Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Jonathan Cox
June 2010
Fig House Poles Lane Lymington Hampshire SO41 8AB [email protected] Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Contents Contents ...... 2 Acknowledgements ...... 6 1 Introduction ...... 7 2 Methods ...... 8 2.1 Collation of information on cliff top management on the Isle of Wight ...... 8 2.2 Collation of phase II vegetation survey ...... 8 2.3 Field survey...... 9 Figure 1a – Figure 1c: Transect and Waypoint (WPT) Locations with SSSI Boundaries and Agri- Environment Schemes Shown ...... 11 2.4 Use of TWINSPAN and DECORANA ...... 15 2.5 Buffer width and cliff erosion rates ...... 20 2.6 Assessment of cliff top management ...... 20 3 Review of existing management of cliff top buffer zones ...... 21 3.1 South west coast ...... 21 3.1.1 Arable cliff top management ...... 21 3.1.2 Grazed cliff top management ...... 24 3.1.3 Mown cliff top management ...... 27 3.1.4 Unmanaged cliff top ...... 27 3.2 North Coast ...... 30 3.2.1 Grazed cliff top ...... 30 3.2.2 Wooded cliff tops ...... 31 3.2.3 Unmanaged cliff tops ...... 31 4 Collation of phase II survey data from vegetated soft cliff habitat on the Isle of Wight .. 33 4.1 Ecosa, 2002, Soft Cliff Vegetation Survey – South Coast of the Isle of Wight, Report for England Nature ...... 33 4.2 Richard Collingridge, 2002, Isle of Soft Cliff Survey: Hanover Point to St Catherine’s Point 33 4.3 Jonathan Cox (1996) Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Vegetation Description and Assessment, Report to the Isle of Wight Council...... 33 5 Maritime cliff communities of the south coast ...... 34 5.1 MC5 Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffusum maritime therophyte community ...... 35 5.1.1 Vegetation description ...... 35 5.1.2 Isle of Wight soft cliff examples of the community ...... 35
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5.1.3 Vegetation height ...... 36 5.1.4 Location of Isle of Wight examples ...... 36 5.1.5 Management of Isle of Wight soft cliff examples ...... 37 5.2 MC8 Festuca rubra – Armeria maritima maritime grassland ...... 38 5.2.1 Vegetation description ...... 38 5.2.2 Isle of Wight soft cliff examples of the community ...... 39 5.2.3 Vegetation height ...... 40 5.2.4 Location of Isle of Wight examples ...... 40 5.2.5 Management of Isle of Wight soft cliff examples ...... 40 5.3 MC9 Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus maritime grassland ...... 41 5.3.1 Vegetation description ...... 41 5.3.2 Isle of Wight soft cliff examples of the community ...... 41 5.3.3 Vegetation height ...... 44 5.3.4 Location of Isle of Wight examples ...... 44 5.3.5 Management of Isle of Wight soft cliff examples ...... 45 5.4 MC10 Festuca rubra-Plantago spp. maritime grassland ...... 46 5.4.1 Vegetation description ...... 46 5.4.2 Isle of Wight soft cliff examples of the community ...... 46 5.4.3 Vegetation height ...... 48 5.4.4 Location of Isle of Wight examples ...... 48 5.4.5 Management of Isle of Wight soft cliff examples ...... 48 5.5 MC11 Festuca rubra-Daucus carota ssp gumifer maritime grassland ...... 49 5.5.1 Vegetation description ...... 49 5.5.2 Isle of Wight soft cliff examples of the community ...... 49 5.5.3 Vegetation height ...... 52 5.5.4 Location of Isle of Wight examples ...... 52 5.5.5 Management of Isle of Wight soft cliff examples ...... 53 6 Mesotrophic grasslands of the south coast ...... 54 6.1 MG1 Arrhenatherum elatius grassland ...... 54 6.2 MG6 Lolium perenne-Cynosurus cristatus grassland ...... 54 6.3 MG11 Festuca rubra-Agrostis stolonifera-Potentilla anserina grassland ...... 54 7 Classification of previously undescribed pioneer communities of Vegetated Soft Cliffs. 55 7.1 Group 1: Calamagrostis epigejos -Phragmites australis wet cliff...... 57
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7.1.1 Vegetation description ...... 57 7.1.2 Habitat ...... 58 7.1.3 Zonation and succession ...... 58 7.1.4 Distribution of examples ...... 58 7.1.5 Affinities ...... 58 7.2 Group 2 Equisetum telmateia ...... 60 7.2.1 Vegetation description ...... 60 7.2.2 Habitat ...... 61 7.2.3 Zonation and succession ...... 61 7.2.4 Distribution of examples ...... 61 7.2.5 Affinities ...... 61 7.3 Group 3 Equisetum telmateia-Tussilago farfara ...... 62 7.3.1 Vegetation description ...... 62 7.3.2 Habitat ...... 63 7.3.3 Zonation and succession ...... 63 7.3.4 Distribution of examples ...... 63 7.3.5 Affinities ...... 64 7.4 Group 4 Tussilago farfara ...... 64 7.4.1 Vegetation description ...... 64 7.4.2 Habitat ...... 65 7.4.3 Zonation and succession ...... 66 7.4.4 Distribution of examples ...... 66 7.4.5 Affinities ...... 67 7.5 Group 5 Pioneer calcareous grassland ...... 68 7.5.1 Vegetation description ...... 68 7.5.2 Habitat ...... 69 7.5.3 Zonation and succession ...... 69 7.5.4 Distribution of examples ...... 69 7.5.5 Affinities ...... 69 7.5.6 Group 6 (formerly P3) Holcus lanatus pioneer grassland community ...... 70 7.5.7 Vegetation description and habitat ...... 70 7.5.8 Distribution of examples ...... 70 7.6 Group 7 (formerly P6): Rumex acetosella-Ulex europaeus sandy community ...... 71
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8 Methodology to assess the condition of the cliff top buffer zone ...... 72 9 Methodology to assess the condition of cliff top habitats ...... 74 9.1 1 Method for assessing the semi-natural status of cliff top vegetation ...... 74 9.2 2 Method for assessment of cliff top transition from maritime to terrestrial vegetation 74 9.3 3 Method for assessment of insect habitat ...... 74 9.4 4 Method for assessment of habitat for farmland birds ...... 74 9.5 5 Method for assessment of woodland management ...... 74 10 Cliff recession rates ...... 75 11 Assessment of cliff top habitat ...... 77 11.1 South Coast Assessment ...... 78 11.2 North Coast Assessment ...... 86 12 Assessment interpretation ...... 89 12.1 Buffer zone width ...... 89 12.2 Transitions to terrestrial vegetation ...... 89 12.2.1 Mowing and grazing of the cliff top ...... 89 12.3 Tree and woodland management ...... 90 13 Identification of good management practice ...... 91 13.1 Buffer width ...... 91 13.2 Grassland management ...... 91 13.3 Woodland management and creation ...... 93 13.4 Coastal paths ...... 94 14 Non-technical summary ...... 95 14.1 Background and introduction ...... 95 14.2 Methods ...... 96 14.3 What did we find? ...... 97 14.4 What about the future ...... 98 Appendix 1: Target Notes ...... 100 Appendix 2: Quadrat Data ...... 104 Transect 1 ...... 104 Transect 2 ...... 106 Transect 3 ...... 108 Transect 4 ...... 110
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Transect 5 ...... 111 Transect 6 ...... 112 Transect 7 ...... 113 Transect 8 ...... 114 Transect 9 ...... 115 Transect 10 ...... 116 Transect 11 ...... 117 Transect 12 ...... 119 Transect 13 ...... 121 Transect 14 ...... 123 Transect 15 ...... 125 Transect 16 ...... 127 Transect 17 ...... 128 Transect 18 ...... 129 Transect 19 ...... 131 Transect 20 ...... 132 Transect 21 ...... 133 Transect 22 ...... 134 Transect 23 ...... 135 Cliff face quadrats Gurnard Cliffs ...... 136 Cliff face quadrats Burnt Wood ...... 138 Appendix 3: Vegetation sample locations and geology ...... 140 Key to geological map ...... 143
Acknowledgements I would like to thank the many landowners that gave me permission to survey their land and in particular the National Trust. I am particularly grateful Richard Grogan of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Tim Sykes of the Environment Agency and Colin Pope of the Isle of Wight Council for their help. I would also like to thank the other members of the steering committee that helped guide this study in particular, the Isle of Wight AONB project, Natural England, Island 2000 Trust and RSPB.
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1 Introduction This project was commissioned with the following aims and objectives:
• To establish a baseline against which future changes to the ecological condition of cliff top buffer zones and cliff face habitats of the IW can be monitored (with particular focus on the South Wight Maritime SAC) • To provide advice on the management and extent of cliff top buffer zones with particular reference to the effects of cliff top management on invertebrate communities, vegetation communities and ground nesting birds • To further develop a soft cliff vegetation classification for use in monitoring soft cliff habitats on the IW. The potential to link this with national vegetation classifications of this habitat will be fully explored. • To produce information that can feed into a strategy for improved access and interpretation of coastal soft cliffs on the IW
It is hoped that informatio in this report will also be of interest to planners and highways engineers in developing policy for sustainable use of the coastal zone of the Isle of Wight.
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2 Methods Work on this project was undertaken in two related areas. The main focus of the project was to investigate the management and ecology of the cliff top vegetation and where possible, with the aim of providing guidance on the management of cliff top habitats to help maintain the conservation status of the associated cliff face.
The second part of the project was to develop a classification of soft cliff vegetation types and in particular that a group of vegetation types identified as pioneer communities by Jonathan Cox in 1996. These are dominated by mixtures of coltsfoot Tussilago farfara, giant horsetail Equisetum telmateia, wood small-reed Calamagrostis epigejos and common reed Phragmites australis and are currently undescribed within the published volumes of the National Vegetation Classification. European vegetation classifications such as EUNIS also have no corresponding classification for these soft rock cliffs and coastal slopes.
Work on the project was broken into the following tasks:-
1 Review existing management of cliff top buffer zones 2 Collate phase II survey data from all SSSI containing vegetated soft cliff habitat on the IW 3 Develop classification of VSC vegetation on the IW with reference to NVC and previous assessments 4 Develop methodology to assess the condition of cliff top habitats 5 Undertake field assessment of cliff top buffer and associated cliff face habitat 6 Interpret results of the assessments; identify good management practices for cliff top habitats and optimum landward extent of these
2.1 Collation of information on cliff top management on the Isle of Wight Information on cliff top management was provided by Natural England in the form of existing management or recent agreements with cliff owners from both the Wildlife Enhancement Scheme (WES) and the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme (HLS). These include management prescriptions for the management of the cliff top buffer zone between cliff edge and agricultural land.
Further information on the location and type of agri-environment scheme agreements on cliff top land was obtained from the Magic website http://www.magic.gov.uk/website/magic/.
2.2 Collation of phase II vegetation survey Information on existing phase II vegetation survey was also obtained from Natural England and consisted of the following three reports and data sets:
Ecosa, 2002, Soft Cliff Vegetation Survey – South Coast of the Isle of Wight, Report for England Nature
Jonathan Cox Associates 8 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Richard Collingridge, 2002, Isle of Soft Cliff Survey: Hanover Point to St Catherine’s Point Jonathan Cox (1996) Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Vegetation Description and Assessment, Report to the Isle of Wight Council
2.3 Field survey Field survey was undertaken along 23 cliff top transects on the north west and south west coasts of the Island. Additional cliff face locations were also surveyed at Burnt Wood (Newtown Bay), Thorness Cliffs and Gurnard Cliffs. Transect locations and sample points are shown in Figure 1 a-c.
Selection of survey sites was undertaken to provide a wide range of geological and land management types on these two contrasting sections of coastline. Cliff top management included sites that were grazed, mown and unmanaged, fenced or unfenced from the cliff top and fronting arable, agriculturally improved and unimproved semi-natural grassland. On the north of the Island, sample sites were situated on the Tertiary clays and superficial plateau gravel deposits. On the south coast, cliff top geology was very varied with underlying lower Cretaceous strata capped with a range of superficial alluvium, brickearth and wind blown sand deposits.
No survey sites were selected on the north east or south east coasts of the Island as these mirror the management issues and geological exposures those found on the west of the Island.
No sampling was undertaken at Headon Hill (west of Totland). Transitions from cliff face to cliff top are semi-natural at this site, but the geology and management are without parallel on the Island and hence although of interest, results of survey at this atypical site would have little relevance to cliff top management elsewhere on the Island. Further survey of cliff face vegetation at Headon Hill is likely to be of interest as this is known to contain a number of unusual mire communities associated with calcareous flushes.
On each cliff top transect, quadrats were sampled at regular intervals along a transect line running from cliff edge to the landward extent of semi-natural vegetation. Quadrat size was normally 2x2m to sample grassland, pioneer and other maritime vegetation. Larger 5x5m quadrats were used to sample scrub and nested 50x50m and 10x10m quadrats to sample woodland vegetation.
Transect locations were photographed and recorded using hand-held GPS. In most instances, notes on cliff face vegetation to seaward of the transect were made and photographs taken of the cliff face vegetation associated with each transect.
Data from transects were recorded onto quadrat recording cards with species coverage estimated using the domin scale. Data from the 144 quadrat samples was then transcribed onto excel spreadsheets. Initially, each quadrat sample was assigned to one of the National Vegetation Community (NVC) types by reference to the descriptions and published constancy
Jonathan Cox Associates 9 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight tables (ref). The reference samples in the published NVC are mostly from the hard rock cliffs of the north and west of Britain and tended to vary in content to the distinctive soft rock maritime cliff vegetation of the Isle of Wight. As a consequence, it often proved difficult to assign quadrats to NVC communities in a consistent way.
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Figure 1a – Figure 1c: Transect and Waypoint (WPT) Locations with SSSI Boundaries and Agri-Environment Schemes Shown
Key to agri-environment schemes shown in Figure 1.
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Jonathan Cox Associates 12 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
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2.4 Use of TWINSPAN and DECORANA To provide a more rigerous approach to assigning quadrat data to NVC communities all the quadrat data from the cliff top maritime cliff community (MC) samples were analysed using the two computer programmes TWINSPAN (Two-way indicator species analysis) and DECORANA (Detrended Correspondence Analysis).
The basic structure of TWINSPAN is as follows:-
Classify the samples in a divisive hierarchy, dividing them first into 2 subsets, then 4, 8, 16, etc. Convert the sample classification into an ordering. Using the groups of samples as a basis, construct attributes for the species. For example, species 1, 6, 7 and 18 would be described as possessing the attribute ‘preferential to the left side of the major division.’ Classify the species in the same way as the samples, but with the difference that whereas the species were treated as attributes of the samples, the species have ecological attributes such being ‘wet’ or ‘dry’ species. Convert the species classification also into an ordering. Print out the resulting ordered two-way table.
DECORANA is a form of multivariate analysis produces an ordination of the data. It is a method complementary to the data clustering produced by TWINSPAN. Ordination orders objects that are characterised by values on multiple variables (i.e., multivariate objects) so that similar objects are near each other and dissimilar objects are farther from each other. These relationships between the objects, on each of several axes (one for each variable), are then characterised graphically.
Results from the TWINSPAN analysis placed quadrat samples together in clusters or groups. By referring to the quadrat data from these clusters of samples, it was possible to tentatively assign each cluster to different communities and in some instances, sub-communities of the NVC. The process was further assisted by reference to the DECORANA plots which also groups clusters of samples together.
Having analysed the data from the cliff top maritime cliff community samples data from the pioneer cliff face communities was also analysed using a similar method. Data for this analysis was obtained from a combination of the 1996 quadrat sampling undertaken by Richard Tollhurst and Jonathan Cox and from the 2009 survey, giving a total of 47 quadrat samples.
TWINSPAN and DECORANA plots are shown in figures 2a – 2d.
The results of the vegetation analysis are provided in sections 6 and 8 of this report with details of quadrat data and NVC communities reproduced in appendix 2.
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Figure 2a: TWINSPAN dendrogram of maritime cliff community samples Jonathan Cox Associates 16 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Figure 2b: DECORANA plot for maritime cliff vegetation samples
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Figure 2c: TWINSPAN dendrogram of pioneer vegetation communities
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Figure 2d: DECORANA plot for pioneer cliff vegetation samples
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2.5 Buffer width and cliff erosion rates To provide an assessment of the minumum width of a cliff top buffer zone needed to maintain the condition of the cliff face habitats, an analysis of the rate of cliff top maritime vegetation colonisation was undertaken using the transect data and associated field notes. This was compared with rates of cliff erosion obtained both from Natural England and from the forthcoming Shoreline Management Plan for the Isle of Wight (SMP 2).
2.6 Assessment of cliff top management Management of the cliff top has been assessed against five objectives. These were developed to provide a framework within which to determine the current ecological condition or status of the cliff top habitat and its role in maintaining the condition of the cliff face habitats. Each cliff top transect was then assessed against each of these five objectives using the established terminology for assessing SSSI condition as being either favourable, unfavourable or unfavourable recovering.
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3 Review of existing management of cliff top buffer zones This section of the report reviews the range of management found on the cliff tops on the south west and north west coasts of the Isle of Wight.
3.1 South west coast 3.1.1 Arable cliff top management On the south west coast of the Island, cliff top arable fields border parts of the Compton Chine to Steephill Cove SSSI. In these locations a buffer zone has been established by Natural England between the arable field and the cliff top. Management of this has been undertaken through a Wildlife Enhancement Scheme (WES) agreement between Natural England and the landowners. These agreements are now mostly about 10 years old and are currently being re-negotiated through the Environmental Stewardship Scheme (ESS) as Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements.
Management of the buffer under WES agreements required:-
• No cultivation within 20m of cliff or chine edge • No application of fertilisers, herbicide or pesticide within 20m of cliff or chine edge • Scrub management • Control of ‘weed’ species is required by WES/HLS – to include ragwort, thistle, dock and nettle. This appears to be achieved through annual topping in late summer.
The management and geology of the cliff top arable buffers that were sampled on the south west coast of the Island are listed in table 1.
Transect No. Location Cliff top geology Cliff top management 6 Atherfield Ferrugious sand Cliff top buffer to wheat field 25m Point wide. Unmanaged at time of survey. 8 SE Whale Windblown sand Cliff top buffer to wheat field 27m Chine wide. Being mown at time of survey. 9 SE Whale Windblown sand Cliff top dunes with 31m buffer to Chine wheat field being mown at time of survey 11 Cliff Lane Cliffs capped with Narrow unmanaged cliff top field 10m outliers of alluvium wide bounded by fenced bank to mown 25m buffer to maize field. 12 Cliff Lane Cliffs capped with Unmanaged cliff top field bordering outliers of alluvium wheat field. 40m from cliff edge to wheat. 22 West Chilton Cliffs capped by old river Cliff top mown buffer 20m wide to Chine gravel and brickearth maize crop Table 1: Transects with buffer zone separating cliff top from arable field
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Table 2 provides information of the vegetation types present along the cliff top transects sampled within the cliff top arable buffer. Quadrat no. Distance from cliff top NVC communities present 6a Cliff Edge MC5 6b 5m MC11 6c 10m MC11 6d 15m MC11 6e 20m MC11
8a Cliff edge SM23 8b 2m Ovx 8c 4m Ovx 8d 6m Ovx 8e 8m Ovx
T9a 2m MC8 T9b 4m MC8 T9c 6m MC8 T9d 8m MC9? Spp poor T9e 10m MC9? Spp poor
T11a 2m Cliff top MC11b T11b 4m Path MC11b T11c 6m MC11b T11d 8m MC11b T11e 10m To bank and fence MC11b
T12a Cliff top MC11 T12b 2m MC11 T12c Path 4m MC8 T12d 6m MC11 T12e 8m MC11 T12f 13m MC11 22a Cliff edge MC8f 22b 4m MC8f 22c 6m MC9b 22d 8m MC9b 22e 10m MC9b 22f 20m MC9b
The management of the cliff top within the buffer zone mostly involved mowing of the vegetation in mid summer (July). This may have been undertaken to control ‘weed’ species
Jonathan Cox Associates 22 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight such as ragwort and thistle. However, the result of this management is to remove the majority of nectar and pollen bearing flowers from the cliff top buffer. It also radically changes the structure of the vegetation reducing a structurally varies sward to a simple low level sward. These changes are likely to be damaging to the invertebrate fauna both of the cliff top and potentially species breeding in the cliff face that use the cliff top for foraging.
Vegetation survey of the cliff top has shown a rapid colonisation of maritime grassland inland from the cliff edge over the 10 years of the WES agreements. Transects show transitions from maritime grassland and therophyte communities at the cliff top to semi-improved coastal grassland at the edge of the arable crop as shown in appendix 2. The one exception to this was on transect 8 where a short section of the cliff top supported a weedy ruderal vegetation dominated by the burdock Arctium minus and Bromus sterilis that extended from the edge of the arable crop for a distance of some 23m to within 2m of the cliff edge. It is unclear why this ruderal vegetation community had developed in this location.
Figure 3: Cliff top buffer south east of Whale Chine being cut to control ragwort
To provide a rough indication of coastal influence across the buffer, notes were made on the distance sea thrift Armeria maritima and other maritime cliff community indicator species had spread from the cliff top. Table 3 combines the results of notes taken on the composition of the vegetation of the cliff top buffer and data from the transects on the distribution of these species from the cliff edge. The cliffs south of Whale Chine showed spread of Armeria maritima
Jonathan Cox Associates 23 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight up to 38m inland from the cliff top whilst transects at Brighstone showed a less dramatic spread of between 4m and 10m. Spergularia rupicola was found to colonise between 7m and 15m where sandy soils predominated east of Atherfield Point.
Site Cliff top location Distances of maritime grassland species from cliff edge Atherfield Point Point just east of Atherfield Point. Plantago coronopus 18-25m Grassy buffer between cliff top and Daucus carota 40m wheat set-aside 40m wide. Armeria maritima absent Point by arable field just west of cliff Plantago cornonpus 17m top windblown sand deposits. Cliff Spergularia rupicola 7m top to arable field buffer 25m. Other species present in buffer zone include Anthyllis vulneraria, Festuca rubra, Leontodon hispidus, Holcus lanatus, Plantago coronopus, Achillia milifolia, Lotus corniculatus. Windblown sand deposit Spergularia rupicola to 15m Transect 6 Armeria maritima absent Bromus ferronii present to 10m South east of Transect 9 Armeria maritima 31m Whale Chine Cliff top north west of sand dunes, Armeria maritima 38m lightly rabbit grazed turf. Cliff Lane, Transect 11 Armeria maritima scarce on Brighstone transect, confined to field bank 10m from cliff top Transect 12 Armeria maritima present to 8m from cliff top. West Chilton Transect 22 Armeria maritima present to 4m Chine, Brighstone from cliff top. Table 3: Extent of maritime cliff community indicator species from cliff top
3.1.2 Grazed cliff top management Cliff top fields may be grazed with cattle or sheep. In most instances, the grazed cliff top field is fenced from the cliff top leaving an unmanaged cliff top buffer zone of up to 20m width. At Brook, there is grazing across the cliff top to include the slumping cliff face of Rough Cliff.
The management and geology of grazed cliff tops is summarised in table 4.
