Scottish Natural Heritage Archive Report No. 059

Site dossier for bryological interest – Caenlochan SSSI

ARCHIVE REPORT

Archive Report No. 059 Site dossier for bryological interest – Caenlochan SSSI

For further information on this report please contact:

David Genney Scottish Natural Heritage Great Glen House Leachkin Road INVERNESS IV3 8NW Telephone: 01463 725253 E-mail: [email protected]

This report should be quoted as:

Rothero, G.P. 2005. Site dossier for bryological interest – Caenlochan SSSI. Scottish Natural Heritage Archive Report No. 059.

This report, or any part of it, should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural Heritage. This permission will not be withheld unreasonably. The views expressed by the author(s) of this report should not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage.

© Scottish Natural Heritage 2019.

Archive Reports

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In the past, a number of reports from staff and contractors were produced as paper documents and lodged in the SNH library or file systems. Some related to Site Condition Monitoring, others covered a range of subjects. These were not published as Research Reports for a number of reasons.

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Many of the reports published as Archive Reports were produced by contractors and were originally intended as internal documents to inform our policy and advice. As a result they may contain historical information that is no longer current or accurate, and may contain views of contractors or staff which do not represent the current views and policy of SNH.

This report was commissioned by SNH as part of the Site Condition Monitoring (SCM) programme to assess the condition of special features (habitats, species populations or earth science interests) on protected areas in Scotland (Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Ramsar). Site Condition Monitoring is SNH’s rolling programme to monitor the condition of special features on protected areas, their management and wider environmental factors which contribute to their condition.

The views expressed in the report are those of the contractor concerned and have been used by SNH staff to inform the condition assessment for the individual special features. Where the report recommends a particular condition for an individual feature, this is taken into account in the assessment process, but may not be the final condition assessment of the feature. Wider factors, which would not necessarily be known to the contractor at the time of the monitoring, are taken into consideration by SNH staff in making final condition assessments.

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ARCHIVE REPORT

Summary

Site dossier for bryological interest – Caenlochan SSSI

Archive Report No. 059 Contractor: Gordon Rothero Year of publication: 2019

Background Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are designated on the basis of notified features of interest. These include habitats, species or geological features. Site Condition Monitoring (SCM) is a six year programme of assessment of the state of all notified features of interest on designated sites. Reporting is based on feature types and will be to common standards across the four UK country conservation agencies.

This project addresses monitoring the bryophyte interest on Caenlochan SSSI, where they are a notified feature. The site is important for the assemblage of nationally rare bryophytes on the outcrops of calcareous rocks and screes and to a lesser extent in the snowbed vegetation and associated flushes. There is further bryophyte interest in some areas of dry acid crags and screes.

Main findings  The main bryophyte features of interest are: 1) the assemblage of bryophytes on the calcareous outcrops; 2) the areas of snowbed vegetation; 3) the springs and flushes, both those associated with meltwater from snow patches and stony, calcareous flushes; 4) the areas of acidic scree and some areas of acid crags.  There are 32 nationally rare bryophytes recorded from the site with 27 of these being Red Data Book species, most of them from the calcareous rocks and screes. Of these, Saelania glaucescens has the largest of only two British sites here in Glen Clova, Eurhynchium pulchellum has its third British site and several other species with their only sites away from the Lawers range.  The calcareous flushes are notable for the occurrence of Tayloria lingulata in three places with a good range of other scarce species and the variety of the more acidic flushes, including many with Sphagnum lindbergii, is possibly the finest in the UK.  The snowbed areas on Glas Maol are not large but do have a good range of species including the nationally rare Brachythecium starkei.  The site is in generally favourable condition for the bryophyte interest but there are areas of concern. A number of the rare calcicoles recorded for the site in the last 50 years have not been refound which is worrying. There is disturbance by grazing animals to flushes and snowbeds, albeit limited, but the damage by deer to the fragile ledges of the calcareous crags warrants concern.

