North Lowther Energy Initiative National Vegetation Classification Survey Report Technical Appendix 8.1

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1 Document Quality Record Version Status Person Responsible Date 1 Draft Brian Henry 19/09/ Reviewed Rafe Dewar 21/09/ Updated Brian Henry 21/09/ Internal Approval Brian Henry 08/03/ Final Client Approval North Lowther Energy Initiative National Vegetation Classification Survey Report Technical Appendix 8.1 Prepared by: Authorised by: Brian Henry MCIEEM Rafe Dewar MCIEEM Date: 21 September 2016 Tel: brian.henry@macarthurgreen.com Web: Address: 95 South Woodside Road Glasgow G20 6NT

2 CONTENTS Executive Summary Introduction The Development Area and Study Area Methodology Survey Dates & Constraints NVC Survey Results and Vegetation Descriptions Summary of NVC Communities Mires and Flushes Wet Heaths Springs Dry Heaths Calcifugous Grasslands and bracken-dominated vegetation Mesotrophic Grasslands Calcicolous Grasslands Woodland and Scrub Swamps and Tall-Herb Fens Vegetation of Open Habitats Non-NVC Communities & Categories Notable Species Evaluation of Botanical Interest Overview Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE) Annex I Habitats Scottish Biodiversity List Priority Habitats Summary Summary Glossary References LIST OF TABLES Table 6-1 Communities within the study area which may potentially be classified as GWDTE Table 6-2 NVC Communities Recorded within the study area and Corresponding Annex I Habitat Types Table 6-3 Summary of study area NVC communities and sensitivities Figure 8.2 NVC Survey Results LIST OF FIGURES Figure 8.3 Potential Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE) Results Figure 8.4 Annex I Habitat Survey Results

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY MacArthur Green was commissioned by NLEI Ltd to conduct and report on National Vegetation Classification (NVC) habitat surveys at the proposed North Lowther Energy Initiative (hereafter referred to as the Development ). The aim of the NVC survey is to identify and map the vegetation communities present surrounding proposed infrastructure within the Development Area in order to identify those areas of greatest ecological interest (i.e. Habitats Directive Annex I habitats, Scottish Biodiversity List (SBL) priority habitats and potential Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE). This information is used to inform the windfarm design process and the ecological assessment for the Environmental Statement. The Development Area covers a large area of ground in the North Lowther Hills. Surveys were conducted over 41 surveyor days in 2015 and In total 39 recognised NVC communities were recorded within the Development Area, along with various associated sub-communities; however, a relatively small number of communities account for the majority of the Development Area. The most common and widespread communities, making up the bulk of the landscape, are M25 Molinia caerulea Potentilla erecta mire, M20 Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, M19 Calluna vulgaris Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, M23 Juncus effusus/acutiflorus Galium palustre rush-pasture, H12 Calluna vulgaris Vaccinium myrtillus heath, MG10 Holcus lanatus Juncus effusus rush-pasture, U4 Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Galium saxatile grassland, U5 Nardus stricta Galium saxatile grassland and U6 Juncus squarrosus - Festuca ovina grassland. These communities also form mosaics with each other as well as with a number of other less well represented and fragmentary mire, grassland and heath communities. Areas of semi-natural woodland are scarce within the Development Area and are mainly restricted to small fragments, often within gullies or near watercourses. The variation in vegetation communities and composition over such a large area reflects changes in soil and substrate type, soil moisture as well as anthropogenic influences on the vegetation (e.g. muir burning, grazing and drainage). Many areas are underlain by peat of various depths and this is reflected in the presence of the true bog communities and wet heath. The majority of the Development Area contains a characteristically acidophilous flora given its wet upland setting, however many of the less elevated areas tend towards a more neutral (and also wet) species assemblage highlighted by the abundance of rush-pastures present. Calcareous influences are very scarce but do exist and appear as small fragments of CG10 Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Thymus polytrichus grassland. Flushes are scattered throughout the Development Area and the majority are of the M6 Carex echinata Sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire community. Spring features are rare but there is a small number of M32 Philonotis fontana Saxifraga stellaris springs present. The NVC survey results have also been compared to a number of sensitivity classifications, indicating the presence of Annex I, SBL and potential GWDTE habitats within the Development Area. The classification of GWDTEs in this survey has been based on habitat composition and is used to inform an assessment of effects on the habitat. It does not provide a conclusion as to whether the habitats are truly groundwater dependent or are more likely to be fed by surface water. 1 INTRODUCTION MacArthur Green was commissioned by NLEI Ltd to carry out a National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey at the proposed North Lowther Energy Initiative Windfarm (hereafter referred to as the Development ). The aim of the NVC survey is to identify and map the vegetation communities present at the Development in order to identify those areas of greatest ecological interest (i.e. Habitats Directive Annex I habitats 1, Scottish Biodiversity List (SBL) priority habitats and potential Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE) 2. This information is used to inform the windfarm design process and the ecological assessment for the Environmental Statement. This report details the findings of the NVC surveys together with an evaluation of those communities described. 2 THE DEVELOPMENT AREA AND STUDY AREA The Development Area encompasses the area within the red line boundary (Figure 8.1). The area covered by the NVC surveys does not cover the full Development Area (but covers all proposed infrastructure locations), and also encompasses some areas outwith the Development Area; therefore the area covered by the NVC surveys is hereafter termed the study area. The majority of the study area supports open moorland and rough grazing pasture with relatively steep-sided cleuchs and associated plateaus. It is interspersed with some blocks of conifer plantation in the west. Several of the remaining forestry plantation blocks have been recently clear-felled, and others have been recently replanted or support young immature forestry. The study area undulates greatly with many large rounded hills and intervening valleys, the ground elevation ranges mostly from around 250m to 540m with some lower areas and a few higher hills, the highest being Stood Hill at an elevation of 587m in the eastern extent of the study area near Wanlockhead. The study area is drained by a number of minor watercourses and burns which discharge into much larger watercourses around the edges of the Development Area. Land use within the study area is dominated by open hill sheep grazing and grouse moor management, including rotational muir burning. 3 METHODOLOGY The vegetation was surveyed by two suitably qualified and experienced botanical surveyors using the NVC scheme (Rodwell, ; 5 volumes) and in accordance with NVC survey guidelines (Rodwell, 2006). The NVC Survey covered an area that extended up to 250m from the proposed turbine locations and 100m from proposed access tracks within the Development Area. The NVC scheme provides a standardised system for 1 As defined by the Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora the Habitats Directive 2 As defined within SEPA (2014). Guidance Note 31: Guidance on Assessing the Impacts of Windfarm Development Proposals on Groundwater Abstractions and Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems. Available for download from 1 P a g e

4 classifying and mapping semi-natural habitats, and ensures that surveys are carried out to a consistent level of detail and accuracy. Homogenous stands and mosaics of vegetation were identified and mapped by eye, and drawn as polygons on high resolution aerial imagery field maps (i.e. 1: using orthoimagery). These polygons were surveyed qualitatively to record dominant and constant species, sub-dominant species and other notable species present. The surveyors worked progressively across the study area to ensure that no areas were missed and that mapping was accurate. NVC communities were attributed to the mapped polygons using surveyor experience and matching field data against published floristic tables (Rodwell, ). Stands were classified to subcommunity level where possible, although in many cases the vegetation was mapped to community level only because the vegetation was too species-poor or patches were too small to allow meaningful sub-community determination; or because some areas exhibited features or fine-scale patterns of two or more subcommunities. Quadrat sampling was not used in this survey because experienced NVC surveyors do not necessarily need to record quadrats in order to reliably identify NVC communities and sub-communities (Rodwell, 2006). Notes were made about the structure and flora of larger areas of vegetation in many places (such as the abundance and frequency of species, and in some cases condition and evident anthropogenic impacts). It can be better to record several larger scale qualitative samples than one or two smaller quantitative samples; furthermore, qualitative information from several sample locations can be vital for understanding the dynamics and trends in local (study area) vegetation patterns (Rodwell, 2006). Due to small scale vegetation and habitat variability and numerous zones of habitat transitional between similar NVC communities, many polygons represent complex mosaics of two or more NVC communities. Where polygons have been mapped as mosaics an approximate percentage cover of each NVC community within the polygon is given so that the dominant community and character of the vegetation could still be ascertained. Botanical nomenclature in this report follows that of Stace (2010) for vascular plants and Atherton et al (2010) for bryophytes. 4 SURVEY DATES & CONSTRAINTS The NVC survey of the study area was carried out over 41 surveyor days on the following dates inclusive: 10 th - 14 th August 2015; 31 st August 2015; 1 st 4 th September 2015; 17 th 18 th September 2015; 7 th 8 th October 2015; 4 th 8 th July 2016; 27 th July 2016; 15 th August 2016; 1 st September 2016; and 5 th September The surveys were carried out at appropriate times of year for mapping vegetation. The weather conditions were generally amenable to survey; often bright, with broken cloud and relatively light to moderate winds, and with infrequent light showers. All parts of the study area were accessible except for a few very steep sections; however, these were easily surveyed from nearby suitable vantage points and surveyors also used the surrounding habitats as an indicator or proxy for the vegetation on the inaccessible piece of ground. This constraint is not considered to affect the validity of the survey results, or the robustness of any assessments made from these data. The NVC system does not cover all possible semi-natural vegetation or habitat types that may be found. Since the NVC was adopted for use in Britain in the 1980s further survey work and an increased knowledge of vegetation communities has led to additional communities being described that do not fall within the NVC system. Where such communities are found, and recorded, they are given a non-nvc community code and are described. It should be noted that the results from this survey, and the matches made in describing communities, represent a current community evaluation at the time of survey (as opposed to one seeking to describe what the community was before any human interference, or what it might become in the future). In light of this, a clear constraint of the vegetation survey and evaluation process as used in this and other surveys is that it offers only a snapshot of the vegetation communities present and should not be interpreted as a static long term reference. 5 NVC SURVEY RESULTS AND VEGETATION DESCRIPTIONS 5.1 Summary of NVC Communities The categories of vegetation within the study area include the following 39 NVC communities recorded during the survey: Mires and flushes: M2, M3, M4, M6, M17, M19, M20, M23, M25, M27 Wet heaths: M15 Springs: M32 Dry heaths: H10, H12, H16, H18, H21 Grasslands and bracken: U2, U4, U5, U6, U20, MG1, MG6, MG7, MG9, MG10, CG10 Woodland and scrub: W6, W7, W9, W10, W11, W17, W21, W24 2 P a g e