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Transect No. Location Cliff top geology Cliff top management 1 Brook Chine (East 1) Cliffs capped by old river Grazed cliff face and cliff gravel and brickearth top, no cliff top fence 3 Binnell Point Landslipped chalk and Ungrazed cliff top grassland upper greensand to fence at 6m. Grazed cliff top field. 4 Binnell Point Landslipped chalk and Ungrazed cliff top grassland upper greensand to fence at 10m. Grazed cliff top field. 13 East of Barnes High Cliffs capped with Unmanaged cliff top buffer outliers of alluvium 10m wide to electric fence and sheep grazed field 17 Compton Chine Sandrock Beds Unmanaged cliff top buffer fenced from grazed cliff top pasture 19 IW Pearl Valley Brickearth Previously mown now rabbit grazed cliff top pasture within tourist attraction 20 Sudmoor Cliffs capped by old river Unmanaged 20m cliff top gravel and brickearth buffer to fenced cattle grazed field. 21 West Chilton Chine Cliffs capped by old river Unmanaged 14m cliff top gravel and brickearth buffer to fenced cattle grazed field. Table 4: Transects with grazed cliff top grasslands
There was generally a transition from semi-natural maritime cliff vegetation in the unmanaged cliff top to agriculturally improved grassland within the grazed pasture. This transition could extend over a considerable distance. In transect 1 at Brook, there was no cliff top fence and the transition to semi-improved grassland extended some 28m from the cliff top. On transect 13 at Brighstone, there was a much sharper transition from cliff top maritime grassland to semi- improved sheep grazed pasture at the line of the cliff top fence.
Vegetation transitions across grazed cliff tops are shown in table 5.
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Quadrat no. Distance from cliff top NVC communities present T1a Cliff edge MC10 T1b 7m MC10 T1c 14m Inner cliff slump MC10 T1d 21m Inner cliff slump MC10 T1e 28m MC10/U4/MG? T3a Cliff edge + path MC11b T3b 4m MC11b T3c 6m to fence MC11b T3d 8m field MC11b T3e 10m field MC11b T3f 12m field MC11b T4a Cliff edge MC11 T4b 2m MC11 T4c 4m MC11 T4d 6m MC11/MG6 T4e 8m Path MC11/MG6 T4f 10m Field MG6 T4g 12m Field MG6 T13a Cliff top MC10 T13b 2m MC10 T13c 4m MC10 T13d Path 6m MC10 T13e 8m to electric fence MC10 T13f 10m sheep grazed field MG6 T13g 15m sheep grazed field MG6 T13h 20m sheep grazed field MG6 17a Cliff Edge MC5 17b 4m MC5 17c 6m MC8 17d 8m - Fence MC9 17e 14m grazed pasture MC9 19a Cliff Edge MC9c 19b 2m MC9c 19c 6m MC9c 19d 8m MC9c 19e 10m MC9c 20a Cliff edge MC11a 20b 4m MC11a 20c 8m trampled path MC9c 20d 12m MC9 20e 16m MC9
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21a Cliff edge MG1a 21b 3m trampled path MC11 21c 6m MG1a 21d 9m MG1a 21e 12m to field fence MG1a Table 5: Distribution of vegetation communities from cliff top to grazed pasture
3.1.3 Mown cliff top management Some cliff top fields are mown for hay or silage. An unmown cliff top strip is left along the cliff top. This may be up to 10m wide. The mown field may or may not be fenced from the un- mown cliff top strip.
Transect No. Location Cliff top geology Cliff top management 2 Brook Chine (East 2) Cliffs capped by old river Mown cliff top, no cliff top gravel and brickearth fence 14 West of Barnes High Cliffs capped with Unmanaged cliff top buffer outliers of alluvium 10m wide to large mown field. No cliff top fence. Table 6: Transects with mown cliff top grasslands
Transects where this form of management was undertaken are shown in table 6.
Vegetation in the mown fields tends to be agriculturally improved with a transition to maritime cliff vegetation at the cliff top. At Brook where this transition was sampled, maritime grassland extended 14m inland form the cliff top to the edge of the agriculturally improved grassland of the mown cliff top field. West of Barnes High a large mown cliff top field had a narrower 10 wide margin of maritime cliff grassland before meeting the semi-improved grassland.
At Brook (transect 2) the mown field is within an Environmental Stewardship Scheme and it is presumed that use of fertiliser near to the cliff top is controlled. At transect 14, west of Barnes High the SSSI extends inland from the cliff top for 20m which should protect the cliff edge maritime community.
3.1.4 Unmanaged cliff top In a few locations, the cliff top is unmanaged and supports rough grassland. There is no fence between the cliff top and this unmanaged field.
Transect No. Location Cliff top geology Cliff top management 5 Atherfield Point Atherfield Clay Unmanaged rough grass 10 Chale Windblown sand Cliff top bracken stand in unmanged cliff top field, cliff top unfenced.
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18 Compton Cutting Ferruginous Sandstone Unfenced and unmanaged cliff top field Table 7: Transects with unmanaged cliff top grasslands
Vegetation within the unmanaged cliff top grasslands is varied ranging from tall rather rank MC11 Festuca rubra-Daucus carota grassland to sand dune grassland at Chale and rather species poor MC9 Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus grassland on the Ferruginous sandstone at Compton cutting.
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Quadrat no. Distance from cliff top NVC communities present 5a Cliff Edge MC11a 5b 6m MC11 5c 12m Path MC11 5d 18 m MC11 5e 24 m MC11 5f 30 m MC11 T10a 2m SD10 T10b 4m SD10 T10c 6m MC9 T10d 8m MC9 T10e 10m MC9 18a Cliff Edge MC5 18b 6m MC5 18c 10m MC5 18d 14m Path MC5 18e Fence 18m MC9c 18f 25m MC9c 18g 32m MC9c 18h 37m MC9c 18i 44m Tending to U4 Table 8: Distribution of vegetation communities from cliff top unmanaged grassland
Jonathan Cox Associates 29 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
3.2 North Coast The management of cliff tops on the north side of the Island contrast with those on the south coast. Cliff tops along this coast of the Island consist of a mix of woodlands and grasslands with arable crops being infrequent on the heavy clay soils. Unlike the south coast, public access to the cliff top is limited. Vegetation on the cliffs of the north of the Island were sampled as sites shown in table 9.
Transect No. Location Cliff top geology Cliff top management 15 Gurnard Cliffs Transect on cliff face Cliff face slumps below improved grass cliff top pasture 23 Elmsworth Farm Bembridge Marls Fenced cliff top to unimproved grazed pasture 16 Gurnard Cliffs Hamstead Beds Unmanaged cliff top field fenced from cliff path 7 Bouldnor Cliff Plateau gravel Cliff top unmanaged scrub, cliff top path and recently felled conifer plantation Quadrats at WPT003 Burnt Wood Bembridge Marls Ancient semi-natural woodland bordering replanted ancient woodland Table 9: Cliff vegetation samples on the north coast of the Isle of Wight
3.2.1 Grazed cliff top Most of the north coast cliffs are topped with grazed and periodically mown fields. These are fenced from the cliff top with a very narrow unmanaged buffer of about 2m between the fence and the cliff top. This distance varies as the cliff erodes to the base of the fence and is then restored as the fence in moved landwards.
These cliff top grasslands are almost all agriculturally improved to some extent ranging from heavily improved Lolium perenne leys to semi-improved MG6 grasslands in which there is a high proportion of broadleaved herbs.
The narrow cliff top path between field fence and cliff edge can support a narrow strip of agriculturally unimproved grassland. This was found along Gurnard Cliffs (bordering the Thorness Bay SSSI) where species such as Genista tinctoria survive along the cliff top but are absent from the adjacent pastures.
Jonathan Cox Associates 30 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
The exception to this general pattern is found at Elmsworth Farm within the Newtown Estuary SSSI. Here, the low soft rock cliffs are capped with agriculturally unimproved grassland as sampled in Transect 23. Here, species such as Serratula tinctoria, Genista tinctoria, Centaurea nigra and Lotus corniculatus occur throughout the cliff top pastures.
3.2.2 Wooded cliff tops Woodland borders the cliff top in a number of locations along the north coast of the Island. This can be ancient woodland such as at Burnt Wood and Thorness Bay or more recent plantation as at Bouldnor and Hamstead. Cliff erosion in front of ancient semi-natural woodland creates dramatic wooded landslips. Where the cliff top woodland has been planted with conifer or other alien species these may form part of the cliff face woodland as the cliffs recede. Below plantations, the planted conifers suppress growth of a semi-natural cliff top vegetation and also act to contaminate the cliff face with self sown conifer trees.
Wooded cliff tops were sampled at Burntwood and within Transect 7 at Bouldnor Cliff.
3.2.3 Unmanaged cliff tops Unmanaged cliff top grasslands occur in places along the north coast of the Island. These tend to be small relict fields that are no longer viable to farm and support rank unmanaged grassland. These are generally species poor and rapidly become lost to scrub and secondary woodland.
Photographs of various cliff top management types and shown on page 32.
Jonathan Cox Associates 31 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Mown and unfenced cliff top field west of Barnes High Sheep grazed and electric fenced cliff top field east of Barnes (Transect 14) High (Transect 13)
Unmanaged cliff top buffer to wheat field at Transect 6 east of Mown and fenced cliff top field at WPT017 east of Cliff Lane, Atherfield Point Brighstone
Unmanaged cliff top with coastal path fenced from grazed cliff Ancient semi-natural woodland on coastal slopes at Burnt top field at Binnell Point Wood (WPT003)
Narrow strip of species poor grassland and coastal path in Cliff face below agriculturally unimproved grassland at front of arable crop, Thorness Bay Elmsworth Farm (Transect 23)
Jonathan Cox Associates 32 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
4 Collation of phase II survey data from vegetated soft cliff habitat on the Isle of Wight To support the data obtained from field survey in 2009, information was collated from previous phase II vegetation surveys of the Isle of Wight cliffs. Two reports were obtained that provided information on the distribution of vegetation communities on the south coast between St Catherine’s Point and Ventnor. A third report was prepared by Jonathan Cox Associates in 1997 based on field data obtained in 1996 by Richard Tollhurst and Jonathan Cox. The content of these three reports is reviewed below.
4.1 Ecosa, 2002, Soft Cliff Vegetation Survey – South Coast of the Isle of Wight, Report for England Nature This report provides phase I vegetation maps for the cliff and undercliff between St Catherine’s Point and Ventnor. Although mapping was undertaken only to Phase 1 level, vegetation was also classified in the report using the NVC. Constancy tables are included for a 6 vegetation types. Most of these are terrestrial communities sampled from the undercliff. The report refers to areas of MC8 Festuca rubra-Armeria maritima grassland and MC11 Festuca rubra- Daucus carota grassland.
4.2 Richard Collingridge, 2002, Isle of Soft Cliff Survey: Hanover Point to St Catherine’s Point This report covered the south coast from Hanover Point in the west to St Catherine’s Point in the south east. This was commissioned to identify changes in the coast and its habitats following the survey undertaken by Richard Tollhurst and Jonathan Cox and report by Jonathan Cox Associates in 1996. It identified no significant qualitative changes in the semi-natural habitats of the coast. Vegetation was mapped at phase 1 level only.
4.3 Jonathan Cox (1996) Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Vegetation Description and Assessment, Report to the Isle of Wight Council This report is based upon the results of an Island wide survey of the vegetation of soft rock cliffs and slopes undertaken by Richard Tollhurst and Jonathan Cox. It includes phase II maps of all the Island cliff faces supported with data sheets and includes some conventional quadrat recording cards using domin cover scores. The report provides detailed descriptions of vegetation communities and identifies a number of pioneer vegetation communities that had not been previously described by the NVC.
Jonathan Cox Associates 33 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
5 Maritime cliff communities of the south coast The initial classification of quadrat data from the south coast of the Isle of Wight identified a range of maritime cliff (MC) vegetation communities. However, for several samples it proved difficult to allocate them to a specific community as the sampling undertaken to prepare the NVC constancy tables was from hard rock cliffs, mostly in the north and west of Britain. To provide a more rigorous method of classifying the quadrat data an analysis was undertaken using both TWINSPAN and DECORANA plots. The results of these are reproduced in Figures 2a – 2d.
Whereas the use of these computer programmes facilitated splitting the samples into distinctive groups referring these to specific NVC communities and sub-communities needed careful reference to the published constancy tables and to the habitat descriptions provided by the NVC.
The following accounts describe the MC vegetation communities identified from the cliff tops of the south coast of the Isle of Wight.
Jonathan Cox Associates 34 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
5.1 MC5 Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffusum maritime therophyte community 5.1.1 Vegetation description This is a short open turf community in which cushions of sea thrift Armeria maritima and patches of buck’s-horn plantain Plantago coronopus predominate. Grasses tend to be scattered and dominated by red fescue Festuca rubra or sheep’s fescue Festuca ovina. Sea mouse-ear Cerastium diffusum is a constant of the community as is Bromus hordaceous ssp ferronii.
5.1.2 Isle of Wight soft cliff examples of the community The NVC describes four sub-communities of MC5 all of which are associated with rocky cliffs unlike the soft rock cliff top vegetation sampled as part of this project. None of the described sub-communities are applicable to the versions of this community sampled on the south coast of the Isle of Wight. These were defined by the frequent occurrence of yarrow Achillea millifolium together with the grass, cock’s foot Dactylis glomerata and regular presence of rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus together with patches of bare ground. Achillia millifolium is recorded only infrequently from this community in the samples published in the NVC whilst Leontodon hispidus is absent. These differences suggest the presence of a new sub-community on the Island which could be termed an Achillia millifolium sub-community. This seems to differ from the sub-communities described in the NVC in occurring on generally soft, neutral to base poor generally sandy or gravelly well draining soils.
A frequency table for the samples of this community recorded on the Isle of Wight is shown in table 10.
Table 10: Frequency table for samples of MC5 Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffusum maritime therophyte community recorded from the Isle of Wight Species Number of quadrats Frequency (1-5) Armeria maritima 12 4.6 Festuca rubra 11 4.2 Plantago coronopus 11 4.2 Achillea millifolium 10 3.8 Cerastium diffusum 10 3.8 Leontodon hispidus 9 3.5 Bare 8 3.1 Bromus ferronii 8 3.1 Dactylis glomerata 7 2.7 Holcus lanatus 7 2.7 Plantago lanceolata 7 2.7 Festuca ovina 5 1.9 Galium verum 5 1.9 Agrostis capillaris 4 1.5
Jonathan Cox Associates 35 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Agrostis stolonifera 3 1.2 Crepis capillaris 3 1.2 Erodium cicutarium 3 1.2 Lotus corniculatus 3 1.2 Aphanes arvensis 2 0.8 Hypochoeris radicata 2 0.8 Rumex acetosella 2 0.8 Sedum anglicum 2 0.8 Senecio jacobea 2 0.8 Trifolium pratense 2 0.8 Daucus carota 1 0.4 Festuca pratensis 1 0.4 Picris echioides 1 0.4 Rumex acetosa 1 0.4 Rumex crispus 1 0.4 Sagina sp. 1 0.4 Spergularia rupicola 1 0.4
5.1.3 Vegetation height Generally the samples of this community were short being less than 15cm tall and with a mean height of 6cm.
5.1.4 Location of Isle of Wight examples MC5 was recorded from a total of thirteen quadrats in six transects as summarised in table 11.
Table 11: Summary of MC5 Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffusum maritime therophyte community Sample No. Location Distance Veg. height Management from cliff edge Grazed cliff top 1a Brook Chine (East 1) Cliff edge <1cm and cliff face Narrow 2a Brook Chine (East 2) Cliff edge 2cm unmanged buffer to mown cliff top 9a Atherfield Point Cliff top dunes
9b Atherfield Point with 31m buffer
to wheat field 9c Atherfield Point being mown Unmanaged cliff top buffer 10m 14a West of Barnes High Cliff top 2 to 15 wide to large mown field 17a Compton Chine Cliff Edge 10 Unmanaged cliff
Jonathan Cox Associates 36 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
17b Compton Chine 4m 15 top buffer fenced from grazed cliff 17c Compton Chine 6m 10 top 18a Compton Cutting Cliff Edge 2 Unfenced and 18b Compton Cutting 6m 2 unmanaged cliff 18c Compton Cutting 10m 2 top field 18d Compton Cutting 14m Path 6
In all transects, this community occurs in the most maritime locations at the cliff edge where maximum levels of salt spray and exposure to wind is experienced. It extends inland as far as 14m at the transect at Compton Cutting (east of Compton Chine). Trampling along the coast path in transect 18 may also have helped extend the community inland.
5.1.5 Management of Isle of Wight soft cliff examples In all cases this community appears to be unaffected by agricultural improvement and occurs within unmanaged grassland on the cliff top, generally forming a buffer zone between the cliff top and mown or grazed cliff top fields.
Jonathan Cox Associates 37 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
5.2 MC8 Festuca rubra – Armeria maritima maritime grassland 5.2.1 Vegetation description This grassland community forms a closed sward dominated by Festuca rubra often forming a thick mattress. Armeria maritima is abundant often forming bulky cushions. Floristically, this community is very similar to MC5 but differentiated from it mainly by vegetation structure. This is a grassland community in which Festuca rubra is overwhelmingly dominant whereas MC5 is a therophyte community in which grasses are abundant but not dominant and in which bare ground and species associated with bare ground are common.
Festuca rubra and Armeria maritima are constants in MC8 together with Leontodon hispidus. A group of species consisting of Achillea millifolium, Dactylis glomerata, Plantago coronopus and Galium verum all occur frequently with Bromus hordaceous ssp feronii occuring less commonly than in MC5 and Cerastium diffusum being much more scarce.
TWINSPAN has been used to split examples of MC5 and MC8 communities but there is clearly a transition between the two as shown in the DECORANA plot shown in figure 2. TWINSPAN did not split out any sub-communities of MC8 suggesting that only one or possibly two sub- communities were recorded.
Table 12: Frequency table for samples of MC8 Festuca rubra – Armeria maritima maritime grassland recorded from the Isle of Wight Species Number of quadrats Frequency (1-5) Festuca rubra 8 5.0 Plantago coronopus 8 5.0 Armeria maritima 7 4.4 Dactylis glomerata 7 4.4 Leontodon hispidus 7 4.4 Plantago lanceolata 7 4.4 Achillea millifolium 5 3.1 Agrostis stolonifera 3 1.9 Bare 3 1.9 Cerastium diffusum 3 1.9 Holcus lanatus 3 1.9 Hypochoeris radicata 3 1.9 Rumex acetosa 3 1.9 Senecio jacobea 3 1.9 Trifolium pratense 3 1.9 Agrostis capillaris 2 1.3 Bellis perennis 2 1.3 Centaurea nigra 2 1.3 Crepis capillaris 2 1.3 Daucus carota 2 1.3
Jonathan Cox Associates 38 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Lotus corniculatus 2 1.3 Picris echioides 2 1.3 Rumex acetosella 2 1.3 Anthyllis vulneraria 1 0.6 Bromus ferronii 1 0.6 Centaurium erythraea 1 0.6 Cirsium vulgare 1 0.6 Festuca ovina 1 0.6 Lolium perenne 1 0.6 Ranunculus acris 1 0.6 Trifolium campestre 1 0.6 Trifolium repens 1 0.6
5.2.2 Isle of Wight soft cliff examples of the community A total of 7 sub-communities of MC8 are described in the NVC. Samples from the Isle of Wight probably conform to two of these described communities as summarised in table 4. The most common is the Plantago coronopus sub-community MC8e. This was recorded from eight quadrats on six transects. It differs from the sub-community described in the NVC by the abundance of Dactylis glomerata and absence of Plantago maritima. Apart from these differences, the Isle of Wight samples conform pretty well to the description published in the NVC. A single quadrat recorded on the cliff top west of Chilton Chine in which Anthyllis vulneraria occurred can be tentatively assigned to the Athyllis vulneraria sub-community (MC8f).
Table 13: MC8 Festuca rubra-Armeria maritima maritime grassland Sample Sub- Location Distance from Veg. Management No. community cliff edge height 2b MC8e Brook Chine (East 7m 4 Narrow unmanged 2) buffer to mown cliff 2c MC8e Brook Chine (East 14m path 6 top. No cliff top 2) crosses fence 12c MC8e Cliff Lane Path 4m 5-20 Unmanaged cliff top field bordering wheat field. 40m from cliff edge to wheat 17d MC8e Compton Chine 8m - Fence 1 Unmanaged cliff top 17e MC8e Compton Chine 14m grazed 10 buffer fenced from pasture grazed cliff top 19a MC8e Isle of Wight Pearl Cliff Edge 6 Previously mown now rabbit grazed cliff top pasture
Jonathan Cox Associates 39 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
within tourist attraction 20c MC8e Sudmoor 6m trampled 1 Unmanaged 25m path cliff top buffer to fenced cattle grazed 22a MC8f West Chilton Chine Cliff edge 5 Cliff top mown buffer 20m wide to maize crop
5.2.3 Vegetation height Vegetation in the sampled quadrats was generally short and varied between 1cm and 20cm with a mean of 6cm. Greatest variation was in quadrat 12c which was crossed by the coastal path creating some short grassland of 5cm over approximately half the width of the quadrat and taller grassland of some 20cm height over the other half.
5.2.4 Location of Isle of Wight examples All examples of this community were recorded from the south west coast of the Isle of Wight.
Samples of the MC8 community were recorded from the cliff top to 14m from the cliff edge. All samples seemed to be unaffected by agricultural improvement.
5.2.5 Management of Isle of Wight soft cliff examples All recorded examples of MC8 occurred in un-managed cliff top grassland forming a buffer between the cliff edge and either arable or grassland fields. Three samples were crossed by the coastal footpath. The effect of this is described in more detail in section 14 but in general this resulted in a reduction in vegetation height and a change in species composition to include species tolerant of trampling and species able to colonise the shorter more open turf created.
Jonathan Cox Associates 40 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
5.3 MC9 Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus maritime grassland 5.3.1 Vegetation description The Festuca-Holcus maritime grassland generally has a closed fairly low growing but rather rank and often tussocky sward. It is always dominated by grasses of which Festuca rubra is usually prominent. Herbaceous dicotyledons are generally an important component of the vegetation and many of these are non-maritime species.
Floristically, the distinction between this community and the Holcus lanatus sub-community of MC8 is difficult to define. However, the Festuca-Armeria community of MC8 tends to be much more maritime in location. The NVC states that soil sample tests have shown MC9 to have almost half the sodium/loss on ignition ratio to MC8 reflecting the reduced salt content of soils on which MC9 occurs.
5.3.2 Isle of Wight soft cliff examples of the community MC9 grassland was recorded from the cliff tops on the south west coast of the Isle of Wight. It was sampled in a total of 26 quadrats from nine transects. These ranged from Compton Bay in the west to Whale Chine in the east.
Although floristically similar, TWINSPAN analysis has placed those Isle of Wight vegetation samples in MC9 which are dominated by Festuca rubra and Holcus lanatus with Armeria maritima being present in reduced abundance and often absent. The most frequent associated species are Leontodon hispidus, Plantago lanceolata and Achillea millifolium with Senecio jacobea, Plantago coronopus, Rumex acetosa, Agrostis stolonifera, Picris echioides and Trifolium pratense all being common. A constancy table for MC9 grasslands is produced in table 14. Three well defined sub-communities have been identified from TWINSPAN analysis with a further ill defined sub-community that is transitional to semi-improved MG6 grassland.