For further information on this project contact: David Genney, Scottish Natural Heritage, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW. Tel: 01463 725253 or [email protected] For further information on the SNH Research & Technical Support Programme contact: Research Coordinator, Scottish Natural Heritage, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW. Tel: 01463 725000 or [email protected]

Site dossier for bryological interest Caenlochan SSSI

Introduction Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are designated on the basis of notified features of interest. These include habitats, species or geological features. Site Condition Monitoring (SCM) is a six year programme of assessment of the state of all notified features of interest on designated sites. Reporting is based on feature types and will be to common standards across the four UK country conservation agencies. This project addresses bryophyte monitoring on sites in Scotland, and covers all Scottish SSSIs where bryophytes are a notified feature. The nomenclature used in this report follows Blockeel and Long (1998).

Site name: Caenlochan SSSI

SNH area: Tayside

Site notification: The section of the citation relevant to bryophytes says “A combination of high altitude, relatively continental climate and differing rock and soil types has led to the development of a wide range of plant communities……..The site supports an unusually large number of montane mosses, liverworts, lichens and invertebrates, including several rare species.”

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero Date of survey: 2005

Previous surveys: This area has seen numerous visits by bryologists and there are many specimens in herbaria and some lists of species. However, the amount of useful information is rather limited, particularly as many of the lists include records made outside the boundary of the SSSI. Peter Pitkin surveyed part of the SSSI within the skiing area (Pitkin, 1980) and Rothero paid several visits to look at individual species as part of SNH’s Scottish Cryptogamic Conservation programme (Long & Rothero, 1995a, 1995b, Rothero 1997a, 1997b) and private visits to look at snowbed vegetation in 1994.

Site description and limits of survey: Caenlochan SSSI is a very large upland site with frequent areas of crags and scree and an extensive, undulating plateau. To thoroughly survey the whole area would take many days so this survey and monitoring targeted those areas known to have interesting bryophytes. Essentially the site covers all the higher ground stretching from Glas Maol in the north-west to Driesh in the south-east and includes the crags and screes of Caenlochan Glen, Canness Glen, Coire Fee and Glen Doll plus the steep slopes of Coire Odhar on the north side of Glas Maol. Much of the bryophyte interest is linked to the outcrops of calcareous rock which occur in Caenlochan Glen, Coire Fee and Glen Doll and to flushes which derive water from such rocks, as in Coire Odhar. The crags of hornblende schist in Caenlochan Glen and in the Clova area are very rich but they often give way abruptly to acid crags which can be very dour indeed, some of the rocks in Canness Glen having virtually no rupestral bryophytes. Some of the rocks, while not being calcareous, have some mineral enrichment, and this can give an interesting flora.

The slopes on Glas Maol and on the plateau are high enough to accumulate much snow in the winter and patches of this, on lee slopes and in incised valleys, persist into the summer giving area of snow-bed vegetation, although not on the scale of the Cairngorms proper or Lochnagar just to the north-east. All of the larger areas of

1 snow-bed vegetation were visited as were the considerable area of flushes associated with them.

Starting in the north, the areas targeted were the flushes in Coire Odhar, the areas of late snow lie on Glas Maol and the flushes on the plateau ground between Glas Maol and Tom Buidhe. A limited amount of time was spent in the area above the Devil’s Elbow and the valley south of Meall Odhar. Moving further south, in Caenlochan Glen the calcareous crags of Craigie Doubs, Craigie Glasallt and the west side of Druim Mor were surveyed in detail but the more acid crags below Monega Hill and on the south side of Druim Mor were not visited. The large expanse of acid crags in Canness Glen were visited but only those higher crags at the head of the glen were surveyed in detail. The plateau area from Tom Buidhe south to Driesh was covered thoroughly but it is difficult to be sure that all the interesting flushes were found, though the heads of all the major burns were visited. In Coire Fee the crags and screes from the Falls of Fee to Craig Rennet were surveyed in detail but, as there appear to be no bryophyte records of interest from the area, Coire Sharroch was not visited. Above Glen Doll, the woodland and screes below Craig Maud plus the area round the Burn of Dounalt were surveyed. Finally, the screes below Winter Coire and the coire itself had a short visit.

Bryophyte communities: On such a large site there are a number of bryophyte communities but the main interest on the site is restricted to just a few of these. The report and monitoring will concentrate on these communities.

Fig. 1. A large snowbed on Glas Maol with the typical bryophyte-dominated vegetation visible on the left. 2005.