5 Swamp and tall-herb fens: S19 Vegetation of open habitats: OV25, OV27 The following sections describe the flora, structure and habitats of these communities and any associated observed sub-communities, as found within this study area. For each NVC community description, the first paragraph refers to the community in Britain or Scotland as a whole, before describing the vegetation as it was found to occur within this study area. The NVC communities within each broad habitat type (e.g. mires) are described in order of community number within the study area. The survey results are displayed in Figure 8.2. A number of target notes were also made during surveys, often to pinpoint areas or species of special interest such as springs. These target note locations are also shown in Figure 8.2 and detailed within Annex 1. A sample of target note photographs are included within Annex 2. Further photographs of a number of the typical habitat types found within the study area are provided within Annex Mires and Flushes M2 Sphagnum cuspidatum/fallax bog pool community Communities/sub-communities recorded: M2 This community is typically found in pools and lawns on the surface of very wet and base-poor peats on ombrogenous and topogenous mires in the less oceanic parts of Britain (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001; Averis et al 2004). M2 is typically dominated by soft wet carpets of Sphagnum cuspidatum or S. fallax, or both. This community has been reduced by widespread drainage and cutting of mires, so that often just small and modified fragments remain within predominantly agricultural landscapes. However, this community also readily colonises shallow flooded workings (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). A relatively small number of M2 bog pools are present within the study area considering its size; areas of M2 tend to be found within larger areas of M17 Trichophorum germanicum Eriophorum vaginatum mire and M19 Calluna vulgaris Eriophorum vaginatum mire, and their overall coverage is small. As is typical for the community these pools are dominated by carpets of Sphagnum cuspidatum and S. fallax; S. palustre and S. capillifolium were also noted. Throughout the carpet of Sphagna there are often scattered shoots of Eriophorum angustifolium and around the edges there is often some encroachment from Erica tetralix, Eriophorum vaginatum and Narthecium ossifragum M3 Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community The M3 community is typically found as small stands on barer exposures of acid peat in depressions, erosion channels or shallow peat cuttings on a wide range of mire types but especially among the M19 Calluna vulgaris Eriophorum vaginatum and M20 Eriophorum vaginatum mires (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). It can occur in permanently flooded pools and natural hollows on surfaces of more or less intact mires, and on dried-up hollows and among erosion features where the peat has been worn down in gullies or redistributed (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001; Averis et al 2004). The typical species, Eriophorum angustifolium, can occur as dense and often tall swards, but equally commonly it occurs as sparser shoots scattered over expanses of bare peat (Averis et al 2004). Small pools or patches of M3 are scarcely scattered throughout some of the mire communities within the study area, more so on the higher plateaus. These areas contain an abundance of Eriophorum angustifolium with some scattered associates through the sward including Eriophorum vaginatum, Carex nigra, Juncus effusus, and the mosses Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum fallax, S. cuspidatum, S. capillifolium and S. palustre M4 Carex rostrata - Sphagnum fallax mire The M4 community is characteristic of pools and seepage areas on peat soils of topogenous and soligenous mires where the waters are fairly acid and only slightly enriched. It can occur in bog pools on the surface of basin mires, but is more common in obviously soligenous areas as in mire laggs and the wettest parts of water-tracks (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). This mire typically has a cover of sedges over a carpet of semi-aquatic Sphagnum spp. M4 is rare within the study area and was only recorded in two small patches. These areas are characterised by a sward of Carex rostrata growing over Sphagnum fallax, S. cuspidatum and Polytrichum commune and are closely associated with areas of M6 Carex echinata - Sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire M6 Carex echinata - Sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire Communities/sub-communities recorded: M6, M6b, M6c, M6d This mire is the major soligenous community of peats and peaty gleys irrigated by base poor waters in the submontane zone of northern and western Britain. It typically occurs as small stands among other mire communities, grasslands and heaths, and is sometimes found with swamp and spring vegetation. It is commonly found in tracts of unenclosed pasture on upland fringes, particularly between 200 m and 400 m (although it may also be found much higher) and is ubiquitous in the upland fringes of Britain (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). The M6 community has a distinct general character but includes a wide variation in species composition, expressed as four sub-communities (two of which are visually similar to the M23 community). It is essentially a poor-fen with small sedges or rushes dominating over a carpet of oligotrophic and base-intolerant Sphagna (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). M6 is a very common community within the study area and is found throughout the mires, heaths and grasslands present. It is generally present as relatively small stands, usually as flushes, runnels or soakways, and along and within occluding ditches and minor watercourses, but it also extends over larger areas of wet ground; often in mosaics with M23 Juncus effusus/acutiflorus Galium palustre rush-pasture. There are four sub-communities within M6, three of which were recorded within the study area. By far the most common variant is the M6d Juncus acutiflorus sub-community, followed by the M6c Juncus effusus subcommunity and with the M6b Carex nigra - Nardus stricta sub community only recorded sparsely. The M6c and M6d sub-communities are distinguished by a basic character of a tall sward of either Juncus effusus or Juncus acutiflorus over a lawn of associates usually dominated by Sphagnum fallax and Polytrichum commune. 3 P a g e

6 In many stands these sub-communities are species-poor and most of the vegetation contains little more than the species already listed beneath the Juncus spp. In some areas the vegetation is a little more diverse and a few frequent to occasional associates enrich the sward to varying levels, these stands often include the following species; Eriophorum vaginatum, E. angustifolium, Viola palustris, Potentilla erecta, Molinia caerulea, Rumex acetosa, Succisa pratensis, Cirsium palustre, Agrostis spp., Holcus lanatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Cardamine spp., Galium saxatile, G. palustre, Carex nigra, C. panicea, C. echinata, Ranunculus spp., Sphagnum palustre, S. denticulatum, S. capillifolium, Kindbergia praelonga, Hylocomium splendens and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus. The M6b Carex nigra - Nardus stricta sub community was recorded on only a few occasions, usually as small runnels within areas of mire. This sub-community is does not contain the abundance of Juncus spp. as described above, but instead Eriophorum angustifolium, Carex rostrata and Nardus stricta are more prominent and there is abundant Carex nigra in the sward. In particular, the M6c and M6d sub-communities are of very limited grazing value and of little economic importance. In some places M6 is associated with drainage but more generally it reflects the topographyinfluenced passage or retention of surface water. Furthermore, transitions between, and mosaics of, M6c and M6d with M23 rush-pasture is a very common feature of many marshy sections of the study area M17 Trichophorum germanicum Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire Communities/sub-communities recorded: M17, M17c M17 Trichophorum germanicum Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire is the characteristic blanket bog vegetation of the more oceanic parts of Britain. It is typically found on deposits that are maintained in a permanently waterlogged state by a high and generally stagnant water-table (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). It usually occurs on deeper peats over flat or gently sloping ground (Rodwell et al 1991). However, it can also occur extensively on shallower peat. This community is dominated by mixtures of monocotyledons, ericoid sub-shrubs and Sphagnum spp. It can occur as extensive, relatively uniform tracts, or as hummock and hollow complexes, with this community giving way to bog pool vegetation in the hollows (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). Among the bulkier vascular species, the most common are Trichophorum germanicum, Eriophorum vaginatum, E. angustifolium, Molinia caerulea, Calluna vulgaris and Erica tetralix. Sphagnum spp. are an important component of the ground layer and can form extensive lawns. Burning, marginal peat-cutting, and drainage have often resulted in surface drying of the peat and hence a modification of the vegetation. M17 is present within the study area but it is not the most common mire type, its distribution is localised and it rarely covers large areas. It is most often found on the wetter plateaus or nearby gentle slopes where there has been less drainage and less intensive grazing. Most stands were recorded to community level only, however occasionally patches of the M17c Juncus squarrosus - Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community were recorded. The vascular vegetation cover of M17 within the study area is an assemblage of the grasses and sedges already listed above, particularly Trichophorum germanicum and Eriophorum vaginatum; however, Calluna vulgaris is much less prominent in the vegetation in comparison to the areas of M19 mire. Other species frequently to occasionally present within the sward include Narthecium ossifragum, Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Potentilla erecta, Juncus squarrosus, Rubus chamaemorus and Drosera rotundifolia. The moss layer contains fairly abundant Sphagna, including the main locus for Sphagnum papillosum, and this is often accompanied by some S. capillifolium, S. palustre, S. fallax, S. compactum and S. denticulatum and the other mosses Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum commune, Aulacomnium palustre and Pleurozium schreberi. The patches of M17c are distinguished by a higher cover of Juncus squarrosus and pleurocarpous mosses. M17 is likely to have been reduced in extent in certain parts of the study area by agricultural improvement, grazing and drainage M19 Calluna vulgaris Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire Communities/sub-communities recorded: M19, M19a, M19b This is the typical blanket bog vegetation of high-altitude ombrogenous peats in the wet and cold climate of the uplands of northern Britain. In particular, it occurs on high-level plateaux and broad watersheds, usually above 300m, and is confined to deeper peats on flat or gently-sloping ground (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). It is generally dominated by mixtures of Eriophorum vaginatum and ericoid sub-shrubs (especially Calluna vulgaris). Sphagnum spp. can be prominent over wetter ground but are not as luxuriant or rich as in M17 mire (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). M19 is the most common higher quality blanket bog community within the study area, and it forms many areas over plateaus and adjoining slopes. Two of the three M19 sub-communities were recorded, both equally as abundant, these are the M19a Erica tetralix sub-community and M19b Empetrum nigrum sub-community. Differences between these sub-communities are often subtle in the field and they often mosaic together, therefore in many instances the vegetation has been recorded to community level only. Areas of M19 also commonly formed mosaics with M17 and M20 mires depending on local small scale variations in wetness and grazing. M19 is also commonly found in mosaics with the wet heath community M15, this heath possibly having been derived from M19 under certain treatments. The areas of M19 within the study area are characterised by a co-dominance of Eriophorum vaginatum and Calluna vulgaris. Associated species vary greatly in their abundance, but most stands typically include some Erica tetralix, Deschampsia flexuosa, Eriophorum angustifolium, Trichophorum germanicum, Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Rubus chamaemorus, Juncus squarrosus, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Narthecium ossifragum. The most common mosses present are Sphagnum capillifolium, S. fallax, S. palustre, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Polytrichum commune, Aulacomnium palustre, Hypnum jutlandicum and Rhytidiadelphus loreus, along with some Cladonia spp. (lichens). Rarely there is some Sphagnum papillosum. The areas mapped as M19a contain a more noticeable abundance of Erica tetralix and Trichophorum germanicum whereas the areas mapped as M19b contain much higher abundances of Empetrum nigrum and Vaccinium myrtillus in the sward. 4 P a g e

7 5.2.7 M20 Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire Communities/sub-communities recorded: M20, M20a M20 Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire is a community characteristic of ombrogenous peats on bogs where certain treatments have greatly affected the vegetation; grazing and burning have been of greatest significance, but drainage has also played a part in the development of M20 (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). It is commonest on blanket mires where these factors have contributed both to floristic impoverishment and to erosion of the peats. The peats are generally drier than in M17 and most M19 bogs, often showing surface oxidation (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). M20 mire is common within the study area, in many areas it has evidently been derived from a long history of grazing of once better quality mire; i.e. the sub-shrubs of M17/M19 have been grazed out over time to leave a sward of dominant and sometimes tussocky Eriophorum vaginatum on increasingly dry peat. Transitions from these communities to M20 can be seen across the study area, similarly the continued grazing and drying of M20 in the study area has led to some areas transitioning towards typically calcifugous grassland communities; in places the shift to a mossy U2 Deschampsia flexuosa grassland is evident (see also section below). The vegetation of this community within the study area is always dominated by E. vaginatum, the tussocks of which form an open or closed canopy 10-30cm high; a number of areas were mapped as the M20a species-poor sub-community. Throughout the tussocks there is often quite abundant Deschampsia flexuosa and sometimes in richer stands sparse sprigs or plants of Calluna vulgaris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Carex nigra, Juncus squarrosus, Vaccinium myrtillus, Erica tetralix, Molinia caerulea, Festuca ovina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Galium saxatile, Potentilla erecta and Trichophorum germanicum. Mosses also vary in abundance; some tussocks are carpeted in Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus and Pleurozium schreberi. Between the tussocks in wetter patches there is often Polytrichum commune, Aulacomnium palustre, Sphagnum fallax and S. capillifolium M23 Juncus effusus/acutiflorus Galium palustre rush-pasture Communities/sub-communities recorded: M23, M23a, M23b This rush-pasture is a community of gently-sloping ground in and around the margins of soligenous flushes, as a zone around topogenous mires and wet heaths, and in poorly drained, comparatively unimproved or reverted pasture. It can be found on a variety of moderately acid to neutral soils that are kept moist to wet for most of the year (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). As a result this community can be, at least partially, potentially dependent on groundwater; however, it is also commonly associated with surface water flows and surface water collection. This vegetation is characterised by the abundance of either Juncus effusus or J. acutiflorus (sometimes both), with a ground layer of mesophytic herbs common in moist or permanently wet grasslands; associates are quite diverse. Acidophilous Sphagna and Polytrichum commune are rare in the M23 community (Averis et al 2004). M23 is very common within the study area and frequently forms both small and quite large extensive stands, predominately towards the lower gently sloping and flatter wetter areas at the base of hills and around the fringes and floodplains of the many watercourses present. Both of the M23 sub-communities occur here; the M23a Juncus acutiflorus sub-community is more common and extensive than the M23b Juncus effusus subcommunity. With M23a a tall rush sward dominated by J. acutiflorus with a moderately diverse range of herb associates is sufficient to distinguish this sub-community from the J. effusus dominated M23b. Within the study area M23 also frequently forms mosaics with the M6 Carex echinata - Sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire community (see section 5.2.4). In the areas of M23a the field layer beneath the J. acutiflorus sward is highly variable between and within stands, and is strongly influenced by the water level; sometimes there is little more than a very dense sward of J. acutiflorus. Where the field layer beneath the rushes is better developed, there is a variable assemblage of the species listed in the next paragraph: these are widely frequent to occasional but can be abundant locally. Among these associated species, the grasses are most abundant in relatively dry, marginal areas of the habitat, while more mixed forb-rich assemblages are common in the wetter areas. The species found occasionally throughout this sub-community in the study area include Agrostis capillaris, A. stolonifera, Ranunculus repens, R. flammula, Juncus articulatus, Cardamine pratensis, Filipendula ulmaria, Galium palustre, Carex nigra, Pedicularis palustris, Geranium pratense, Mimulus x robertsii, Cirsium palustre, Lychnis flos-cuculi, Potentilla palustris, P. erecta, Deschampsia cespitosa, Crepis paludosa, Succisa pratensis, Caltha palustris, Stellaria graminea, Epilobium palustre, Viola palustris, Cerastium fontanum, Rumex acetosa and Holcus lanatus. Where the field layer is not overly dense there can be an abundant sward of the mosses Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Calliergonella cuspidata and Brachythecium rivulare. The M23b sub-community is often more associated here with wet grasslands used as pasture. As well as being dominated by J. effusus, this sub-community also differs from M23a in being grassier and less species-rich. Beneath the tall sward of J. effusus there is a field layer containing A. stolonifera, Poa spp., Deschampsia cespitosa, Holcus lanatus, H. mollis, Rumex obtusifolius, Cirsium palustre and Urtica dioica. Where this sward is less dense there are small herbs and mosses including frequent to occasional Brachythecium rivulare, Calliergonella cuspidata, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus repens, Cardamine pratensis and Galium palustre M25 Molinia caerulea Potentilla erecta mire Communities/sub-communities recorded: M25, M25a, M25b M25 mire is a community of moist, but usually well aerated, acid to neutral peats and peaty soils (Rodwell et al 1991). It generally occurs over gently-sloping ground, marking out seepage zones and flushed margins of topogenous mires, but also extends onto the fringes of ombrogenous mires (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001; Averis et al 2004). Molinia caerulea is the most abundant species found in this community. The associated flora is usually species-poor, and consists largely of Juncus spp. and a few dicotyledons. Occasionally sub-shrubs can be quite common, particularly Calluna vulgaris and Erica tetralix. Treatments such as burning, grazing and drainage are likely to be largely responsible for the development of this community over ground that would naturally host some other kind of mire or wet heath vegetation (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). M25 mire is the most common mire type and one of the most abundant vegetation types throughout the whole study area. This community, more than any other recorded during the survey, covers the largest homogenous 5 P a g e

