechnum spicant, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum, Dicranum fuscescens, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Bazzania tricrenata, Anastrepta orcadensis and Diplophyllum albicans. There are Philonotis-Saxifraga springs M32 dominated by P. seriata rather than P. fontana A51. NN Cerastium cerastioides in Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M A52. NN Sibbaldia procumbens in Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U A53. NN Uncommon lichen Thamnolia vermicularis in summit heath A54. NN SE spur of Ben Nevis. Juniperus communis ssp. nana on rocky ground A55. NN Poa glauca in heathy Luzula-Geum tall-herb vegetation U17d A56. NN Limestone west-facing cliffs of Meall Cumhann with tall-herb ledge vegetation U17. Species include Poa glauca, Alchemilla alpina, Thymus polytrichus, Geranium sylvaticum, Antennaria dioica, Anthyllis vulneraria, Lotus corniculatus, Carex pulicaris, Selaginella selaginoides, Sedum rosea, Trollius europaeus, Filipendula ulmaria, Primula vulgaris, Lysimachia nemorum, Cirsium heterophyllum, Geum rivale, Valeriana officinalis, Thalictrum alpinum, Silene acaulis, Hieracium spp., Saxifraga oppositifolia, Linum catharticum, Breutelia chrysocoma, Hylocomium splendens, Anoectangium aestivum, Hyocomium armoricum, Ditrichum flexicaule, Tortella tortuosa, Fissidens bryoides, Saccogyna viticulosa and Ptilidium ciliare A57. NN Herb-rich Nardus grassland U5c with Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Taraxacum officinale, Ranunculus acris and Thalictrum alpinum A58. NN Large amounts of Cerastium cerastioides in mossy snow-beds U11 and U12 on the steep screes at the back of the corrie. Pohlia ludwigii, Polytrichum sexangulare, Conostomum tetragonum and Marsupella adusta are common too A59. NN North-facing limestone cliffs of Meall Cumhann with montane willow scrub W20, herb-rich Luzula-Geum vegetation U17, Alchemilla-Saxifraga vegetation U15 and Festuca- Alchemilla-Silene vegetation CG12. Species here include Salix lapponum, Saxifraga aizoides, S. hypnoides, S. oppositifolia, Poa glauca, Thymus polytrichus, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Persicaria vivipara, Thalictrum alpinum, Silene acaulis, Trollius europaeus, Ranunculus acris, Saussurea alpina, Selaginella selaginoides, Angelica sylvestris, Botrychium lunaria, Sedum rosea, Oxyria digyna, Orchis mascula, Carex flacca, C. pulicaris, C. panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, Huperzia selago, Antennaria dioica, Geranium sylvaticum, Linum catharticum, Galium boreale, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago maritima, Filipendula ulmaria, Cerastium alpinum, Geum rivale and Tofieldia pusilla and the bryophytes Ctenidium molluscum, Neckera crispa, Blindia acuta, Campylium stellatum, Tortella tortuosa, Ditrichum flexicaule, Plagiobryum zieri, Amphidium mougeotii, Ptilium cristacastrensis, Plagiochila spinulosa and Herbertus stramineus

301 Appendix 3A (continued) A60. NN Much Cerastium cerastioides in Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed U12b in the small hollow at the head of the stream A61. NN Poa glauca in Alchemilla-Saxifraga banks U A62. NN Cerastium cerastioides and Sibbaldia procumbens among rocks A63. NN Montane Calluna-Vaccinium heath with much Vaccinium uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Carex bigelowii, Diphasiastrum alpinum and Racomitrium lanuginosum A64. NN Carex saxatilis in C. saxatilis mire M A65. NN Oceanic liverwort Mastigophora woodsii in rocky birch woodland (W17) A66. NN Uncommon lichen Cladonia maxima in montane Vaccinium-Rubus heath H22a A67. NN Much Veronica alpina and Sibbaldia procumbens in incised stream gully A68. NN Sibbaldia procumbens and Veronica alpina in herb-rich Salix-Racomitrium snowbed U12a A69. NN Sibbaldia procumbens, Oxyria digyna, Silene acaulis, Thalictrum alpinum, Persicaria vivipara and Marsupella alpina in incised stream gully A70. NN Flora of birch woodland (W17) near waterfall includes Hymenophyllum wilsonii, oceanic liverworts Herbertus aduncus, Pleurozia purpurea, Scapania ornithopodioides, S. gracilis, Plagiochila carringtonii and P. spinulosa, and (on birch) lichen Platismatia norvegica A71. NN Some aspen and oak on very steep, heathy slope/cliff with scattered trees and patches of woodland A72. NN Lycopodium annotinum among rocks by stream A73. NN Sibbaldia procumbens beside the stream A74. NN Cerastium arcticum beside stream in Nardus-Carex snow-bed grassland U A75. NN Athyrium distentifolium in Cryptogramma-Athyrium snow-bed U18 among boulders A76. NN Athyrium distentifolium in Cryptogramma-Athyrium snow-bed U18 among boulders A77. NN Low cliffs and outcrops of basic rock on the east side of Coire Giubhsachan with montane willow scrub W20. Species include Salix lapponum, Saussurea alpina, Geum rivale, Thalictrum alpinum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Juncus triglumis, Oxyria digyna, Silene acaulis, Persicaria vivipara, Angelica sylvestris, Sedum rosea and Rhinanthus minor. There are also patches of the more acid form of W20, with Salix lapponum growing in mats of Racomitrium lanuginosum with Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Alchemilla alpina, Solidago virgaurea and Succisa pratensis

302 Appendix 3A (continued) A78. NN Cerastium cerastoides on flushed eroding granite gravel just on the north side of the col A79. NN Sibbaldia procumbens and the lichen Solorina crocea on the incised banks of a stream gully on the col at the head of Coire Giubhsachan A80. NN Sibbaldia procumbens in Rhytidiadelphus loreus snow-bed U13b A81. NN Sibbaldia procumbens in Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U14. A82. NN Carex saxatilis in C. saxatilis mire M A83. NN Luzula spicata and Solorina crocea on scree A84. NN Col at the head of Coire Giubhsachan. Carex saxatilis mires M12 with Epilobium anagallidifolium, Silene acaulis, Thalictrum alpinum and Deschampsia cespitosa var. alpina, and Festuca-Alchemilla-Silene swards with S. acaulis, Armeria maritima, Thalictrum alpinum, Trollius europaeus, Persicaria vivipara, Carex pulicaris, Selaginella selaginoides, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Luzula spicata and Carex bigelowii. Rare moss Kiaeria glaciale in boulders nearby A85. NN Carex saxatilis in C. saxatilis mire M A86. NN Sibbaldia procumbens where the ground flattens out onto the col. There is much Carex saxatilis mire M12 here, too A87. NN Luzula spicata and Juncus trifidus in eroding stream gully A88. NN Athyrium distentifolium in fern-dominated snow-beds U18 and Saussurea alpina in Carex-Pinguicula mire M10a A89. NN Cerastium cerastioides in U13b snow-bed vegetation A90. NN Cerastium cerastioides in U10 U13 mossy vegetation A91. NN Much Cerastium cerastioides in snow-bed vegetation on upper corrie slopes A92. NN Saxifraga rivularis in Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M A93. NN Sibbaldia procumbens in Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed U11a A94. NN Cerastium cerastioides, Saxifraga rivularis, Sibbaldia procumbens, Veronica alpina and Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina in Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M A95. NN Aonach Beag. Eight plants of Luzula arcuata growing on exposed stony ground A96. NN Cerastium alpinum and Sibbaldia procumbens in herb-rich Carex-Racomitrium heath U10c A97. NN Herb-rich Racomitrium heath U10c on the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, with species including Silene acaulis, Luzula spicata, Alchemilla alpina, Achillea millefolium, Salix herbacea, Persicaria vivipara, Sibbaldia procumbens, Gnaphalium supinum, Saussurea alpina, Cerastium alpinum, Thalictrum alpinum and the montane lichens Ochrolechia frigida and Solorina crocea