Snow beds. Where snow accumulates on lee slopes and in incised sections of burns, the drifts can persist well into the summer. In these areas the growing season is very short and the vascular plant vegetation tends to be very patchy and bryophytes and lichens often dominate. There are no snowbeds on the SSSI on the scale of those on

2 the Lochnagar hills to the east but those that do occur have an interesting bryophyte flora. On damp gravely soils there can be good stands of chionophilous mosses like Polytrichum sexangulare, Kiaeria falcata and Kiaeria starkei (NVC U11) usually with some Pohlia ludwigii in the wettest areas. Conostomum tetragonum is surprisingly sparse. The Marsupella brevissima – Anthelia juratzkana liverwort crust (NVC U12) is poorly developed but some of its constituent species like Marsupella adusta, Marsupella alpina, Marsupella stableri and Marsupella sphacelata are all locally frequent. There is a single record for the very rare but taxonomically challenging Andreaea alpestris from Glas Maol but the moss was not seen on this survey. Of most importance is the occurrence of the nationally rare Brachythecium starkei and Scapania paludosa in flushed, open grassy places (close to U13) associated with the areas of late snow-lie in at least two places on Glas Maol.

Fig. 2. The pale-green patches of Pohlia wahlenbergii var glacialis in a large flush on the plateau east of Glas Maol. 2005.

Meltwater flushes. Associated with areas of late snow-lie, particularly in incised sections and at the heads of burns on the plateau, are bryophyte-dominated flushes, often picked out by the white-green patches of Pohlia wahlenbergii var glacialis (NVC M32 and M33). Other frequent species in these flushes include Philonotis fontana, Philonotis seriata, Jungermannia exertifolia ssp. cordifolia, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Scapania uliginosa, Bryum weigelii, Dicranella palustris, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, and vascular plants Saxifraga stellaris, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Juncus triglumis, Veronica serpyllifolia ssp humifusa, and occasionally Phleum alpinum and Alopecurus borealis. At the margins of these flushes, or more usually along the side of the small burns that flow from them, there can be good stands of the rare Sphagnum species Sphagnum lindbergii and in at least one place this moss occurs with a large lawn of Sphagnum riparium. Locally in this vegetation are stands of

3 Carex rariflora. Also associated with these flushed burnsides in several places are very large stands of the nationally scarce moss Pseudobryum cinclidioides.

Fig 3. Typical stony, base-rich flush in Coire Odhar. 2005

Base-rich flushes. Where the flushes derive much of their water from base-rich rocks the assemblage of bryophytes can be much richer and include a number of rare species. These flushes (NVC M11) are usually more open and stony and usually have an abundance of the common moss Blindia acuta on the stones. Other frequent species include Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Ctenidium molluscum, Palustriella commutata var falcata, Dichodontium pellucidum and vascular plants Saxifraga aizoides, Tofieldia pusilla, Equisetum variegetum, Persicaria vivipara, Juncus triglumis and Thalictrum alpinum. Nationally scarce species like Splachnum vasculosum, Meesia uliginosa, Tritomaria polita, Scapania degenii and Cinclidium stygium occur in this type of vegetation and there are several stands of the the nationally rare Tayloria lingulata and Palustriella decipiens. In the burns that have base-rich run-off there are several records for Hygrohypnum smithii but this was seen in only one site on this survey despite being targeted. The nationally scarce Hygrohypnum duriusculum occurs in a number of the bigger burns.

Acid crags. There are large stretches of acid crags along the valley sides in the major glens but the bryophyte interest on these seems to be rather limited. Common upland species like Racomitrium lanuginosum, Racomitrium heterostichum, Andreaea rupestris and Andreaea rothii can be abundant but diversity seems to be low. Some large expanses of crag can be almost devoid of bryophytes, particularly when they have a southerly aspect. Some of the schists appear to have a metalliferous content and there are several stands of the ‘copper moss’ Grimmia atrata. On one crag in Canness Glen, almost the only moss in one section is the nationally rare Grimmia elongata, again often associated with metalliferous rocks.