8 tracts of gently to moderately steeply sloping hillsides. It is extensive, very species-poor and relatively dry over large areas, it is also continuously grazed in most areas which is resulting in many areas appearing in transition to acid grassland communities, particularly U5 Nardus stricta Galium saxatile grassland (section below). Observations of peat depth underlying the areas of M25 indicate it is likely to be mostly shallow (e.g. field observations from drainage ditches cut through M25 etc.). As is typical, Molinia caerulea is the most abundant species found in this community, its tussocks blanketing the ground to the near exclusion of all other species except for some sparse associates such as Galium saxatile, Potentilla erecta and pleurocarpous mosses. Most of these species-poor areas are mapped to community level only. Other stands of M25 have been assigned a sub-community owing to the presence of a few more associate species and the character of the vegetation, allowing this greater level of classification. Two of the three M25 sub-communities were recorded in the study area. Areas of M25 often more closely associated with other mire types in mosaics and transitions were usually of the M25a Erica tetralix sub-community. Here, Molinia caerulea is still dominant but the associated flora contains some additional scattered wet heath or bog associates such as Erica tetralix, Calluna vulgaris, Eriophorum vaginatum, Potentilla erecta, Juncus effusus, J. squarrosus, Trichophorum germanicum, Carex nigra, C. binervis and Narthecium ossifragum. Amongst the dense herbage of the M25a sub-community bryophytes are often sparse but typically there are some tussocks with Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Polytrichum commune and Rhytidiadelphus spp. Sphagna are present in some areas and are mainly of the species S. fallax, S. capillifolium and S. palustre. Other areas of drier and more intensively grazed M25 where the tussocks of Molinia thin out are often best described as belonging to the M25b Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community. Here the community takes on a much grassier appearance and it is often seen transitioning to, and in mosaics with, adjacent calcifugous grasslands. Molinia here is accompanied by varying amounts of Holcus lanatus, Nardus stricta, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Juncus squarrosus, Festuca ovina and Agrostis capillaris with pleurocarpous mosses, particularly Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus. The abundance of the M25 community in the study area is likely a reflection of the past and ongoing land management regime. Treatments such as burning, grazing and drainage are likely to be largely responsible for the development of this community over ground that would naturally carry some other kind of mire or wet heath vegetation, remnants of which still exist and form mosaics and transitional zones with this community M27 Filipendula ulmaria Angelica sylvestris mire Communities/sub-communities recorded: M27 This community is typically found where moist, reasonably rich, circumneutral soils occur in situations protected from grazing. It can be found in both topogenous and soligenous mires and is especially typical of silted margins of slow-moving streams and soakways, the edges of flushes and damp hollows, and also of artificial habitats such as along dykes and roadside ditches and around ponds (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). The community cannot tolerate any other than very light or sporadic grazing and so stands often only persist outside enclosures, and around un-reclaimed mires and flushes (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). Filipendula ulmaria forms the overwhelming dominant and the only constant. Bryophytes are few in number and of low cover (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). M27 is rare within the study area, only being found as a few smaller lightly grazed stands by lower down and larger watercourses, often in close association with or in a mosaic with M23 rush-pasture (section 5.2.8). Filipendula ulmaria is dominant in these areas and the associate species are sparse, generally sharing much of the same floral diversity as M23 rush-pasture described above. F. ulmaria here is most commonly accompanied by Holcus lanatus, Juncus acutiflorus, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus spp., Phalaris arundinacea, Cirsium palustre and Valeriana officinalis. 5.3 Wet Heaths M15 Trichophorum germanicum Erica tetralix wet heath Communities/sub-communities recorded: M15, M15a, M15b, M15d This wet heath community is characteristic of moist and generally acid and oligotrophic peats and peaty mineral soils in the wetter western and northern parts of Britain. It is also associated with thinner or better drained areas of ombrogenous peat (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). It is a vegetation type with few constant species and wide variation in its flora and dominant species. Calluna vulgaris, Molinia caerulea, Trichophorum germanicum and Erica tetralix are usually all of high frequency, and it is mixtures of these species that give the vegetation its general character. However sometimes one or two of them may be missing and their relative proportions can be very diverse (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). The shrubby species Erica cinerea, Vaccinium myrtillus and Myrica gale are important in particular sub-communities. M15 is generally an extremely variable community in terms of dominants and co-dominants, which can vary markedly over short distances. Grazing and burning have important effects on the floristics and structure of this community, and draining and peat-cutting have extended its coverage to formerly deeper and wetter peats in which blanket mire communities (i.e. M17-M19) were initially present (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). M15 is widespread throughout the study area but rarely as large stands, it is more often present as scattered smaller stands through other areas of mire and dry heath. M15 in the study area shows some considerable variation, highlighted by the presence of three of the four sub-communities; in order of decreasing abundance, M15b Typical sub-community, M15d Vaccinium myrtillus sub-community and M15a Carex panicea subcommunity. Even within these sub-communities there is often a large variation in the dominant species. The most common sub-community is the M15b Typical sub-community. It consists mainly of a sward with very variable amounts of the main characteristic species: Calluna vulgaris, Molinia caerulea, Trichophorum germanicum and Erica tetralix. The relative proportions of these species can be very varied within small areas, and each one of these species can attain local dominance or be completely absent. Many other species are frequently to occasionally scattered in these M15b heaths: they include Carex panicea, C. binervis, C. nigra, Narthecium ossifragum, Juncus squarrosus, Eriophorum angustifolium, Nardus stricta, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Luzula multiflora, Festuca ovina, Deschampsia flexuosa, Polygala serpyllifolia, Vaccinium myrtillus, Dactylorhiza maculata, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Drosera rotundifolia and Blechnum spicant. Eriophorum vaginatum is only a sparse occasional. 6 P a g e

9 The M15b field layer often contains some M. caerulea litter among and beneath the vascular plants, but in this same zone mosses can be common, with the following species found in varying abundances: Sphagnum capillifolium, S. fallax, S. palustre, Dicranum scoparium, Plagiothecium undulatum, Aulacomnium palustre, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and Polytrichum commune. A number of areas of the M15d Vaccinium myrtillus sub-community were also recorded within the study area. This sub-community is at the drier end of the M15 continuum. These areas of M15d are characterised mainly by Calluna vulgaris and Trichophorum germanicum with some Erica tetralix and Potentilla erecta and occasionally scattered shoots of Vaccinium myrtillus. Molinia caerulea is scarce throughout M15d. Many of these stands are evidently a secondary heath arising from muir burning of the existing wet and dry heaths present. Consequently, many stands of M15d here are heavily dominated by T. germanicum, although locally Anthoxanthum odoratum and/or Deschampsia flexuosa are almost co-dominant but subordinate to the cover of T. germanicum. Between the tussocks of T. germanicum a number of other species are frequent to occasional. These include Juncus squarrosus, Nardus stricta, Erica tetralix, Narthecium ossifragum, Carex nigra, Polygala serpyllifolia, Luzula multiflora, Galium saxatile and Festuca ovina. Sphagna are rare apart from occasional S. capillifolium; pleurocarpous mosses dominate in the bryophyte layer. The M15a Carex panicea sub-community is present as a few small stands. It is more a soligenous mire than a wet heath (Averis et al 2004). It occurs within the study area as flushed areas within the other sub-communities of M15 and other mires, as well as occurring as some discrete stands. M15a has a thinner canopy of the characteristic species described above, though within the study area often lacking much Calluna vulgaris due to the wetter soils. In the study area this sub-community is distinguished from the other sub-communities of M15 by the presence of species indicative of flushing; especially characteristic here are the small sedges Carex panicea and C. viridula. 5.4 Springs M32 Philonotis fontana Saxifraga stellaris spring Communities/sub-communities recorded: M32, M32b M32 is a community of springs and rills at moderate to high altitudes, mainly from 450m to over 1000m, where there is irrigation with circumneutral and oligotrophic waters. This is one of the most common and widespread types of spring vegetation in the uplands of north-west Britain and is dependent on sustained irrigation by groundwater (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). These bryophyte-dominated springs, flushes and rills are striking in appearance; Philonotis fontana is usually dominant and visually obvious by its bright green colour. A small number of M32 springs and rills were found within the study area, generally of the M32b Montia fontana Chrysosplenium oppositifolium sub community. The locations of these springs are detailed within Figure 8.2 and Annex 1 - Target Notes; photographic examples are provided in Annex 2. Most of these are located on the lower valley slopes in the headwaters of the Glenclach Burn, near Wanlockhead. These springs and upwelling s contain abundant Montia fontana and Philonotis fontana. Other species noted included Calliergonella cuspidata, Dichodontium palustre, Palustriella commutata, Ranunculus flammula, R. repens, Carex panicea and a little Cardamine pratensis. This community is a GWDTE due to its dependency on groundwater irrigation/upwelling. 5.5 Dry Heaths Dry heath is common throughout the study area, particularly in the eastern extent of the study area where large tracts of Calluna dominated dry heath blanket the slopes and summits and is managed for grouse via rotational muir burning. The vast majority of dry heath present is H12 Calluna vulgaris Vaccinium myrtillus heath but there are some substantial patches of other forms of dry heath, most notably H18 Vaccinium myrtillus Deschampsia flexuosa heath (see below) H10 Calluna vulgaris Erica cinerea heath Communities/sub-communities recorded: H10 H10 Calluna vulgaris Erica cinerea heath is a dry heath community that occurs widely throughout the more oceanic sections of Scotland. It is a community characteristic of acid to circumneutral and generally free-draining soils and is typically dominated by Calluna vulgaris. Erica cinerea, a constant, is frequent but generally subordinate to C. vulgaris. H10 is commonly found in zonations and mosaics with grasslands, other heath types and mire communities (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). Only a single small patch of H10 heath was recorded in the study area, this patch is essentially the same as the H12 heath described below in section but Erica cinerea was notably co-dominant along with the Calluna H12 Calluna vulgaris Vaccinium myrtillus heath Communities/sub-communities recorded: H12, H12a, H12c H12 Calluna vulgaris Vaccinium myrtillus heath is a typical sub-shrub community of acidic to circumneutral, free-draining mineral soils throughout the cold and wet sub-montane zone, generally between 200m and 600m. H12 is generally dominated by Calluna vulgaris although the cover of this species can be open and degenerate. Vaccinium myrtillus is constant, though it is usually subordinate to C. vulgaris. The ground layer is generally characterised by bulky mosses (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). H12 heaths are rather uniform and they cover extensive areas throughout large parts of Scotland. H12 is the most common form of heath within the study area. The H12 vegetation consists of dense canopies of C. vulgaris with shoots of V. myrtillus where the Calluna is not overly dominant. There can also be other subshrubs, especially in the heaths recovering after muir burning, which is commonplace. Herbs are usually inconspicuous below the canopy, and there is a dense carpet of pleurocarpous mosses including Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi and Rhytidiadelphus loreus. Levels of grazing on this type heath vary considerably within the study area, with areas of light grazing containing tall and leggy stands of Calluna, whereas more intensively grazed areas have shorter swards of closer cropped Calluna interspersed with more graminoids. 7 P a g e