303 Appendix 3A (continued) A98. NN A few plants of Luzula arcuata growing in open stony U10 moss heath A99. NN Many tens of plants of Saxifraga rivularis in a corner of the cliffs, with Cerastium arcticum, Persicaria vivipara and Solorina crocea in wet tall-herb vegetation U17a, Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M33 and on wet gravel and ledges A100. NN Cerastium cerastioides and Sibbaldia procumbens in Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a and Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U A101. NN North-facing cliffs and col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. One of the richest parts of the study area for montane calcicoles and snow-bed plants. Species here include Saxifraga cernua, S. stellaris, S. oppositifolia, Sibbaldia procumbens, Veronica alpina, Cystopteris montana, Cerastium cerastioides, C. arcticum, C. alpinum, Poa alpina, P. glauca, Luzula arcuata, L. spicata, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Oxyria digyna, Ranunculus acris, Trollius europaeus, Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Gnaphalium supinum, Sedum rosea, Persicaria vivipara, Silene acaulis, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Salix herbacea, Oxalis acetosella, Achillea millefolium, Saussurea alpina, Thalictrum alpinum and Carex bigelowii, the bryophytes Philonotis seriata, Oedopodium griffithianum, Polytrichum sexangulare, P. alpinum, Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, K. blyttii, K. glaciale, Calliergon sarmentosum, Orthothecium intricatum, Brachythecium glaciale, Conostomum tetragonum, Pohlia ludwigii, P. wahlenbergii var. glacialis, Moerckia blyttii, Scapania uliginosa, S. ornithopodioides, Gymnomitrion concinnatum, Marsupella adusta, M. alpina, M. brevissima, Anthelia julacea, A. juratzkana, Pleurocladula albescens, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Nardia compressa and Tritomaria polita, and the lichens Ochrolechia frigida and Solorina crocea A102. NN S of Aonach Beag. Juniperus communis ssp. nana on steep, rocky slope A103. NN S of Aonach Beag. Juniperus communis ssp. nana on steep, rocky slope A104. NN Luzula arcuata and Sibbaldia procumbens plentiful on the north-facing, shaly slopes and solifluction terraces of Aonach Beag A105. NN S of Aonach Beag. Juniperus communis ssp. nana on steep, rocky slope A106. NN Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis, Philonotis seriata, Scapania uliginosa and Epilobium anagallidifolium in Philonotis-Saxifraga spring M32b. In montane Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a nearby there is Veronica alpina, Cerastium arcticum, C. cerastioides and Phleum alpinum A107. NN Luzula arcuata in Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b A108. NN Veronica alpina, Persicaria vivipara, Carex saxatilis, Sibbaldia procumbens and Anastrophyllum donnianum are common in Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a and Carex saxatilis mire M12 on steep slopes A109. NN Athyrium distentifolium on east-facing slope of corrie A110. NN Cerastium cerastioides in Philonotis-Saxifraga spring M32b

304 Appendix 3A (continued) A111. NN Luzula arcuata in Marsupella brevissima snow-bed U12c A112. NN Uncommon lichen Cladonia maxima in Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath H A113. NN Uncommon montane liverwort Moerckia blyttii in Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed U12b A114. NN Bazzania tricrenata, Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania nimbosa, S. ornithopodioides, Gymnomitrion obtusifolium, Pleurocladula albescens, Solorina crocea, Sibbaldia procumbens, Persicaria vivipara, Athyrium distentifolium and Luzula spicata in boulderfields A115. NN Philonotis seriata, Pohlia ludwigii and Scapania uliginosa in Philonotis-Saxifraga spring M32b A116. NN Cerastium cerastioides, Sibbaldia procumbens, Epilobium anagallidifolium and Pohlia ludwigii in incised stream gully A117. NN Scapania nimbosa, Saxifraga oppositifolia and Juncus triglumis on cliff ledges A118. NN Rowans Sorbus aucuparia on cliff ledges in An Cùl Choire A119. NN Sibbaldia procumbens in Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U A120. NN Bazzania tricrenata, Mylia taylorii, Anastrophyllum donnianum, Plagiochila carringtonii, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Scapania nimbosa, Anastrepta orcadensis, Carex saxatilis, Dryopteris oreades and Athyrium distentifolium among boulders at the foot of the North-East ridge of Aonach Beag A121. NN Calluna-Juniperus communis ssp. nana scrub H15 on cliffs A122. NN Phegopteris connectilis and Cryptogramma crispa on north-facing cliffs. There is C. crispa, Athyrium distentifolium and Juncus trifidus in U18 fern beds below the cliff A123. NN Remains of old pines among peaty ground A124. NN Oceanic liverworts Plagiochila carringtonii, Scapania gracilis and S. nimbosa, and other western bryophytes Dicranodontium uncinatum, Anastrepta orcadensis, Bazzania tricrenata and Mylia taylorii in H20c Vaccinium heath on NW slope of Sgurr a Bhuic A125. NN Montane and perhaps near-natural Juncus squarrosus bog with Sphagna and Vaccinium uliginosum A126. NN Carex saxatilis in M12 mires on S-facing slope A127. NN Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum on large boulder at a relatively low altitude for this species A128. NN Scattered Salix aurita in Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15b and M15c

305 Appendix 3A (continued) A129. NN Rowans Sorbus aucuparia on crag at 740m A130. NN Montane oceanic liverworts Anastrophyllum donnianum and Scapania ornithopodioides among large boulders on south-facing slope. An unusual habitat for these species which normally grow on the most sheltered, shaded slopes facing between north-west and east A131. NN Carex pauciflora in M17a bog A132. NN Small patches of Salix lapponum scrub W20 on basic rock outcrops, with Calluna vulgaris, Succisa pratensis, Alchemilla alpina, Angelica sylvestris, Narthecium ossifragum, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum, Hieracium spp., Leontodon autumnalis, Deschampsia flexuosa, Hypericum pulchrum, Galium saxatile, Luzula sylvatica, Potentilla erecta, Breutelia chrysocoma, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Sphagnum palustre, Racomitrium lanuginosum and Cladonia arbuscula A133. NN Remains of old pines among peaty ground A134. NN Juniperus communis ssp. nana in Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15c on rocky ground A135. NN Trientalis europaeus in bracken U20 and Oreopteris limbosperma vegetation U A136. NN Loiselurea procumbens in heath A137. NN Remains of old pines among peaty ground A138. NN Tall-herb ledge vegetation U17 on steep limestone outcrop with Angelica sylvestris, Luzula sylvatica, Sedum rosea, Deschampsia cespitosa, D. flexuosa, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Rhinanthus minor, Thymus polytrichus, Salix lapponum, Hieracium ssp., Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Campanula rotundifolia, Ranunculus acris, Hypericum pulchrum, Calluna vulgaris, Saxifraga stellaris, S. oppositifolia, Polystichum lonchitis, Cystopteris fragilis, Selaginella selaginoides, Geranium sylvaticum, Silene acaulis, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Thalictrum alpinum, Betula pubescens, Lotus corniculatus, Pinguicula vulgaris, Persicaria vivipara, Antennaria dioica, Homalothecium sericeum, Tortella tortuosa, Breutelia chrysocoma and Ctendium molluscum. There are young plants of Salix lapponum on bare ground at the foot of the cliff so the mature plants on the ledges must set seed A139. NN Oceanic liverworts Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania nimbosa and Herbertus stramineus among rocks A140. NN Cerastium alpinum in Luzula-Geum tall-herb vegetation U17b A141. NN Salix lapponum (and Salix scrub W20) is extensive on this steep crag A142. NN Cerastium alpinum and C. arcticum in Festuca-Alchemilla-Silene dwarf-herb vegetation CG A143. NN Carex pauciflora in M17a bog