A group of comprising seven quadrats has been tentatively assigned to the Achillea millifolium sub-community (MC9c). This conforms quite well to the sub-community described by the NVC. Samples of this sub-community were all confined to the exposed sandy soils over Ferruginous sandstone at Compton Cutting and at the previously mown cliff top grasslands at Wight Pearl.
A second sub-community comprising five quadrats was also identified by TWINSPAN. This is also undescribed by the NVC. It is characterised by the abundance of the common centaury Cenaurium erythraea. In addition to the preferential occurrence of Centaurium erythraea, Senecio jacobea and Trifolium campestre were also frequent in this group of quadrats reflecting the sandy well draining nature of the cliff top maritime grasslands in which these samples were recorded. This sub-community has been termed MC9i.
The largest group of samples with 10 quadrats also formed an apparently undescribed sub- community in which Daucus carota and Plantago lanceolata were constant and often
Jonathan Cox Associates 41 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight abundant. This has been termed MC9ii Daucus carota sub-community. These were recorded at three locations (Atherfield Point, to the west of Chilton Chine and Compton Cutting).
Lastly a group of six quadrats were recorded in grassland transitional between maritime grassland and semi-improved agricultural grassland (MG6). These contained no particularly distinctive features being species poor and dominated by Holcus lanatus and Festuca rubra and with scattered plants of Armeria martima, Daucus carota and Cerastium diffusum.
Table 14: Frequency table for MC9 samples as defined by TWINSPAN analysis (significant species indicative of different sub-communities have been highlighted) Number of quadrats 28.0 7.0 5.0 10.0 6.0 All MC9c MC9i MC9ii MC9iii Holcus lanatus 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Festuca rubra 4.8 5.0 5.0 4.5 5.0 Plantago lanceolata 3.6 4.3 2.0 5.0 1.7 Senecio jacobea 3.0 2.1 4.0 3.0 3.3 Leontodon hispidus 3.0 5.0 3.0 2.5 1.7 Daucus carota 2.3 0.0 3.0 4.5 0.8 Agrostis stolonifera 2.1 0.0 2.0 4.0 1.7 Dactylis glomerata 2.0 3.6 3.0 1.0 0.8 Bromus ferronii 1.6 1.4 2.0 2.5 0.0 Picris echioides 1.6 2.9 3.0 0.0 1.7 Achillea millifolium 1.6 5.0 1.0 0.5 0.0 Cirsium arvense 1.4 0.7 2.0 1.5 1.7 Lotus corniculatus 1.4 2.9 0.0 2.0 0.0 Armeria maritima 1.4 2.9 1.0 0.5 1.7 Plantago coronopus 1.3 1.4 0.0 2.0 0.8 Bare 1.3 2.1 1.0 0.5 1.7 Trifolium pratense 1.3 3.6 0.0 1.0 0.0 Cirsium vulgare 1.3 2.9 1.0 0.0 1.7 Rumex acetosa 1.3 4.3 0.0 0.5 0.0 Lolium perenne 1.1 2.1 0.0 0.5 1.7 Centaurium erythraea 0.7 0.0 4.0 0.0 0.0 Pulicaria dysenterica 0.7 0.0 1.0 1.5 0.0 Trifolium campestre 0.7 0.0 4.0 0.0 0.0 Rumex crispus 0.7 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.8 Cerastium diffusum 0.7 0.7 0.0 0.5 1.7 Cerastium fontanum 0.7 2.1 1.0 0.0 0.0 Agrostis capillaris 0.7 1.4 0.0 0.0 1.7 Anthyllis vulneraria 0.5 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 Ranunculus repens 0.5 0.7 0.0 1.0 0.0 Luzula campestre 0.5 1.4 0.0 0.5 0.0 Trifolium repens 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.7
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Ulex europeaus 0.4 0.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 Geranium molle 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.8 Ranunculus acris 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.8 Crepis capillaris 0.4 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.8 Galium verum 0.4 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.8 Agrostis canina 0.2 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 Avena fatua 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 Bromus hordaceous 0.2 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 Bromus sterilis 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 Elytrigia repens 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 Hypochoeris radicata 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 Medicago lupulina 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 Taraxicum officinale 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 Equisetum arvense 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 Festuca ovina 0.2 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 Leontodon autumnalis 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 Leontodon saxatilis 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 Rumex acetosella 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 Stellaria graminea 0.2 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 Trifolium fragiferum 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8
Table 15: Location of MC9 Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus maritime grassland samples sorted by sub-community (different sub-communities are highlighted) Sample Location Distance NVC Veg. Management No. from cliff community height edge Compton Cutting Fence Unfenced and unmanaged 18e 18m MC9c 7 cliff top field 18f Compton Cutting 25m MC9c 7 18g Compton Cutting 32m MC9c 3 18h Compton Cutting 37m MC9c 6 19c Wight Pearl 6m MC9c 7 Previously mown now 19d Wight Pearl 8m MC9c 10 rabbit grazed cliff top Wight Pearl pasture within tourist 19e 10m MC9c 15 attraction 10d Whale Chine 8m MC9i Cliff top bracken stand in 10e Whale Chine 10m MC9i unmanged cliff top field, cliff top unfenced. 20d Sudmoor 10m MC9i 5 Unmanaged 25m cliff top Sudmoor buffer to fenced cattle 20e 14m MC9i 15 grazed field West Chilton Chine Cliff top mown buffer 20m 22f 20m MC9i 5 wide to maize crop
Jonathan Cox Associates 43 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
5e Atherfield Point 24 m MC9ii 30 Unmanaged rough grass 5f Atherfield Point 30 m MC9ii 30 6d Atherfield Point 15m MC9ii 20-40 Cliff top buffer to wheat 6e Atherfield Point 20m MC9ii 20-50 field 25m wide. Unmanaged at time of survey. Isle of Wight Pearl Previously mown now rabbit grazed cliff top pasture within tourist 19b 2m MC9ii 1 attraction 22d West Chilton Chine 8m MC9ii 5 Cliff top mown buffer 20m 22e West Chilton Chine 10m MC9ii 5 wide to maize crop Atherfield Point Cliff top buffer to wheat field 25m wide. Unmanaged at time of 6c 10m MC9ii 30 survey. West of Barnes Unmanaged cliff top 14d High 6m MC9ii 6 buffer 10m wide to large West of Barnes mown field. No cliff top 14e High 8m MC9ii 8 fence. Brook Chine (East 8cm Mown cliff top, no cliff 2d 2) 21m MC9iii (mown) top fence Brook Chine (East 6cm 2e 2) 28m MC9iii (mown) 5d Atherfield Point 18 m MC9iii 30 Unmanaged rough grass 9e Atherfield Point MC9iii Cliff top dunes with 31m Atherfield Point buffer to wheat field being mown at time of 9d MC9iii survey Whale Chine Cliff top bracken stand in unmanged cliff top field, 10c 6m MC9iii cliff top unfenced
5.3.3 Vegetation height Samples of this community varied from 1cm near to the cliff top at Compton Chine to 50cm in rank cliff top grassland at Atherfield Point. The average height of 20 samples was 13cm.
5.3.4 Location of Isle of Wight examples All samples of this community were recorded from the south west coast of the Island. MC9 maritime grassland tended to occur landward of the cliff edge and of the MC5 and MC8 communities although at Whale Chine the community shows transitions to Carex arenaria sand dune vegetation on the cliff top. A sample at Compton Chine was located 2m from the cliff edge with samples extending inland 37m at Compton Cutting. These more inland examples
Jonathan Cox Associates 44 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight tended to lack much obvious maritime influence and could often be seen as transitional to semi-improved neutral or acid grassland.
5.3.5 Management of Isle of Wight soft cliff examples Management of the samples of this community varied from mown agricultural fields, mown cliff top buffer strips, unmanaged and rabbit grazed cliff top grasslands.
All samples of this community were associated with neutral to base poor sandy soils, either as cliff top deposits of windblown sand, alluvium and brickearth or Sandrock or Ferruginous sandstone of the Lower Greensand.
Jonathan Cox Associates 45 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
5.4 MC10 Festuca rubra-Plantago spp. maritime grassland 5.4.1 Vegetation description This community is dominated by Festuca rubra and Plantago species. In the Isle of Wight samples, the Plantago species consisted of Plantago lanceolata and P. Coronopus, both of which were constant. The only other constant species from the Isle of Wight samples were the soft-brome grass Bromus hordaceous ssp ferronii and rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus. Samples of this grassland type are characteristically short due either to trampling, maritime influence or grazing pressure. Samples often have significant areas of bare ground and this may be colonised by Cerastium diffususm or other small herbaceous species including Leontodon saxatilis, Sonchus oleraceous, Crepis capillaris and diminutive specimens of Daucus carota. A constancy table for samples of MC10 is shown in table 16.
5.4.2 Isle of Wight soft cliff examples of the community The NVC identifies three sub-communities of MC10 maritime grassland. It was not possible to assign the Isle of Wight samples to any of the described sub-communities of MC10. All the Isle of Wight samples had constant Bromus hordaceous ssp ferronii which is not described as being a component of this community within the NVC. This may reflect the distribution of samples used in the NVC which were confined to the hard rock cliffs on the more maritime and wetter coasts of northern and western Britain outside the normal range of this sub-species of Bromus hordaceous. Leontodon hispidus was also a constant presence in these Isle of Wight examples of the community. TWINSPAN identified two distinct groups of quadrats within MC10. The smaller group comprising four quadrats was located in less maritime situations on slightly acid base poor soils in which Agrostis capillaris and Leontodon saxatilis were constant. These samples also tended to be transitional to semi-improved cliff top grassland in which Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens were also present at low cover values. The second larger group of samples were located in more maritime cliff top locations in which Plantago coronopus and bare ground were constant features and Daucus carota was common.
Table 16: Frequency table for MC10 samples as defined by TWINSPAN analysis (Constant and preferential species are highlighted) All quadrats MC10i Undescribed MC10ii Undescribed Leontodon saxatalis- Plantago coronopus Agrostis capillaris sub-community sub-community No. Quadrats 10 4 6 Frequency (1-5) Species Bromus ferronii 5.0 5.0 5.0 Festuca rubra 5.0 5.0 5.0 Plantago lanceolata 5.0 5.0 5.0 Leontodon hispidus 4.0 3.8 4.2
Jonathan Cox Associates 46 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Plantago coronopus 4.0 2.5 5.0 Bare 3.0 0.0 5.0 Daucus carota 2.5 0.0 4.2 Agrostis capillaris 2.0 5.0 0.0 Cerastium diffusum 2.0 2.5 1.7 Leontodon saxatilis 2.0 5.0 0.0 Lolium perenne 2.0 2.5 1.7 Cirsium arvense 1.5 1.3 1.7 Leontodon autumnalis 1.5 3.8 0.0 Sonchus oleraceous 1.5 0.0 2.5 Trifolium repens 1.5 3.8 0.0 Agrostis stolonifera 1.0 0.0 1.7 Armeria maritima 1.0 0.0 1.7 Crepis capillaris 1.0 1.3 0.8 Dung 1.0 2.5 0.0 Montia fontana 1.0 0.0 1.7 Rumex acetosella 1.0 2.5 0.0 Rumex crispus 1.0 2.5 0.0 Senecio jacobea 1.0 2.5 0.0 Achillea millifolium 0.5 1.3 0.0 Bellis perennis 0.5 0.0 0.8 Carex sp. 0.5 1.3 0.0 Dactylis glomerata 0.5 1.3 0.0 Festuca ovina 0.5 1.3 0.0 Festuca rubra ssp juncea 0.5 0.0 0.8 FestucaxLolium hybrid 0.5 1.3 0.0 Holcus lanatus 0.5 1.3 0.0 Hypochoeris radicata 0.5 1.3 0.0 Lotus corniculatus 0.5 0.0 0.8 Ranunculus repens 0.5 0.0 0.8 Trifolium campestre 0.5 1.3 0.0 Trifolium pratense 0.5 1.3 0.0
Table 17: Location of MC10 Festuca rubra-Plantago spp. maritime grassland samples Sample No. Location Distance from NVC Veg. Management cliff edge community height 1b Brook Chine 7m MC10i Grazed cliff 2 (East 1) face and cliff 1c Brook Chine 14m Inner cliff MC10i top, no cliff 5 (East 1) slump top fence 1d Brook Chine 21m Inner cliff MC10i 4 (East 1) slump
Jonathan Cox Associates 47 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
1e Brook Chine 28m MC10i 9 (East 1) 13a East of Barnes Cliff top MC10ii Unmanaged 2 High cliff top buffer 13b East of Barnes 2m MC10ii 10m wide to 6 High electric fence 13c East of Barnes 4m MC10ii and sheep 6 High grazed field 13d East of Barnes Path 6m MC10ii 2 - 4 High 14b West of Barnes 2m MC10ii Unmanaged 3 High cliff top buffer 14c West of Barnes 4m MC10ii 10m wide to High large mown 4 field. No cliff top fence.
5.4.3 Vegetation height Vegetation height was typically short with an average height of 4.4cm. Shortest examples were less than 1cm in height at the cliff edge at Brook Chine with the tallest being within the transition to acid grassland 28m from the cliff top, also at Brook Chine.
5.4.4 Location of Isle of Wight examples A total of 10 sample quadrats were recorded from MC10 as shown in table 17. These were confined to two transects, transect 1 at Brook Chine and transect 13 east of Barnes High.
MC10 grassland extended from the cliff edge to up to 28m inland of the cliff top. At its landward extent, it showed a tendency towards acid grassland in transect 1 where the grassland becomes dominated by Agrostis capillaris. In transect 13 the MC10 shows a transition to semi-improved grassland beyond 8m from the cliff top.
5.4.5 Management of Isle of Wight soft cliff examples Within transect 1 the MC10 maritime grassland was managed as part of the extensively grazed cliff grazing system at Brook Chine. Within transect 13 the community formed an unmanaged 8m wide cliff top buffer merging into an electric fenced sheep grazed field.
Jonathan Cox Associates 48 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
5.5 MC11 Festuca rubra-Daucus carota ssp gumifer maritime grassland 5.5.1 Vegetation description This maritime grassland has a fairly short tussocky sward dominated by grasses of which Festuca rubra is usually most abundant. Dactylis glomerata is constant as is the carrot Daucus carota. The NVC describes this as being referable to the sea carrot Daucus carota ssp gummifer which is described in Stace (ref) as being distinguishable by its convex to slightly concave umbel when in fruit. The Flora of the Isle of Wight (Pope et al, ref) suggests that ‘plants with succulent leaves growing in exposed grassland on the south coast are probably sea carrot’. For the purposes of this project, all Daucus occurring within the cliff top transects have been assumed to be ssp gummifer. The NVC states that the maritime element in the community is small and the only other frequent species are Lotus corniculatus and Plantago lanceolata.
MC11 is characteristic of less maritime situations. It generally receives similar amounts of salt spray to the MC9 Festuca-Holcus grassland. The NVC describes it as being virtually confined to calcareous rocks with redziniform soils of high pH and calcium status.
5.5.2 Isle of Wight soft cliff examples of the community On the Isle of Wight samples of MC11 grassland were widespread occurring in 30 quadrats on 8 transects as summarised in table 10. Apart from the samples at Binnell Point, these were not confined to obviously calcareous substrates, but despite this, samples fitted quite well to those described by the NVC.
Three sub-communities of MC11 are described by the NVC, two of which were recorded on the Isle of Wight. The Bromus hordaceous ssp ferronii sub-community, MC11a, was recorded from 14 quadrats on five transects along the south west coast of the Isle of Wight. These samples were characterised by the dominance of Festuca rubra and significant presence of Daucus carota, Dactylis glomerata and Bromus hordaceous ssp ferronii. This sub-community was recorded on five transects from Sudmoor near Brook in the west to Atherfield Point in the east as well as at Cliff Lane, east of Barnes High and west of Chilton Chine.
The Ononis repens sub-community, MC11b was frequent at Binnell Point and was also present at Cliff Lane near Brighstone. It is characterised by the presence of often extensive mats of Ononis repens together with the high occurrence of Daucus carota, Festuca rubra, Plantago lanceolata and Dactylis glomerata.
Constancy tables for these types of MC11 grassland are provided in table 18.
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Table 18: Frequency table for MC11 Festuca rubra-Daucus carota ssp gumifer maritime grassland (Constant and preferential species are highlighted) All quadrats MC11a Festuca rubra- MC11b Festuca rubra- Daucus carota Daucus carota, grassland Bromus Ononis sub-comm ferronii sub-comm No. Quadrats 30 14.0 16.0 Frequency 1-5 Species Festuca rubra 5.0 5.0 5.0 Plantago lanceolata 4.3 3.6 5.0 Daucus carota 3.3 3.6 3.1 Cirsium arvense 3.2 2.5 3.8 Dactylis glomerata 3.2 2.9 3.4 Bromus ferronii 1.8 2.5 1.3 Convolvulous arvensis 2.3 1.1 3.4 Leontodon hispidus 2.0 3.2 0.9 Galium verum 1.8 1.8 1.9 Ononis repens 1.8 0.0 3.4 Achillea millifolium 1.5 2.1 0.9 Agrostis stolonifera 1.0 1.1 0.9 Holcus lanatus 1.0 1.1 0.9 Lotus corniculatus 1.3 0.4 2.2 Trifolium repens 1.2 0.4 1.9 Armeria maritima 1.0 2.1 0.0 Senecio jacobea 1.0 1.8 0.3 Centaurea nigra 1.0 1.1 0.9 Plantago coronopus 0.7 1.1 0.3 Sonchus oleraceous 0.8 1.8 0.0 Lolium perenne 0.7 0.0 1.3 Medicago lupulina 0.7 0.4 0.9 Trifolium pratense 0.5 0.0 0.9 Hypochoeris radicata 0.3 0.7 0.0 Ranunculus repens 0.2 0.4 0.0 Rumex crispus 0.3 0.4 0.3 Taraxicum officinale 0.3 0.4 0.3 Vicia cracca 0.5 0.0 0.9 Agrostis capillaris 0.3 0.0 0.6 Arrhenatherum elatius 0.3 0.4 0.3 Bromus hordaceous 0.3 0.0 0.6 Cerastium fontanum 0.3 0.0 0.6 Cirsium acaule 0.3 0.0 0.6
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Crepis capillaris 0.3 0.7 0.0 Geranium molle 0.3 0.4 0.3 Senecia jacobea 0.3 0.0 0.6 Aira caryophyllea 0.2 0.4 0.0 Anthyllis vulneraria 0.2 0.4 0.0 Avena fatua 0.0 0.0 0.0 Bare 0.2 0.4 0.0 Bromus sterilis 0.0 0.0 0.0 Centaurium erythraea 0.2 0.4 0.0 Cirsium vulgare 0.2 0.4 0.0 Elytrigia repens 0.0 0.0 0.0 Heracleum sphondylium 0.2 0.4 0.0 Picris echioides 0.2 0.4 0.0 Plantago media 0.2 0.0 0.3 Potentilla reptans 0.2 0.0 0.3 Primula veris 0.2 0.0 0.3 Ranunculus acris 0.2 0.4 0.0 Rumex acetosa 0.2 0.0 0.3 Sonchus arvensis 0.2 0.0 0.3 Spergularia rupicola 0.2 0.4 0.0 Tripleurospermum 0.2 0.4 0.0 maritimum
Table 19: Location of MC11 Festuca rubra-Daucus carota ssp gumifer maritime grassland samples Sample No. Location Distance from NVC Veg. Management cliff edge community height Cliff Lane 12a Cliff top MC11a 20 Unmanaged cliff Cliff Lane 12b 2m MC11a 20 top field bordering Cliff Lane 12d 6m MC11a 30 wheat field. 40m Cliff Lane 12e 8m MC11a 20 from cliff edge to Cliff Lane 12f 13m MC11a 30 wheat. East of Barnes Unmanaged cliff High top buffer 10m 8m to electric 6 wide to electic fence fence and sheep 13e MC11a grazed field Sudmoor 20a Cliff edge MC11a 7 Unmanaged 25m Sudmoor cliff top buffer to 4m 8 fenced cattle 20b MC11a grazed field. West Chilton 3m trampled Unmanaged 14m 10 Chine 21b path MC11a cliff top buffer to
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fenced cattle grazed field. West Chilton Cliff top mown Chine 4m 25 buffer 20m wide to 22b MC11a maize crop Atherfield Point 5a Cliff Edge MC11a 15 Unmanaged rough Atherfield Point 5b 6m MC11a 20 grass Atherfield Point 5c 12m Path MC11a 5 Atherfield Point Cliff top buffer to wheat field 25m 5m 20 wide. Unmanaged 6b MC11a at time of survey. Cliff Lane 11c 6m MC11b Narrow
Cliff Lane 11d 8m MC11b unmanaged cliff
top field 10m wide bounded by 10m To bank Cliff Lane 11e MC11b fenced bank to and fence mown 25m buffer to maize field. Binnell Point 3a Cliff edge + path MC11b 1-25 Ungrazed cliff top Binnell Point 3b 4m MC11b 40 grassland to fence Binnell Point 3c 6m to fence MC11b 40 at 6m. Grazed cliff Binnell Point 3d 8m Field MC11b 7 top field. Binnell Point 3e 10m Field MC11b 4-6 Binnell Point 3f 12m Field MC11b 4-6 Binnell Point 4a Cliff edge MC11b 5 Ungrazed cliff top Binnell Point 4b 4m MC11b 15 grassland to fence Binnell Point 4c 6m MC11b 20 at 10m. Grazed Binnell Point 4d 8m MC11b 20 cliff top field. Binnell Point 4e 10m Path MC11b 2-3
5.5.3 Vegetation height Samples of MC11 grassland were generally rather tall with several samples over 30cm in height and a few of 40cm. However, shorter samples were also found along the cliff top path where trampling had a significant influence and reduced height to 4-6cm. Grazed samples were also recorded in cliff top fields at Binnell Point where vegetation was between 2-3cm.
5.5.4 Location of Isle of Wight examples Samples of MC11 were recorded along the south west coast of the Island from Sudmoor near Brook to Binnell Point east of St Catherine’s Point. Samples were not generally associated with any particular geological type although there was good representation on the calcareous chalk and upper greensand talus at Binnell Point. Samples were located from the cliff edge
Jonathan Cox Associates 52 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight landwards for up to 20m with an average distance from the cliff top of 10m. However, this was clearly a vegetation of more sheltered situations where maritime influence was reduced.
5.5.5 Management of Isle of Wight soft cliff examples Samples of this vegetation type were characteristic of the unmanaged rather rank cliff top grassland between the cliff top and fenced cliff top grasslands. However, in a few places, this community buffered cultivated cliff top fields as at transect 12 at Cliff Lane.
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6 Mesotrophic grasslands of the south coast 6.1 MG1 Arrhenatherum elatius grassland Examples of typical tall rather rank Arrhenatherum elatius grassland were recorded from the cliff top at two sites on the south coast of the island. In transect 21 west of Chilton Chine, this community occupied an area of unmanaged cliff top grassland and extended from the cliff edge landwards for up to 12m to the edge of a fenced field. At Cliff Lane, Brighstone, this community was also present within an unmanged field extending 33m inland from the cliff top.
In both locations, the vegetation was species poor and dominated by the tall rather rank false oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius. Associated species typically included Convolvulous arvensis, Plantago lanceolata, Cirsium arvense, Festuca rubra, Dactylis glomerata and Heracleum sphondylium.