10 The slopes in the eastern extent of the study area have the most extensive cover of H12, where the topography of mounds, ridges and slopes provides the appropriate free-draining conditions, with wet heath and blanket bog often occupying the intervening depressions, flats and hollows. Nearly all stands are of the H12a Calluna vulgaris sub-community, although some areas of the H12c Galium saxatile Festuca ovina sub-community were also recorded. The vegetation of a considerable proportion of the H12a consists of little more than Calluna vulgaris over a lawn of pleurocarpous mosses with a few sprigs of Vaccinium myrtillus (which itself can be locally absent). Other typical associates in very variable abundances in H12a within the study area include Erica cinerea, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Agrostis capillaris, Nardus stricta, Galium saxatile, Blechnum spicant, Empetrum nigrum, Luzula multiflora and Carex binervis. The most common mosses here are Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium, Pseudoscleropodium purum and Rhytidiadelphus loreus. Cladonia ssp. (lichens) are also quite frequent in some areas. Areas of H12c tend to have a shorter, grazed and more open sward of Calluna with an increased abundance of the graminoids listed above. In this sub-community higher levels of grazing have reduced the cover of the Calluna canopy, so that elements of U4 and U5 calcifugous grasslands have become established in the intervening spaces. Locally, burning of the heath has created an intricate patchwork of H12 in different stages of recovery and development, and with variable vigour of Calluna closely juxtaposed H16 Calluna vulgaris Arctostaphylos uva-ursi heath Communities/sub-communities recorded: H16 H16 Calluna vulgaris Arctostaphylos uva-ursi heath is a typical sub-shrub community of circumneutral to basepoor soils at moderate altitudes, and is generally found between 240m and 600m altitude in the cold continental climate of the east-central Highlands (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). H16 is characterised by the relative abundance of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi alongside typical heath vegetation including C. vulgaris, and in lower abundances Erica cinerea (Elkington et al 2001). This vegetation type is often a secondary heath resulting after burning, which maintains this vegetation as a plagioclimax community (Elkington et al 2001; Averis et al 2004). H16 is rare within the study area, only being recorded in a couple of stands in the eastern extent of the study area on heathy slopes. Here, the vegetation appears very much superficially similar to that of H12a as described above (section 5.5.2) with the only real difference being the appearance of a low cover of Arctostaphylos uvaursi within the vegetation. This community is likely a transitional one that has arisen from the burning of H12 heath locally H18 Vaccinium myrtillus Deschampsia flexuosa heath Communities/sub-communities recorded: H18, H18a, H18b H18 Vaccinium myrtillus Deschampsia flexuosa heath is typical of moist but free draining acid to neutral mineral soils, humic rankers and dry peats over steeper slopes at moderate to high altitudes (Rodwell et al 1991; Averis et al 2004). H18 includes moss-rich and grassy sub-shrub vegetation in which V. myrtillus is the most frequent and generally the most abundant ericoid (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). H18 can be a nearnatural heath as in the montane zone, or one that is clearly anthropogenic as seen at lower altitudes where it is evidently a derivative of H12 Calluna vulgaris Vaccinium myrtillus heaths that have been burned and then grazed too hard to allow Calluna vulgaris to re-establish (Rodwell et al 1991; Averis et al 2004). There are some large areas of H18 heath present in the more eastern extent of the study area on steep slopes, these have evidently been derived from former areas of H12 where burning and intensive grazing has all but eliminated Calluna vulgaris from the sward, although it is still scattered in the vegetation as small infrequent individuals. Here, Vaccinium myrtillus is the most common species in both mossy and grassy stands of H18, two sub-communities were recorded; H18a Hylocomium splendens Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community and H18b Alchemilla alpina Carex pilulifera sub-community. Throughout H18 as a whole within the study area the dominant V. myrtillus is accompanied by varying abundances of characteristic associate species including Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Blechnum spicant, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. Areas of H18a are notable for their mossy sward and sprigs of V. myrtillus growing through a carpet of Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Dicranum scoparium, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum and Pleurozium schreberi. H18b tends to be more graminoid rich with the species as listed above, and with wefts of the moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus H21 - Calluna vulgaris Vaccinium myrtillus Sphagnum capillifolium heath Communities/sub-communities recorded: H21 The H21 community generally has a mixed canopy of sub-shrubs, usually 30-50cm high, with a damp layer of luxuriant bryophytes. Calluna vulgaris is usually the dominant ericoid, although Vaccinium myrtillus can also be common. Bryophytes form an extensive and lush carpet; particularly distinctive is the high frequency and local abundance of Sphagnum capillifolium (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). This heath is highly characteristic of fragmentary humic soils in situations with a cool but equable climate and a consistently shady and humid atmosphere. It is widespread at low to moderate altitudes in upland Britain. It is found mainly on steep, shady slopes of north-west to easterly aspect, often with rock outcrops (Rodwell et al 1991; Elkington et al 2001). H21 heath is rare within the study area and only forms small fragmentary patches within other heaths, such as north facing H12. It is characterised by a few main species, namely Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus and Deschampsia flexuosa over a carpet of bryophytes with abundant Sphagnum capillifolium and some S. fallax, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Hypnum jutlandicum. 8 P a g e

11 5.6 Calcifugous Grasslands and bracken-dominated vegetation U2 Deschampsia flexuosa grassland Communities/sub-communities recorded: U2, U2b This grassland is characteristic of base poor soils that are free draining but not parched and are sometimes quite moist. It occurs through the upland fringes and in moderately oceanic parts of the lowlands. The community is often seen in close association with some heaths and mires and can grade into them. Deschampsia flexuosa grassland comprises swards in which often tussocky D. flexuosa is the obvious dominant with a number of sparse associates (Rodwell et al 1992). Many stands of U2 grassland have evidently been derived from some sort of disturbance in previous heath, mire or woodland, and the community often appears to be transitional postdisturbance vegetation (Averis et al 2004). U2 is widely scattered throughout parts of the study area but it rarely forms large expanses, except where Deschampsia flexuosa has vigorously recolonised areas of former plantation clear-fell. Outside of felled areas it appears scattered throughout some of the other acid grasslands and as patches within dry heath which is typical of this community. However, within the study area U2 also appears in places to be developing from areas of M20 mire that are becoming increasingly dry. These transitional M20 to U2 areas can be seen where the dominant and characteristic species has, or is, clearly shifting from Eriophorum vaginatum to Deschampsia flexuosa. U2 within the study area is dominated by D. flexuosa with a range of more frequent to occasional associates. These include Festuca ovina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Nardus stricta, Vaccinium myrtillus, Blechnum spicant, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. Underneath the grasses and herbs bryophytes are common, the most abundant species being Rhytidiadelphus spp., Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi. Areas mapped as the U2b Vaccinium myrtillus sub-community contain a more notable abundance of V. myrtillus and occasional Calluna vulgaris and are not that dissimilar to the H18 heaths also present (section 5.5.4) U4 Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Galium saxatile grassland Communities/sub-communities recorded: U4, U4a, U4b The U4 Festuca ovina - Agrostis capillaris - Galium saxatile grassland is a form of predominately upland grassland of well-drained, acidic and base-poor mineral soils throughout the wet and cool regions of north-west Britain where it dominates extensive areas of pastureland (Rodwell et al 1992; Cooper 1997). Throughout this geographic range the community can often be found forming a distinctive component of larger mosaics of grasslands, heaths, and mires. U4 grassland communities are generally identified on the presence of an often close-cropped, grass-rich sward dominated by various combinations of A. capillaris, F. ovina and Anthoxanthum odoratum, with G. saxatile and Potentilla erecta consistent associates. A well-developed moss layer is also characteristic, but in the U4b subcommunity it may be limited by the dense, relatively productive sward of grasses. U4 is extensive throughout the study area and it forms the most productive areas of sheep grazing land within the hills. It covers both extensive areas that are used for grazing and smaller discrete patches in mosaics with mire, heath and other grassland communities. In the latter case the U4 grasslands often occupy the best-drained situations that are grazed by sheep. Two sub-communities are widespread within the study area, the U4a Typical sub-community mainly on higher ground and upland margins and the more semi-improved and productive U4b Holcus lanatus - Trifolium repens sub-community in lower down areas and around farmsteads. Species diversity in the community, and indeed each sub-community, is very variable throughout the study area. Many areas contain only a few of the characteristic species and these dominate the sward, whereas in others the plant diversity is noticeably richer. Overall, the stands of U4 within the study area tend to have variable amounts of the grasses A. capillaris, F. ovina, H. lanatus and A. odoratum and the moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus. Typical quantities of these species and associate species differ between the respective sub-communities. The U4a Typical sub-community is common but has few distinguishing species. Along with the above grasses the sward is often thick with mosses such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi; and Galium saxatile and Potentilla erecta are very common. Other occasional associates in particular stands include Nardus stricta, Festuca rubra, Juncus effusus, J. squarrosus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Plantago lanceolata, Cerastium fontanum, Conopodium majus, Carex panicea, Pedicularis sylvatica, Luzula multiflora, Euphrasia spp., Viola riviniana, Trifolium repens, Galium verum, Campanula rotundifolia, Viola lutea, Succisa pratensis, Rumex acetosa, R. acetosella, Veronica chamaedrys, Prunella vulgaris, Lotus corniculatus and the mosses Brachythecium rutabulum and Dicranum scoparium. Rarely there are some sprigs of Thymus polytrichus, but not enough to classify the vegetation as CG10 Festuca ovina - Agrostis capillaris - Thymus polytrichus grassland (see section 5.8.1). Within the study area, U4a is generally associated with extensive grazing. It is commonly associated with dry heath, from which it is probably derived through the influence of grazing in places. U4 also occurs on raised, free-draining mineral mounds protruding through wet heath, blanket bog and other forms of mire. The U4b Holcus lanatus - Trifolium repens sub-community is the most common form of U4 around the more managed farmland areas. Some agricultural improvement is evident in the U4b sub-community; this is most apparent in the presence of a relatively productive, broad-leaved grass sward including abundant Holcus lanatus. The abundance of Trifolium repens within the sward also serves as a characteristic point of distinction. These two species, along with lesser amounts of Agrostis capillaris and Anthoxanthum odoratum, are a feature of these areas. This semi-improved U4b grassland also sees the appearance of species such as Poa pratensis, Cynosurus cristatus, Lolium perenne, Achillea millefolium, Conopodium majus, Stellaria graminea, Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium pratense, Bellis perennis, Taraxacum agg., Ranunculus repens, R. acris, and occasional patches of Cirsium arvense, Urtica dioica and Rumex obtusifolius where there is localised enrichment of the soil. Valuable as pasture, this sub-community is managed by relatively continuous grazing U5 Nardus stricta Galium saxatile grassland Communities/sub-communities recorded: U5, U5a 9 P a g e