4 Acid scree: There are large expanses of acid scree, particularly in the Clova area of the site. The interstices of the scree can be interesting although the bulk of the species are those common on the crags. Nationally scarce species like Kiaeria blyttii and Tetralophozia setiformis are relatively frequent and there are occasional cushions of Cynodontium bruntonii and Cyodontium jenneri. Brachythecium reflexum occurs in the wooded block scree below Craig Maud as does Grimmia incurva. Much rarer species of this habitat like Cynodontium strumiferum and Cynodontium fallax are recorded for the site but were not seen during this survey despite much searching. The latter species, recorded for Glen Doll, has not been seen for over 100 years and must be presumed extinct.

Fig 4. Broken crags on Craigie Doubs, Caenlocha Glen, with a rich calcicole bryophyte flora. 2005.

Calcareous crags. The large exposures of calcareous crags in Caenlochan Glen, Coire Fee and Glen Doll have the most diverse flora and the greatest number of rare species on the site. In the Clova area, possibly the most interesting species is Saelania glaucescens which occurs as small open turfs on thin soil in crevices in broken crags; this is the largest of two British sites for this species. Suitable habitat for the plant seems to occur widely but it is restricted to three small areas in Coire Fee and Glen Doll, despite producing numerous sporophytes. Also limited to the Clova area is Grimmia unicolor, this area again having the largest of the two British localities. The main Clova site for Grimmia unicolor is at Juanjorge (Long & Rothero, 1995a), outside of the SSSI but there are reasonable stands in Winter Coire and in Coire Fee.

The calcareous crags at the head of Caenlochan Glen have a longer list of rarities than Clova, this area being one of the richest montane sites in Britain. Rare species like Hypnum bambergeri and Ptychodium plicatum are not uncommon on the crags here along with a number of other rare species like Scapania cuspiduligera, Scapania gymnostomophila, Eurhychium pulchellum, Myurella julacea,

5 Thuidium abietinum subsp. abietinum, Bryum arcticum, Pseudoleskeella catenulata and Rhytidium rugosum. At the base of the crags in sheltered crevices there are a few stands of Mnium spinosum. There are a number of nationally rare species from this habitat, reliably recorded for Caenlochan that have not been seen for some time. Campylophyllum halleri (1964), Mnium ambiguum (1965), Myurella tenerrima, (1962), Plagiobryum demissum (1964), Plagiothecium piliferum (1939) and Timmia austriaca (1954) were not refound on this survey.

Fig. 5. Calcareous scree on the slopes south-east of Craig Maud, Glen Clova. 2005.

Calcareous scree. Many of the species of the calcareous crags also occur in the scree but a number are either restricted to this habitat or have most of their population here. On the limestone rocks in the scree under Craig Maud Schistidium trichodon is abundant usually with other common calcicoles like Tortella tortuosa and other Schistidiums. There is also a small stand here of the nationally rare Pseudoleskea incurvata with Brachythecium reflexum. The screes in Caenlochan Glen have interesting plants like Pseudoleskea patens, Mnium spinosum, Brachythecium glaciale, Myurella julacea, Pseudoleskeella catenulata, Pseudoleskeella rupestris, Ditrichum flexicaule and the Red Data book species Heterocladium dimorphum.

Bryophyte features of interest: This is a very large montane site with a variety of rich habitats so it is not surprising that the list of bryophytes recorded for the site (see Annex 2) is over 450 species. Included in this are 32 nationally rare species and these are listed in Table 1. In addition there are 97 nationally scarce species and these are indicated in the species list in Annex 1. The most important features of interest are the calcareous crags (JNCC Special Habitat 26) and scree (JNCC Special Habitat 20) as these have a large assemblage of nationally rare and nationally scarce species. Also of great importance are the various flushes (JNCC Special Habitat 10), both acidic and calcareous, not only because of the number of interesting species but also because, in their frequency and variety, they are some of the best examples of this habitat in Britain.

6 Table 1. Nationally rare and RDB bryophytes reliably recorded from the Caenlochan SSSI. Species marked * were not seen on this survey. 2005.