306 Appendix 3A (continued) A144. NN Sibbaldia procumbens in Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a and Nardus- Carex snow-bed U7b in gully A145. NN Much Loiselurea procumbens in Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b and Calluna- Racomitrium heath H A146. NN Loiselurea procumbens scattered in heaths A147. NN Salix lapponum scattered on cliffs A148. NN Juncus trifidus, Loiselurea procumbens, Luzula spicata and Vaccinium uliginosum in heaths A149. NN Vaccinium uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum and Carex bigelowii in heaths A150. NN Juncus trifidus, Loiselurea procumbens and Vaccinium uliginosum in H14 and H19 heaths A151. NN Tall-herb ledge vegetation on cliffs in Coire Fhir Dhuibhe with Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Trollius europaeus, Filipendula ulmaria, Crepis paludosa, Carex pulicaris, Thymus polytrichus, Sedum rosea, Saxifraga stellaris, Selaginella selaginoides, Ranunculus acris, Luzula sylvatica, Geum rivale, Pellia epiphylla, Fissidens adianthoides and Anoectangium aestivum A152. NN Sphagnum strictum in wet heath A153. NN Sphagnum strictum and S. affine in wet heathy flush A154. NN Loiselurea procumbens in Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b on the col between Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and Sgurr a Bhuic A155. NN Chamerion angustifolium growing with Salix lapponum on cliffs at the head of the corrie A156. NN Tall-herb ledge vegetation U17b on streamside rock with Vaccinium myrtillus, Luzula sylvatica, Geranium sylvaticum, Oreopteris limbosperma, Dryopteris filix-mas, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Viola riviniana, Crepis paludosa, Cardamine pratensis, Ranunculus acris, Valeriana officinalis, Hypericum pulchrum, Saxifraga stellaris and Breutelia chrysocoma A157. NN Birch Betula pubescens, rowan Sorbus aucuparia and aspen Populus tremula on cliffs A158. NN Aspens Populus tremula on crags A159. NN Salix lapponum on cliffs. There is much Lycopodium annotinum in quartzite scree below this cliff A160. NN Salix lapponum on streamside rocks A161. NN Salix lapponum on cliffs A162. NN Salix lapponum in montane willow scrub W

307 Appendix 3A (continued) A163. NN Salix lapponum on cliffs A164. NN Remains of old pines among peaty ground A165. NN 2182,7281. Salix lapponum on streamside rock A166. NN Mature and young plants of Salix lapponum on cliffs, together with rowans Sorbus aucuparia A167. NN Aspens Populus tremula on crags A168. NN Carex pauciflora in Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17a A169. NN Salix lapponum in montane willow scrub W A170. NN Vaccinium uliginosum plentiful in montane Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19c A171. NN Cirsium heterophyllum in Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15b A172. NN Carex pauciflora in bog and wet heath (M17a and M15a) A173. NN Loiselurea procumbens in Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b A174. NN Betula pubescens and Myrica gale in Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17a A175. NN Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina in grassy Luzula-Geum tall-herb vegetation U17c A176. NN Epilobium anagallidifolium and Saxifraga oppositifolia in Philonotis-Saxifraga spring M32b A177. NN Large expanse of Salix lapponum scrub W20 on cliffs, with an understory varying from acid mixtures of Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum and Racomitrium lanuginosum to herb-rich assemblages of Silene acaulis, Sedum rosea, Oxyria digyna, Geranium sylvaticum, Selaginella selaginoides, Rhinanthus minor, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Crepis paludosa, Deschampsia cespitosa, Carex pulicaris, Phegopteris connectilis, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Ranunculus acris, Valeriana officinalis, Saxifraga hypnoides, Juncus triglumis and the scarce Cerastium arcticum. The rock looks like quartzite and is covered with a thick, blackish layer of algae and lichens A178. NN Juncus triglumis in Carex-Saxifraga mires M11a A179. NN Carex capillaris and C. vaginata in wet Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c A180. NN Gymnadenia conopsea in Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15b A181. NN Pinus sylvestris beside the river A182. NN Herb-rich Carex-Racomitrium heath without cushion-forming herbs but with much Salix herbacea, Alchemilla alpina, Thymus polytrichus, Euphrasia officinalis agg., Persicaria vivipara, Viola palustris, Luzula spicata, Campanula rotundifolia and Hypnum jutlandicum as well as Racomitrium lanuginosum. The leaves of Salix herbacea are infected with insect galls

308 Appendix 3A (continued) A183. NN Much Salix lapponum on steep rocky banks at the confluence of two streams. There are many mature and young plants on low cliffs and on steep broken ground. Associated species include Thalictrum alpinum, Thymus polytrichus, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Hieracium spp., Rhinanthus minor, Geum rivale, Selaginella selaginoides, Persicaria vivipara, Carex dioica, Rubus saxatilis, Sedum rosea, Saxifraga aizoides, Oxyria digyna, Saussurea alpina, Geranium sylvaticum, Dryopteris filix-mas and Athyrium filix-femina, though many of the willows are actually growing in more acid Racomitrium-rich Vaccinium-Deschampsia heath H18b. Juniperus communis ssp. nana grows here too A184. NN Crepis paludosa in M6b sedge mire A185. NN Carex capillaris, C. vaginata and Dryas octopetala in wet Festuca-Agrostis- Thymus grassland CG10c A186. NN Dryas octopetala and Carex capillaris in Dryas-Silene community CG A187. NN Dryas octopetala in Dryas-Silene community CG A188. NN Very moribund wood with sparse ancient huge birches Betula pubescens and a few pines Pinus sylvestris A189. NN Birch and rowan along stream A190. NN Salix lapponum on rock outcrop A191. NN Polystichum lonchitis and Coeloglossum viride on rocky ground in wet Festuca- Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c A192. NN Carex capillaris in wet Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c A193. NN Diplophyllum taxifolium and Scapania nimbosa in snow-beds on the col A194. NN Arctostaphylos alpinus in Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H A195. NN Dryas octopetala in Dryas-Silene community CG A196. NN Carex saxatilis in C. saxatilis mire M A197. NN Diplophyllum taxifolium, Oedopodium griffithianum, Polytrichum sexangulare, Conostomum tetragonum, Kiaeria glaciale, Barbilophozia floerkei, Tritomaria quinquedentata and Ptilidium ciliare in gully where snow collects in winter A198. NN Salix lapponum growing in Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19c and Nardus-Carex grassland U7a on the floor of Coire nan Easain A199. NN Cerastium cerastioides in Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed U11a A200. NN Cerastium cerastioides in Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M A201. NN Equisetum variegatum in Palustriella-Festuca spring M A202. NN Cerastium cerastioides, Epilobium anagallidifolium and Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis in Philonotis-Saxifraga spring M32b in corrie

309 Appendix 3A (continued) A203. NN Juniperus communis ssp. nana on rock ledges A204. NN Tofieldia pusilla growing in Racomitrium-rich Trichophorum-Erica heath M15c A205. NN Salix lapponum with an acid understory on cliffs. There is much Carex saxatilis in M12 flushes below the cliffs here A206. NN Montane willow scrub W20 with Salix lapponum, Sedum rosea, Trollius europaeus, Vaccinium myrtillus, Dryopteris filix-mas, Trichophorum cespitosum, Carex bigelowii, Alchemilla alpina, Thalictrum alpinum, Ranunculus acris, Saxifraga oppositifolia, S. stellaris, Oxyria digyna, Deschampsia cespitosa, Luzula sylvatica and Racomitrium lanuginosum A207. NN Much Gymnadenia conopsea in Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15b A208. NN Sphagnum strictum in M15a wet heath A209. NN Trollius europaeus, Filipendula ulmaria and Thymus polytrichus in grassy heath (U5c M15) A210. NN Rowans by stream A211. NN Juncus triglumis in montane Carex-Pinguicula mire M10a on flushed slope. Carex saxatilis in M12 mires in this general area A212. NN Eriophorum latifolium and low-grown Salix aurita in M15a wet heath A213. NN Dryopteris oreades in Cryptogramma-Athyrium snow-beds U A214. NN Loiselurea procumbens in U7b Nardus grassland A215. NN Base-enriched flushes (M11 and M15a) with species including Carex capillaris, Tofieldia pusilla, Eriophorum latifolium, Drosera intermedia, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Trollius europaeus, Thalictrum alpinum and Thymus polytrichus A216. NN Stone stripes on level corrie floor A217. NN Salix lapponum on streamside rocks A218. NN Sphagnum fuscum in M19c bog A219. NN Birch and rowan near stream A220. NN Salix lapponum scattered along stream sides. Big, ungrazed bushes with an acid underlayer. There are young bushes too, and a few rowan trees Sorbus aucuparia A221. NN Cerastium cerastoides in Philonotis-Saxifraga spring M32b. Also flowering Rubus chamaemorus in damp Nardus-Carex grassland U7a A222. NN Cerastium cerastioides on mossy rocks in stream A223. NN Athyrium distentifolium in Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed U12b in incised stream gully A224. NN Salix lapponum on streamside rock