12 U5 grassland tends to be found on damp mineral soils which have peaty upper horizons. U5 typically occupies slopes where the depth and wetness of the soil are intermediate between those of the drier podsols under U4 grasslands and wet shallow peats found under U6 grassland. The underlying rock can be anything from acid to basic, but the soils are generally acidic (Rodwell et al 1992; Averis et al 2004). U5 is common on the higher hill slopes of the cool, wet north and west of Britain (Rodwell et al 1992; Cooper, 1997). U5 is common within the study area and is frequently found on the slopes and summits as sole stands or in mosaics with other grasslands as well as mires and heath. The vegetation is generally of the U5a Species-poor sub-community, which lacks any of the species distinctive to the other sub-communities. U5a is readily identified on this basis alone. The sward is dominated almost exclusively by Nardus stricta in places, and the subcommunity is visible from a distance on the basis of its light appearance; Galium saxatile is also typically abundant. Juncus squarrosus, Agrostis capillaris and Anthoxanthum odoratum can be locally frequent to abundant, and the following species are generally occasional to rare: Festuca ovina, Deschampsia flexuosa, Viola riviniana, Potentilla erecta, Carex binervis, C. pulicaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Luzula multiflora, Pedicularis sylvatica, Molinia caerulea and Calluna vulgaris. Mosses such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi are very common U6 Juncus squarrosus Festuca ovina grassland Communities/sub-communities recorded: U6, U6a, U6d U6 Juncus squarrosus - Festuca ovina grassland is characteristic of moist peats and peaty mineral soils, almost always base-poor and infertile, over gentle slopes and plateaux at higher altitudes (400m to 800m) in the cool and wet north and west of Britain (Rodwell et al 1992; Cooper, 1997). U6 is often a secondary vegetation type, strongly encouraged by particular kinds of grazing and burning treatments in damper upland pastures and on the drying fringes of blanket mires. The spread of J. squarrosus in upland pastures tends to be encouraged where uncontrolled heavy and selective grazing has been applied over rather ill-drained ground (Rodwell et al 1992; Cooper, 1997). U6 is a common community type over the summits of many of the hills within the study area, particularly the eastern extent of the study area. It also often extends from these plateaus down the adjoining gentle slopes for a short distance before giving way to other grasslands such as U5 and U4. It is also found in mosaics with wet heath and mire communities and appears to have been derived from these habitats by grazing. U6 was often recorded to community level only; however, two sub-communities were recorded in places; the U6a Sphagnum sub-community and U6d Agrostis capillaris Luzula multiflora sub-community. As would be expected Juncus squarrosus is the dominant species in each stand, irrespective of sub-community. It is frequently accompanied by varying amounts of the grasses Festuca ovina, Nardus stricta, Agrostis spp. and Anthoxanthum odoratum, the herb Galium saxatile and pleurocarpous mosses. Other occasional species in the swards include Deschampsia flexuosa, Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Potentilla erecta, Eriophorum vaginatum and Molinia caerulea. A number of damper examples of the U6 community on more peaty soils and around mires correspond to the U6a Sphagnum sub-community. U6a is common here as small stands and is characterised by an abundance of Sphagna, particularly Sphagnum fallax, S. capillifolium and S. palustre; there can be occasional tussocks of Eriophorum vaginatum and some Erica tetralix and Aulacomnium palustre as well. The areas of U6d are the most grass rich form of U6. It is essentially very similar to the U4a Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Galium saxatile grassland Typical sub-community as described above (section 5.6.2) but with abundant J. squarrosus in the sward U20 Pteridium aquilinum Galium saxatile community Communities/sub-communities recorded: U20 The U20 Pteridium aquilinum Galium saxatile community occurs on well aerated and often moist soils which are base-poor to circumneutral (Rodwell et al 1992; Cooper, 1997). Pteridium aquilinum is the sole dominant and is overwhelmingly abundant in some stands. This is a community of little ecological value. U20 occurs as scattered stands within the study area, most often found on steeper drier slopes in valleys, usually in mosaics with other grasslands and rush-pastures. U20 was only recorded to community level given its low ecological value. Generally, the vegetation is overwhelmingly dominated by Pteridium aquilinum but there can also be an associated grassy assemblage of species in the sward similar to that of the U4 community described above in section Mesotrophic Grasslands MG1 Arrhenatherum elatius grassland Communities/sub-communities recorded: MG1, MG1c MG1 is essentially ungrazed grassland in which coarse-leaved tussock grasses are dominant in the sward. It is found on circumneutral and free draining soils throughout the British lowlands. Key to its development is the irregularity or absence of grazing (Rodwell et al 1992). MG1 is rare within the study area; it is not found within the main core of the study area but is present in some small ungrazed areas on the fringes of the study area and along unmanaged roadside edges, particularly along the access track option to the south-west towards Sanquhar (Access B). The character of MG1 is quite diverse in the areas mapped with few species attaining dominance throughout, species can be very locally abundant and these tend to be the characteristic species such as Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata and Holcus lanatus. Aside from these main species there is quite a wide range of associates which vary greatly in their abundance, many are frequent to occasional and include the following: Festuca rubra, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Deschampsia cespitosa, Urtica dioica, Cirsium arvense, Lathyrus pratensis, Anthriscus sylvestris, Filipendula ulmaria, Rumex obtusifolius, R. acetosa, Agrostis capillaris, Valeriana officinalis, Veronica chamaedrys, Juncus effusus, Ranunculus repens, Centaurea nigra, Succisa pratensis, Trifolium repens, T. pratense, Cerastium fontanum, Tussilago farfara, Senecio jacobaea, Achillea ptarmica, Stellaria graminea, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium hirsutum, Digitalis 10 P a g e

13 purpurea, Rubus fruticosus agg., R. idaeus, Plantago lanceolata, Galium aparine, G. saxatile, Potentilla erecta and Stachys palustris. One area of the MG1c Filipendula ulmaria sub-community was recorded near Sanquhar where F. ulmaria is co-dominant with the characteristic grasses as described above MG6 Lolium perenne Cynosurus cristatus grassland Communities/sub-communities recorded: MG6 MG6 is the major permanent pasture type on moist but freely draining circumneutral brown soils in lowland Britain, and is often found in enclosed stands. It has usually been subjected to some form of improvement such as fertiliser application and drainage, and many stands have been derived from historical ploughing and reseeding (Rodwell et al 1992). MG6 is uncommon within the study area, there are some small areas around farmsteads but the main areas of MG6 mapped are in the agriculturally improved fields abutting the Sanquhar access route option (Access B). These fields are used for hay/silage or livestock grazing, and have likely been treated with periodic fertiliser applications; some may have been ploughed and reseeded in the past as well. The vegetation is dominated by a sward of Lolium perenne with occasional Cynosurus cristatus, Holcus lanatus, Festuca rubra, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis spp., Conopodium majus, Achillea millefolium, Trifolium repens, Bellis perennis, Prunella vulgaris, Cerastium fontanum, Rumex acetosella, Plantago lanceolata and Poa annua MG7 Lolium perenne leys and related grasslands Communities/sub-communities recorded: MG7 MG7 Lolium perenne leys and related grasslands are species-poor, grass dominated swards characterised by the constant abundance of L. perenne and other specifically selected grasses. This community is a distinctive one of intensive grassland treatment, including the frequent addition of fertilisers (Rodwell et al 1992; Cooper, 1997). Grasslands of this type are often specifically sown as high productivity swards for intensive agricultural use, such as for hay or silage. One field of MG7 was recorded along the Sanquhar access route option (Access B) just east of Conrick, evidently heavily improved by fertiliser and used for silage this field was little more than a sward of Lolium perenne MG9 Holcus lanatus Deschampsia cespitosa grassland Communities/sub-communities recorded: MG9 MG9 Holcus lanatus Deschampsia cespitosa grassland is characteristic of permanently moist, gleyed and periodically inundated circumneutral soils across large areas of the British lowlands. It can exist on level to moderately sloping ground in areas of pasture or meadow, but can also be found along woodland rides and fen/wetland margins. MG9 typically contains a coarse and tussocky sward dominated by D. cespitosa (Rodwell et al 1992; Cooper, 1997). MG9 is only found as small scattered stands within the study area and has a very low overall coverage, it also tends to be found in mosaics as a small percentage within much larger rush mires and pastures (i.e. the M23 and MG10 communities). The vegetation is dominated by Deschampsia cespitosa, and Holcus lanatus and Juncus spp. are locally abundant between the tussocks. Within the sward established by these two grasses, other species are occasional to locally frequent, including Agrostis capillaris, Carex nigra, Ranunculus repens, Rumex acetosa, R. obtusifolius, Potentilla erecta, Cirsium palustre and the mosses Calliergonella cuspidata, Kindbergia praelonga and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus MG10 Holcus lanatus Juncus effusus rush-pasture Communities/sub-communities recorded: MG10, MG10a MG10 is a form of rush-pasture characteristic of areas with strongly impeded drainage over a wide range of usually acid to neutral mineral soils on level to gently sloping ground (Rodwell et al 1992; Cooper, 1997). This community requires consistently high soil moisture (Rodwell et al 1992). It occurs across most of the British lowlands, with the typical sub-community being particularly prominent towards the north and west. Although found on various soil types including brown earth and calcareous earth throughout its range, this habitat can also have close associations with various types of mire vegetation and can form significant parts of rushdominated mire mosaics in areas of suitably moist soils. MG10 is characterised by an assemblage in which tussocks of Juncus effusus are abundant in species-poor swards of Holcus lanatus, Agrostis stolonifera, Poa trivialis and forbs including Ranunculus acris, R. repens, Rumex acetosa, Cardamine pratensis and Trifolium repens. Mosses such as Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonella cuspidata, Kindbergia praelonga and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus often form diffuse wefts over the damp soil and among the larger plants (Rodwell et al 1992; Cooper, 1997). MG10 is common within the study area. It forms both extensive and small stands, mostly within wetter hollows, flow lines and poorly drained parts of fields where Juncus effusus has taken over (e.g. within U4 and MG6 grasslands). It also occurs in mosaics with other wet grasslands (MG9) and Juncus spp. mires (M6 and M23). The vegetation within the study area belongs to the MG10a Typical sub-community. This reflects both the species-poor nature of the vegetation as well as absence of the species characteristic of the other subcommunities (i.e. no Juncus inflexus or Iris pseudacorus). The vegetation is typically dominated by dense tussocks of J. effusus, with frequent to occasional H. lanatus and the typical species already listed for the community as a whole. In some areas there is little else other than a dense growth of J. effusus. Where other occasional associates do appear in the sward they include Deschampsia cespitosa, Juncus acutiflorus, Rumex obtusifolius, R. acetosa, Plantago lanceolata, Cardamine pratensis, Agrostis stolonifera, Ranunculus repens and Cirsium palustre. The sward throughout the study area is generally species-poor. 11 P a g e

14 5.8 Calcicolous Grasslands CG10 Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Thymus polytrichus grassland Communities/sub-communities recorded: CG10a CG10 is a sub-montane community of base-rich and often moist brown earths which have developed over a wide variety of calcareous bedrocks and coarse-textured superficial deposits. The soils have a moderately calcareous superficial ph of 5-7. The community can be found up to 750m in altitude, and is generally restricted to areas of cool, moist and cloudy climatic conditions in the uplands. The grassland is typically a plagioclimax vegetation maintained by grazing (usually sheep) (Rodwell et al 1992; Cooper, 1997). CG10 generally occurs as swards closecropped by grazing, and dominated by Agrostis capillaris and Festuca ovina. Other grasses tend to be more specific to particular sub-communities. Of the dicotyledons the commonest species is Thymus polytrichus, which tends to be abundant (Rodwell et al 1992; Cooper, 1997). CG10, and specifically the CG10a Trifolium repens Luzula campestris sub-community, is very rare within the study area, only being found as a few very small patches on steep slopes within a wider dry heath and acid grassland mosaic on the valley slopes in the headwaters of the Glenclach Burn, near Wanlockhead. This CG10a grassland is closely associated with U4a grassland, both communities often grading into each other in mosaics. In the study area both these communities share a similar assemblage of species, the separation between them depending largely on the relative abundances of Thymus polytrichus (more common in CG10a) and Galium saxatile (more common in U4a). The areas of CG10a mapped, at the time of survey, were easily distinguished by a flecked bright pink sward with very abundant T. polytrichus. 5.9 Woodland and Scrub W6 Alnus glutinosa Urtica dioica woodland Communities/sub-communities recorded: W6 W6 is a poorly-defined community of eutrophic moist soils, especially where there has been substantial deposition of mineral matter, or on floodplain mires where enriched waters flood fen peat (Rodwell et al 1991; Hall et al 2004). Alnus glutinosa is usually the most common tree, particularly on wetter soils, but is replaced by Salix spp. or Betula pubescens on some sites. Unlike the other A. glutinosa woodland types (W5 and W7) the field layer generally lacks the richer and tall swamp and fen species, and is instead replaced by a species-poor, albeit quite distinctive, field layer. The most typical species is Urtica dioica. The few other typical species are mainly characteristic of damp to moderately wet habitats (Rodwell et al 1991; Hall et al 2004). Only a single very small thin strip of woodland most closely resembling W6 was recorded along the banks of the Crawick Water by Sanquhar. This strip, only a couple of trees wide and sandwiched between the Crawick Water and a semi-improved field, consisted of little more than scrubby Salix spp. growing over Urtica dioica and Galium aparine W7 Alnus glutinosa Fraxinus excelsior Lysimachia nemoreum woodland Communities/sub-communities recorded: W7 W7 is typical of moist to very wet mineral soils which are only moderately base-rich and not very eutrophic (Rodwell et al 1991; Hall et al 2004). It is most extensive in the wetter parts of Britain, but usually occurs in soils where there is no great tendency for peat accumulation. Alnus glutinosa is the main tree species, and is commonly accompanied by other species such as Fraxinus excelsior, Betula spp., Salix spp. and Acer pseudoplatanus. The field layer can be very varied; the wetness and nutrient status of the soil determines what other species may occur, these being mainly grasses and herbaceous dicotyledons (Rodwell et al 1991; Hall et al 2004). W7 is rare within the study area, only recorded as two very small stands amounting to little more than a short strip or patch of riparian trees along a watercourse. These small stands are also species-poor and consist of a thin canopy of Betula spp. and Salix spp. The field layer mainly consists of Juncus spp. and some Filipendula ulmaria W9 Fraxinus excelsior Sorbus aucuparia Mercurialis perennis woodland Communities/sub-communities recorded: W9 W9 is a community of permanently moist calcareous soils in the sub-montane climate of north-west Britain. It is commonly found by streams and flush lines in the uplands, where the climate is cool, wet and windy (Rodwell et al 1991; Hall et al 2004). In typical stands Fraxinus excelsior and Corylus avellana are the most abundant woody species, and Betula pubescens and Sorbus aucuparia may be co-dominant. The field layer is usually a complex mosaic, with no single species dominating, although Mercurialis perennis and Hyacinthoides non-scripta both tend to be frequent. Other features distinctive of W9 include an abundance of Oxalis acetosella, various fern species, and a well-developed bryophyte layer (Rodwell et al 1991; Hall et al 2004). Three stands of W9 were recorded in the study area; the two most diverse stands are a strip on a steep slope south of Nether Cog and an area in mixed broadleaved woodland on the slopes along the northern bank of the Glensalloch Burn, south of Upper Cog. The canopy within these more species-rich areas contains mixes of Betula spp., Fraxinus excelsior, Sorbus aucuparia, Acer pseudoplatanus, Corylus avellana and Crataegus monogyna. The field layer contains variable amounts of Mercurialis perennis along with a generally infrequent scattering of other associates including Pteridium aquilinum, Oxalis acetosella, Geranium robertianum, Geum urbanum, Silene dioica, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Stellaria nemoreum, Viola riviniana, Urtica dioica, Conopodium majus, Hypericum pulchrum, Myosotis sylvatica, M. arvensis, Lapsana communis, Vicia sativa, V. cracca, Galium aparine, Stachys sylvatica and Dryopteris spp. Mosses present include Thuidium tamariscinum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Kindbergia praelonga. The other stand near Sanquhar is mainly Fraxinus excelsior and Acer pseudoplatanus over a layer of abundant Mercurialis perennis. 12 P a g e