Coastal influence in these grasslands appeared minimal with species indicative of MC communities being largely absent. The only exception being scattered plants of Daucus carota suggesting that with some management this grassland may revert to MC11 Festuca rubra- Daucus carota grassland.
6.2 MG6 Lolium perenne-Cynosurus cristatus grassland Vegetation included in this community comprises all examples of grassland that have been agriculturally semi-improved. Samples on the cliff tops are dominated by Lolium perenne, Festuca rubra or Agrostis stolonifera and are generally species poor. Samples include occasional plants of maritime cliff grasslands such as Lotus corniculatus and Daucus carota and species of more mesotrophic rank grasslands such as Cirsium arvense, Convolvulous arvensis and Ranunculus repens.
6.3 MG11 Festuca rubra-Agrostis stolonifera-Potentilla anserina grassland A few species poor samples of cliff top grassland were dominated almost exclusively by Agrostis stolonifera. These have been tentatively classified as species poor examples of MG11, although they could equally have been included with the MG6 category as they have clearly been subject to some degree of agricultural improvement. Associated species include scattered Festuca rubra and Daucus carota. All samples of this community were confined to one transect at Cliff Lane, Brighstone where they occured in a mown cliff top field landwards of an unmanaged species rich strip of coastal grassland.
Jonathan Cox Associates 54 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
7 Classification of previously undescribed pioneer communities of Vegetated Soft Cliffs. The previous section described the cliff top vegetation of the south coast of the Isle of Wight using existing vegetation communities described by the NVC. Although some sub-community types were apparently undescribed by the NVC and some samples were transitional between the described communities, TWINSPAN analysis was able to place the samples into the established vegetation descriptions provided by the NVC. By contrast, a group of vegetation communities are present on the cliffs of the Island that are clearly undescribed by the NVC. These are all confined to the slumping soft rock cliff faces and most are concentrated on northern Solent coast of the Island. In 1997, an preliminary analysis of this group of vegetation communities was undertaken using manual grouping of quadrat data (Cox, 1997). This produced a classification of four pioneer cliff communities termed P1 – P6.
P1 Tussilago farfara community P2 Tussilago farfara-Agrostis stolonifera community P3 Holcus lanatus pioneer grassland community P4 Phragmites australis-Calamagrostis epigejos-Equisetum telmateia wetland pioneer communities P5 Ononis repens-Daucus carota-Holcus lanatus pioneer calcareous grassland P6 Rumex acetosella-Ulex europaeus sandy community
P1 – P3 were described as successional stages of bare cliff colonisation following the initial establishment of the ubiquitous coltsfoot Tussilago farfara, with the P3 Holcus lanatus community forming an open, seasonally wet, pioneer mesotrophic grassland.
P4 was split into two sub-communities with P4a being a Phragmites dominated vegetation with similarities to S4 Phragmites australis reed swamp, although distinguished from it by the presence of abundant pioneer species from P1 and P2 communities.
P4b was described as a mixed Equisetum telmateia, Phragmites reed bed found in more open, earlier successional phases of the community in which Equisetum telmateia is constant and Phragmites is a common and often abundant component.
P5 and P6 were further stages in the succession from bare cliff to established grassland with P5 being a pioneer calcareous grassland of marly clays and limestones and P6 a pioneer acid grassland of sandy cliffs.
As part of this project, quadrat data from communities P1-P4 from the 1997 survey have been combined with further sampling undertaken in 2009 and analysed using TWINSPAN and DECORANA. This produced a new classification that splits the vegetation into five groups. These and the corresponding communities identified from the 1997 survey are shown in table 20.
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Group 1 Calamagrostis epigejos - P4: Phragmites australis-Calamagrostis Phragmites australis epigejos-Equisetum telmateia wetland pioneer Community communities P4a Phragmites australis sub-community Group 2 Equisetum telmateia P4b Equisetum telmateia-Phragmites australis sub-community Group 3 Equisetum telmataia-Tussilago farfara Group 4 Tussilago farfara P1: Tussilago farfara community P2: Tussilago farfara-Agrostis stolonifera community Group 5 Pioneer calcareous grassland P5: Ononis repens-Daucus carota-Holcus lanatus pioneer calcareous grassland P3: Holcus lanatus pioneer grassland community P6: Rumex acetosella-Ulex europaeus sandy community Table 20: Relationship between 2010 classification and 1997 survey pioneer communities
Jonathan Cox Associates 56 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
7.1 Group 1: Calamagrostis epigejos -Phragmites australis wet cliff 7.1.1 Vegetation description This a tall vegetation of up to 1.75m in height, found only on the northern shore of the Island where slumping wet clays form a series of cliff face terraces on which this community develops. It is dominated by the tall reed like grasses wood small-reed Calamagrostis epigejos and common reed Phragmites australis. However, this community has a constant under storey layer dominated by Tussilago farfara and commonly with Pulicaria dysenterica and Equisetum telmateia. A range of other wet grassland and fen species occur including Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Festuca arundanacea, Eupatorium cannabinum, Blackstonia perfoliata and Juncus inflexus. It may be that there are two distinct communities here, one dominated by Calamagrostis and the other by Phragmites. However, the general appearance of this community is one in which the two reed grasses form an intimate mosaic, possibly with the Calamagrostis occupying the drier areas and the Phragmites the wetter parts of the cliff face slumps. This patchiness accounts for the fact that some samples lack one or other of these two species whilst others contain both species in abundance.
Table 21: Constancy table for Group 1 pioneer vegetation Species Frequency (1-5) Species Frequency (1-5) Tussilago farfara 5.0 Ononis repens 0.5 Pulicaria dysenterica 4.5 Ulex europeaus 0.5 Calamagrostis epigejos 4.5 Melilotus altissimus 0.5 Phragmites australis 3.2 Plantago lanceolata 0.5 Equisetum telmateia 2.3 Potentilla reptans 0.5 Rubus fruticosus 2.3 Teucrium scorodonium 0.5 Bare 1.8 Viola riviniana 0.5 Brachypodium sylvaticum 1.8 Epilobium hirsutum 0.5 Cirsium arvense 1.4 Agrimonia eupatoria 0.5 Dactylorhiza fuchsii 1.4 Cirsium palustre 0.5 Rubia peregrina 1.4 Daucus carota 0.5 Festuca arundanacea 0.9 Genista tinctoria 0.5 Festuca ovina 0.9 Juncus articulatus 0.5 Eupatorium cannabinum 0.9 Trifolium campestre 0.5 Holcus lanatus 0.5 Vicia sativa 0.5 Blackstonia perfoliata 0.5 Cornus sanguinea 0.5 Juncus inflexus 0.5 Senecio jacobea 0.5 Carex flacca 0.5 Agrostis canina 0.5 Salix cinerea seedling 0.5 Euphorbia amygdaloides 0.5 Lotus corniculatus 0.5 Glechoma hederacea 0.5 Lotus pedunculatus 0.5 Lathyrus pratensis 0.5
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7.1.2 Habitat This vegetation forms a distinctive habitat on the soft slumping clay cliffs on the north of the Isle of Wight. It forms dense and almost impenetrable stands often associated with clumps of Salix cinerea scrub. Although superficially appearing as reed beds, this vegetation is only seasonally wet, often drying during the summer to leave a hard baked cracked clay crust beneath the canopy of tall reed-like grasses. Although not a swamp in the true sense, the vegetation clearly has similarities to reed swamp vegetation and fen described in the NVC.
7.1.3 Zonation and succession This vegetation type forms a clear position in the mosaic of successional communities found on the cliff slumps on the north of the Island. It is derived from the early pioneer communities dominated by Tussilago farfara and this species and its constituent associates remain as a constant understorey to the much taller reed like grasses. As the vegetation matures, it becomes colonised by Rubus fruticosus and eventually Salix cinerea, Betula spp. and locally Alnus glutinosa.
7.1.4 Distribution of examples All examples of this vegetation were sampled between Gurnard and Hamstead on the north west shore of the Isle of Wight. However, this community extends all along the north shore of the Island from the Bouldnor cliffs in the west to Osborne Bay on the north east. Further Phragmites dominated stands occur on the undercliffs on the south coast of the Island between Chale and St Catherines Point. These south coast undercliff examples of reed dominated vegetation were not sampled as part of this survey, but have been described by both Simon Colenut (Ecosa, 2002) and Richard Collingridge (Collingridge, 2002). They lack several of the wet clay associates found on the north shore, in particular Calamagrostis epigejos, and are better considered as a separate Phragmites community. Further analysis of the quadrat data produced by Richard Tollhurst in 1996 may help seperate these south coast reed beds.
7.1.5 Affinities This community has clear affinities with both the S4 Phragmites australis reed swamp and S25 Phragmites-Eupatorium reed fen described by the NVC. However, the distinctive habitat of this vegetation forms neither a swamp nor a true fen and its associated species and successions although having affinities with these two communities are also quite distinctive.
In 1997, this mixed Phragmites-Calamagrostis community was termed P4a and described as a sub-community of the wider mix of P4 Phragmites australis-Calamagrostis epigejos-Equisetum telmateia wetland pioneer communities. However, the current analysis tends to split the Equisetum dominated part of the community and place it with the Tussilago farfara group of early pioneer communities.
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Figure 4: Phragmites australis dominated version of the Phragmites australis-Calamagrostis epigejos pioneer inundation community with surrounding Salix cinerea scrub
Jonathan Cox Associates 59 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
7.2 Group 2 Equisetum telmateia 7.2.1 Vegetation description This vegetation is dominated by the giant horsetail Equisetum telmateia. It develops on seasonally wet clays and is particularly abundant on the north coast of the Island forming a mosaic with the reed grass dominated community in Group 1. The Equisetum temateia can grow to a metre in height and in summer conceals the deep cracks in the underlying clay crust. Bare clay is a feature of the habitat as are the precursor scattered pioneer species such as Tussilago farfara, Juncus inflexus and Pulicaria dysenterica. There is also evidence that this community is in turn a precursor of the taller reed grass vegetation as both Phragmites and Calamagrostis occur as frequent tufts and clumps together with tussocks of Festuca arundanacea. Other associates include species of neutral grassland for example, Lotus corniculatus, Carex flacca, Centaurea nigra, Blackstonia perfoliata and Dactylorhiza fuchsii.
Table 22: Constancy table for Group 2 pioneer vegetation Species Frequency (1-5) Species Frequency (1-5) Equisetum telmateia 5.0 Centaurium erythraea 0.6 Bare 4.4 Leontodon hispidus 0.6 Pulicaria dysenterica 4.4 Lotus pedunculatus 0.6 Juncus inflexus 2.5 Deschampsia cespitosa 0.6 Tussilago farfara 1.9 Ulex europeaus 0.6 Brachypodium sylvaticum 1.9 Rubia peregrina 0.6 Holcus lanatus 1.9 Senecia jacobea 0.6 Calamagrostis epigejos 1.9 Euphrasia agg. 0.6 Phragmites australis 1.9 Quercus robur 0.6 Picris echioides 1.9 Eupatorium cannabinum 0.6 Rubus fruticosus 1.9 Hypochoeris radicata 0.6 Festuca arundanacea 1.9 Trifolium pratense 0.6 Prunella vulgaris 1.9 Agrimonia eupatoria 0.6 Salix cinerea seedling 1.9 Genista tinctoria 0.6 Lotus corniculatus 1.9 Juncus articulatus 0.6 Senecio erucifolia 1.9 Leucanthemum vulgare 0.6 Potentilla reptans 1.9 Cornus sanguinea 0.6 Cirsium arvense 1.3 Senecio jacobea 0.6 Blackstonia perfoliata 1.3 Fraxinus excelsior seedling 0.6 Agrostis stolonifera 1.3 Galium verum 0.6 Carex flacca 1.3 Hypericum hirsutum 0.6 Centaurea nigra 1.3 Iris pseudacorus 0.6 Dactylorhiza fuchsii 1.3 Ligustrum vulgare 0.6 Dipsacus fullonum 1.3 Phylitis scolopendrium 0.6 Lathyrus pratensis 1.3 Sambucus nigra 0.6 Ononis repens 1.3 Typha latifolia 0.6
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Dactylis glomerata 1.3 Epilobium hirsutum 1.3 Festuca rubra 1.3 Rumex crispus 1.3 Sonchus arvensis 1.3 Trifolium repens 1.3 Vicia cracca 1.3
7.2.2 Habitat The Equisetum telmateia community is found occupying the seasonally wet clay cliff ledges and is particularly common on the north coast of the Isle of Wight. It forms part of the complex mosaic of pioneer vegetation types associated with these slumping cliffs. In normally occurs on slightly base rich clays and marls and hence can have a distinctive calcareous grassland flavour with species such as Blackstonia perfoliata, Carex flacca, Ononis repens and Lotus corniculatus being locally common, indeed, on drier more mature cliff slopes, there are transitions to the pioneer calcareous grassland community in Group 5.
7.2.3 Zonation and succession The Equisetum telmateia community appears to develop from the more open Tussilago farfara dominated early pioneer community where neutral to base enriched wet clays occur. These typically form ledges or terraces formed by the rotational shear slips. As they mature, these slips may become colonised by Calamagrostis epigejos and Phragmites australis and then in turn by Salix cinerea dominated scrub. If the slip becomes sufficiently dry, then a grassland community can develop that evolves into a pioneer calcareous grassland or the calcareous Galium verum sub-community of the Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra grassland (MG5b).
7.2.4 Distribution of examples Examples of this Equisetum telmateia dominated community are very extensive on the slumping wet cliffs of Bouldnor and Hamstead. Other examples occur on the Gurnard to Hamstead section of coast and to the west of Yarmouth between Sconce Point and Cliff End. This is an uncommon vegetation type on the south coast of the Island although Collingridge (2002) refers to local flushes dominated by Equisetum telmateia occurring between St Catherine’s Point and Shanklin.
7.2.5 Affinities This very distinctive community is not described by the NVC. The 1997 survey considered this Equisetum telmateia dominated vegetation a component of a wider group of pioneer wetland vegetation with the Equisetum dominated version being classified as P4b. This analysis considers the Equisetum telmateia dominated vegetation to be a distinctive and separate community.
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7.3 Group 3 Equisetum telmateia-Tussilago farfara 7.3.1 Vegetation description This community is a precursor to Group 2 in which Equisetum telmateia and Tussilago farfara are co-dominant components of the vegetation. Bare ground is also a constant and often dominant feature of the community with cover values of Domin 6-8 (26-75%). Other pioneer grasses and herbs are also a feature and these may become increasingly shaded as the vegetation becomes dominated by Equisetum telmateia.
Table 23: Constancy table for Group 3 pioneer vegetation Species Frequency (1-5) Species Frequency (1-5) Equisetum telmateia 5.0 Hypochoeris radicata 0.7 Tussilago farfara 5.0 Ranunculus repens 0.7 Holcus lanatus 3.6 Prunella vulgaris 0.4 Cirsium arvense 2.5 Lotus corniculatus 0.4 Pulicaria dysenterica 2.5 Quercus robur 0.4 Phragmites australis 2.5 Betula pendula 0.4 Picris echioides 2.1 Trifolium campestre 0.4 Juncus inflexus 2.1 Anagallis arvensis 0.4 Agrostis stolonifera 2.1 Carex sylvatica 0.4 Brachypodium sylvaticum 1.8 Carlina vulgaris 0.4 Blackstonia perfoliata 1.4 Clinopodium vulgare 0.4 Calamagrostis epigejos 1.4 Rumex acetosa 0.4 Centaurium erythraea 1.4 Sonchus oleraceous 0.4 Deschampsia cespitosa 1.4 Leontodon hispidus 0.4 Rubus fruticosus 1.1 Melilotus altissima 0.4 Festuca arundanacea 1.1 Epilobium hirsutum 0.4 Salix cinerea seedling 1.1 Festuca rubra 0.4 Lathyrus pratensis 1.1 Juncus articulatus 0.4 Ulex europeaus 1.1 Rumex crispus 0.4 Teucrium scorodonium 1.1 Mentha aquatica 0.4 Dipsacus fullonum 0.7 Senecio erucifolia 0.7 Cirsium vulgare 0.7
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Figure 5: Equisetum telmateia-Tussilago farfara community
7.3.2 Habitat As with group 2, this is a component of the mosaic of vegetation found on the seasonally wet clay cliffs of the Island.
7.3.3 Zonation and succession This mixed community sits between the more mature Equisetum telmateia dominated community of Group 2 and the early pioneer Tussilago farfara community in Group 4. It is distinguished from Group 2 by the co-dominance of Tussilago farfara and much more open structure in which bare ground forms a major component and a variety of other pioneer grasses and herbs form a conspicuous component. It is distinguished from Group 4 by the abundance of Equisetum telmateia and the much greater diversity of associated pioneer species.
7.3.4 Distribution of examples This community was sampled between Gurnard and Hamstead, Hamstead to Bouldnor and between Sconce Point and Cliff End along the north west coast of the Island. It also occurs in smaller stands within the more wooded coastal slopes between Osborne Bay and Ryde.
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7.3.5 Affinities As with the previous community, the NVC does not describe any communities dominated by Tussilago farfara or Equisetum telmateia. The 1997 survey did not distinguish a separate community between the open ground Group 4 and the denser Equisetum dominated Group 2.
7.4 Group 4 Tussilago farfara 7.4.1 Vegetation description This is an early pioneer community that develops on freshly exposed clay cliffs on both the north and south coasts of the Island. Bare clay remains the dominant feature of the community with Tussilago farfara forming a conspicuous and often almost mono-specific vegetation cover. More sampling of this community may well be able to distinguish a range of sub-communities that relate to stages in the colonisation of this open Tussilago dominated community with grasses and grassland species. Holcus lanatus is the only constant species to colonise alongside the Tussilago in the quadrat samples currently available, but Agrostis stolonifera is also very frequent and was identified as a separate sub-type in the 1997 survey. Ruderal species are also common early colonists of this community with Picris echioides, Cirsium arvense and Dipsacus fulonum being common. Species of subsequent phases of the succession may also be present including Calamagrostis epigejos on wetter clays and grassland species such as Blackstonia perfoliata, Centaurea nigra and Carex flacca on slightly drier clays. Another interesting feature of this community is the local presence of Atriplex prostrata. This occurs on the lower cliff slopes where an element of salt spray gives the community a weak maritime character.
Table 24: Constancy table for Group 4 pioneer vegetation Species Frequency (1-5) Species Frequency (1-5) Bare 5 Lathyrus pratensis 1 Tussilago farfara 5 Ononis repens 1 Holcus lanatus 4 Deschampsia cespitosa 1 Cirsium arvense 4 Senecio erucifolia 1 Pulicaria dysenterica 3 Ulex europeaus 1 Picris echioides 3 Senecia jacobea 1 Blackstonia perfoliata 3 Teucrium scorodonium 1 Agrostis stolonifera 3 Quercus robur 1 Brachypodium sylvaticum 2 Achillea millifolium 1 Rubus fruticosus 2 Cirsium vulgare 1 Festuca arundanacea 2 Arrhenatherum elatius 1 Salix cinerea seedling 2 Daucus carota 1 Centaurium erythraea 2 Hypericum pulchrum 1 Dipsacus fullonum 2 Leucanthemum vulgare 1 Dactylis glomerata 2 Atriplex prostrata 1 Melilotus altissima 2 Crepis capillaris 1 Betula pendula 2 Juncus effusus 1 Calamagrostis epigejos 1
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Juncus inflexus 1 Carex flacca 1 Centaurea nigra 1 Festuca ovina 1 Dactylorhiza fuchsii 1 Lotus corniculatus 1
7.4.2 Habitat This is a disturbed ground early pioneer habitat of freshly exposed clay cliff slopes. It is dominated by bare clay and the distinctive leaves of coltsfoot Tussilago farfara. Scattered through the vegetation are early colonists of bare ground. Most consistent of these is Holcus lanatus with Agrostis stolonifera also being very common. This community occurs as a component of the often jumbled mix of vegetation found on the slumping and eroding soft rock cliffs of the Island. This means that species from precursor vegetation may hang on following a recent cliff fall and ‘contaminate’ the community with species of later successional phases. Equally, the intimate mosaic of vegetation that develops provides for local sources of propagules to colonise these newly exposed substrates so grassland and tall reed like grasses may rapidly become established whilst the creeping rhizomes of Equisetum telmateia can soon penetrate this open pioneer community.
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Figure 6: Mixed pioneer vegetation of soft clay cliffs with Tussilago farfara community on fresh cliff slumps merging into Equisetum telmateia dominated vegetation with Calamagrostis epigejos in the foreground
7.4.3 Zonation and succession This is the first vegetation community to become established on freshly exposed clay cliffs on the Isle of Wight. These are created around the rotational shear slips that dominate the process of erosion and create the complex of mudslides, slump pools and steeper terminal and side slopes upon which this community becomes established. There is a rapid colonisation of this community by grassland species, taller reed like grasses and by Equisetum telmateia. The dominance of these three components may be related to the wetness of the clay with Phragmites and Calamagrostis occupying the wettest clays, Equisetum telmateia dominating on summer droughting but winter wet clays and grasslands developing on more stable and better draining clays.
7.4.4 Distribution of examples This community is widespread around the Isle of Wight soft rock cliffs occurring both on the north and south coasts where clay cliffs are exposed by erosion. Only five quadrat were used in the analysis of this vegetation taken from the Gurnard to Hamstead and Hamstead to Bouldnor sections of the coast.
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7.4.5 Affinities Vegetation dominated by Tussilago farfara is not described in the NVC and this community would not appear to have affinities with any of the described NVC communities. However, there is clearly a strong relationship between this community and those that develop from it described in groups 1 – 3 above.
The 1997 survey identified two Tussilago farfara dominated communities described as the P1 Tussilago farfara community and P2 Tussilago farfara-Agrostis stolonifera community. It may be there are a number of sub-communities of the Tussilago farfara dominated pioneer vegetation but this analysis has grouped them together under one community as Group 4.
Figure 7: Mudslide or mud ‘glacier’ at Thorness Bay with Tussilago farfara colonising side slopes and patches of woodland ground flora forming islands floating down the mudslide from the ancient woodland cliff top
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7.5 Group 5 Pioneer calcareous grassland 7.5.1 Vegetation description This is another pioneer vegetation community that develops from the open bare clay Tussilago farfara dominated community described in Group 4. Bare clay is still a constant feature of the community with cover values of up to 75%. Equisetum telmateia and Brachypodium sylvaticum are very frequent but with low cover values. Dominant species tend to be very variable with some samples dominated by Carex flacca with others dominated by patches of Festuca ovina, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Leontodon hispidus or Pilosella officinarum. These single species patches give the community a distinctive calcareous grassland appearance. This is reinforced by the local occurrence of species such as Linum catharticum, Ononis repens, Euphrasia agg., Briza media, Cirsium acaule and Thymus polytrichus.