310 Appendix 3A (continued) A225. NN Scattered birch Betula pubescens trees along side of stream A226. NN Arctostaphylos alpinus, Salix herbacea, Juncus trifidus and Loiselurea procumbens in Nardus grassland (U7b), Vaccinium heath (H20b) and Racomitrium heath (U10b) A227. NN Loiselurea procumbens in Nardus grassland (U7) A228. NN Lichen Thamnolia vermicularis in Nardus grassland (U7b) A229. NN Athyrium distentifolium and Cerastium cerastoides in Cryptogramma-Athyrium snow-bed U18 among boulders A230. NN Cerastium cerastioides in Philonotis-Saxifraga springs M32b and Rubus chamaemorus in damp Nardus-Carex grassland U7a A231. NN Athyrium distentifolium in Cryptogramma-Athyrium fern community U A232. NN Oceanic liverworts Bazzania tricrenata, Mylia taylorii, Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania nimbosa and S. ornithopodioides growing with Barbilophozia floerkei, Scapania uliginosa and Lophozia opacifolia among boulders A233. NN Cerastium cerastioides in Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b on the ridge A234. NN Salix lapponum in Juncus squarrosus vegetation (U6a/c) A235. NN Vaccinium uliginosum, Cornus suecica, Rubus chamaemorus and Trientalis europaea in wet heath A236. NN Species in herb-rich grassland (U4F) include Persicaria vivipara, Geranium sylvaticum and Trollius europaeus A237. NN Arctostaphylos alpinus, Salix herbacea, Vaccinium uliginosum and Carex bigelowii in heath A238. NN Bare landslip with much Salix lapponum, montane Salix scrub W20 and wet Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c A239. NN Arctostaphylos alpinus in Calluna-Cladonia heath H A240. NN The bright green lichen Rhizocarpon geographicum is common on the summit rocks of Stob Coire Claurigh A241. NN Cerastium cerastioides in Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b on ridge A242. NN Carex saxatilis in C. saxatilis mire M A243. NN Carex pauciflora, C. dioica and Sphagnum contortum in wet heath (M17a) and bog (M17a) A244. NN Scapania nimbosa, S. ornithopodioides, Anastrepta orcadensis, Bazzania tricrenata, Mylia taylorii, Plagiochila carringtonii and Anastrophyllum donnianum among boulders. Philonotis seriata, Scapania uliginosa and Epilobium anagallidifolium in Philonotis-Saxifraga springs M32b

311 Appendix 3A (continued) A245. NN Cerastium cerastioides and Sibbaldia procumbens in mixed snow-bed UX A246. NN Cerastium cerastioides in snow-bed vegetation A247. NN Bryophytes Kiaeria glaciale, Mylia taylorii, Bazzania tricrenata, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Scapania uliginosa and the oceanic montane Anastrophyllum donnianum among boulders. Athyrium distentifolium and Dryopteris oreades in Cryptogramma-Athyrium fern community U A248. NN Loiselurea procumbens in Nardus grassland (U7) A249. NN Cerastium cerastioides, Diplophyllum taxifolium and Moerckia blyttii among rocks in a snow-bed hollow A250. NN Athyrium distentifolium in scree A251. NN Salix lapponum on cliff ledges A252. NN Carex capillaris in wet Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c A253. NN Athyrium distentifolium in Cryptogramma-Athyrium fern community U A254. NN Very montane Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19c with much Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and Vaccinium uliginosum as well as Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea. There is also much Rubus chamaemorus and Cornus suecica. The sward is short and open with the dark red underlayer of Sphagnum capillifolium showing through A255. NN Sibbaldia procumbens in Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U A256. NN Listera cordata in Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19c beside the Allt Coire na Ceannain A257. NN Many sheep tracks and droppings. All grasses and sedges grazed and tufts of Racomitrium pulled out of grassy Carex-Racomitrium heath U10a A258. NN Young Salix lapponum in Carex-Saxifraga mire M11a and Carex saxatilis mire M12 below cliffs A259. NN Anastrepta orcadensis, Bazzania tricrenata, Mylia taylorii and Plagiochila carringtonii among rocks A260. NN Carex pauciflora in wet heath (M15a). Sphagnum fuscum in bog (M19c) A261. NN Juniperus communis ssp. nana on broken cliffs A262. NN Interesting mixture of Salix lapponum and S. cinerea on cliffs. Rubus saxatilis grows here too. These species grow in mixed tall scrub in Norway and this may be a remnant of the natural transition from sub-montane to montane scrub A263. NN Salix lapponum and possible S. myrsinites on schisty rock with much Sedum rosea, Alchemilla alpina, Salix herbacea, Calluna vulgaris, Thalictrum alpinum, Thymus polytrichus, Saxifraga stellaris and Racomitrium lanuginosum A264. NN Salix lapponum and Juniperus communis in H21a heath by rocky stream

312 Appendix 3A (continued) A265. NN Ravine with woodland (W17), birch, rowan, Salix aurita and rich flora rather similar to that about 300m downstream around NN (see Target Note A266 below) A266. NN Flora of ravine includes Betula pubescens, Sorbus aucuparia, Salix aurita, Alchemilla alpina, Oxyria digyna, Geum rivale, Oreopteris limbosperma, Geranium sylvaticum, Angelica sylvestris, Ranunculus acris, Saxifraga aizoides, Crepis paludosa, Rubus saxatilis, Valeriana officinalis, Gymncarpium dryopteris, Phegopteris connectilis, Filipendula ulmaria, Conopodium majus, Sedum rosea and liverworts Scapania gracilis, Bazzania tricrenata and Mylia taylorii

313 Appendix 3B Summary table of Site Condition Monitoring data for vascular plants in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC, recorded by Gordon Rothero in July-September 2002 These data are copied from the vascular plant Site Condition Monitoring survey report by Rothero (2002). The site code numbers in the left hand column are added by us for the purpose of cross-referencing the tables and maps. The prefix R distinguishes them from the other Target Notes in this report. * No. of plants, patches, flowering stems etc (depending on species). Population forms by Rothero (2002) (held by Scottish Natural Heritage) give an explanation of the units used for each species. Code Grid ref Alt. Stand Flowers Seed- Vegetative Damage no. (NN) Species (m) size *? heads? regen?? R Sibbaldia procumbens y N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Saxifraga rivularis y y N R Sibbaldia procumbens y N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Saxifraga cernua y N R Saxifraga cespitosa y y y N R Saxifraga rivularis y y y Y R Sibbaldia procumbens y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Saxifraga rivularis 1200?? N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Carex lachenalii y y y N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Veronica alpina y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Saxifraga rivularis y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa flexuosa y y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Veronica alpina y y N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N 305

314 Appendix 3B Site Condition Monitoring data (continued) Recorded by Gordon Rothero in July-September 2002 (Rothero 2002) * Stand size see population forms for explanation of units used here Code Grid ref Alt. Stand Flowers Seed- Vegetative Damage no. (NN) Species (m) size *? heads? regen?? R Phleum alpinum y Y R Poa alpina y y N R Saxifraga rivularis y y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Saxifraga rivularis y y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Saxifraga nivalis y N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa glauca y y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Veronica alpina y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Lycopodium annotinum y N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Saxifraga rivularis y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Saxifraga rivularis y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Sibbaldia procumbens y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Saxifraga rivularis y y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Saxifraga rivularis y y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Sibbaldia procumbens y y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa alpina y y N 306