15 5.9.4 W10 Quercus robur Pteridium aquilinum - Rubus fruticosus woodland Communities/sub-communities recorded: W10, W10e This is a variable community of base-poor brown earths, found mainly in the lowlands of southern Britain (Rodwell et al 1991; Hall et al 2004). However, it can be found scattered in the north as well. Typically, Quercus spp. are the most common trees, and Betula pendula is abundant. Fraxinus excelsior can be frequent, with Acer pseudoplatanus and sometimes Ulmus glabra, in the north-west. Some stands are dominated by planted conifers, but with enough of a field layer to classify the vegetation type (Rodwell et al 1991; Hall et al 2004). The field layer is varied but usually lacks base-rich indicators such as Mercurialis perennis. The bryophyte cover is generally low. W10 is scarce within the study area, only found as a few small stands at lower elevations on the fringes of the study area and along the Sanquhar access route option (Access B); most stands were also a poor fit for the community. The canopies of these stands usually contain some Acer pseudoplatanus, Fraxinus excelsior, Crataegus monogyna, Quercus sp., Fagus sylvatica, Pinus sylvestris and Sorbus aucuparia, some with a covering of Hedera helix. The field layer is often coarse and rank having been excluded from grazing, containing species such as Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata and Holcus lanatus. In some stands the field layer also contains occasional Oxalis acetosella, Pteridium aquilinum, Agrostis spp., Holcus mollis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Anemone nemorosa, Veronica chamaedrys, Geum urbanum, Silene dioica, Geranium robertianum, Aegopodium podagraria, Digitalis purpurea, Ranunculus repens, Luzula sylvatica, Heracleum sphondylium, Cynosurus cristatus, Stellaria graminea, Cirsium spp., Rubus fruticosus and Urtica dioica. One area with abundant Acer pseudoplatanus and Oxalis acetosella was classified as the W10e Acer pseudoplatanus - Oxalis acetosella subcommunity W11 Quercus petraea Betula pubescens Oxalis acetosella woodland Communities/sub-communities recorded: W11, W11a W11 is a community of moist, free-draining base-poor brown earth soils in the cooler, wetter north-west of Britain. It is characteristic of substrates that are neither markedly calcareous nor strongly acidic. The character of the community is often heavily influenced by grazing (Rodwell et al 1991; Hall et al 2004). These woodlands have a canopy of Betula spp. and/or Quercus spp. and a field layer dominated mainly by grasses. Broadleaved woodlands are generally scarce within the study area, however the greatest coverage of NVC woodland type is of W11, which is usually found as strips in gullies or along steeply sided watercourses. These areas of W11 are generally best described as a canopy of Betula spp. and Sorbus aucuparia over a grassy field layer similar to that as described for U4a grassland above, often with patches of U20 (see sections and 5.6.5). In places the canopy also includes some Fraxinus excelsior, Corylus avellana and Salix sp. The most commonly occurring and abundant species in the ground flora include Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Holcus mollis, H. lanatus, Oxalis acetosella and Pteridium aquilinum. One area mapped as the W11a Dryopteris dilatata sub-community also contained a noticeable abundance of Dryopteris spp. in the understorey, with much frond litter carpeting the ground W17 Quercus petraea Betula pubescens Dicranum majus woodland Communities/sub-communities recorded: W17 W17 Quercus petraea Betula pubescens Dicranum majus woodland is a community of very acid, often thin and fragmentary soils in the cool, wet north-west of Britain where there is a strong tendency for mor accumulation and where high rainfall leads to strong leaching (Rodwell et al 1991; Hall et al 2004). In this community Quercus petraea and/or Betula pubescens usually dominate although B. pubescens is particularly frequent to the north-west where Quercus spp. are scarce. The field layer is usually characterised by ericoid shrubs, Pteridium aquilinum and grasses; bryophytes are also particularly abundant within this community (Rodwell et al 1991; Hall et al 2004). Just a single very small stand of W17 was recorded within the study area; this is no more than a small strip of short roadside Betula spp. between the B740 and Crawick Water just north of Nether Cog, growing over a layer of abundant Calluna vulgaris and frequent Agrostis capillaris, Pteridium aquilinum, Holcus lanatus, Galium saxatile and pleurocarpous mosses W21 Crataegus monogyna Hedera helix scrub Communities/sub-communities recorded: W21 W21 Crataegus monogyna Hedera helix scrub is the typical sub-climax woody community of circumneutral to base-rich soils throughout the British lowlands. It usually develops by the invasion of neglected bare ground or untreated herbaceous vegetation or where woodland has been degraded (Rodwell et al 1991). Hedgerow stands are often of planted origin. It is a variable community which includes most of the seral thorn scrub and many hedges in the British Isles. The vegetation is always dominated by various mixtures of smaller trees and shrubs, undershrubs and woody climbers (Rodwell et al 1991). A few small stands of W21 exist along the Sanquhar access route option (Access B). These areas are typically dominated by Crataegus monogyna and in the study area these scrubby bushes are often interspersed with some young Sorbus aucuparia and Fraxinus excelsior and accompanied by some Cytisus scoparius, Rubus fruticosus, R. idaeus, Rosa sp., over a U4 grassland field layer W24 Rubus fruticosus Holcus lanatus underscrub Communities/sub-communities recorded: W24 W24 underscrub is a typical community of abandoned and neglected ground in the British lowlands where it can be found on a wide variety circumneutral and less oligotrophic soils. It is very common on derelict land and in run-down arable fields, pastures and meadows. It is also frequent along hedgerows and woodland margins 13 P a g e

16 (Rodwell et al 1991). The community is typically dominated by mixtures of brambles, rank grasses and tall dicotyledons, forming a cover of variable height, but usually less than 1m. W24 is scarce within the study area, present as only a few small patches. In these patches Rubus fruticosus agg. And R. idaeus dominate, with Holcus lanatus frequent. Other species occasionally straggling throughout the vegetation include many of the species as listed for MG1 grassland above (section 5.7.1). Patches of OV27 are scattered throughout parts of the study area where there has been some form of disturbance, such as around forest edges or in clear-felled areas, and also forms patches along some track edges. The vegetation is dominated by Chamerion angustifolium and no frequent or distinctive associates are present because the tall growth of C. angustifolium suppresses the underlying vegetation. Such stands are therefore mapped at the level of the community Swamps and Tall-Herb Fens S19 Eleocharis palustris swamp Communities/sub-communities recorded: S19 S19 is a swamp of standing or running waters up to 50cm deep, occurring around large lakes and small ponds and along stream margins (Rodwell et al 1995). S19 is easily identified by the dominance of Eleocharis palustris. A single small stand of S19 was recording during the survey, located in a pond of shallow standing water by Nether Cog, close to the banks of the Crawick Water. Here the vegetation is dominated by Eleocharis palustris rooted in shallow water, there are some sparse associates around the fringes of the pond and include Equisetum fluviatile, Ranunculus flammula, Juncus acutiflorus, Filipendula ulmaria, Galium palustre and Myosotis scorpioides Vegetation of Open Habitats OV25 Urtica dioica Cirsium arvense community Communities/sub-communities recorded: OV25 OV25 is a tall-herb weed community. This community is found throughout lowland Britain, on disturbed, nutrient-rich soils, usually where there are patches of bare or lightly covered ground, in which Cirsium spp. can establish themselves. It is typically found in poorly managed meadows, on abandoned arable land or waste land, on disturbed verges and tracks, and in cleared woodland or young plantations (Rodwell et al 2000). OV25 is found infrequently as small patches around the edges of the study area on disturbed ground or in nutrient rich patches of grassland. The vegetation assemblage is characterised by mixtures of Urtica dioica, Cirsium arvense, Holcus lanatus and Rumex obtusifolius OV27 Chamerion angustifolium community Communities/sub-communities recorded: OV27 OV27 Chamerion angustifolium tall-herb vegetation is a community that occurs on damp, fertile, disturbed soils in woodlands, on heaths and along road verges and railway embankments (Rodwell et al 2000). It is also commonplace in regenerating conifer plantation clear-fell areas. The OV27 community is marked by the dominant tall growth of C. angustifolium Non-NVC Communities & Categories Overview A number of non-nvc vegetation types or features were mapped during the survey. These were classified as follows. Codes used in the results Figures are given in parentheses: Conifer plantation (CP) Clear-fell (CF) Young conifer plantation (YCP) Young broadleaved plantation (YBP) Bare ground (BG) Buildings and any associated driveways and private gardens (BD) Juncus effusus acid grassland community (JE) Juncus acutiflorus acid grassland community (JA) Carex nigra community (CN) Recent muirburn (MB) Holcus mollis dominant grassland (Hm) The plantation areas are unremarkable in terms of their flora and species composition, in more mature stands there is often no ground flora except some scattered mosses, the ground instead being blanketed in woody debris and conifer needles. Areas of clear-fell are mostly very recent and consist of disturbed and tracked over ground with brash and stumps. These woodland plantation areas, along with areas of bare ground (which mostly relates to the existing stone tracks or small areas of landslip on steep slopes) are floristically impoverished and of negligible botanical importance. The other bulleted non-nvc vegetation types recorded above, i.e. JE, JA and CN, are described below Juncus effusus (JE) and Juncus acutiflorus (JA) acid grassland communities The JE and JA acid grassland communities are present here as patches of a Juncus spp. dominated calcifuge grassland. This is vegetation in which very dominant and tall tussocks of J. effusus or swards of J. acutiflorus grow abundantly among a few shorter typically acid grassland swards including frequent to occasional Agrostis 14 P a g e

17 capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Holcus lanatus, Rumex acetosa, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and mosses such as Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Hylocomium splendens and Pseudoscleropodium purum. This vegetation does not fit readily into any NVC community as it lacks the wetland element of M6 and M23 Juncus spp. mires and has a more acidophilous flora than MG10 Juncus effusus rush-pasture; it is therefore classed here separately. This vegetation is of limited botanical interest, but in light of the SEPA classification of potential GWDTEs these non NVC types JE and JA should also qualify for potential GWDTE status. The classification of moderate sensitivity is in line with other similar Juncus spp. dominated grassland communities (e.g. MG10) (section 6.2) Carex nigra community (CN) The CN community present within the study area is a sward where the vegetation is mainly made up of Carex nigra in a relatively dry situation with sparse acid grassland associates, mainly the grasses Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Nardus stricta and Festuca ovina Notable Species Two plants of Sedum villosum (hairy stonecrop) were found growing within a flush located in the headwater catchment of Glenclach Burn (see Annex 2, TN 22). S. villosum is a small biennial or perennial herb which grows in at least slightly base-enriched, wet, stony ground and on streamsides in hilly areas, and in montane, often bryophyte-rich, flushes; mostly between 250m and 500m. Sedum villosum is classified as Near Threatened in the Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain (Dines et al 2005). 6 EVALUATION OF BOTANICAL INTEREST 6.1 Overview NVC communities can be compared with a number of habitat classifications in order to help in the assessment of the sensitivity and conservation interest of certain areas. The following sections compare the survey results and the NVC communities identified in the study area against three classifications: SEPA guidance on GWDTE; Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) Annex I habitats; and Scottish Biodiversity List (SBL) priority habitats. Using SEPA s (2014) guidance, Table 6-1 shows which communities recorded within the study area may be considered GWDTE. Those communities which may have limited (moderate) dependency on groundwater in certain settings are marked in yellow and NVC communities recorded that are likely to be considered high, or sensitive GWDTE in certain hydrogeological settings are highlighted in red. Table 6-1 Communities within the study area which may potentially be classified as GWDTE W6 M15 M25 M27 MG9 MG10 U6 JE JA W7 M6 M23 M32 CG10 NVC Code NVC Community Name Alnus glutinosa Urtica dioica woodland Trichophorum germanicum Erica tetralix wet heath Molinia caerulea Potentilla erecta mire Filipendula ulmaria Angelica sylvestris mire Holcus lanatus Deschampsia cespitosa grassland Holcus lanatus Juncus effusus rush pasture Juncus squarrosus Festuca ovina grassland Juncus effusus acid grassland community Juncus acutiflorus acid grassland community Alnus glutinosa Fraxinus excelsior Lysimachia nemoreum woodland Carex echinata Sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire Juncus effusus/acutiflorus Galium palustre rush pasture Philonotis fontana Saxifraga stellaris spring Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Thymus polytrichus grassland The location and extent of all identified potential GWDTE are provided on an appropriate NVC map; see Figure 8.3. Within Figure 8.3 the potential GWDTE sensitivity of each polygon containing a potential GWDTE is classified on a four-tier approach as follows: Highly dominant where potential high GWDTE(s) dominate the polygon Highly - sub-dominant where potential high GWDTE(s) make up a sub-dominant percentage cover of the polygon 6.2 Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE) SEPA has classified a number of NVC communities as potentially dependent on groundwater (SEPA, 2014). Wetlands or habitats containing these particular NVC communities are to be considered GWDTE unless further information can be provided to demonstrate this is not the case. Many of the NVC communities on the list are very common habitat types across Scotland, and some are otherwise generally of low ecological value. Furthermore, some of the NVC communities may be considered GWDTE only in certain hydrogeological settings. Moderately dominant where potential moderate GWDTE(s) dominate the polygon and no potential high GWDTEs are present Moderately - sub-dominant where potential moderate GWDTE(s) make up a sub-dominant percentage cover of the polygon and no potential high GWDTEs are present. 15 P a g e