Table 25: Constancy table for Group 5 pioneer vegetation Frequency (1- Species Frequency (1-5) Species 5) Bare 5.0 Cynosurus cristatus 1.3 Equisetum telmateia 4.4 Ranunculus bulbosus 1.3 Brachypodium sylvaticum 4.4 Calamagrostis epigejos 0.6 Carex flacca 4.4 Centaurium erythraea 0.6 Prunella vulgaris 3.8 Dipsacus fullonum 0.6 Centaurea nigra 3.8 Dactylis glomerata 0.6 Festuca ovina 3.8 Melilotus altissima 0.6 Leontodon hispidus 3.8 Potentilla reptans 0.6 Lotus pedunculatus 3.8 Rubia peregrina 0.6 Blackstonia perfoliata 3.1 Quercus robur 0.6 Festuca arundanacea 3.1 Arrhenatherum elatius 0.6 Linum catharticum 3.1 Cirsium palustre 0.6 Pilosella officinarum 3.1 Hypericum pulchrum 0.6 Picris echioides 2.5 Vicia sativa 0.6 Plantago lanceolata 2.5 Cardus tenuiflorus 0.6 Plantago media 2.5 Fragaria vesca 0.6 Pulicaria dysenterica 1.9 Galium mollugo 0.6 Rubus fruticosus 1.9 Primula vulgaris 0.6 Ononis repens 1.9 Senecia jacobea 1.9 Euphrasia agg. 1.9 Viola riviniana 1.9 Briza media 1.9 Cirsium acaule 1.9 Hedera helix 1.9 Thymus polytrichus 1.9
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Holcus lanatus 1.3 Cirsium arvense 1.3 Dactylorhiza fuchsii 1.3 Lotus corniculatus 1.3 Achillea millifolium 1.3 Trifolium pratense 1.3
7.5.2 Habitat This is a community of maturing calcareous clays and marls, mostly found along the north coast of the Isle of Wight. As with the other pioneer communities described in groups 1-4, it forms a component of the complex jumble of vegetation that develops on these slumping cliff faces. This pioneer grassland community tends to develop on the better draining ridges and raised platforms that are thrown up by the slipping cliffs. Patches of this grassy vegetation may be maintained by rabbit grazing which can become locally quite intense. This helps to create a calcareous grassland appearance but also maintains the presence of bare open clay that remains a feature of the habitat.
7.5.3 Zonation and succession This is a community that develops from the open Tussilago farfara vegetation in group 4. Rabbit grazing can maintain it as an increasingly stable calcareous grassland vegetation although the patches of open grassland gradually decline as bramble and other scrub species colonise, ultimately being displaced by dense Crataegus monogyna scrub (W21).
7.5.4 Distribution of examples This community is common on the slipping calcareous clay cliffs between Gurnard and Hamstead, west of Yarmouth and to the east of the island around Kings Quay. Vegetation similar to this also occurs on the Bonchurch Landslips to the south of the Island although quadrat samples have not been obtained from this area.
7.5.5 Affinities This pioneer calcareous grassland community is clearly related to the Tussilago farfara community in Group 4 from which it develops. As it matures it may form stable calcareous grassland that can be classified either as Galium verum sub-community of the Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra community (MG5b) or possibly as a version of CG2 Festuca ovina- Avenula pratensis grassland. Pioneer neutral and acid grassland analogues of this community were also identified in the 1997 survey with the neutral grassland community being termed P3 Holcus lanatus pioneer community and the acid grassland as P6 Rumex acetosella-Ulex europeaus community. To maintain consistency with the new classification these have been renamed Group 6 and Group 7 communities and are described below.
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7.5.6 Group 6 (formerly P3) Holcus lanatus pioneer grassland community
7.5.7 Vegetation description and habitat This community represents a further stage in the succession from open ground pioneer vegetation to established grassland swards. It generally has a rather tall tussocky structure with intervening areas of bare ground associated with cracks created by summer drying of the clay, marls and silty clay substrates on which this community occurs. Species diversity is generally lower than in pioneer Group 4, as coarse rank grasses such as Holcus lanatus, Dactylis glomerata and Agrostis stolonifera become established and shade out other herbaceous species. As with other communities in this succession, the cliff faces on which it occurs are generally very wet during the winter and are subject to drying and cracking during the summer. On marl clays, the community has tendencies towards the calcareous pioneer community (Group 5) and can often have a low cover of Brachypodium sylvaticum and scattered plants of calcicole species such as Blackstonia perfoliata. This is however an essentially mesotrophic community in which species of mesotrophic or slightly calcareous terrestrial grassland occur including Ononis repens, Genista tinctoria, Agrimonia eupatoria, Hypericum perforatum and Lotus corniculatus.
The recently disturbed nature of this community is however in evidence with ruderal species such as Cirsium arvense, Picris echioides and Dipsacus fullonum occurring occasionally.
7.5.7.1 Zonation and succession This community occupies a position in the succession from open pioneer communities and established cliff grassland swards. It develops from the Group 4 Tussilago farfara community into a taller, denser sward in which most of the pioneer species are precluded. Open ground constants of those communities such as Tussilago farfara are consequently much reduced in abundance. In its most mature state this grassland develops into mesotrophic swards of Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra community (MG5) or Arrhenatherum elatius community (MG1). Examples of the transition from this pioneer community to MG5 occur at Hamstead and Thorness where the established cliff top grassland is MG5. At locations on the south coast of the Island at Brook and on Redcliff near Sandown, this pioneer community shows transitions to more rank, cliff face MG1 Arrhenatherum elatius grassland.
7.5.8 Distribution of examples This community is not described by the National Vegetation Classification and there is no information on its distribution in Britain. On the Isle of Wight it is a rather uncommon community occurring in a few places on the Gurnard to Hamstead coast and with localised occurrences at Whitecliff Bay, Redcliff and Brook.
7.5.8.1 Affinities Although clearly related to MG5 this community lacks most or all of the constant species that typify that community. It is interesting to note that this community tends to develop into more rank MG1 Arrhenatherum elatius grasslands which lack the short open sward of MG5, that in agricutural grasslands is sustained by grazing or mowing.
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This community also has close parallels with the Group 5 calcareous community in which calcicole species are abundant. It might be suggested that Group 5 and 6 communities occupy a similar position in the succession from bare ground but that the latter is associated with mesotrophic substrates and the former with more calcareous substrates.
7.6 Group 7 (formerly P6): Rumex acetosella-Ulex europaeus sandy community The 1997 survey identified an acid grassland community that is also an analogue of the Group 5 calcareous grassland poineer grassland. This develops on soft sandy cliffs. It was described as a pioneer community of sandy slumping cliff faces. Holcus lanatus is the only constant species, with Agrostis stolonifera being frequent on the wetter sands and Agrostis capillaris on the better drained sands. Associated herbaceous species are generally few and characterised by acid grassland species such as Galium saxatile, Rumex acetosella, Erodium cicutarium and the clovers, Trifolium scabrum, T. pratense and T. repens. A weedy element to the flora is provided by the presence of Cardus tenuiflorus and Senecio jacobea, both of which were recorded as being common. A number of more mesotrophic species of freely draining soils also occur, most commonly Ononis repens and Centaurium erythrea. Scattered plants of Ulex europaeus were also frequent, especially as this community gives way through succession to more mature acid grassland and scrub communities.
This acid community is the first stage in a succession from open sandy sediment to acid grassland and mixed Pteridium aquilinum/Ulex europaeus scrub.
This community is not described by the NVC although it has features in common with the U1 acid grassland community. On the Isle of Wight it occurs on the south coast between Compton Chine and Nodes Point, on the windblown sand deposits on the cliff top to the south of Whale Chine, at Redcliff and again on exposures of lower greensand at Barnes High where it occurs in association with cliff top exposures of sandy alluvial deposits where there are good transitions to better established U1 acid grassland.
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8 Methodology to assess the condition of the cliff top buffer zone An initial objective of this project was to relate the condition of the cliff top habitat to the condition of the cliff face. Quadrat sampling from the cliff top was used to classify cliff top vegetation types and qualitative sampling was used to assess the condition of the associated cliff face.
The results of this analysis showed little evidence of a relationship between the vegetation on the cliff top and the associated vegetation of the cliff face. This was due to a number of factors.
In many sections of the south coast cliffs, the cliff top is capped with a layer of brick earth or alluvium that differs geologically from the cliff face where there are exposures of Wealden and Lower Cretaceous strata of contrasting character. Similarly, on the north coast of the Island, many sections of cliff in the Bouldnor and Hamstead section of coast are capped with plateau gravels which contrast with the Hamstead Beds that are exposed in the cliff face. This contrast of geology between cliff top and cliff face means that the natural vegetation of the cliff top is distinct from that found on the cliff face. Attempting to determine the condition of the vegetation of the cliff face by reference to that on the cliff top is made almost impossible by these differences in geology.
Although the vegetation condition of the cliff face cannot be directly related to that found on the cliff top, it is apparent that the management of the cliff top grassland is likely to have an influence on the ecological condition of the cliff face. The following objectives have been developed for the management of the cliff top, taking into account the features of the cliff face that make them of high nature conservation importance.
1 The cliff top should support semi-natural vegetation so that the vegetation and soils that erode over the cliff edge are in a largely semi-natural state – i.e. they are without obvious influence of agricultural chemicals (fertiliser, herbicide or other pesticides). The semi-natural cliff top should be wide enough to survive at least 10 years of erosion.
2 The cliff top should be managed to allow the development of a full transition from maritime to terrestrial vegetation. In exposed cliff tops on the south coast this transition zone may extend inland much further than on top of the sheltered and much wider slumped cliff zone on the north of the Island.
3 Management of cliff top should provide habitat of value to the assemblage of insects associated with cliff face. This will include; i provision of nectar and pollen sources extending through the nectar feeding insect’s flight periods, ii Provision of structurally varied vegetation to include short and open turf and taller tussocky swards, iii Provision of specific food plants for phytophagous insect larvae for example, kidney vetch for small blue butterfly larvae iv Provision of over-wintering habitats for insects including dead stems and tussocks.
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4 Cliff top vegetation should aim to provide habitat for farmland birds associated with the adjacent farmed landscape including seed and invertebrate food sources and nest sites for ground nesting species.
5 Where the cliff top supports woodland, management should ensure that; i there is provision for sufficient width of this habitat extending inland to allow woodland to remain on the cliff top as the cliff recedes, ii that the eroding cliff edge supports semi-natural woodland so that introduced tree species are not able to colonise the cliff face and to ensure that semi-natural woodland is eroded onto the cliff face.
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9 Methodology to assess the condition of cliff top habitats Using the objectives outlined in section 9 it is possible to assess the condition of the cliff top habitat along the north west and south west coasts of the Island. A number of sources of information have been used for this assessment. These are reviewed in relation to the above five objectives.
9.1 1 Method for assessing the semi-natural status of cliff top vegetation The transects used in this survey were located at intervals along the coast to sample the transition from cliff top to terrestrial habitats. In addition, information has been gathered on the location of cliff top environmental stewardship schemes. These ensure that the cliff top zone is maintained as grassland without the application of artificial fertiliser or herbicide. The combination of field data and information on cliff top management can be combined to identify the extent of semi-natural cliff top habitat on these two sections of the Islands coast.
9.2 2 Method for assessment of cliff top transition from maritime to terrestrial vegetation The transects and other sampling points were established to record the landward extent of maritime influence from the cliff top. This was defined as the extent of vegetation communities assignable to either one of the maritime cliff communities described in section 6 or to the extent of other semi-natural vegetation i.e. un-sown vegetation not obviously affected by the application of fertiliser or herbicide.
9.3 3 Method for assessment of insect habitat The structure and management of the cliff top vegetation at the transect locations can be assessed against the objectives using a combination of quadrat data, field notes and photographs of each transect location.
9.4 4 Method for assessment of habitat for farmland birds The value of each habitat as nesting and feeding habitat for breeding birds can be assessed for each transect using a combination of quadrat data, field notes and photographs of each transect location.
9.5 5 Method for assessment of woodland management Where semi-natural woodland extends to the cliff top an assessment of this can be made by reference to the width of the cliff top woodland belt and presence of alien species. Where plantation woodland is at the cliff top, an assessment can be made of its threat to the cliff face from natural seeding.
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10 Cliff recession rates To assess whether the cliff top buffer zone is wide enough to meet the objectives identified in section 9 data on cliff erosion rates has been obtained and compared with the width of the current semi-natural cliff top vegetation zone. A ten and twenty year erosion threshold has been calculated using the rates for the 12 Coastal Behaviour Units (CBU) identified by Halcrow for English Nature in 2002 and the two rates used for the south coast in the Shoreline Management Plan 2 (draft March 2010).
Comparing these rates of erosion, it is apparent that at a number of transect locations on the south coast, the current buffer width is greater than the maximum level of erosion predicted for the next 20 years. However, there are several locations where erosion will result in the loss of the current cliff top buffer using both the SMP and Halcrow predictions over the next 20 years. These locations are highlighted in red in table 26. For several other locations, erosion rate would result in the loss of the buffer over 20 years using the Halcrow maximum erosion rate but not using the SMP rate. These are highlighted in orange in table 26. The data in table 26 is represented graphically in figure 8.
Width of buffer/ SMP 10 year SMP 20 year Halcrow 10 Halcrow 20 Transect maritime erosion erosion year erosion year erosion influence (m) T1 28 5.8 11.6 6.6 13.2 T2 28 5.8 11.6 6.6 13.2 T20 18 5.8 11.6 6.6 13.2 T21 14 5.8 11.6 6.6 13.2 T22 20 5.8 11.6 6.6 13.2 T19 30 5.8 11.6 9.4 18.8 T11 10 5.8 11.6 7.4 14.8 T12 13 5.8 11.6 7.4 14.8 T13 8 5.8 11.6 7.4 14.8 T14 8 5.8 11.6 7.4 14.8 T5 30 8.6 17.2 13.4 26.8 T6 25 8.6 17.2 10.4 20.8 T8 17 8.6 17.2 12.8 25.6 T9 31 8.6 17.2 12.8 25.6 T10 16 8.6 17.2 20.8 41.6 T3 12 3.2 6.4
T4 12 5.4 1.6
Table 26: Comparison of erosion rate and buffer width at transects on the south west coast of the Isle of Wight. Transects listed in order from west to east.
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SMP erosion rate calculated for SMP 21, Halcrow erosion rates calculated for English Nature for Halcrow in 20022.
45
40
35 Width of buffer/maritime 30 influence (m) SMP 10 year erosion 25 SMP 20 year erosion 20
Halcrow 10 year erosion 15
Halcrow 20 year erosion 10
5
0 T1 T2 T20 T21 T22 T19 T11 T12 T13 T14 T5 T6 T8 T9 T10 T3 T4
Figure 8: Comparision of erosion rates and cliff top buffer width on south coast transects. See assessment tables in section 12 for details of transect locations and management.
On the north coast of the Island, transect data is not sufficient to provide the same level of assessment. However, on most sections of the coast, the cliff top semi-natural vegetation is very narrow and is often backed with agriculturally improved grassland. Data on predicted erosion rates have been taken from SMP2 to assess whether the width of cliff top is wide enough to meet the management objectives in the following section.
1 Isle of Wight Council, 2010. Isle of Wight Shoreline Management Plan 2. 2 Halcrow Group Ltd. 2002. Hanover Point to Steephill Cove, Isle of Wight. Cliff Instability and Recession Projection. Report to English Nature.
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11 Assessment of cliff top habitat The following tables provide an assessment of the cliff top at all 23 transects sampled as part of this project, together with a number of additional sample sites from where quadrat data was collected. For each site, an assessment has been made against the objectives identified in section 9 using the methodology described in section 10. Where the cliff top does not meet the objectives it has been assessed as being in unfavourable condition. Where the objectives are met, the cliff top has been assessed as being in favourable condition. On a number of cliff tops, management is now in place to restore semi-natural conditions and in these cases, the cliff top may have been assessed as being in unfavourable but recovering condition.
The sites are listed geographically from west to east, firstly for the south coast between Compton Chine and Binnell Bay and then for the north coast between Bouldnor Cliff to Gurnard Cliff.
Locations of transects and sample points are shown in figure 1.
A thumb-nail photograph is included in the assessment table for each site. These photographs are reproduced in larger format in a separate annex.
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11.1 South Coast Assessment Management Objective 1: Objective 2: Cliff Objective 3: Objective 4: Bird Objective 5: Semi-natural top transition Insect habitat habitat Woodland cliff top management vegetation T17 Compton Unmanaged cliff Favourable Favourable Favourable Favourable N/A Chine top buffer fenced from grazed cliff top pasture Comment Semi-natural Transition Grazed and Cliff top pasture N/A vegetation extends back ungrazed semi- provides some extends back into cliff top natural potential nesting into cliff top pasture vegetation habitat pasture provides good insect habitat T18 Compton Cliff top Favourable Unfavourable Favourable Favourable N/A Cutting grassland to recovering fence and semi- improved grazed pasture Comment Cliff top with Transition to Good insect Potential nesting N/A 14m maritime semi-improved habitat habitat cliff vegetation grass field reverting to semi-natural condition T1 Brook Chine Grazed cliff face Favourable Unfavourable Favourable Unfavourable N/A (East 1) and cliff top, no recovering cliff top fence
Jonathan Cox Associates 78 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Management Objective 1: Objective 2: Cliff Objective 3: Objective 4: Bird Objective 5: Semi-natural top transition Insect habitat habitat Woodland cliff top management vegetation Comment Extends inland Grazed transition Grazing creates Grassland too N/A 21m to semi- good disturbed and improved structurally and short as bird grassland species diversity nesting habitat. uninterrupted by for insects cliff top fencing across the cliff top T2 Brook Chine Mown cliff top, Favourable Unfavourable Favourable Unfavourable N/A (East 2) no cliff top fence recovering Comment Extends inland Transition to Mowing not Grassland too N/A 14m mown semi- good disturbed and improved management short as bird grassland for invertebrate nesting habitat. uninterrupted by habitat. 14m cliff top fence unmown cliff top provides good invertebrate habitat T20 Sudmoor Cliff top Favourable Unfavourable Favourable Favourable N/A grassland, mown recovering and unmown, coastal path. 21.5m wide buffer to imp grass field
Jonathan Cox Associates 79 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Management Objective 1: Objective 2: Cliff Objective 3: Objective 4: Bird Objective 5: Semi-natural top transition Insect habitat habitat Woodland cliff top management vegetation Comment Cliff top with Transition Good insect Potentially good N/A excellent semi- truncated by habitat bird nesting and natural fence but feeding habitat maritime pasture vegetation developing into semi-natural grassland T21 West Unmanaged 14m Unfavourable Unfavourable Favourable Favourable N/A Chilton Chine cliff top buffer to recovering fenced cattle grazed field. Comment Cliff top with Transition Good insect Feeding habitat N/A semi-natural truncated by habitat outside on cliff edge grassland but fence and semi- of grazed potential may not be wide improved pasture breeding habitat enough to be pasture in pasture sustainable >20yrs T22 West Cliff top mown Favourable Unfavourable Unfavourable Unfavourable N/A Chilton Chine buffer 20m wide to maize crop Comment Cliff top with Transition Mowing Mowing N/A semi-natural truncated by damages insect removes seed grassland but arable field habitat heads for may not be wide wintering birds enough to be sustainable
Jonathan Cox Associates 80 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Management Objective 1: Objective 2: Cliff Objective 3: Objective 4: Bird Objective 5: Semi-natural top transition Insect habitat habitat Woodland cliff top management vegetation T19 Isle of Previously mown Favourable Favourable Favourable Unfavourable N/A Wight Pearl now rabbit grazed cliff top pasture within tourist attraction Comment Cliff top with Cliff top with Good insect Poor bird habitat N/A semi-natural semi-natural habitat despite in disturbed grassland grassland heavy rabbit location extending to extending to grazing and buildings buildings trampling T11 Cliff Lane Narrow Unfavourable Unfavourable Favourable Unfavourable N/A unmanaged cliff top field 10m wide bounded by fenced bank to mown 25m buffer to maize field Comment Narrow semi- Good semi- Good insect Narrow cliff top N/A natural buffer natural cliff top habitat on cliff too small to but not wide but truncated by top but provide good enough to be improved grass restricted to habitat. sustainable and arable 10m wide strip Improved grass and arable provide poor habitat T12 Cliff Lane Unmanaged cliff Favourable Favourable Favourable Favourable N/A
Jonathan Cox Associates 81 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Management Objective 1: Objective 2: Cliff Objective 3: Objective 4: Bird Objective 5: Semi-natural top transition Insect habitat habitat Woodland cliff top management vegetation top field bordering wheat field. 40m from cliff edge to wheat Comment Semi-natural Yes, transition to Good insect Area of maritime N/A vegetation at unmanaged MG1 habitat and rough grass cliff top and grassland provides bird extending inland feeding habitat T14 West of Unmanaged cliff Unfavourable Unfavourable Unfavourable Favourable N/A Barnes High top buffer 10m recovering wide to large mown field. No cliff top fence. Comment Yes, but narrow Transition to Good cliff top Mown field may N/A buffer may not semi-improved edge but mown provide nesting be sustainable mown field field is poor habitat but poor habitat winter feeding T13 East of Unmanaged cliff Unfavourable Unfavourable Favourable Favourable N/A Barnes High top buffer 10m recovering wide to electric fence and sheep grazed field Comment Yes, but narrow Transition Cliff top gives Extensive sheep N/A buffer may not truncated by good insect field gives good be sustainable semi-improved habitat. Sheep nesting bird pasture grazed semi- habitat. Cliff top
Jonathan Cox Associates 82 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Management Objective 1: Objective 2: Cliff Objective 3: Objective 4: Bird Objective 5: Semi-natural top transition Insect habitat habitat Woodland cliff top management vegetation improved field provides good poorer habitat feeding T5 Atherfield Unmanaged Favourable Favourable Unfavourable Favourable N/A Point rough grass Comment Yes, unmanaged Yes, although Rather species Good for seed N/A grass transition poor rank eating birds unmanaged grassland but good structure
T6 Atherfield Cliff top buffer to Favourable Unfavourable Favourable Favourable N/A Point wheat field 25m wide. Unmanaged at time of survey Comment Yes – extends Full transition Good Good for seed N/A 25m to arable truncated by invertebrate eating birds field arable habitat with structural and species diversity T8 Whale Chine Cliff top buffer to Unfavourable Unfavourable Unfavourable Favourable N/A wheat field 27m wide. Being mown at time of survey
Jonathan Cox Associates 83 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Management Objective 1: Objective 2: Cliff Objective 3: Objective 4: Bird Objective 5: Semi-natural top transition Insect habitat habitat Woodland cliff top management vegetation Comment Rank weedy No transition Generally poor Seed rich weedy N/A vegetation at insect habitat habitat probably cliff top good for feeding birds T9 Whale Chine Cliff top dunes Favourable Unfavourable Unfavourable Unfavourable N/A with 31m buffer to wheat field being mown at time of survey Comment Narrow width of Transition to Mowing has an Mowing N/A maritime rather species adverse effect damages late vegetation poor maritime on potentially autumn/winter grassland and good insect supply of seed arable habitat T10 Whale Cliff top bracken Favourable Unfavourable Favourable Favourable N/A Chine stand in recovering unmanged cliff top field, cliff top unfenced Comment Yes, semi- transition to Probably good Unmanaged N/A natural habitat semi-improved insect habitat grassland on cliff top sand grass field provides good deposits bird feeding habitat T3 Binnell Point Ungrazed cliff top Favourable Favourable Favourable Favourable N/A grassland to fence at 6m.