315 Appendix 3B Site Condition Monitoring data (continued) Recorded by Gordon Rothero in July-September 2002 (Rothero 2002) * Stand size see population forms for explanation of units used here Code Grid ref Alt. Stand Flowers Seed- Vegetative Damage no. (NN) Species (m) size *? heads? regen?? R Saxifraga cernua y N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Veronica alpina y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Luzula arcuata y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Cystopteris montana N R Veronica alpina y y N R Luzula arcuata y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Luzula arcuata y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Cerastium alpinum y y n N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Cerastium alpinum y y n N R Juncus biglumis y N R Poa alpina y y N R Poa glauca y y y N R Saxifraga cernua N R Veronica alpina y y N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Saxifraga rivularis y y y N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Veronica alpina y y N R Cystopteris montana N R Veronica alpina y y N R Cerastium alpinum y y n N R Poa glauca y y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N 307

316 Appendix 3B Site Condition Monitoring data (continued) Recorded by Gordon Rothero in July-September 2002 (Rothero 2002) * Stand size see population forms for explanation of units used here Code Grid ref Alt. Stand Flowers Seed- Vegetative Damage no. (NN) Species (m) size *? heads? regen?? R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Saxifraga rivularis y y y N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Veronica alpina y y N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Veronica alpina y y N R Poa glauca y y y N R Carex vaginata y y y N R Carex x grahamii y y N R Cerastium alpinum y y n N R Veronica alpina y y N R Cerastium alpinum y y n N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Poa alpina y y N R Saxifraga nivalis y y N R Saxifraga rivularis y y N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Veronica alpina y y N R Carex x grahamii y y N R Poa alpina y y N R Salix lapponum y y N R Saxifraga nivalis y y N R Cerastium alpinum y y n N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Poa glauca y y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Sagina x normaniana y y N R Veronica alpina y y N R Sagina x normaniana y y N R Carex atrata y y y N R Cerastium alpinum y y n N R Veronica alpina y y N R Cerastium alpinum y y n N R Poa glauca y y y N R Carex x grahamii y y N R Cerastium alpinum y y n N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Carex vaginata y y y N R Salix lapponum y y N R Salix lapponum y y N R Cerastium alpinum y y n N R Salix lapponum y y N R Saxifraga nivalis y y N 308

317 Appendix 3B Site Condition Monitoring data (continued) Recorded by Gordon Rothero in July-September 2002 (Rothero 2002) * Stand size see population forms for explanation of units used here Code Grid ref Alt. Stand Flowers Seed- Vegetative Damage no. (NN) Species (m) size *? heads? regen?? R Salix lapponum y y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Salix lapponum y y N R Salix lapponum y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Juncus castaneus y y N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Salix lapponum N R Arctostaphylos alpinus y N R Dryas octopetala n n y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Dryas octopetala y y y N R Dryas octopetala y y y N R Dryas octopetala y y y N R Carex vaginata y y y N R Arctostaphylos alpinus y N R Dryas octopetala y y y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Sibbaldia procumbens y y N R Dryas octopetala y y y N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Dryas octopetala n n y Y R Equisetum variegetum y N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Dryas octopetala y y y Y R Athyrium distentifolium N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Salix lapponum N R Salix lapponum N R Equisetum variegetum y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Carex saxatilis y y y N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Saxifraga rivularis y y y N R Saxifraga rivularis y y N R Cerastium arcticum y y n N R Saxifraga rivularis y y N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Saxifraga cespitosa y y y N R Saxifraga nivalis y y N R Saxifraga rivularis y y N R Salix lapponum y y N R Cerastium cerastoides y y n N R Athyrium distentifolium N R Sibbaldia procumbens N R Carex saxatilis y y y N 309

318 Appendix 3C Extra records of species of interest from earlier botanical surveys in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC (before the surveys by Ben and Alison Averis in and Gordon Rothero in 2002) These are records made by various people before 2002, and which are not duplicated by the findings by ourselves in or by Gordon Rothero in his Site Condition Monitoring vascular plant survey in They have the prefix E (= Extra ) to distinguish them from the other Target Notes here in Appendix 3. E1. NN Rare liverwort Gymnomitrion apiculatum found on gravelly ground here, by J.B. Duncan and H.H. Knight in 1908, and by Gordon Rothero in E2. NN Rare vascular species recorded by Rothero (2002), but also: c.200 plants of Poa x jemtlandica recorded by D.M. Parker on 10 October 1978 (growing with P. alpina); bryophytes recorded by P. Harrold on 10 July 1977 and D.M. Parker, H.A. McAllister and C. Ingram on 19 October 1978 include Brachythecium glaciale, Pseuoleskeela patens, Hymenostylium recurvirostrum, Andreaea nivalis and Plagiopus oederianus. E3. NN Bryophytes recorded in this area by the British Bryological Society in 1986 include Anastrophyllum donnianum, Anastrepta orcadensis, Scapania nimbosa, S. ornithopodioides, Barbilophozia lycopodioides, Marsupella alpina and Haplomitrium hookeri. E4. NN flowering plants of Poa flexuosa recorded in screes here by H.A. McAllister on 7 August E5. NN Bryophytes recorded by the British Bryological Society in 1986 in screes and snow-beds around here include Andreaea nivalis, Arctoa fulvella, Ditrichum zonatum, Oedipodium griffithianum, Pohlia ludwigii, P. wahlenbergii glacialis, Polytrichum sexangulare, Tetraplodon mnioides, Lophozia opacifolia, Marsupella adusta, M. sprucei and Pleurocladula albescens. E6. NN Luzula arcuata recorded by Lamb (1987) in screes. E7. NN Bryophytes of interest recorded by Gordon Rothero in his bryophyte survey on the western side of Meall Cumhann in July 1987: mosses Antitrichia curtipendula, Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens, Bartramia hallerana, Dicranoweisia crispula, Dryptodon patens, Encalypta ciliata, Grimmia torquata, Hypnum callichroum, Isopterygiopsis pulchella, Kiaeria blyttii, Mnium marginatum, Molendoa warburgii, Neckera crispa, Pohlia elongata, Pterigynandrum filiforme, Racomitrium ellipticum, Schistidium strictum and Ulota hutchinsiae, and liverworts Anastrepta orcadensis, Apometzgeria pubescens, Calypogeia trichomanis, Gymnomitrion crenulatum, Herbertus aduncus, H. stramineus, Nardia compressa, N. geoscyphus, Radula aquilegia, Scapania aequiloba and S. aspera. JMT12 E8. NN plants of Saxifraga cernua recorded by P. Harrold on 11 July Other species seen on this occasion include S. oppositifolia, Poa alpina, Silene acaulis and Cerastium arcticum. E9. NN Several species of interest recorded in this area by us in , and by Rothero in 2002 (see Appendices 3A and 3B), but some older records (1970s-1980s) not refound in these recent surveys: Carex lachenalii and Saxifraga nivalis. E10. NN Carex lachenalii, Cerastium arcticum, Poa alpina and Veronica alpina recorded here by Gordon Rothero in