18 Where a potential high GWDTE exists in a polygon it outranks any potential moderate GWDTE communities within that same polygon. GWDTE sensitivity has been assigned solely on the SEPA listings (SEPA, 2014). However, depending on a number of factors such as geology, superficial geology, presence of peat and topography, many of the potential GWDTE communities recorded may in fact be only partially groundwater fed or not dependant on groundwater. Determining the actual groundwater dependency of particular areas or habitat is considered in Chapter 7: Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Hydrology and Soils of this ES. 6.3 Annex I Habitats Overview A number of NVC communities can also correlate to various Annex I habitat types. However, the fact that an NVC community can be attributed to an Annex I type does not necessarily mean all instances of that NVC community constitute Annex I habitat. Its Annex I status can depend on various factors such as quality, extent, species assemblages, geographical setting, substrates and so on. Using Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Annex I habitat listings and descriptions 3, which have then been compared with survey results and field observations, the following NVC communities within the study area which constitute Annex I habitat are shown in Table 6-2. The locations of these Annex I habitat types are also shown within Figure 8.4. Within Figure 8.4, all polygons which contain an Annex I habitat type are shaded, irrespective of the percentage cover of Annex I habitat within that polygon. Each polygon is shaded according to the dominant Annex I type within the polygon; however, many polygons contain multiple Annex I habitat types, therefore the communities listed should be cross-referenced to Table 6-2. Table 6-2 NVC Communities Recorded within the study area and Corresponding Annex I Habitat Types NVC Code NVC Community Name Annex I Code Annex I Title M2 Sphagnum cuspidatum / fallax bog pool community bog pool community 7130 Blanket bog M3 Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community 7130 Blanket bog M4 Carex rostrata - Sphagnum fallax mire 7140 Transition mires and quaking bogs M15, M15a, M15b, M15d Trichophorum germanicum Erica tetralix wet heath M17, M17c Trichophorum germanicum Eriophorum M19, M19a, M19b vaginatum blanket mire Calluna vulgaris Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire 4010 Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix 7130 Blanket bog 7130 Blanket bog M20, M20a Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire 7130 Blanket bog H10 Calluna vulgaris - Erica cinerea heath 4030 European dry heaths NVC Code NVC Community Name Annex I Code Annex I Title H12, H12a, H12c Calluna vulgaris Vaccinium myrtillus heath 4030 European dry heaths H16 Calluna vulgaris - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi heath 4030 European dry heaths H18, H18a, H18b H21 CG10a Vaccinium myrtillus Deschampsia flexuosa heath Calluna vulgaris Vaccinium myrtillus Sphagnum capillifolium heath Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Thymus praecox grassland 4030 European dry heaths 4030 European dry heaths 6230 Species-rich Nardus grassland, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in continental Europe) Further details on the inclusion or omission of certain NVC communities/sub-communities and/or Annex I types are also provided below Blanket bog The blanketing of the ground with a variable depth of peat gives the habitat type its name and results in the various morphological types according to their topographical position. Blanket bogs show a complex pattern of variation related to climatic factors, particularly illustrated by the variety of patterning of the bog surface in different parts of the UK. Such climatic factors also influence the floristic composition of bog vegetation. Active bogs are defined as supporting a significant area of vegetation that is normally peat-forming. Typical species include the important peat-forming species, such as Sphagnum spp. and Eriophorum spp., or Molinia caerulea in certain circumstances, together with Calluna vulgaris and other ericaceous species. The most abundant NVC blanket bog types are M17, M18, M19, M20 and M25. Annex I type 7130 Blanket bog therefore correlates directly with a number of NVC communities within the study area such as the M17, M19 and M20 mires. However, 7130 Blanket bog can also include bog pool communities (M1-M3) where these occur within blanket mires such as M17-M20. As such M2 and M3 within the study area are also assigned to the blanket bog Annex I type, as they are often associated with areas of M17, M19 and M20 mire. As noted above, M25 mire can also fall within the blanket bog Annex I type, usually where the underlying peat depth is greater than 0.5m and the habitat is wet and contains peat forming species. As described in section above, M25 within the study area is for the most part species-poor and at the drier end of the scale. Many areas are a ubiquitous swathe of Molinia tussocks with few associate species and generally lack many of the main peat forming species such as Sphagnum mosses. Much of the M25 within the study area is also grazed, in some areas quite intensively, and this has resulted in many areas of M25 appearing transitional to acid grassland communities (U4 U6) and in intricate mosaics with these same communities. General field observations of M25 also indicate that this habitat is unlikely to be on deep peat within the study area, and this will require P a g e

19 confirmation via peat probing in the Development Area. Given the character of the majority of M25 within the study area it has not been considered to be of Annex I habitat quality in this case Transition mires and quaking bogs All examples of M4 Carex rostrata - Sphagnum fallax mire within the study area were assigned to the Annex I type Transition mires and quaking bogs. The term transition mire relates to vegetation that in floristic composition and general ecological characteristics is intermediate between acid bog and alkaline fen Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix Wet heath usually occurs on acidic, nutrient-poor substrates, such as shallow peats or sandy soils with impeded drainage. The vegetation is typically dominated by mixtures Erica tetralix, Calluna vulgaris, grasses, sedges and Sphagnum bog-mosses. All examples of M15 wet heath were included within the 4010 Northern Atlantic wet heaths category European dry heaths European dry heaths typically occur on freely-draining, acidic to circumneutral soils with generally low nutrient content. Ericaceous dwarf shrubs dominate the vegetation. The most common dwarf shrub is Calluna vulgaris. All dry heath in the study area is semi-natural and derived from a long history of grazing and burning. The dry heath communities recorded H10, H12, H16, H18 and H21 all fall within this Annex I type. These NVC types can also be included within the Annex I type H4060 Alpine and Boreal heaths, but only where they are at higher altitudes and include arctic-alpine floristic elements. These communities within the study area are lower altitudinal examples so they all fall under the 4030 European dry heaths Annex I type. The most common forms of dry heath in the study area, as noted in the community descriptions above, are species-poor, relatively botanically impoverished forms of Calluna dominated heath Species-rich Nardus grassland, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas Species-rich Nardus grasslands on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in continental Europe) tend to develop where there is flushing through base-rich strata on siliceous bedrock. These may include moderately base-rich metamorphic and igneous rocks. Species-rich Nardus grasslands on limestone are excluded from the definition of this Annex I habitat because limestone lacks silica. Two main types of grassland belonging within the species-rich Nardus grassland Annex I habitat occur in the UK: CG10 Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Thymus polytrichus grassland and CG11 Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Alchemilla alpina grassland. This Annex I type is of very low and restricted cover within the study area, and is accounted for by some very small areas of CG10a (see section above) E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior This Annex I type comprises woods dominated by Alnus glutinosa and Salix spp. on floodplains in a range of situations from islands in river channels to low-lying wetlands alongside the channels. In the UK this Annex I habitat falls mainly within the W2a, W5, W6 and W7 NVC types. Riparian trees are excluded from the Annex I type except where these form part of a wider network of alluvial woodland and wetland communities. Within the study area only very small stands of sparse and riparian trees belonging to the W6 and W7 communities were recorded; these stands are not a fit for the Annex I type 91E0 alluvial forests and so have been omitted from Table A0 Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles This habitat type comprises a range of woodland types dominated by mixtures of Quercus spp. and Betula spp. It is characteristic of base-poor soils in areas of at least moderately high rainfall in northern and western parts of the UK. The habitat corresponds particularly to NVC types W10e, W11, W16b and W17. Sparse areas of W11 and W10e were recorded within the study area, but they were not deemed to be of Annex I status because they are fragments of birchwoods with no Quercus spp. and they generally lack any characteristics such as a rich bryophyte assemblage which would refer to them as old sessile oak woods. 6.4 Scottish Biodiversity List Priority Habitats The SBL is a list of animals, plants and habitats that Scottish Ministers consider to be of principal importance for biodiversity conservation in Scotland. The SBL was published in 2005 to satisfy the requirement under Section 2(4) of The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act The SBL identifies habitats which are the highest priority for biodiversity conservation in Scotland: these are termed priority habitats. Some of these priority habitats are quite broad and can correlate to a large number of NVC types. The relevant SBL priority habitat types (full descriptions of which can be found on the Biodiversity Scotland website 4 ), and associated NVC types recorded within the study area are as follows: Wet woodland: W6, W7 Upland mixed ashwoods: W9 Lowland mixed deciduous woodland: W10 Blanket bog: M2, M3, M17, M19, M20 (M2 and M3 where associated with M17/M19/M20) Upland flushes, fens and swamps: M4, M6, M23a, M27, M32, S19 Upland heathland: M15, H10, H12, H16, H18, H21 Upland calcareous grassland: CG10 These SBL priority habitats correspond with UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Priority Habitats P a g e

20 6.5 Summary Table 6-3 provides a summary of all the NVC communities recorded within the study area, and any associated habitat sensitivities as described in the sections above. NVC Codes Recorded U4, U4a, U4b U5, U5a Potential GWDTE Status Annex I Type Code SBL Priority Habitat Type Table 6-3 Summary of study area NVC communities and sensitivities NVC Codes Recorded Woodland and Scrub Potential GWDTE Status Annex I Type Code W6 Moderate Wet woodland W7 High Wet woodland W9 SBL Priority Habitat Type Upland mixed ashwoods W10, W10e Lowland mixed deciduous woodland W11, W11a W17 W21 W24 Mires and Wet Heath M2 M Blanket bogs (examples associated with M17-M20) 7130 Blanket bogs (examples associated with M17-M20) Blanket bog Blanket bog M Transition mires and quaking bogs Upland flushes, fens and swamps U6, U6a, U6d Moderate U20 Mesotrophic Grasslands MG1, MG1c MG6 MG7 MG9 Moderate MG10, MG10a Moderate Calcicolous Grassland CG10a High 6230 Species-rich Nardus grassland, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in continental Europe) Swamps and Tall-Herb Fens S19 Vegetation of Open Habitats OV25 OV27 Upland calcareous grassland Upland flushes, fens and swamps M6, M6b, M6c, M6d High Upland flushes, fens and swamps M15, M15a, M15b, M15d Moderate 4010 Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix Upland heathland M17, M17c 7130 Blanket bogs Blanket bog M19, M19a, M19b 7130 Blanket bogs Blanket bog M20, M20a 7130 Blanket bogs Blanket bog M23, M23a, M23b High Upland flushes, fens and swamps M25, M25a, M25b Moderate (applies to M23a only) M27 Moderate Upland flushes, fens and swamps M32, M32b High Upland flushes, fens and swamps Dry Heaths H European dry heaths Upland heathland H12, H12a, H12c 4030 European dry heaths Upland heathland H18, H18a, H18b 4030 European dry heaths Upland heathland H European dry heaths Upland heathland H European dry heaths Upland heathland Calcifugous Grasslands U2, U2b 7 SUMMARY MacArthur Green carried out NVC surveys within the study area over 41 surveyor days in 2015 and The aim of the NVC surveys was to identify and map the vegetation communities present in order to identify those areas of greatest ecological interest: i.e. potential GWDTE, Annex I habitats and SBL priority habitats. The surveys revealed the presence of a range of mainly upland habitat types, culminating in 39 recognised NVC community types being recorded within the study area, along with a range of further sub-communities. Several non-nvc types were also recorded. A relatively small number of community types account for the majority of the study area. The most common and widespread communities, making up the bulk of the landscape, are M25 Molinia caerulea Potentilla erecta mire, M20 Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, M19 Calluna vulgaris Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, M23 Juncus effusus/acutiflorus Galium palustre rush-pasture, M15 Trichophorum germanicum Erica tetralix wet heath, H12 Calluna vulgaris Vaccinium myrtillus heath, MG10 Holcus lanatus Juncus effusus rush-pasture, U4 Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Galium saxatile grassland, U5 Nardus stricta Galium saxatile grassland and U6 Juncus squarrosus - Festuca ovina grassland. These communities also form mosaics with each other as well as with a number of other less well represented and fragmentary mire, grassland and heath communities. Areas of semi-natural woodland are scarce within the study area and are mainly restricted to small fragments. 18 P a g e