Jonathan Cox Associates 84 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Management Objective 1: Objective 2: Cliff Objective 3: Objective 4: Bird Objective 5: Semi-natural top transition Insect habitat habitat Woodland cliff top management vegetation Grazed cliff top Comment Yes – Good semi- Good habitat Potentially good N/A unmanaged and natural habitat for grazed transition to feeding birds calcareous grassland T4 Binnell Point Ungrazed cliff top Favourable Unfavourable Favourable Favourable N/A grassland to recovering fence at 10m Comment Extends inland No – transition Good cliff top Potentially good N/A to field fence to semi- habitat. Grazed habitat for improved pasture species feeding birds pasture poor
Jonathan Cox Associates 85 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
11.2 North Coast Assessment Management Objective 1: Objective 2: Cliff Objective 3: Objective 4: Bird Objective 5: Semi-natural top transition Insect habitat habitat Woodland cliff top management vegetation T7 Bouldnor Cliff top Unfavourable Unfavourable Unfavourable Unfavourable Unfavourable Cliff unmanaged recovering recovering recovering recovering scrub, cliff top path and recently felled conifer plantation Comment Very narrow Recently felled Dense scrub and Scrub and felled Conifer strip of mixed conifer felled plantation plantation make plantation scrub unable to plantation currently potentially good recently sustain objective provide poor bird habitat removed but still for 10 years insect habitat invading cliff face T23 Elmsworth Fenced cliff top Favourable Favourable Favourable Favourable N/A Farm to unimproved grazed pasture Comment Cliff top with Transition to Good insect Good breeding N/A semi-natural extensive area of habitat in cliff skylark habitat in neutral semi-natural top pasture pasture grassland grassland Burnt Wood Replanted and Unfavourable Unfavourable Unfavourable Unfavourable Unfavourable WPT005 semi-natural woodland.
Jonathan Cox Associates 86 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Management Objective 1: Objective 2: Cliff Objective 3: Objective 4: Bird Objective 5: Semi-natural top transition Insect habitat habitat Woodland cliff top management vegetation Comment Cliff top mostly Transition Quality of insect Bird habitat Cliff top has conifer damaged by habitat damaged by insufficient width plantation conifer degraded by conifer of semi-natural plantation conifer plantation woodland, cliff plantation edge has insufficient width of semi-natural woodland Thorness Bay Semi-natural Favourable Unfavourable Favourable Favourable Unfavourable WPT014 woodland fronting holiday camp Cliff top with Transition to Good Good woodland Insufficient width semi-natural ancient semi- invertebrate bird habitat of woodland on vegetation natural habitat cliff top to allow woodland but cliff to recede. truncated by presence of holiday camp T15 Gurnard Cliff face slumps Unfavourable Unfavourable Unfavourable Unfavourable N/A Cliffs below improved grass cliff top pasture Comment Cliff top very Transition to Very narrow Cliff top fields N/A narrow strip of semi-improved strip of cliff top are poor bird unimproved pasture and habitat habitat grassland maize field
Jonathan Cox Associates 87 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Management Objective 1: Objective 2: Cliff Objective 3: Objective 4: Bird Objective 5: Semi-natural top transition Insect habitat habitat Woodland cliff top management vegetation T16 Gurnard Unmanaged cliff Unfavourable Favourable Unfavourable Unfavourable N/A Cliffs top field fenced from cliff path Comment Cliff top very has Transition to Very small area Very small area N/A narrow strip of rank unmanaged of potentially of habitat unimproved semi-natural good habitat grassland grassland
Jonathan Cox Associates 88 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
12 Assessment interpretation The assessment of the cliff top buffer zone in section 12 identifies that most cliff tops are currently in unfavourable condition for one or more of the objectives. The reasons for this are considered in the following discussion.
12.1 Buffer zone width The comparison of erosion rates and buffer zone width identifies a number of cliff top locations where the predicted erosion rate will remove the current buffer zone in less than 20 years. Information from the transect data suggests that recognisable maritime cliff (MC) vegetation communities can become established on cliff tops within 10 years of the cessation of cultivation. However, it is likely that the quality of this vegetation will further improve in the future as agricultural species decline and further maritime species colonise. For cliff top habitats to provide a habitat of value to support the functioning of the cliff face it would be necessary for the buffer zone to provide for at least 20 years of erosion. This will allow 10 years of colonisation of maritime cliff vegetation and a further 10 years of useful life in supporting the functioning of the cliff face. A number of transects failed on this requirement. These were all associated with agriculturally improved grasslands on the cliff top. Management to ensure no further use of fertiliser and herbicide within this 20 year buffer width or the SSSI boundary (whichever is greater) would ensure that semi-natural vegetation would become established over time across the necessary area of the cliff top in these locations.
12.2 Transitions to terrestrial vegetation This objective was one of the most difficult to meet as in most cases transitions to terrestrial (non-maritime) vegetation were truncated by the presence of arable fields, agriculturally improved grassland or conifer plantations. In a few locations, the cliff top supported semi- natural grassland as for instance at Binnell Point and at Elmsworth Farm, Newtown. In other locations, the buffer zone was wide enough to allow the development of a full transition to mesotrophic grassland – for example at Cliff Lane (T12) where the buffer was 40m wide. Most of the cliff tops investigated on the north coast of the Island had very narrow cliff top buffers zones with in some instances arable cultivation extending to the edge of the cliff top path. The buffer zone agreed with landowners on the south coast has clearly had a significant positive effect on promoting both the development of semi-natural vegetation at the cliff top and a transition from maritime to non-maritime grasslands inland of the cliff top. In several locations, this transition is still improving were Environmental Stewardship Schemes are encouraging the development of agriculturally unimproved grassland landwards of the cliff top. These were assessed as being in unfavourable but recovering condition.
12.2.1 Mowing and grazing of the cliff top Mowing of the cliff top grassland for hay was undertaken in a few cliff top fields. This normally created an attractive landscape feature with no cliff top fence. Mowing also left a strip of unmanaged cliff top vegetation that was often rich in maritime species. The mown grassland was however generally species poor and structurally simple. Although these mown fields may
Jonathan Cox Associates 89 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight provide habitat for breeding skylark, they appear to be poor insect habitat and were assessed as being unfavourable for this group of species.
Mowing was also undertaken of the buffer strip between the cliff top and arable fields. This was particularly the case between Whale Chine and Chale. The mown cliff top buffer was left largely devoid of nectar and pollen sources and was structurally impoverished. Mowing also destroyed any potential seed heads that might have been of value to feeding birds. It is appreciated that mowing may be necessary to control ragwort and other weed species but it is suggested that more limited mowing targeted at these species would be preferable.
Many cliff top grasslands were grazed. Stock were mostly prevented from reaching the cliff edge by permanent fences. At Brook no cliff top fence was present and cattle were free to graze the cliff top and face. This created a good transition of vegetation structure across the cliff and cliff top. At Barnes High (T13) sheep were prevented from reaching the cliff top by temporary electric fencing. This created an open and attractive landscape and allowed the development of a good cliff top maritime cliff community. The sheep grazed pasture was however species poor and of little intrinsic nature conservation value.
12.3 Tree and woodland management Woodland extends to the cliff top at a number of locations along the north coast of the Island. This is often ancient and semi-natural and creates an interesting habitat. Good examples of wooded cliff faces occur at Burnt Wood, Thorness Wood and at Bouldnor. However, in many cases these wooded cliff tops were assessed as being in unfavourable condition. At Burnt Wood the cliff face semi-natural woodland is backed with ancient replanted woodland so that conifer trees and degraded ancient woodland is being eroded over the cliff face. At Thorness Wood the cliff top woodland is now very narrow and in places on 30-40m wide. With continued erosion it is likely that all the woodland will be lost over the next 60-70 years (assuming an erosion rate of 0.46m/year given in the SMP 2). Woodland creation is needed in this location to sustain this woodland although this would conflict with the current management of the land as a holiday camp. Methods of encouraging the repositioning of the holiday camp in future should be explored including the use of planning agreements or conditions or through the implementation of a green infrastructure policy.
Jonathan Cox Associates 90 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
13 Identification of good management practice 13.1 Buffer width To meet all the defined objectives for cliff top management, the cliff top buffer between cliff edge and arable or agriculturally improved grassland needs to be sufficient to allow for at least 20 years of erosion. This will ensure that semi-natural vegetation will be eroded over the cliff top after 20 years and provide suitable cliff top habitat to support the coastal invertebrate fauna. To ensure a transition from maritime to terrestrial grassland the buffer may need to be wider than the 20 year erosion line. The actual width of maritime influence will depend on the degree of exposure and height of the cliffs. On the south coast between Whale Chine and Chale, maritime grassland species extend inland for up to 38m of the cliff top so a buffer of 50m width may be necessary in this location. This would accord with the transitions to neutral grassland seen east of Cliff Lane, Brighstone, where terrestrial grassland was found 40m from the cliff edge.
On the north of the Island, where maritime influence is minimal, the buffer zone would only need to extend as far as the 20 year erosion line. On the Newtown to Gurnard coast this would be about 10m increasing to about 15m in Newtown Bay. This zone should be managed to maintain grassland through grazing or mowing without the application of fertiliser or herbicide.
13.2 Grassland management A variety of grassland management types were encountered along the cliff tops. Some of the most diverse areas of cliff top grassland were found where there was no management as this allowed a range of vegetation height to develop in relation to maritime exposure. Where cliff tops were grazed, grazing pressure tended to be too high to allow the development of a structurally diverse sward. The use of electric fencing east of Barnes High (T13) facilitated sheep grazing of the cliff top field and conserved the open landscape aspect of the cliff top leaving an ungrazed and structurally diverse cliff edge as shown in figure 9. At Brook, grazing of the cliff top with the cliff face also created some good grassland transitions.
Jonathan Cox Associates 91 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Figure 9: Structurally diverse and species rich cliff top grassland fronting sheep grazed pasture with electric fencing. Transect 13, east of Barnes High.
Permanent fencing can be used to promote the development of a species rich cliff top zone as seen to the west of Chilton Chine (T21). However, the transition to grazed pasture is very sharp and the fencing visually intrusive as shown in figure 10.
Extensive grazing systems with low stocking rates would appear to provide the best opportunity for species rich and structurally varied grassland to develop. No cliff top fencing is an ideal where the cliff face is shallowly sloping, temporary electric fencing proved to be a good alternative. Permanent fencing when located a distance back from the cliff edge allows a good cliff top vegetation to develop but creates an intrusive and very sharp transition to short grazed pasture.
Mown cliff tops also tended to create very short and structurally simple swards. Where grassland is mown for hay there is little that can be done to avoid this. However, the unmown cliff edge can be botanically rich and appears to create valuable insect habitat. Where mowing is undertaken to control weeds in the cliff top buffer zone, it would be preferable if this could be limited to the areas where weed density is highest and if possible avoid mowing the full width of the buffer zone in any one year.
Jonathan Cox Associates 92 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Figure 10: Sharp transition between grazed and ungrazed cliff top grassland west of Chilton Chine
The use of fertiliser and herbicide should be avoided within the 20 year erosion line and if possible should extend across the entire cliff top field. This will allow semi-natural grassland to become established on the cliff top before it is lost to erosion.
13.3 Woodland management and creation Cliff top ancient semi-natural woodland is probably best left unmanaged as cliff erosion and woodland loss creates significant areas of regenerating woodland and glade like features on the cliff face. Where the cliff top supports replanted ancient woodland, it is important that this is restored to a semi-natural state. This needs to be done across a sufficient width of cliff top to give time for semi-natural woodland to become re-established before it is lost over the cliff
Jonathan Cox Associates 93 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight edge. This may require a cliff top zone of 70-100m wide to be restored to semi-natural woodland.
Where narrow strips of cliff top ancient woodland are backed with pasture, it is important that these are encouraged to expand landwards to allow migration of the woodland habitat. A range of incentives could be used to encourage this including provision of grant as well as planning incentives and green infrastructure initiatives.
Where cliff tops support recent forestry plantations it is important that these are cleared away from the cliff edge to create either open heathland or grassland habitats or encourage the development of semi-natural woodland. Excellent work has been undertaken by the Forestry Commission at Bouldnor to initiate this process.
13.4 Coastal paths In general, the cliff top coastal path causes no adverse effect on the cliff top habitat, indeed, the trampling pressure produced along the path can improve habitat and species diversity. Where the distance between cliff edge and field fence is narrow, as it is along the Gurnard Cliffs and east of St Catherine’s Point, then the coastal path results in heaving tramping of a high proportion of the narrow cliff top zone. In these instances, the impact of the path would be significantly reduced if the distance between cliff top and fence were increased to at least 10m.
Jonathan Cox Associates 94 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
14 Non-technical summary 14.1 Background and introduction The Isle of Wight is composed of many layers of soft sedimentary rocks so that the geological map of the Island has been likened to a piece of streaky bacon. Where these soft rocks meet the coast they form a varied and dynamic series of cliffs and coastal slopes.
On the south coast of the Island these cliffs are cut through by a series of short steep sided river valleys creating canyon like features known as chines. Water seeps through the cliffs to emerge as springs and shallow pools whilst slight differences in the strength of the rocks means they erode at different rates forming cliff ledges known as undercliffs. This combination of features are constantly changing with winter storms and summer droughts shaping and moulding the coastline and exposing fresh new habitats for the specialist plants and animals of this coastline to colonise.
The north shore of the Island is made a much younger rocks, mostly composed of soft clays. These erode to create coastal cliffs and slopes that can remain stable for many years and develop into scrub and even woodland. This stability is however deceptive as this coast is prone to sudden and locally catastrophic landslips. Some of these sweep away the entire cliff face and form glacier like mudslides that spill out across the beach. Others simply create bowl like slumps called rotational shear slips. Having stripped away the cliff vegetation, the freshly exposed bare wet clay is colonised by a distinctive group of plants able to tolerate these unstable conditions. For most habitats, the groups of plants or vegetation that form them has been described and classified. In Britain, this is through the National Vegetation Classification (NVC). In Europe there are similar classifications that describe the groups of wild plants that naturally grow together to form the mosaic of wild vegetation types that form our wildlife habitats. The amazing thing is that neither the National Vegetation Classification nor any of the European vegetation classifications have yet to describe the pioneer vegetation types found on the soft rock cliffs of the Isle of Wight and a few other sections of the soft rock coast of Britain. In many ways these previously un-described vegetation types can be considered new to science.
The dynamic nature and rich diversity of wildlife that these eroding cliffs and coastal slopes support is of great wildlife value and is recognised by the fact that most of the Island’s coast is designated as being of national and international importance for biodiversity. The many rocks and the fossils they contain as well as the active and dramatic ways in which this coastline is constantly changing are equally important for geological conservation and earth science.
Although the wildlife and geological value of the soft rock cliffs and slopes of the Island have been recognised it is only recently that we have started to understand that the cliff tops inland of the cliff edge also support valuable wildlife habitats and have an equally important role to play in the conservation of the wildlife of the cliff face.
Jonathan Cox Associates 95 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
This project was undertaken with two main aims, firstly, and most importantly, it sought to describe the vegetation and management of the cliff top of the Island’s soft rock cliffs with the aim of providing advice on how this zone should be managed in the future. This includes consideration of how wide the cliff top zone should be to maintain its wildlife value and that of the cliff face below. The second aim of this project was to describe and provide a classification for the previously un-described pioneer vegetation types of the cliff face.
14.2 Methods To describe the cliff top vegetation of the Island, a series of transect lines running landwards from the cliff edge were established at 23 points along the north west and south west coast. These were selected to give a good geographical spread of sample sites across a range of different cliff top management and soft rock types.
All the plants growing in 2x2 metre square quadrats were listed at points along these transect lines and information on vegetation height and management recorded. The cover percentage cover of each species of plant within each quadrat was then recorded using the domin scale from 1 – 10 as follows: 1 = few plants, 2 = several plants, 3 = many plants, 4 = 4%-10%, 5 = 11%- 25%, 6 = 26%-33%, 7 = 34%-50%, 8 = 51%-75%, 9 = 76%-90%, 10 = 91%-100% cover.
As well as the sampling of the cliff top vegetation, additional samples were taken of the cliff face to record the plants growing within the pioneer vegetation types of the soft rock cliffs. These are best developed on the soft clay cliffs on the north of the Island. Previously collected sample data from these pioneer vegetation types was also obtained from a survey undertaken in 1996.
Analysing the results from the cliff top sample transects and the cliff face pioneer vegetation samples was undertaken using two computer programmes known as TWINSPAN and DECORANA. These divide the vegetation samples into different groups on the basis of their ecological similarities and differences.
To assess the management of the cliff top and its effect on the habitats of the cliff face a series of five objectives were set. These required that the cliff top should be managed to provide the following:-
1 Semi-natural or un-sown ‘wild’ vegetation at the cliff top so that only natural vegetation and soils that are uncontaminated with agricultural fertiliser or herbicide drop onto the cliff face as it erodes. 2 A transition of different semi-natural vegetation types extending inland from the exposed maritime vegetation at the cliff top to terrestrial vegetation that is largely unaffected by salt spray. 3 Habitats that provide nectar, pollen and other micro-habitats for insects, particularly the rare species associated with the bare soft rocks of the cliff face.
Jonathan Cox Associates 96 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
4 Habitats that may be of value for feeding and nesting farmland birds such as skylarks, meadow pipits and linnets. 5 If the cliff top supports ancient woodland, then this should be managed to ensure native woodland is eroded over the cliff edge. If the cliff top supports plantations of non-native tree species these should be cleared away from the cliff edge to restore natural cliff top habitats and prevent conifers colonising the cliff face.
To understand how wide the cliff top buffer should be an assessment of both the rates of maritime habitat colonisation and of erosion rates was made. The cliff top buffer between cliff edge and agricultural land should be wide enough to allow semi-natural vegetation to become established at the cliff edge before it is eroded. Where erosion rates are fast, this would mean the buffer zone would need to be wider.
14.3 What did we find? The analysis of the cliff top vegetation on the south coast of the Island identified five distinct vegetation types. Although there was some differences between these Isle of Wight examples and those described by the NVC, it was possible to fit the maritime cliff top vegetation found on the Island into the national classification. This group of related maritime cliff vegetation communities are characterised by the presence of coastal species such as the sea thrift (Armeria maritima), rock spurry (Spergularia rupicola), the coastal sub-species of wild carot (Daucus carota ssp gumifera) and coastal sub-species of soft brome grass (Bromus hordaceous ssp ferronii). These grow in mostly grassy habitats dominated by red fescue (Festuca rubra) and Yorkshire fog grass (Holcus lanatus) or in open salt scortched vegetation with buck’s-horn plantain (Plantago coronopus).
For the pioneer vegetation types a new classification has been developed. This builds on an outline classification developed by Jonathan Cox in 1997. It divides the pioneer vegetation into 7 different groups. These can be described as follows;
Group 1: A wet reed bed vegetation dominated by two reed grasses know as wood small-reed (Calamagrostis epigejos) and common reed (Phragmites australis). This forms in the wetest parts of the cliff where water gathers in winter months. Group 2: A seasonally wet vegetation type dominated by the giant horsetail (Equisetum telmateia). This vegetation is often over a metre tall and creates a primeval looking habitat that develops over the cracking clay substrate. Group 3: A more open mixed seasonally wet vegetation dominated by the giant horsetail and coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara). This is a precursor the the Group 2 vegetation in which the giant horsetails are co-dominant with the low growing circular leaves of the colts-foot. This unusual member of the daisy family flowers early in the spring a month or so before its leaves reach the ground suface. Group 4: The primary colonising vegetation type comprising much bare clay and scattered plants of coltsfoot. This is the first vegetation community to appear on the freshly exposed mud slides and bare soft rock faces.
Jonathan Cox Associates 97 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Group 5: A pioneer chalk or calcareous grassland type with an abundance of chalk loving or calcicole plants including yellow wort (Blackstonia perfoliata), fine leaved fescue grasses and the glaucous sedge (Carex flacca). Group 6: A pioneer neutral grassland type characterised by the presence of many meadow plants mixed with the pioneer coltsfoot and giant horsetail. Group 7: A pioneer acid grassland found on soft sandy cliffs. It is dominated by Yorkshire fog grass Holcus lanatus with a mix of species found on sandy soils including clovers, storks bill (Erodium cicutarium), sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella) and slender thistle (Cardus tenuiflorus).
The assessment of the condition of cliff top habitats has shown that whereas much of the south coast of the island can be considered in favourable condition for most of the five objectives, there are a number of problems. Most notably, the buffer zone may be too narrow in a number of places to allow the full transition from maritime to terrestrial habitat to develop. In places, heavy grazing pressure and mowing of the cliff top also damages the habitat for insects and for farmland birds.
On the north coast of the Island, the buffer zone between cliff edge and agricultural field is often very narrow and heavily trampled by the coastal footpath. There is a need to significantly increase the width of this narrow zone of semi-natural vegetation along the cliff top to meet the management objectives.
On the heavily wooded north coast of the Island, there are two problems with the management of cliff top ancient woodlands. In places, these have been replanted with conifer species so that as the cliff erodes the natural cliff face woodland is being damaged by the presence of these dense plantations. In other places, the width of cliff top woodland is too narrow so that as the cliff erodes the woodland will eventually be lost. Measures to improve the management and increase the extent of cliff top ancient woodland are proposed to address these issues.
Comparison of maritime vegetation colonisation rates and rates of cliff erosion have shown that maritime plants and vegetation communities can develop from previously cultivated land within 10 years and that this maritime influence can extend up to 38m from the cliff top. However, to be sustainable, it is recommended that cliff top habitats should have at least 20 years to develop to provide full ecological function. It is therefore recommended that the cliff top buffer should allow for at least 20 years of erosion. For much of the coast, the existing buffer width should be sufficient to provide for this period of erosion, however, at a number of locations it will be necessary to ensure management of the cliff top allows for the restoration of semi-natural vegetation over a wider cliff top buffer zone.
14.4 What about the future The cliff top maritime grasslands found along the south coast of the Isle of Wight are of great ecological significance and contribute to the conservation of the valuable wildlife habitats found on the cliff face. It is important that this narrow strip of cliff top habitat is managed sustainably. This needs to take account of current and predicted increases in erosion rates and
Jonathan Cox Associates 98 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight the ability of the cliff top maritime plants to colonise inland from this narrow cliff top refuge. To achieve this, the cliff top buffer zone needs to be wide enough to allow for at least 20 years of erosion. Management of this zone needs to encourage the development of a semi-natural vegetation unaffected by the application of fertiliser or herbicide. Mowing and grazing of cliff top can be a good way to manage this zone, but this needs to be done in a way that creates structurally varied grasslands that are rich in coastal wild flowers.
The previously undescribed vegetation of the soft rock cliffs of the Island and the dynamic habitat in which they grow needs to be given wider recognition. This could be through various publications and articles as well as through local events and interpretation.
Further work is also needed to better characterise this group of pioneer vegetation types and get a better understanding of their national distribution. This unusual habitat may also be important for a range of insects although we know very little about these. It is important that we gain a better understanding of these.