319 Appendix 3C (continued) E11. NN Saxifraga cernua (3 plants), S. oppositifolia, Cerastium arcticum and Cochlearia micacea recorded here by D.M. Parker and H.A. McAllister on 6 August 1979; S. rivularis and Poa x jemtlandica recorded by H. McAllister in 1978, Festuca rubra ssp. arctica and Scapania paludosa recorded by H. McAllister in1969 and bryophytes Andreaea nivalis, Ditrichum zonatum, Bryum dixonii, Amphidium lapponicum, Brachythecium glaciale, Hylocomnium pyrenaicum, Orthothecium rufescens, Polytrichum sexangulare, Philonotis tomentella, Harpanthus flotovianus, Marsupella alpina, M. boeckii, Pleurocladula albescens and Plagiochila carringtonii recorded by British Bryological Society in E12. NN Flora of summit of Aonach Beag includes bryophytes Ditrichum zonatum and Nardia breidleri, found by the British Bryological Society in E13. NN Carex lachenalii recorded by Donald McVean in 1957 in a quadrat in vegetation classed as dwarf herb nodum (McVean & Ratcliffe (1962). E14. NN Bryophytes recorded here by the British Bryological Society in 1996 include Meesia uliginosa, Paraleptodontium recurvifolium, Isopterygiopsis muelleriana, Bryoerythrophyllum caledonicum, Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania nimbosa, S. ornithopodioides, S. calcicola, Odontoschisma macounii and Tritomaria polita. E15. NN Approximate location where Dryas octopetala was recorded in tall herb vegetation by Lamb (1987). E16. NN Carex saxatilis recorded here by David Horsfield in E17. NN Plant species recorded in this general area on the eastern side of Beinn na Socaich include Polystichum lonchitis, Thalictrum alpinum, Silene acaulis, Persicaria vivipara, Saussurea alpina, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Carex saxatilis, Juncus triglumis, Epilobium anagallidifolium (found by David Horsfield in 1984) and the bryophytes Amphidium lapponicum, Aulacomnium turgidum, Bryum riparium, Campylopus gracilis, Rhizomnium magnifolium, Barbilophozia lycopodioides, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Jungermannia borealis and Plagiochila carringtonii (found by the British Bryological Society in 1986). E18. NN Bryophytes recorded here by British Bryological Society in 1986 include Dicranoweisia crispula, Anthelia juratzkana and good colonies of Moerckia blyttii. E19. NN plants of Saxifraga cespitosa recorded here (just E of a Philonotis flush W of a stream) by J. Bevan and J.M. Mullin on 27 June Cerastium cerastioides, C. alpinum, Epilobium alsinifolium, Silene acaulis and Thalictrum alpinum recorded nearby on that same occasion. 311

320 Appendix 3D Summary table of locations where Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular plant species have been recorded in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC This table contains information about Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular plant species. It is copied from Appendices 3A (Target Notes from survey by Ben and Alison Averis in ; prefix A ) and 3B (Site Condition Monitoring survey by Gordon Rothero in 2002; prefix R ), and re-ordered by species instead of location. The Code No. column (second from left) gives the code number of the Target Note, to allow easy reference to the appropriate Target Note in Appendix 3A, 3B or 3C. * Stand size/no. of plants column: For Rothero s (2002) data, units vary between species, from numbers of flowering stems to numbers of plants or patches. These units are explained in his individual population forms which are held by Scottish Natural Heritage. Entries for our records are written in italics to distinguish them from those of Rothero (2002) and others. In most cases our main task of mapping vegetation did not leave us enough time to attempt to make an accurate count of numbers of plants, so where we have recorded something it is often a general indication such as few or many. 312

321 Appendix 3D Ben Nevis: target notes for Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular plants Stand size*/ Vegeta- Year Code Grid ref Alt. no. of Flowers Seed- tive Damage of Species no. (NN) (m) plants? heads? regen?? survey Arctostaphylos alpinus A few y n 2003 Arctostaphylos alpinus A few y n 2004 Arctostaphylos alpinus A few y n 2004 Arctostaphylos alpinus A few y n 2004 Arctostaphylos alpinus A few y n 2004 Arctostaphylos alpinus R y n 2002 Arctostaphylos alpinus R y n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2003 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2003 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2003 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2003 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2003 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2003 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2004 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2003 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2004 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2004 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2004 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2004 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2004 Athyrium distentifolium A n 2004 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Athyrium distentifolium R n 2002 Carex atrata R y y y n 2002 Carex capillaris A <50 y y n 2004 Carex capillaris A <50 y y n 2004 Carex capillaris A <50 y y n 2004 Carex capillaris A <50 y y n 2004 Carex capillaris A few y y n

322 Appendix 3D Ben Nevis: target notes (continued) Stand size*/ Vegeta- Year Code Grid ref Alt. no. of Flowers Seed- tive Damage of Species no. (NN) (m) plants? heads? regen?? survey Carex capillaris A <50 y y n 2004 Carex lachenalii E s Carex lachenalii E Carex lachenalii E Carex lachenalii R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2003 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2003 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2003 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2003 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2003 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2003 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2003 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2004 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2003 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2004 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2004 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2004 Carex saxatilis A many y y y n 2004 Carex saxatilis E Carex saxatilis E Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex saxatilis R y y y n 2002 Carex vaginata A <10 y y y n 2004 Carex vaginata A <10 y y y n 2004 Carex vaginata R y y y n 2002 Carex vaginata R y y y n

323 Appendix 3D Ben Nevis: target notes (continued) Stand size*/ Vegeta- Year Code Grid ref Alt. no. of Flowers Seed- tive Damage of Species no. (NN) (m) plants? heads? regen?? survey Carex vaginata R y y y n 2002 Carex x grahamii R y y n 2002 Carex x grahamii R y y n 2002 Carex x grahamii R y y n 2002 Cerastium alpinum A <20 n n 2003 Cerastium alpinum A <20 n n 2003 Cerastium alpinum A <20 n n 2003 Cerastium alpinum A <20 n n 2003 Cerastium alpinum A <20 n n 2004 Cerastium alpinum A <20 n n 2004 Cerastium alpinum E Cerastium alpinum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium alpinum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium alpinum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium alpinum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium alpinum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium alpinum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium alpinum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium alpinum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium alpinum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium alpinum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum A y y n n 2003 Cerastium arcticum A y y n n 2003 Cerastium arcticum A y y n n 2003 Cerastium arcticum A y y n n 2003 Cerastium arcticum A y y n n 2003 Cerastium arcticum A y y n n 2004 Cerastium arcticum A y y n n 2004 Cerastium arcticum E Cerastium arcticum E Cerastium arcticum E Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium arcticum R y y n n

324 Appendix 3D Ben Nevis: target notes (continued) Stand size*/ Vegeta- Year Code Grid ref Alt. no. of Flowers Seed- tive Damage of Species no. (NN) (m) plants? heads? regen?? survey Cerastium arcticum R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastioides E Cerastium cerastioides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastoides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastoides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastoides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastoides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastoides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastoides A many y y n n 2003 Cerastium cerastoides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastoides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastoides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastoides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastoides A many y y n n 2004 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n

325 Appendix 3D Ben Nevis: target notes (continued) Stand size*/ Vegeta- Year Code Grid ref Alt. no. of Flowers Seed- tive Damage of Species no. (NN) (m) plants? heads? regen?? survey Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cerastium cerastoides R y y n n 2002 Cochlearia micacea E Cochlearia pyrenaica A <100 n 2003 Cochlearia pyrenaica A <100 n 2003 Cochlearia pyrenaica A <100 n 2003 Cochlearia pyrenaica A <100 n 2003 Cochlearia pyrenaica A <100 n 2003 Cochlearia pyrenaica A <100 n 2004 Cystopteris montana A patches n 2003 Cystopteris montana R n 2002 Cystopteris montana R n 2002 Dryas octopetala A extensive y n 2004 Dryas octopetala A extensive y n 2004 Dryas octopetala A extensive y n 2004 Dryas octopetala A extensive y n 2004 Dryas octopetala E Dryas octopetala R n n y n 2002 Dryas octopetala R y y y n 2002 Dryas octopetala R y y y n 2002 Dryas octopetala R y y y n 2002 Dryas octopetala R y y y n 2002 Dryas octopetala R y y y n 2002 Dryas octopetala R n n y y 2002 Dryas octopetala R y y y y 2002 Equisetum variegatum A <50 n 2004 Equisetum variegetum R y n 2002 Equisetum variegetum R y n 2002 Festuca rubra arctica E Juncus biglumis R y n 2002 Juncus castaneus R y y n 2002 Luzula arcuata A plants y y n 2003 Luzula arcuata A few y y n 2003 Luzula arcuata A many y y n 2003 Luzula arcuata A many y y n 2003 Luzula arcuata A many y y n 2003 Luzula arcuata A many y y n 2003 Luzula arcuata E Luzula arcuata R y y n 2002 Luzula arcuata R y y n 2002 Luzula arcuata R y y n 2002 Lycopodium annotinum A few y n 2003 Lycopodium annotinum A many y n 2004 Lycopodium annotinum R y n 2002 Phleum alpinum A y n 2003 Phleum alpinum R y y