21 The variation in vegetation communities and composition over such a large area reflects changes in soil and substrate type and soil moisture as well as anthropogenic influences on the vegetation (e.g. muir burning, grazing and drainage). Many areas are underlain by peat of various depths and this is reflected in the presence of the true bog communities and wet heath. The majority of the study area contains a characteristically acidophilous flora given its wet upland setting, however many of the less elevated areas tend towards a more neutral (and also wet) species assemblage highlighted by the abundance of rush-pastures present. Calcareous influences are very scarce but do exist and appear as small fragments of CG10 Festuca ovina Agrostis capillaris Thymus polytrichus grassland. Flushes are scattered throughout the Development Area and the majority are of the M6 Carex echinata Sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire community. Spring features are rare but there is a small number of M32 Philonotis fontana Saxifraga stellaris springs present. It is clear from the vegetation communities described for the study area and discussed in the various sections above that the habitats have been heavily influenced by anthropogenic interaction, particularly through muir burning, grazing and drainage. It is typical of upland managed habitats in this part of Scotland. Burning has created community shifts within the wet and dry heaths and closely related acid grasslands. Although some large relatively homogenous stands of vegetation occur, most of the communities described above often form complex mosaics and transitional areas across the study area. This report has described in detail these vegetation communities as found in the study area. The survey results have also been compared to a number of sensitivity classifications, indicating the presence of Annex I, SBL and potential GWDTE habitats, as summarised in Table 6-3 above. GLOSSARY acidophilous: plants/bryophytes that prefer to grow in an acidic environment. base-poor: environments which have few chemical bases, they are dominated by environmental acids (usually organic acids) and so are acidic. base-rich: environments which are neutral or alkaline. base-richness: the level in soil or water of chemical bases, such as calcium or magnesium ions. Chemical bases are alkalis. Many plants and bryophytes are restricted to base-rich or base-poor environments. calcareous: calcareous grassland forms on soils that are base-rich. calcicolous: a plant that grows and thrives in soil rich in lime. calcifugous: growing or living in acid soil. circumneutral soil: nearly neutral, having a ph between 6.5 and 7.5. dicotyledon: a plant that produces flowers and has two cotyledons (i.e. embryonic leaves). forb: a herbaceous flowering plant that is not a graminoid (grasses, sedges and rushes). graminoid: grasses; monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the true grasses, of the family Poaceae (also called Gramineae), as well as the sedges (Cyperaceae) and the rushes (Juncaceae). humic rankers: shallow soils with an organic-rich (humose) surface layer overlying a weakly developed, thin subsoil on to rock. mesophytic: a land plant that grows in an environment having a moderate amount of moisture, neither a particularly dry nor particularly wet environment. mesotrophic grassland: neutral grassland, characterised by vegetation dominated by grasses and herbs on a range of circumneutral soils. lagg: zone where water draining a bog meets that from adjoining mineral soils. A characteristic of the lagg zone is that normally it has more available plant nutrients, is more alkaline and hence shows greater species diversity. monocotyledons: flowering plants group which have just one cotyledon. mor: forest humus that forms a layer of largely organic matter distinct from the mineral soil beneath. mosaic: a pattern of two or more vegetation types disposed in intimate relationships to one another. oligotrophic: lacking in plant nutrients. 19 P a g e

22 ombrogenous: dependant on rain for its formation. Ombrogenous bog is a peat-forming vegetation community lying above groundwater level: it is separated from the mineral soil, and is thus dependent on rain water for mineral nutrients. The resulting lack of dissolved bases gives strongly acidic conditions. Two types of ombrogenous bogs are commonly distinguished: raised bogs and blanket bogs. plagioclimax community: an area or habitat in which anthropogenic influences have prevented the habitat/ecosystem developing further. It may have been prevented from reaching its full climatic climax or shifted towards a different climax type by activities such as burning, grazing, vegetation clearance etc. pleurocarpous: A type of moss in which the female sex organs and capsules are borne on short, lateral branches, and not at the tips of branches. Pleurocarpous mosses tend to form spreading carpets rather than erect tufts. podsol: a soil that develops in temperate to cold moist climates under coniferous or heath vegetation; an organic mat over a grey leached layer. siliceous: containing abundant silica; (plants) growing in or needing soil rich in silica. soligenous: where water movements are predominantly lateral. Produced by inflow of surface water or rise of groundwater and not completely by locally precipitated water. topogenous mire: a type of mire that forms under climatic conditions of reduced rainfall, with consequent lower humidity and summer drought, which restrict the growth of wetland vegetation to areas where precipitation is concentrated (e.g. valley bottoms). REFERENCES Atherton, I., Bosanquet, S. & Lawley, M. (2010). Mosses and Liverworts of Britain and Ireland: a field guide. British Bryological Society. Averis, A., Averis, B., Birks, J., Horsfield, D., Thompson, D., & Yeo, M. (2004). An Illustrated Guide to British Upland Vegetation. JNCC, Peterborough. ISBN Cheffings, C.M. & Farrell, L. (Eds), Dines, T.D., Jones, R.A., Leach, S.J., McKean, D.R., Pearman, D.A., Preston, C.D., Rumsey, F.J., Taylor, I. (2005). The Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain. Species Status 7: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. Cooper, E.A. (1997). Summary Descriptions of National Vegetation Classification grassland and montane communities. ISBN Elkington, T., Dayton, N., Jackson, D.L., & Strachan, I.M. (2001). National Vegetation Classification: Field guide to mires and heaths. ISBN X. Hall, J.E., Kirby, K.J., & Whitbread, A.M. (2004). National Vegetation Classification: Field guide to woodland. ISBN Rodwell, J.S. (Ed), et al. ( ). British Plant Communities (5 volumes). Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Rodwell, J.S. (2006). NVC Users' Handbook. 68 pages. ISBN SEPA. (2014). Land Use Planning System SEPA Guidance Note 31: Guidance on Assessing the Impacts of Windfarm Development Proposals on Groundwater Abstractions and Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems. Version 2. Issue date: 27/10/2014. Stace, C.A. (2010). New Flora of the British Isles. 3rd Edition. Cambridge University Press. 20 P a g e

23 Annex 1. NVC Target Notes A number of target notes were also made during surveys, often to pinpoint springs/flushes/bog pools, or an area or species of interest, these target notes are shown on Figure 8.2 and detailed within Table A-1 below. A sample of corresponding target note photographs is provided in Annex 1. Table A-1 Study Area Target Notes Target Note ID Easting Northing NVC Community Description M6c Flush with occasional Molinia caerulea, Juncus effusus, Eriophorum vaginatum, Carex nigra, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum cuspidatum and S. fallax M3 Eriophorum vaginatum, Eriophorum angustifolium, Calluna vulgaris, Carex nigra, occasional Juncus effusus, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum fallax, S. compactum, and S. palustre M2 Bog pool. B M2 Bog pool with Sphagnum fallax, S. capillifolium, S. cuspidatum and Eriophorum angustifolium M2 Bog pool with some Narthecium ossifragum to one end M2 Bog pool M2 Bog pool M2 Two M2 bog pools M3 Bog pool with Eriophorum angustifolium, Juncus squarrosus, Sphagnum cuspidatum, S. capillifolium, and S. palustre M3 Bog pool with Eriophorum angustifolium, Sphagnum capillifolium and S. cuspidatum M3 Some Eriophorum vaginatum, Sphagnum cuspidatum (submerged) and Sphagnum fallax. Approximately 3m diameter. Surrounded by U5 community M4/M6c Carex rostrata with Polytrichum commune and Sphagnum cuspidatum together with an area (30%) of Juncus effusus with Sphagnum fallax M32 Spring like feature, lots Philonotis fontana, Calliergonella cuspidata, Pedicularis palustris, Ranunculus spp., odd Juncus acutiflorus. Open sward M6c Species-poor with Juncus effusus, hummocks of Polytrichum commune and patches of S. fallax M3 Eriophorum angustifolium and Sphagnum cuspidatum M32b Spring on slope, with mosses, Philonotis fontana, Ranunculus repens, Myosotis sp., Montia fontana M3 Bog pool example M32b Spring on slope M32b Spring on slope M32b Few springs around here M32b Spring on slope M32b Two plants of Sedum villosum within a flush M3 Bog pool with Eriophorum angustifolium, Sphagnum cuspidatum, S. capillifolium and Sphagnum compactum. Photo Ref B.1 B.3 Target Note ID Easting Northing NVC Community Description M3 Eriophorum angustifolium, Sphagnum fallax, S. cuspidatum and S. capillifolium M3 Eriophorum angustifolium, Sphagnum fallax, S. capillifolium, S. cuspidatum and S. compactum M2 Bog pool M32b Small M32b spring originating from slope a few metres from burn M3 Bog pool with Eriophorum angustifolium and little trace of Sphagnum spp M32b Small M32b spring originating from slope a few metres from burn M2 Eriophorum angustifolium and E. vaginatum, Sphagnum palustre and S. cuspidatum M32 Spring, grades into Sphagnum and other mosses further down. B M32 Palustriella commutata, Montia fontana, Ranunculus flammula, Carex panicea and a little Cardamine pratensis and Cirsium palustre M2 Eriophorum angustifolium, occasional Calluna vulgaris, Sphagnum fallax, S. cuspidatum, S. palustre, S. capillifolium, S. magellanicum and small amount of S. compactum. Community surrounded by M19 community M32b Small spring sitting within U5a - moss dominated with odd B.5 Cardamine sp M32b Small spring quite close to top of slope. Photo Ref 21 P a g e

24 Annex 2. Target Note Photographs Photo B.2 Target Note 3 M2 (area of Sphagnum) within mire. The following photographs correlate to the target notes described within Annex 1, Table A-1. Photographs are not provided here for all target notes, due to the similarity in many photographs; instead a number of photographs are provided in order to give a general characterisation of certain types of community present, and to also show local variation between communities of the same NVC class. Photo B.1 Target Note 1 M6c flushing Photo B.3 Target Note 13 M32 22 P a g e

25 Photo B.4 Target Note 31 M32 Photo B.5 Target Note 34 M32 23 P a g e

26 24 P a g e

27 Annex 3. General Community Photographs The following selected photographs are provided to give a visual representation to several the community types present as they are seen within the study area. Photograph C1. M2 and M3 mosaic bog pool Photograph C3. M6d flush North Lowther Energy Initiative: NVC Survey Report Photograph C4. M19 Calluna vulgaris Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire Photograph C2. M3 Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool 25 P a g e

28 Photograph C5. M19 Calluna vulgaris Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire Photograph C7. Grazed M20 mire with abundant Deschampsia flexuosa Photograph C6. M20 Eriophorum vaginatum mire Photograph C8. M25 Molinia mire typical of the study area 26 P a g e

29 Photograph C9. Heavily grazed M25 Molinia mire becoming grassland Photograph C11. Large expanse of M23a Juncus acutiflorus rush-pasture Photograph C10. Less intensively grazed M25 Molinia mire Photograph C12. Large area of species-poor M23 rush-pasture 27 P a g e

30 Photograph C13. Patch of M15 which is co-dominated by Molinia caerulea and Trichophorum germanicum Photograph C15. H12 Calluna vulgaris Vaccinium myrtillus heath Photograph C14. M27 Filipendula ulmaria mire in foreground Photograph C16. H18 Vaccinium myrtillus Deschampsia flexuosa heath in foreground 28 P a g e

31 Photograph C17. U5 Nardus stricta grassland Photograph C19. U6 Juncus squarrosus grassland in foreground giving way to U5 grassland in distance Photograph C18. Mosaic of U5a Nardus grassland (light) with small patches of M20 mire (dark green) Photograph C20. Example of MG10a Holcus lanatus Juncus effusus rush-pasture 29 P a g e

32 Photograph C21. Small patch of CG10a grassland where Thymus polytrichus (pink flower) is abundant Photograph C23. U4 in sloping foreground giving way to M23 rush-pasture in distant lower flatter ground Photograph C22. Example of study area habitat patterning U5 in bottom right (light), plateau in distance of M19/M20 giving way to U4 and patches of U5 at break in slope, followed by H12 heath (purple) and patches of U4 (green) further downslope. Photograph C24. Valley bottom around watercourse with M23a rush-pasture, slopes above with patches of U20 (bracken) interspersed with M25 mire. 30 P a g e