Jonathan Cox Associates 99 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Appendix 1: Target Notes Location Description ID Easting Northing Cliff Face Coastal scrub woodland. Alnus glutinosa, WPT016 444396 93068 Thorness Bay Calamagrostis epigejos, Eupatorium cannabinum, Cirsium palustre, Salix cinerea, Hedera helix, Rubia peregrina, Hypericum hirsutum Cliff top Species poor semi-improved acid grassland. fields east of Holcus lanatus (d), Agrostis capillaris (a), Burnt Wood Plantago lanceolata (a), Lotus corniculatus (o), Centaurea nigra (o), Cirsium arvense (la), Stellaria graminea (f), Veronica chamaedrys (o), Trifolium arvense (o), Ranunculus repens (r). Cliff top east Secondary woodland colonising field edge. of Burnt Populus tremula, Salix cinerea, Rubus fruticosus, Wood Pteridium aquilinum. Bouldnor Clay cliff face below gravel cap. Ulex europeaus Cliff (a), Equisetum telmateia (a), Tussilago farfara (f), Teucrium scorodonia (o), Quercus seedling (o), Holcus lanatus )o), Agrostis capillaris (o), Blackstonia perfoliata (o), Erica cinerea (r), Salix cinerea (a), Cirsium arvense (o), Pulicaria dysenterica (o), Chamaenerion angustifolium (r), Lotus corniculatus (r), Brachypolium sylvaticum (r) Bouldnor South end of transect. Bramble thicket to WPT010 438169 90381 cliff top cleared plantation. Brash covered with Betula pendula, Quercus robur, Rubus fruticosus, Teucrium scorodonium (f), Erica (r), Calluna vulgaris (r), Corylus avellana (f). Cliff face Isle Slump at top of cliff. Equisetum telmateia (a), WPT020 of Wight Plantago lanceolata (a), Holcus lanatus (a), Pearl Dactylis glomerata (a), Agrostis stolonifera (o), Plantago cornonpus (o), Ononis repens (f), Crepis capillaris (r), Festuca rubra (o), Cirsium vulgare (o). Cliff face Isle Slump at mid cliff face. Ononis repens (a), WPT021 of Wight Dactylis glomerata (f), Juncus inflexus (o), Pearl Agrostis stolonifera (a), Daucus carota (o), Picris echioides (o), Plantago lanceolata (o), Salix cinerea (o), Lotus corniculatus (o), Equisetum telmateia (r), Holcus lanatus (o). Cliff face Isle Slump lower edge of cliff face. Carex hirta (d), WPT022
Jonathan Cox Associates 100 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight of Wight Pulicaria dysenterica (f), Equisetum telmateia Pearl (o), Tussilago farfara (r), Plantago lanceolata (o), Rumex crispus (r), Cirsium arvense (o), Festuca rubra (f), Agrostis stolonifera (o), Daucus carota (r). Chilton Improved pasture landward of transect. Holcus T21 Chine 1 lanatus (d), Agrostis stolonifera (d), Dactylis glomerata, Convolvulus arvensis, Daucus carota, Senecia jacobea (9m width). To:- Resown ley. Lolium perenne (d), Trifolium pratense (f), Polygonum aviculare (a). Chilton Upper cliff face. Bare with some Spergularia T21 Chine 1 rupicola, Tussilago farfara, Atriplex prostrata + Convolvulous arvensis, Agrostis stolonifera. Wet flush with Epilobium hirsutum, Picris echioides, Tussilago farfara, Cirsium sp. Atriplex prostrata. Chilton T21 Chine 2 Base of cliff clumps with Phragmites australis Chilton Approximate eastern extent of MG1 WPT023 Chine Arrhenatherum elatius cliff top grassland. Chilton Cliff face: Armeria maritima, Anthyllis T22 Chine 2 vulneraria, Plantago lanceolata, Daucus carota, Leontodon hispidus, Festuca rubra (d), Holcus lanatus (a), Dactylis glomerata (a), plantago coronopus, Trifolium pratense, Ononis repens, Centaurea erythrea. Sudmoor Cliff top cattle grazed field semi-improved field. T20 Holcus lanatus (d), Plantago lanceolata (a), Leontodon hispidus (a), Centaurea erythrea (o), Bellis perennis (o), Senecio jacobea (o), Festuca rubra (o), Cerastium fontanum (o), Trifilium sp. (f), Trifolium pratense (o), Agrostis stolonifera (o) Binnell Bay Festuca rubra (d), Dactylis glomerata (a), WPT007 Rocky Plantago media (a), Ononis repens (o), outcrop with Sanguisorba minor (f), Linum catharticum (f), calcareous Leontodon hispidus (f), Pimpinella saxifraga (o), grassland in Plantago lanceolata (a), Prunella vulgaris (r), improved Galium verum (o), Primula veris (o), Pilosella cliff top field officinarum (r), Trifolium pratense (o), Achillia millifolia (o), Cirsium acaule (o), Medicago lupulina (r), Lotus corniculatus (o) Binnell Bay Festuca rubra (r), Dactylis glomerata (d), Agrostis WPT008
Jonathan Cox Associates 101 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight centre of cliff stolonifera (f), Lolium perenne (f), Cirsium top arvense (o), Senecio jacobea (o), Convolvulous improved arvensis (o), Ranunculus acris (r), Trifolium field repens (o), Plantago lanceolata (o) Binnell Bay Ranges from 100% vegetation cover to open WPT009 cliff face calcareous talus. Festuca rubra (d), Daucus carota (a), Ononis repens (a), Anthylis vulneraria (a), Plantago lanceolata (f), Plantago coronopus (f), Senecio jacobea (r), Leontodon hispidus (f), Crithmum maritimum (f), Glaucium flavum (o), Dactylis glomerata (o), Catapodium marinum (o), Diplotaxis muralis (r) – Glanville fritillary nests present Binnell Bay Near verticle, mostly vegetation free. Local T4 cliff face gulley and ledge with Spergularia rupicola (a), below Daucus carota (a), Plantago cornonpus (a), Transect 4 Sonchus oleraceous (o), Catapodium marinum (o), Lotus corniculatus (o). Whale Chine Cliff top corner east of Chine. 15-17m very heavy rabit grazing – short F. rubra turf with Holcus lanatus, Plantago coronopus, Cerastium diffusum, Senecio jacobea, Agrostis capillaris – No Armeria. Cliff top N.W. of sand dunes. Armeria on cliff top – few scattered plants 38m from cliff edge in lightly rabbit grazed turf. With F. rubra, Holcus, Cerastium diffususm, Leontodon hispidus Cliff face dune community. Carex arenaria (d), WPT013 Agrostis stolonifera (f), Holcus (f), local Ulex euro. Cliff edge – pristine maritime grassland with WPT079 Holcus, Festuca ovina, F. rubra, Thymus, Armeria, Plantago lanceolata, Carex arenaria, Sedum, Pilosella Large unmanged field. Cliff top with mixed WPT004 Armeria, Plantago coronopus, Bromus ferronii, Festuca rubra sward with local Elytrigia atherica (2m wide). Daucus, Armeria, Bromus, Festuca rubra zone (26m). Holcus, Daucus, Plantago lanceolata, Picris, Juncus inflexus plus scattered Rubus and Crataegus (20m). Mown field newish fence on cliff top. Fence 7- WPT017 10m from cliff edge. Armeria, Plantago
Jonathan Cox Associates 102 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
lanceolata, Festuca rubra, Daucus. Community extends through fence into field. Atherfield Cliff face with narrow undercliff ledge. Much Point bare sand. Spergularia rupicola (a), Elytrigia atherica (f), Tussilago farfara (a), Daucus carota (a), Polypogon viridis (r), Convolvulous arvensis (o), Festuca rubra (a), Agrostis stolonifera (a).
Jonathan Cox Associates 103 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Appendix 2: Quadrat Data Transect 1 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Brook Chine (East 1) 08/07/2009 2x2m Transect 2mx30m Grazed cliff top Compton Chine to grassland Steephill Cove Quadrat No. T1a T1b T1c T1d T1e 14m Inner cliff 21m Inner cliff Quadrat location Cliff edge 7m slump slump 28m NVC Community MC10 MC10 MC10 MC10 MC10/U4/MG? Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Transition to semi- Plantago sp. Plantago sp. Plantago sp. Plantago sp. improved acid Maritime grassland Maritime grassland Maritime grassland Maritime grassland grassland Height (cm) <1cm 2cm 5cm 4cm 9cm Frequency Species Agrostis capillaris 5 5 5 7 4 Festuca rubra 5 8 8 8 5 5 Bromus ferronii 1 4 4 5 4 5 Plantago lanceolata 1 4 4 4 4 5 Achillea millifolium 2 4 2 Lolium perenne 3 4 2 Cirsium arvense 4 1 Trifolium repens 3 3 3 3 Dung 3 3 2 Leontodon saxatilis 1 2 2 2 4 Leontodon autumnalis 2 2 2 3 Crepis capillaris 2 1 Holcus lanatus 2 1 Hypochoeris radicata 2 1 Cerastium diffusum 2 1 1 3 Leontodon hispidus 2 2 4 3 Plantago coronopus 5 3 3 3 Rumex acetosella 2 4 4 3 Rumex crispus 1 4 3 3 Senecio jacobea 1 2 1 3 Festuca ovina 7 4 2
Jonathan Cox Associates 104 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Bare 5 1 Carex sp. 1 1 Dactylis glomerata 2 1 FestucaxLolium hybrid 2 1 Galium verum 2 1 Sagina sp. 1 1 Trifolium campestre 2 1 Trifolium pratense 1 1 13 13 15 12 14
Jonathan Cox Associates 105 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 2 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Brook Chine (East 2) 08/07/2009 2x2m Transect Cliff top to Compton Chine 2mx30m mown cliff top to Steephill grassland Cove Quadrat No. T2a T2b T2c T2d T2e 14m path Quadrat location Cliff edge 7m crosses 21m 28m NVC Community MC5 MC8 MC8 MC9/MG6 MC9/MG6 Armeria Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Transitional Frequency Frequency Frequency maritima- Armeria Armeria Holcus lanatus maritime MC5 & MC9/MG6 All Cerastium maritima maritima maritime grassland/semi- MC8 diffusum maritime maritime grassland improved therophyte grassland grassland grassland community Height (cm) 2cm 4cm 6cm 8cm (mown) 6cm (mown) Species Agrostis capillaris 3 6 6 4 4 3 2 5 Festuca rubra 8 7 5 7 2 2 4 Holcus lanatus 2 6 8 6 2 2 4 Lolium perenne 3 3 0 2 2 Cirsium arvense 2 2 0 2 2 Plantago lanceolata 4 4 2 2 1 3 Dactylis glomerata 5 2 5 2 1 3 Cirsium vulgare 1 1 1 1 2 Picris echioides 1 1 1 1 2 Trifolium repens 1 4 1 1 2 Ranunculus acris 1 3 1 1 2 Geranium molle 1 0 1 1 Rumex crispus 1 0 1 1 Agrostis stolonifera 3 0 1 1 Trifolium fragiferum 1 0 1 1 Leontodon autumnalis 2 0 1 1 Armeria maritima 6 4 4 3 0 3 Plantago coronopus 4 2 4 3 0 3 Cerastium diffusum 5 3 2 0 2
Jonathan Cox Associates 106 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Festuca ovina 4 4 2 0 2 Rumex acetosella 4 3 2 0 2 Leontodon hispidus 1 2 2 0 2 Aphanes arvensis 2 1 0 1 Achillea millifolium 4 1 0 1 Centaurea nigra 2 1 0 1 Lotus corniculatus 1 1 0 1 Hypochoeris radicata 1 1 0 1 Senecio jacobea 1 1 0 1 6 15 14 11 10
Jonathan Cox Associates 107 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 3 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Binnell Point 14/07/2009 2x2m 2x12m Cliff top Compton Chine calcareous to Steephill grassland Cove Quadrat No. T3a T3b T3c T3d T3e T3f Frequency Quadrat location Cliff edge + path to fence Field Field Field NVC Community MC11b MC11b MC11b MC11b MC11b MC11b Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Daucus carota, Daucus carota, Daucus carota, Daucus carota, Daucus carota, Daucus carota, Ononis sub- Ononis sub- Ononis sub- Ononis sub- Ononis sub- Ononis sub- comm comm comm comm comm comm Height (cm) 1-25cm 40 cm 40 cm 7 cm 4-6 cm 4-6 cm Festuca rubra 8 8 8 8 8 8 6 Ononis repens 7 7 4 5 1 2 6 Plantago lanceolata 2 2 2 5 4 4 6 Dactylis glomerata 3 3 2 4 4 4 6 Galium verum 2 5 5 2 1 5 Cirsium arvense 2 2 3 3 1 5 Lotus corniculatus 5 5 4 4 4 5 Trifolium repens 2 3 2 1 4 Daucus carota 2 2 3 3 4 Lolium perenne 4 1 2 3 Achillea millifolium 2 2 2 3 Trifolium pratense 3 3 3 3 Medicago lupulina 2 3 3 3 Convolvulous arvensis 2 2 2 Centaurea nigra 1 3 2 Agrostis stolonifera 1 1 2 Senecia jacobea 1 1 2 Bromus hordaceous 1 1 2 Cirsium acaule 1 2 2 Leontodon hispidus 2 4 2 Primula veris 1 1 Arrhenatherum elatius 2 1 Holcus lanatus 3 1
Jonathan Cox Associates 108 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Rumex crispus 1 1 Sonchus arvensis 1 1 Taraxicum officinale 1 1 Plantago media 1 1 9 11 17 15 14 14
Jonathan Cox Associates 109 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 4 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Binnell Point 14/07/2009 2x2m 2x12m Cliff top Compton calcareous Chine to grassland Steephill Cove Quadrat No. T4a T4b T4c T4d T4e T4f T4g Frequency Quadrat location Cliff edge Path Field Field NVC Community MC11 MC11 MC11 MC11/MG6 MC11/MG6 MG6 MG6 Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Semi- Semi- Daucus carota Daucus carota Daucus carota Daucus carota Daucus carota improved improved impoverished impoverished impoverished impoverished impoverished grass grass Height (cm) 5 15 20 20 2 to 3 4 5 Festuca rubra 9 8 9 9 8 7 7 7 Plantago lanceolata 3 4 5 4 4 4 5 7 Convolvulous arvensis 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 7 Dactylis glomerata 2 2 2 2 8 5 5 7 Cirsium arvense 2 3 4 3 2 1 6 Ononis repens 7 7 1 3 Vicia cracca 1 1 3 3 Lolium perenne 6 4 5 3 Trifolium repens 3 3 2 Senecio jacobea 1 1 2 Leontodon hispidus 1 1 Daucus carota 1 1 6 9 7 7 8 7 5
Jonathan Cox Associates 110 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 5 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Atherfield Point 14/07/2009 2x2m 2x 32m Cliff top Compton Chine to permanent Steephill Cove grassland Quadrat No. 5a 5b 5c 5d 5e 5f Frequency Quadrat location Cliff Edge 6m 12m Path 18 m 24 m 30 m NVC Community MC11a MC11 MC11 MC11 MC11 MC11 Height (cm) 15 20 5 30 30 30 Species Daucus carota 4 3 1 2 1 2 6 Festuca rubra 8 9 8 8 8 7 6 Plantago lanceolata 2 4 5 5 4 4 6 Senecio jacobea 1 1 1 2 2 2 6 Agrostis stolonifera 2 1 2 4 4 Leontodon hispidus 2 2 4 2 4 Bromus ferronii 5 1 1 3 Holcus lanatus 7 7 7 3 Hypochoeris radicata 2 2 2 Medicago lupulina 4 2 2 Pulicaria dysenterica 4 4 2 Ranunculus acris 2 3 2 Trifolium repens 5 1 2 Cirsium arvense 3 1 Cirsium vulgare 1 1 Crepis capillaris 2 1 Geranium molle 1 1 Lotus corniculatus 1 1 Picris echioides 1 1 Plantago coronopus 5 1 Sonchus oleraceous 1 1 Trifolium pratense 4 1 7 12 9 9 8 12
Jonathan Cox Associates 111 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 6 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Atherfield Point 14/07/2009 2x2m 2x 22m Cliff top permanent Compton Chine to grassland buffer to Steephill Cove wheat field (25m) Quadrat No. 6a 6b 6c 6d 6e Frequency Quadrat location Cliff Edge 5m 10m 15m 20m NVC Community MC5 MC11 MC11 MC11 MC11 Height (cm) 30 20 30 20-40 20-50 Species Festuca rubra 5 8 5 9 8 5 Plantago lanceolata 2 3 2 2 1 5 Daucus carota 1 4 2 3 4 Rumex crispus 1 1 2 1 4 Agrostis stolonifera 4 4 5 3 Bromus ferronii 6 4 4 3 Holcus lanatus 3 4 1 3 Convolvulous arvensis 3 3 2 Dactylis glomerata 2 1 2 Plantago coronopus 1 4 2 Senecio jacobea 3 1 2 Sonchus oleraceous 2 1 2 Spergularia rupicola 4 5 2 Taraxicum officinale 1 1 2 Avena fatua 1 Bromus sterilis 1 1 Cardus tenuiflorus 3 1 Elytrigia atherica 7 1 Elytrigia repens 4 1 Tripleurospermum maritimum 1 1 9 11 12 7 8
Jonathan Cox Associates 112 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 7 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Bouldnor Cliff 17/07/2009 2x2m Transect 2mx10m Cliff top heathland and Bouldnor and cleared forestry Hamstead Cliffs plantation Quadrat No. 7a 7b 7c 7d 7e 6m Cliff path 50cm Quadrat location Cliff edge 2m 4m wide 8m NVC Community
Height (cm) 30-150 200 300 100 100 Species Erica cinerea 5 4 4 Rubus fruticosus 8 6 5 6 10 Quercus robur 5 4 2 Teucrium scorodonium 3 3 4 4 Polytrichum formosum 2 2 Pinus nigra 2 3 5 Bare 5 2 Betula pendula 7 8 5 Ulex minor 4 2 Lonicera peryclimenum 3 4 Ulex europeaus 7 Calluna vulgaris 4 Agrostis capillaris 5 3 Hypochoeris radicata 2 2 Holcus lanatus 3 7 9 5 11 4
Jonathan Cox Associates 113 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 8 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Atherfield Point 21/07/2009 2x2m 2x 10m Cliff top permanent Compton Chine grassland buffer to to Steephill wheat field (17m wide) Cove Quadrat No. 8a 8b 8c 8d 8e Frequency Quadrat location Cliff edge 2m 4m 6m 8m NVC Community SM23? Ovx Ovx Ovx Ovx Height (cm) 30 50 50 30 20-30 Species Bromus sterilis 4 6 8 6 5 5 Cirsium arvense 2 2 1 3 4 5 Holcus lanatus 1 7 7 8 9 5 Arctium minus 7 7 8 9 4 Sonchus oleraceous 3 3 1 1 4 Bromus ferronii 5 3 1 3 Lactuca serriola 2 2 1 3 Cirsium vulgare 2 1 2 Elytrigia atherica 9 2 2 Picris echioides 1 1 2 Avena fatua 2 1 Papaver rhoeus 1 1 Plantago lanceolata 2 1 Senecio jacobea 1 1 Agrostis stolonifera 0 Convolvulous arvensis 0 Dactylis glomerata 0 Daucus carota 0 Elytrigia repens 0 Festuca rubra 0 Plantago coronopus 0 Rumex crispus 0 Spergularia rupicola 0 Taraxicum officinale 0 Tripleurospermum maritimum 0 5 9 11 7 7
Jonathan Cox Associates 114 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 9 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Whale Chine 21/07/2009 2x2m Transect 2mx10m Cliff top to arable total Compton Chine to 31m. Armeria present Steephill Cove across buffer Quadrat No. T9a T9b T9c T9d T9e Frequency Quadrat location 2m 4m 6m 8m 10m NVC Community MC8 MC8 MC8 MC9? Weedy spp poor MC9? Spp poor Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra-Holcus Festuca rubra-Holcus Armeria maritima Armeria maritima Armeria maritima lanatus maritime lanatus maritime maritime grassland maritime grassland maritime grassland grassland grassland Height (cm) Species Festuca rubra 6 7 8 7 4 5 Armeria maritima 7 5 5 1 1 5 Holcus lanatus 4 4 6 9 9 5 Leontodon hispidus 2 2 4 2 1 5 Galium verum 4 3 3 1 4 Cerastium diffusum 3 2 2 1 4 Bare 4 5 2 1 4 Plantago coronopus 4 4 4 3 Achillea millifolium 2 2 3 3 Agrostis capillaris 2 1 2 3 Senecio jacobea 1 1 2 3 Sedum anglicum 2 2 2 Erodium cicutarium 1 1 2 Rumex acetosella 2 2 2 Spergularia rupicola 4 1 Picris echioides 1 1 Equisetum arvense 1 1 Cirsium vulgare 1 1 Leontodon saxatilis 1 1 12 13 13 10 7
Jonathan Cox Associates 115 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 10 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Whale Chine 21/07/2009 2x2m Transect 2mx10m Bracken/Sand Compton Chine to sedge cliff top to Steephill Cove grass field Grid Ref: Quadrat No. T10a T10b T10c T10d T10e Frequency Quadrat location 2m 4m 6m 8m 10m NVC Community SD10 SD10 MC9 MC9 MC9 Carex arenaria Carex arenaria Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- sand dune sand dune Holcus lanatus Holcus lanatus Holcus lanatus Height (cm) Species Holcus lanatus 3 3 7 9 9 5 Senecio jacobea 1 1 2 3 3 5 Festuca rubra 1 4 7 4 4 5 Bare 8 8 4 1 4 Cerastium diffusum 1 2 2 3 Carex arenaria 4 4 2 Plantago coronopus 2 1 2 Trifolium campestre 2 1 2 Agrostis stolonifera 4 5 2 Ulex europeaus 4 1 2 Centaurium erythraea 1 1 2 Bromus ferronii 1 2 2 Pteridium aquilinum 5 1 Tripleurospermum maritimum 1 1 Anagallis arvensis 1 1 Agrostis canina 2 1 Dactylis glomerata 1 1 Cirsium vulgare 1 1 Picris echioides 1 1 7 9 6 10 11
Jonathan Cox Associates 116 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 11 Qudrat Transect Site Name Date size size Habitat SSSI Cliff Lane 22/07/09 2x2m 2x28m Cliff top Compton unimprov Chine to ed grass Steephill to bank/ Cove fence and field Frequ Quadrat No. T11a T11b T11c T11d T11e T11f T11g T11h T11i T11j MC11 10m To 12m 2m Cliff bank and Mown Quadrat location top 4m Path 6m 8m fence field 16m 20m 24m 28m MC11/ MG6/ NVC Community MC11b MC11b MC11b MC11b MC11b MG11? MG11/ MG6 Maritime /semi- Festuca rubra-Daucus carota Ononis sub-comm improved semi-improved grassland grass transition Height (cm) 15 15 15 15 15 Daucus carota 5 2 4 5 4 3 3 2 2 5 Festuca rubra 8 9 9 9 9 4 4 5 Plantago lanceolata 4 4 3 4 3 5 Bromus feronii 4 1 2 2 1 4 Convolvulous arvensis 2 2 3 3 4 Ononis repens 7 3 3 2 Agrostis stolonifera 2 9 9 9 10 10 1 Cerastium fontanum 1 1 2 2 3 2 Holcus lanatus 2 1 2 3 2 Cirsium arvense 1 1 2 Centaurea nigra 3 2 1 Lotus corniculatus 3 4 2 Agrostis capillaris 1 2 2 Plantago coronopus 3 1 1