326 Appendix 3D Ben Nevis: target notes (continued) Stand size*/ Vegeta- Year Code Grid ref Alt. no. of Flowers Seed- tive Damage of Species no. (NN) (m) plants? heads? regen?? survey Pinus sylvestris A widespr. y y n 2003 Pinus sylvestris A widespr. y y n 2003 Pinus sylvestris A widespr. y y n 2003 Pinus sylvestris A few y y n 2004 Pinus sylvestris A few y y n 2004 Poa alpina A many y y n 2003 Poa alpina E Poa alpina E Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa alpina R y y n 2002 Poa flexuosa E c Poa flexuosa R y y n 2002 Poa glauca A many y y y n 2003 Poa glauca A many y y y n 2003 Poa glauca A many y y y n 2003 Poa glauca A many y y y n 2003 Poa glauca A many y y y n 2003 Poa glauca R y y y n 2002 Poa glauca R y y y n 2002 Poa glauca R y y y n 2002 Poa glauca R y y y n 2002 Poa glauca R y y y n 2002 Poa glauca R y y y n 2002 Poa x jemtlandica E c Poa x jemtlandica E Sagina x normaniana R y y n 2002 Sagina x normaniana R y y n 2002 Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A many

327 Appendix 3D Ben Nevis: target notes (continued) Stand size*/ Vegeta- Year Code Grid ref Alt. no. of Flowers Seed- tive Damage of Species no. (NN) (m) plants? heads? regen?? survey Salix lapponum A scattered 2004 Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A many 2004 Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A many 2004 Salix lapponum A many 2004 Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A many 2004 Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A y 2004 Salix lapponum A many 2004 Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A Salix lapponum A y 2004 Salix lapponum R y y n 2002 Salix lapponum R y y n 2002 Salix lapponum R y y n 2002 Salix lapponum R y y n 2002 Salix lapponum R y y n 2002 Salix lapponum R y y n 2002 Salix lapponum R y y n 2002 Salix lapponum R n 2002 Salix lapponum R n 2002 Salix lapponum R n 2002 Salix lapponum R y y n 2002 Salix myrsinites? A bush n 2004 Saxifraga cernua A many y n 2003 Saxifraga cernua E Saxifraga cernua E Saxifraga cernua R y n 2002 Saxifraga cernua R y n 2002 Saxifraga cernua R n 2002 Saxifraga cespitosa E Saxifraga cespitosa R y y y n 2002 Saxifraga cespitosa R y y y n

328 Appendix 3D Ben Nevis: target notes (continued) Stand size*/ Vegeta- Year Code Grid ref Alt. no. of Flowers Seed- tive Damage of Species no. (NN) (m) plants? heads? regen?? survey Saxifraga nivalis E s Saxifraga nivalis R y n 2002 Saxifraga nivalis R y y n 2002 Saxifraga nivalis R y y n 2002 Saxifraga nivalis R y y n 2002 Saxifraga nivalis R y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis A few 2003 Saxifraga rivularis A few 2003 Saxifraga rivularis A many 2003 Saxifraga rivularis E Saxifraga rivularis R y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y y y 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R ?? n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y n 2002 Saxifraga rivularis R y y n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A y n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n

329 Appendix 3D Ben Nevis: target notes (continued) Stand size*/ Vegeta- Year Code Grid ref Alt. no. of Flowers Seed- tive Damage of Species no. (NN) (m) plants? heads? regen?? survey Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2003 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2004 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2004 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2004 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2004 Sibbaldia procumbens A many n 2004 Sibbaldia procumbens R y n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R y n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R y n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R y y n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R y y n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R y y n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Sibbaldia procumbens R n 2002 Tofieldia pusilla A several n 2003 Tofieldia pusilla A several n 2004 Tofieldia pusilla A several n 2004 Veronica alpina A y n 2003 Veronica alpina A y n 2003 Veronica alpina A many y n 2003 Veronica alpina A y n 2003 Veronica alpina A y n 2003 Veronica alpina A y n 2003 Veronica alpina A y n

330 Appendix 3D Ben Nevis: target notes (continued) Stand size*/ Vegeta- Year Code Grid ref Alt. no. of Flowers Seed- tive Damage of Species no. (NN) (m) plants? heads? regen?? survey Veronica alpina A many y n 2003 Veronica alpina E Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n 2002 Veronica alpina R y y n

331 Appendix 4 Photographs These photographs show most of the main types of vegetation which occur in the Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC. They are ordered more or less from west to east. They were taken by Alison and Ben Averis in 2003 and 2004 with a Nikon Coolpix 990 digital camera. 323

332

333 Photograph 1 NN View looking SE in lower Glen Nevis, showing wet heath (M15), grassland (U4), bracken (U20) and patches of birch woodland (W11). July Photograph 2 NN The view west into Coire na Ciste, on the north-east face of Ben Nevis, from Coire Leis. This shows the tremendous, barely vegetated cliffs and the rocky, scree-clad slopes and snow-bed vegetation below the crags. No snow at all on these cliffs where it normally lingers 16 August

334 Photograph 3 NN The stunning colours of a Philonotis-saxifraga spring M32b set in a matrix of Typical Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 and damp Nardus-Carex snow-bed U7a. The species include Philonotis fontana, Calliergonella cuspidata, Sphagnum fallax, Scapania undulata, Deschampsia cespitosa and Saxifraga stellaris. August Photograph 4 NN Coire Leis. Luzula-Silene sub-community U12a of the Carex-Racomitrium snow-bed, with Silene acaulis, Deschampsia cespitosa, Alchemilla alpina, Salix herbacea, Juncus trifidus, Gnaphalium supinum, Sibbaldia procumbens, Huperzia selago, Carex bigelowii, Racomitrium fasciculare, Anthelia juratzkana, Oligotrichum hercynicum and Polytrichum sexangulare. August

335 Photograph 5 NN Coire Leis. Anthelia-Sphagnum snow-bed M31 among snow-bed vegetation. Greyish masses of Anthelia julacea with Racomitrium ericoides, Sphagnum denticulatum, Polytrichum sexangulare, Scapania undulata, Marsupella brevissima, M. alpina, Salix herbacea and Deschampsia cespitosa. August Photograph 6 NN Looking south to the head of Coire Leis and the Carn Mór Dearg arête. The vegetation in the foreground is Carex-Racomitrium heath U10. The scenery throughout the Grey Corries is also very much like this. August

336 Photograph 7 NN Coire Leis. Rhytidiadelphus loreus snow-bed U13b; the typical vegetation of upper slopes and corrie sides. Deschampsia cespitosa grows sparsely in a turf of Rhytidiadelphus loreus. August Photograph 8 NN Coire Leis. A patch of Nardus-Carex snow-bed U7b within Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b. August

337 Photograph 9 NN Pale mint-green massed shoots of Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis in P. w. glacialis spring M33 at about 1000m in Coire an t-sneachda, Aonach Mór. August Photograph 10 NN View looking south in Coire an Lochain on the upper eastern slopes of Aonach Mór, showing snow patches among mosaics of various types of bryophte-dominated snow-bed vegetation and (greener areas on smooth slopes below cliffs and in foreground) U13 Deschampsia cespitosa grassland. 329

338 Photograph 11 NN Herb-rich Carex-Racomitrium heath U10c on the plateau of Aonach Mór, with much Silene acaulis, Salix herbacea and Carex bigelowii among the Racomitrium lanuginosum. August Photograph 12 NN Carex-Polytrichum sedge heath U8 on the plateau of Aonach Mór, showing the dense, species-poor sward of Carex bigelowii, Festuca vivipara, Deschampsia flexuosa, Dicranum fuscescens and Racomitrium ericoides. August

339 Photograph 13 NN Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed on the eastern upper slopes of Aonach Mór. Polytrichum sexangulare, Conostomum tetragonum and Kiaeria species grow in the green turf of Pohlia ludwigii. August Photograph 14 NN Damage to snow-bed vegetation. Sheep coming up onto the plateau of Aonach Mór from Coire an Lochain have created a multiplicity of eroded tracks through Kiaeria-Polytrichum snow-bed U11a and Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed. August