Jonathan Cox Associates 117 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Potentilla reptans 1 1 Rumex acetosa 1 1 Galium verum 4 1 Geranium molle 1 1 Trifolium repens 2 2 0 Lolium perenne 1 0 Dactylis glomerata 2 0 Armeria maritima 7 7 7 9 12 6 4 6 3 5
Jonathan Cox Associates 118 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 12 Qudrat Transect Site Name Date size size Habitat SSSI Cliff Lane 22/07/09 2x2m Transect Cliff top Compton 2mx35m to arable Chine to buffer Steephill 40m Cove wide. Frequ Frequ Quadrat No. T12a T12b T12c T12d T12e 12a-12e T12f T12g T12h T12i T12j 12f-12j Quadrat location Cliff top 2m Path 4m 6m 8m 13m 18m 23m 28m 33m NVC Community MC11 MC11 MC8 MC11 MC11 MC11 MG1 MG1 MG1 MG1 Festuca rubra-Daucus Festuca Festuca rubra-Daucus Arrhenatherum elatius grassland carota grassland rubra- carota grassland Armeria maritima grassland Height (cm) 20 20 5-20 30 20 30 50 75 75 75 Species Dactylis glomerata 4 5 6 5 5 5 5 6 2 Festuca rubra 8 8 7 8 8 5 7 5 2 Bromus ferronii 4 3 1 1 4 5 0 Cirsium arvense 1 1 1 1 4 1 2 4 5 4 Achillea millifolium 2 1 2 2 4 0 Armeria maritima 6 1 4 4 4 0 Galium verum 2 2 4 3 2 3 2 Leontodon hispidus 1 4 4 3 0 Sonchus oleraceous 2 1 2 1 1 Agrostis stolonifera 3 1 0 Crepis capillaris 2 1 0 Geranium molle 1 1 0 Holcus lanatus 2 1 0 Plantago coronopus 2 1 0 Ranunculus repens 2 1 0
Jonathan Cox Associates 119 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Rumex acetosa 1 1 0 Arrhenatherum elatius 0 2 7 9 10 10 5 Convolvulous arvensis 0 1 3 3 3 4 Plantago lanceolata 0 5 5 2 2 4 Centaurea nigra 0 4 6 2 Daucus carota 0 4 5 2 Pulicaria dysenterica 0 2 1 9 9 9 6 9 7 8 5 5 4
Jonathan Cox Associates 120 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 13 Site Name Date Qudrat Transect Habitat SSSI size size 22/07/09 2x2m Transect Cliff top to Compton Chine 2mx35m arable buffer to Steephill Cove East of Barnes High 40m wide. Frequ Frequ Quadrat No. T13a T13b T13c T13d T13e T13f T13g T13h 13a-13e 13f-13h 10m sheep 15m sheep 20m sheep 8m to electric grazed grazed grazed Quadrat location Cliff top 2m 4m Path 6m fence field field field NVC Community MC10 MC10 MC10 MC10 MC10 MG6 MG6 MG6 Festuca rubra - Plantago spp grassland Semi improved grassland Height (cm) 2 6 6 2 - 4 6 Species Festuca rubra 3 6 7 6 8 7 7 5 2 Plantago lanceolata 4 4 5 5 6 4 5 1 Bromus ferronii 1 4 6 6 4 5 0 Plantago coronopus 9 7 4 7 2 5 0 Leontodon hispidus 2 3 3 2 3 4 1 Bare 4 2 2 2 4 0 Daucus carota 3 4 4 5 4 0 Sonchus oleraceous 1 2 1 1 4 0 Cirsium arvense 2 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 Cerastium diffusum 1 2 2 0 Crepis capillaris 4 3 2 0 Holcus lanatus 3 4 4 5 1 3 Ranunculus repens 2 1 1 2 1 3 Bellis perennis 3 1 0 Lolium perenne 2 1 0 Agrostis stolonifera 6 6 10 0 3 Trifolium repens 1 1 2 0 3
Jonathan Cox Associates 121 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Dactylis glomerata 4 1 0 2 Bromus hordaceous 4 0 1 5 8 10 14 10 9 7 6
Jonathan Cox Associates 122 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 14 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI West of Barnes High 22/07/2009 2x2m Transect Cliff top Compton 2mx20m grassland no Chine to fence mown Steephill Cove Quadrat No. T14a T14b T14c T14d T14e T14f T14g Frequency 13a-13g Quadrat location Cliff top 2m 4m 6m 8m 13m 18m NVC Community MC5 MC11 MC11 MC11 MC11 MG6 MG6 Armeria Festuca Festuca Festuca Festuca Mown semi- Mown semi- maritima- rubra- rubra- rubra- rubra- improved improved Cerastium Daucus Daucus Daucus Daucus grassland grassland diffusum carota carota carota carota therophyte grassland grassland grassland grassland community Height (cm) 2 to 15 3 4 6 8 2 2 Species Agrostis stolonifera 2 5 7 7 7 7 6 Daucus carota 4 4 4 4 3 2 6 Leontodon hispidus 4 5 4 2 3 2 6 Festuca rubra 6 4 3 7 7 5 Armeria maritima 6 3 3 1 4 Bromus ferronii 4 5 4 4 4 Holcus lanatus 6 6 7 7 4 Lotus corniculatus 2 1 1 1 4 Plantago coronopus 4 5 5 2 4 Plantago lanceolata 4 5 4 5 4 Bare 4 2 2 3 Hypochoeris radicata 1 2 1 3 Ranunculus repens 2 4 1 3 Trifolium pratense 2 3 2 3 Cirsium arvense 2 3 2 Montia fontana 4 3 2 Trifolium repens 2 3 2 Festuca rubra ssp juncea 3 1 Festuca pratensis 3 1
Jonathan Cox Associates 123 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Lolium perenne 1 1 Vicia cracca 1 1 7 12 11 10 12 9 8
Jonathan Cox Associates 124 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 15 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Gurnard Cliffs 07/09/2009 2x2m Random quadrats Cliff face slumps and Thorness Bay along 40m ledges transect Grid Ref: Quadrat No. 15a 15b 15c 15d 15e Frequency Quadrat location Slumping cliff face Cliff face ledge Mid cliff face ledge Mid cliff face ledge Upper cliff face ledge NVC Community Group 3 Group 3 Group 3 Group 1 Group 5 Equisetum Equisetum Equisetum Calamagrostis Pioneer calcareous telmateia- telmateia- telmateia- epigejos - grassland Tussilago farfara Tussilago farfara Tussilago farfara Phragmites australis community community community wet cliff Height (cm) 0-7 15-20 50 50 30 Species Tussilago farfara 5 6 5 7 5 5 Picris echioides 2 2 1 2 4 Holcus lanatus 3 2 1 2 4 Festuca arundanacea 4 4 2 1 4 Bare 8 4 5 2 4 Brachypodium sylvaticum 3 4 4 2 4 Lathyrus pratensis 3 3 2 3 Equisetum telmateia 2 3 9 3 Senecio erucifolia 3 1 1 3 Pulicaria dysenterica 3 4 2 3 Rubus fruticosus 2 1 1 3 Centaurium erythraea 2 1 2 Agrostis stolonifera 3 4 2 Dipsacus fullonum 2 2 2 Sonchus oleraceous 2 1 Anagalis arvensis 1 1 Trifolium campestre 3 1 Cirsium arvense 2 1 Calamagrostis epigejos 7 1 Blackstonia perfoliata 1 1 Carex flacca 7 1
Jonathan Cox Associates 125 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Dactylis glomerata 2 1 10 14 7 10 13
Jonathan Cox Associates 126 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 16 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Gurnard Cliffs 07/09/2009 2x2m 2x10m Cliff top path and Thorness Bay adjacent unmanaged field Quadrat No. 16a 16b 16c Frequency Cliff top to fence with Quadrat location path 5m Cliff top field 10m Cliff top field NVC Community MG5 MG5/MG1 MG1
Height (cm) 30 30 30 Species Festuca rubra 7 6 5 3 Dactylis glomerata 5 1 Agrostis stolonifera 6 8 6 3 Lotus corniculatus 4 2 2 Genista tinctoria 4 1 Equisetum telmateia 2 1 2 Rubus fruticosus 2 1 Plantago lanceolata 2 1 Daucus carota 2 3 2 Convolvulous arvensis 2 2 4 3 Phleum pratense 1 1 2 Lathyrus pratensis 2 1 Cirsium arvense 5 1 Arrhenatherum elatius 3 1 11 8 5
Jonathan Cox Associates 127 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 17 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Compton Chine 07/09/2009 2x2m 2x14m Unmown cliff top to Compton Chine to fence and grazed Steephill Cove pasture Quadrat No. 17a 17b 17c 17d 17e Frequency Quadrat location Cliff Edge 4m 6m 8m - Fence 14m grazed pasture NVC Community MC5 MC5 MC8 MC9 MC9 Armeria maritima- Armeria maritima- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Cerastium diffususm Cerastium diffususm Armeria maritima Holcus lanatus Holcus lanatus therophyte therophyte grassland grassland grassland Height (cm) 10 15 10 1 10 Species Armeria maritima 6 7 5 4 4 5 Plantago coronopus 6 5 5 4 1 5 Festuca rubra 3 6 6 7 8 5 Bromus ferronii 5 4 3 3 Achillea millifolium 5 4 1 3 Dactylis glomerata 3 3 3 4 4 5 Cerastium diffusum 2 1 2 1 4 Crepis capillaris 2 1 1 2 4 Agrostis stolonifera 3 4 4 4 4 Trifolium pratense 3 3 4 4 4 Leontodon hispidus 2 2 4 3 Plantago lanceolata 1 2 3 4 4 Hypochoeris radicata 2 2 2 3 Holcus lanatus 1 3 2 Bellis perennis 2 1 Lolium perenne 3 1 Lotus corniculatus 2 1 Rumex acetosa 1 1 7 12 12 14 13 18
Jonathan Cox Associates 128 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 18 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Compton Cutting 07/09/2009 2x2m 2x46m Cliff top Compton grassland Chine to to fence Steephill and semi- Cove improved grazed pasture Quadrat No. 18a 18b 18c 18d 18e 18f 18g 18h 18i Frequency Quadrat location Cliff Edge 6m 10m 14m Path Fence 18m 25m 32m 37m 44m NVC Community MC5 MC5 MC5 MC5 MC9c MC9c MC9c MC9c Tending to U4 Armeria maritima-Cerastium diffususm therophyte Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus Achillea sub- Semi- community improved acid grassland Height (cm) 2 2 2 6 7 7 3 6 7 Species Armeria maritima 7 6 4 4 3 2 2 1 8 Dactylis glomerata 2 2 3 2 1 2 1 1 8 Holcus lanatus 2 2 3 4 4 8 7 7 8 9 Bromus ferronii 3 1 1 1 2 1 6 Achillea millifolium 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 8 Plantago lanceolata 2 3 3 4 4 3 2 7 Festuca rubra 4 4 4 5 6 4 5 7 5 9 Bare 6 4 1 2 1 5 Festuca ovina 5 4 4 4 4 Leontodon hispidus 3 3 2 1 1 2 2 7 Plantago coronopus 4 1 1 1 4 Cerastium diffusum 2 1 2 Cerastium fontanum 1 1 2 3 Lotus corniculatus 3 2 2 2 4 Rumex acetosa 1 2 2 2 2 1 6 Galium verum 3 1 2 Erodium cicutarium 2 1 Crepis capillaris 2 1 1 3 Agrostis stolonifera 2 1
Jonathan Cox Associates 129 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Aphanes arvensis 1 1 Cirsium arvense 2 1 Picris echioides 1 1 2 Trifolium pratense 2 2 2 1 4 Stellaria graminea 2 1 Cirsium vulgare 1 1 2 Senecio jacobea 2 1 2 Vicia sativa 1 1 13 12 12 13 13 16 13 11 8
Jonathan Cox Associates 130 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 19 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Isle of Wight Pearl 10/09/2009 2x2m 2x 10m Cliff top grassland, Compton Chine to Unmown, coastal Steephill Cove path. Rabbit grazing Quadrat No. 19a 19b 19c 19d 19e Frequency Quadrat location Cliff Edge 2m 6m 8m 10m NVC Community MC9c MC9c MC9c MC9c MC9c Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Festuca rubra- Holcus lanatus Holcus lanatus Holcus lanatus Holcus lanatus Holcus lanatus grassland grassland grassland grassland grassland Height (cm) 6 1 7 10 15 Species Festuca rubra 8 9 7 6 6 5 Holcus lanatus 4 2 7 8 6 5 Plantago lanceolata 4 2 3 1 2 5 Leontodon hispidus 3 2 2 1 1 5 Achillea millifolium 3 3 2 2 4 Rumex acetosa 1 1 1 1 4 Lotus corniculatus 2 1 2 2 4 Lolium perenne 1 2 1 1 4 Picris echioides 1 1 1 3 Trifolium pratense 2 2 3 3 Senecio jacobea 1 1 1 3 Luzula campestre 1 1 1 3 Cirsium vulgare 2 1 2 3 Plantago coronopus 3 2 2 Dactylis glomerata 3 2 2 Cerastium diffusum 1 1 2 Bare 4 1 2 Agrostis capillaris 3 3 2 Daucus carota 1 1 Ranunculus repens 1 1 12 11 13 12 15 20
Jonathan Cox Associates 131 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 20 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Sudmoor 10/09/2009 2x2m 2x 20m Cliff top grassland, mown Compton Chine to and unmown, coastal Steephill Cove path. 21.5m wide buffer to imp. grass field. Quadrat No. 20a 20b 20c 20d 20e Frequ Quadrat location Cliff edge 4m 6m trampled path 10m 14m NVC Community MC8d MC8d MC8d MC11 MC11 Festuca rubra-Armeria maritima grassland Holcus sub-comm Festuca rubra-Daucus carota grassland Height (cm) 7 8 1 5 15 Species Festuca rubra 8 8 8 4 1 5 Plantago lanceolata 4 4 3 4 4 5 Leontodon hispidus 1 1 1 3 3 5 Daucus carota 1 2 2 3 3 5 Dactylis glomerata 3 3 3 2 3 5 Centaurium erythraea 2 1 2 2 4 Holcus lanatus 2 8 8 3 Senecio jacobea 1 1 1 3 Picris echioides 1 1 1 3 Armeria maritima 4 2 2 3 Achillea millifolium 3 3 2 3 Centaurea nigra 1 2 1 3 Trifolium campestre 1 1 Bromus hordaceus 1 1 Agrostis stolonifera 4 1 Galium verum 2 1 Aira caryophyllea 1 1 Bare 4 1 Plantago coronopus 3 1 Bellis perennis 2 1 Cerastium fontanum 1 1 Cirsium arvense 1 1 11 12 13 11 10
Jonathan Cox Associates 132 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 21 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI West Chilton Chine 10/09/2009 2x2m 2x 14m Cliff top grassland, Compton Chine to mown and Steephill Cove unmown, coastal path. 14m wide buffer to imp grass field. Grid Ref:
Quadrat No. 21a 21b 21c 21d 21e Frequ Quadrat location Cliff edge 3m trampled path 6m 9m 12m to field fence NVC Community MG1a MC11 MG1a MG1a MG1a Festuca rubra- Arrhenatherum Daucus carota Arrhenatherum Arrhenatherum Arrhenatherum elatius grassland grassland elatius grassland elatius grassland elatius grassland Height (cm) 50 10 10 6 10 Species Convolvulous arvensis 3 2 2 2 2 5 Heracleum sphondylium 1 1 3 2 3 5 Arrhenatherum elatius 9 5 5 7 4 Festuca rubra 9 7 6 5 4 Achillea millifolium 3 4 4 4 4 Dactylis glomerata 2 7 7 5 4 Plantago lanceolata 2 4 4 4 4 Holcus lanatus 7 7 5 3 Rumex acetosa 2 2 3 3 Senecio jacobea 1 1 2 Elytrigia repens 4 1 Centaurea nigra 1 1 Bare 4 1 Daucus carota 1 1 Cirsium arvense 1 1 5 9 10 10 9 15
Jonathan Cox Associates 133 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 22 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI West Chilton Chine 10/09/2009 2x2m 2x10m + 10m Cliff top grassland, Compton mown and Chine to unmown, coastal Steephill Cove path. 20m wide buffer to maize field. Grid Ref:
Quadrat No. 22a 22b 22c 22d 22e 22f Frequ Quadrat location Cliff edge 4m 6m 8m 10m 20m NVC Community MC8f MC8f MC9b MC9b MC9b MC9b Festuca rubra-Armeria maritima- Festuca rubra-Holcus lanatus grassland Dactylis sub-comm Anthyllis sub-comm Height (cm) 5 25 5 5 5 5 Species Festuca rubra 8 8 8 7 7 3 6 Anthyllis vulneraria 5 4 4 7 7 3 6 Armeria maritima 5 1 2 Plantago lanceolata 4 4 4 4 4 3 6 Bare 3 3 2 3 Daucus carota 2 3 3 2 3 5 Plantago coronopus 2 1 1 3 Leontodon hispidus 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 Senecio jacobea 1 1 1 2 4 Trifolium campestre 1 1 2 Holcus lanatus 3 3 3 9 4 Convolvulous arvensis 1 1 1 3 Cirsium arvense 2 2 2 3 Agrostis stolonifera 4 5 5 3 Achillea millifolium 1 1 2 Pulicaria dysenterica 1 1 2 Cerastium diffususm 2 1 10 8 11 11 10 11 17
Jonathan Cox Associates 134 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Transect 23 Site Name Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Elmsworth Farm 10/09/2009 2x2m 2x10m Cliff Top unimproved Newtown Harbour MG5 grassland, grazed SSSI and treated with FYM Quadrat No. 23a 23b 23c 23d 23e Quadrat location Cliff edge-Fence Fence-Grazed field Grazed field Grazed field Grazed field NVC Community MG5/Group 2 MG5 MG5 MG5 MG5 Transitional grassland/ Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra grassland Equisetum telmateia pioneer community Species Deschampsia cespitosa 5 4 3 1 Agrostis canina 5 8 8 8 8 Equisetum telmateia 5 Rubus fruticosus 2 Potentilla reptans 2 3 1 2 Serratula tinctoria 3 1 1 1 Genista tinctoria 3 2 1 1 1 Carex flacca 4 4 3 4 3 Festuca rubra 4 1 2 3 Anthoxanthum oderatum 1 2 2 2 1 Elytrigia repens 1 Cynosurus cristatus 3 3 2 3 Rosa canina 1 2 Daucus carota 1 1 2 Juncus effusus 1 1 Prunella vulgaris 1 1 1 Holcus lanatus 2 3 3 3 Oenanthe pimpinelloides 1 1 1 1 Centaurea nigra 2 Pulicaria dysenterica 2 1 Lotus corniculatus 2 2 1 Cirsium arvense 2 11 14 15 13 15
Jonathan Cox Associates 135 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Cliff face quadrats Gurnard Cliffs Date Qudrat size Transect size Habitat SSSI Habitat SSSI Gurnard Cliffs 07/09/2009 2x2m Random Cliff face Thorness Bay Cliff top path Thorness Bay samples on mudslide and adjacent cliff face unmanaged mudslide field
Quadra No. WP014 Q1 WP014 Q2 WP014 Q3 WP014 Q4 WP015 Q5 WP015 Q6 WP015 Q7 Cliff face Cliff face Cliff face Cliff face Cliff face Cliff face Cliff face Quadrat location slumps slumps slumps slumps slumps slumps slumps NVC Community S25 S25 S25 Equisetum Equisetum Equisetum Equisetum Phragmites Phragmites Phragmites telmateia- telmateia- telmateia- telmateia- australis- australis- australis- Tussilago Tussilago Calamagrostis Calamagrostis Eupatorium Eupatorium Eupatorium farfara farfara epigejos epigejos cannabinum cannabinum cannabinum pioneer pioneer wetland wetland tall herb fen tall herb fen tall herb fen community community community community Frequ Height (cm) 30 30 100-150 100-150
Equisetum telmateia 5 4 10 10 2 3 2 7 Calamagrostis epigejos 5 4 2 1 4 Eupatorium cannabinum 4 1 3 4 4 Phragmites australis 1 10 9 9 4 Rubus fruticosus 4 2 5 4 4 Tussilago farfara 9 10 4 5 4 Pteridium aquilinum 4 4 3 3 Pulicaria dysenterica 2 5 4 3 Cirsium arvense 2 1 2 Euphorbia amygdaloides 1 2 2
Jonathan Cox Associates 136 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Salix cinerea seedling 1 1 2 Bare 2 1 Betula seedling 4 1 Cirsium palustre 1 1 Epilobium hirsutum 1 1 Fraxinus excelsior seedling 4 1 Hypericum pulchrum 1 1 Juncus effusus 1 1 Picris echioides 1 1 Total no spp 5 6 6 6 6 10 8
Jonathan Cox Associates 137 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Cliff face quadrats Burnt Wood Date Qudrat size 01/07/2009 50x50 canopy 5x5 ground flora Grid Ref: Quadrat No. Frequency WPT003 Q1 WPT003 Q2 WPT003 Q3 WPT004 Q4 WPT004 Q5 Quadrat location Burnt Wood Burnt Wood Burnt Wood Burnt Wood Burnt Wood NVC Community W8d Fraxinus- W8d Fraxinus- W8d Fraxinus- W8d Fraxinus- W8d Fraxinus- Mercurialis Mercurialis Mercurialis Mercurialis Mercurialis woodland Hedera woodland Hedera woodland Hedera woodland Hedera woodland Hedera sub-community sub-community sub-community sub-community sub-community Height (cm) Quercus robur 5 8 7 9 7 8 Corylus avellana 5 5 6 8 6 7 Acer campestre 4 4 5 6 2 Fraxinus excelsior 3 5 5 3 Cornus sanguinea 3 3 4 1 Crataegus monogyna 2 3 2 Salix cinerea 2 2 2 Viburnum opulus 2 2 2 Betula pendula 1 3 Sorbus torminalis 1 4 Fraxinus excelsior seedling 5 2 2 1 2 2 Lonicera peryclimenum 5 2 2 3 6 2 Hedera helix 5 9 9 9 7 9 Rubus fruticosus 4 4 2 5 2 Circea lutetiana 4 1 2 5 2 Acer campestre seedling 3 4 5 1 Galium oderatum 3 2 3 6 Ligustrum vulgare 3 3 4 3 Polystichium setiferum 3 1 2 3 Acer pseudoplatanus seedling 2 2 1 Ajuga reptans 2 2 1 Brachypodium sylvaticum 2 1 1 Euphorbia amygdaloides 2 2 1 Hyacinthoides non-scripta 2 1 2
Jonathan Cox Associates 138 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Iris foetodissima 2 1 1 Luzula foresteri 2 2 1 Sanicula europea 2 1 1 Viola riviniana 2 1 1 Pteridium aquilinum 1 1 Anemone nemorosa 1 1 Carex pendula 1 3 Dryopteris felix-mas 1 2 Frageria vesca 1 2 Geranium robertianum 1 2 Glechoma hederacea 1 3 Mercurialis perennis 0 Potentilla sterilis 1 1 Primula vulgaris 1 1 Prunus spinosa 1 2 Rosa arvensis 1 5 Rubia peregrina 1 4
Jonathan Cox Associates 139 Isle of Wight Soft Cliff Project: Management and Classification of Soft Cliff Vegetation of the Isle of Wight
Appendix 3: Vegetation sample locations and geology
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Key to geological map
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Jonathan Cox Associates 144