340 Photograph 15 NN The view north along the plateau of Aonach Mór, showing well this unusually narrow and level piece of montane plateau clothed with Carex-Racomitrium heath U10. August Photograph 16 NN Species-poor example of Typical Carex bigelowii-racomitrium lanuginosum heath U10b, with nothing apart from these two species, on the windswept western side of the plateau of Aonach Mór. August

341 Photograph 17 NN View looking NW across U8 Carex-Polytrichum snow-bed (in foreground) and Racomitrium ericoides heath (just above and above-right of centre) to cairn at the summit of Aonach Mór. July Photograph 18 NN View looking SSE from eastern edge of summit ridge of Aonach Mór, to very steep, rocky eastern slopes of Aonach Beag. Summit of Aonach Beag in distance at upper right. Vegetation on upper eastern slopes of Aonach Mór (lower-right half of photo) mainly U11a, U12b, Pohlia ludwigii and Racomitrium heterostichum bryophyte-dominated snow-beds, grading downslope into mosaics of Nardus and Deschampsia cespitosa grasslands (U7 and U13), Vaccinium heath (H20) and herb-rich Festuca-Agrostis grassland (CG11). July

342 Photograph 19 NN Looking WSW across Carex-Racomitrium heath (U10b) on summit plateau of Aonach Mór. Ben Nevis in the distance, with its summit in cloud. July Photograph 20 NN Close view of U12b bryophyte-dominated snow-bed vegetation on eastern side of Aonach Mór, with greyish patches of small liverworts dotted with yellow-green cushions of the moss Conostomum tetragonum. July

343 Photograph 21 NN View looking N from W side of ridge of Aonach Mór, showing summit plateau at upper right, and steep, rocky western slopes of this hill, with extensive H20 Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath. July Photograph 22 NN View looking NW from W side of ridge of Aonach Mór, looking down into the glen of the Allt Daim. Vaccinium and Racomitrium heaths on upper western slopes of Aonach Mór in foreground. Wet heath, bog and grassland in the bottom of the Allt Daim glen. Wet heath, dry heaths and Nardus grasslands on NE slopes of Carn Beag Dearg in upper left half of photo. July

344 Photograph 23 NN View looking north on upper ridge of Aonach Mór, showing stony Carex-Racomitrium moss heath U10, Nardus snow-bed grassland U7 and orange-tinged patches of Juncus trifidus heath U9b. Photograph 24 NN Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U14 with Alchemilla alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens, Gnaphalium supinum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Juncus trifidus, Festuca vivipara, Carex bigelowii, Silene acaulis, Racomitrium ericoides, R. lanuginosum, Conostomum tetragonum and Oligotrichum hercynicum on the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. August

345 Photograph 25 NN Close view of U11a moss-dominated Kiaeria-Polytrichum snow-bed vegetation on ENE-facing slope just downslope from eastern side of col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. July Photograph 26 NN View looking east, downslope from the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, showing large snow-patch among screes. North-east cliffs of Aonach Beag at right. Grey Corries in distance. July

346 Photograph 27 NN The rare Saxifraga cernua in Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed on the rocks to the east of the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. August Photograph 28 NN Mixture of Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed U11a and Pohlia ludwigii snowbed at about 1000m on the upper slopes of the corrie between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. The vegetation covers steep rock outcrops as well as gravelly ground and marks out the location of the latest-lying snow. August

347 Photograph 29 NN The north-facing upper slope of Aonach Beag, showing the habitat of Luzula arcuata on eroding, shaly solifluction terraces with Kiaeria-Polytrichum snow-beds U11a, Salix-Racomitrium snow-beds U12b and Carex-Racomitrium heath U10. In the background is the ridge of Carn Mór Dearg. August Photograph 30 NN The view east from the summit of Aonach Beag, showing the ridge of the Grey Corries. August

348 Photograph 31 NN The summit of Aonach Beag. The ground between the stones is clothed with the Marsupella brevissima snow-bed U12c, with green patches of Carex-Polytrichum heath U8 beyond. August Photograph 32 NN Bright orange patches of oceanic liverworts Herbertus aduncus and Pleurozia purpurea in birch woodland (W4 and W17) on steep, rocky N-facing slope on S side of Glen Nevis. July

349 Photograph 33 NN View looking NW to S-facing slopes on N side of Glen Nevis, with mosaics of woodland, wet heath and rock. July Photograph 34 NN View looking ENE across wet heath (M15), Molinia (M25) and birch/pine woodland (W17 and W18) on steep NW-facing slopes, to Meall Cumhann with woodland, grassland and cliffs on its steep western slope. July

350 Photograph 35 NN Festuca-Agrostis-Alchemilla grassland CG11b on Meall Cumhann, with Carex pulicaris, C. pallescens, Thymus polytrichus, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Lotus corniculatus, Ranunculus acris, Campanula rotundifolia, Prunella vulgaris, Geum rivale and Plantago lanceolata in a sward of Festuca ovina, Agrostis capillaris and Anthoxanthum odoratum. July Photograph 36 NN Bealach Cumhann. Herb-rich Nardus grassland U5c with Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Taraxacum officinale agg., Ranunculus acris and Thalictrum alpinum. July

351 Photograph 37 NN Tall-herb ledge vegetation U17 on Meall Cumhann with Angelica sylvestris, Trollius europaeus, geranium sylvaticum, Saxifraga aizoides, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Sedum rosea, Deschampsia cespitosa and a Hieracium species. July Photograph 38 NN The Festuca-Alchemilla-Silene community CG12 on Meall Cumhann. Dense cushions of Silene acaulis with much Thymus polytrichus, Alchemilla alpina, Ranunculus acris, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Thalictrum alpinum, Selaginella selaginoides and Linum catharticum. July

352 Photograph 39 NN Bealach Cumhann. Stony Carex-Saxifraga flush M11a with Saxifraga aizoides, Pinguicula vulgaris, Tofieldia pusilla, Carex dioica, C. panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa and Blindia acuta. July Photograph 40 NN Western side of Coire Giubhsachan. Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15 with a mixed sward of Trichophorum cespitosum, Molinia caerulea, Calluna vulgaris and Erica tetralix. M15 is one of the most common types of vegetation in the study area. This example contains abundant Vaccinium myrtillus and belongs to the Vaccinium sub-community M15d. July

353 Photograph 41 NN Dry Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10a on the river shingle in Coire Giubhsachan with much Thymus polytrichus. July Photograph 42 NN Eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan. Herb-rich Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland U4F with Luzula sylvatica, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina and Thalictrum alpinum in a sward of Festuca ovina, Anthoxanthum odoratum and a little Deschampsia flexuosa. July

354 Photograph 43 NN Eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan. Tall, lightly-grazed, flowering swards of Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a. July Photograph 44 NN Eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan. The more herb-rich form of Salix lapponum scrub W20, with much Thalictrum alpinum, Persicaria vivipara, Luzula sylvatica, Armeria maritima, Geum rivale, Oxyria digyna, Ranunculus acris, Alchemilla alpina, Carex pulicaris, Juncus triglumis and Hylocomium splendens. July

355 Photograph 45 NN Eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan. The less herb-rich form of Salix lapponum scrub W20, with a silvery canopy of S. lapponum over a ground layer of Racomitrium lanuginosum, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Oxyria digyna, Alchemilla alpina and Racomitrium lanuginosum. July Photograph 46 NN View looking south to Steall waterfall, showing bryophyte-rich birch woodland (W17) and heath (H21b) on steep, rocky north-facing slopes. July

356 Photograph 47 NN Eroded bog (M17) with remains of old pine trees in exposed bare peat. July Photograph 48 NN Bog (M17) in upper Glen Nevis, with wet heath (M15) on slopes beyond. Sgurr Choinnich Beag in distance. July

357 Photograph 49 NN View looking north to Sgurr a Bhuic, showing bog (M17) in foreground, wet heath (M15) and patches of bracken (U20) on lower slopes, grading upslope into mosaics of grassland (U4, U5, U7 and CG11) and Vaccinium heath (H20) on upper slopes. July Photograph 50 NN Looking north to Ruigh na Gualainn showing blanket bog M17 and wet heath M15 on the slopes, and fragments of birch woodland W17 confined to crags. July