Species RDB Status Andreaea alpestris * DD NR Brachythecium starkei VU NR Bryum arcticum DD NR Campylophyllum halleri * EN NR Cynodontium strumiferum * LR(nt) NR Cynodontium tenellum * LR(nt) NR Eurhynchium pulchellum EN NR Grimmia elongata LR(nt) NR Grimmia unicolor VU NR Heterocladium dimorphum VU NR Hygrohypnum smithii LR(nt) NR Hypnum bambergeri NR Mnium ambiguum * LR(nt) NR Mnium spinosum LR(nt) NR Myurella tenerrima * EN NR Palustriella decipiens LR(nt) NR Paraleucobryum longifolium VU NR Plagiobryum demissum * EN NR Plagiothecium piliferum * CR NR Pseudoleskea incurvata LR(nt) NR Pseudoleskea patens NR Pseudoleskeella rupestris LR(nt) NR Ptychodium plicatum LR(nt) NR Saelania glaucescens VU NR Sphagnum lindbergii LR(nt) NR Sphagnum riparium NR Tayloria lingulata EN NR Tayloria tenuis * CR NR Timmia austriaca * EN NR Nardia breidleri NR Scapania gymnostomophila LR(nt) NR Scapania paludosa NR

The snowbeds (JNCC Special Habitat 9) are not as extensive and lack some of the chionophilous species of the higher Cairngorms but do have some rare species and so are of interest. Of somewhat lesser interest are the acidic crags (JNCC Special Habitat 25) but the occurrence here of several populations of Grimmia atrata and at least one stand of Grimmia elongata is important.

Distribution of features of interest: The main areas of calcareous crags and scree are at the head of Caenlochan Glen and in Glen Doll and in Coire Fee with a smaller area in Winter Coire. There are extensive areas of acid crags in the more southerly part of Caenlochan Glen, in Canness Glen and again in Glen Doll, the southern part of Coire Fee, on the Scorrie and in Winter Coire. The best calcareous flushes are in Glas Coire and Coire Odhar on the north side of Glas Maol and in the Snow Burn on Mayar. There are base-rich flushes scattered elsewhere on the site, particularly on

7 the slope above the Devil’s Elbow but these do not have the rarer montane species. More acid flushes in areas of moderately late snow-lie are scattered over the plateau but are probably best developed on the east side of Glas Maol, on the plateau above the head of Caenlochan Glen, around Tom Buidhe and the burns above Glen Doll and west of Mayar. The best snow-bed vegetation is high on the slopes of Glas Maol above Craigie Doubs and in the incised section of the burn that runs through the White Braes. There is another snow-bed on the south side of Glas Maol and a marginal one on the east side of Tom Buidhe. The best areas for all these features of interest are indicated on Map 1 in Annex 1.

Monitoring: The attribute tables for indirect monitoring of the site are given in the Site condition section below. These need to be treated with some flexibility, particularly that for montane flushes where some degree of disturbance by deer is almost inevitable and probably ‘natural’. There are 45 direct monitoring sites with GPS readings and photographs given in Annex 3 at the end of this dossier. The general condition of the calcareous crags and scree can be monitored by assessing the presence of at least 75% of the nationally rare species listed in Table 1. Similarly in the flushes, for the site to be in favourable condition it should be possible to find the range of flush species listed in the section describing the flushes above including the rare species Tayloria lingulata. The snowbeds are interesting as they are quite marginal and, if climate change is going affect our snowbed vegetation, it is these sorts of site that will be first affected. The presence or absence of the typical snowbed species listed for monitoring sites 21, 26 and 41 should be a good indicator of change, as well as the area covered although this may be hard to assess except over a long timescale.

Figure 6. Deer on the horizon, part of a large herd seen above the Burn of Dounalt near Craig Maud. 2005

8 Site condition: The site is in a generally favourable condition for its bryophyte features of interest although there are indirect attributes which are unfavourable and these are discussed below. The problem of deer trampling in flushes has been mentioned already. Unless all deer are removed, there will always be some trampling in flushes, particularly in dry spells during the summer, so to fail the site on this basis seems unrealistic. It is the degree of damage that is important and the damage observed did not seem too serious. The disturbance by deer on the calcareous crags is rather more of a problem, although the main effect will be on vascular plants rather than bryophytes, at least initially. There were clear deer tracks across the good ground in Glen Doll and at the head of Caenlochan Glen and signs of grazing, even on seemingly inaccessible ledges. Large herds of deer (350+) were seen on the plateau just above Craig Maud (Fig 5) and in Caenlochan Glen and if these sorts of numbers are moving regularly across the crags, it is easy to see how damage can be caused.

A number of the nationally rare species recorded, particularly for the calcareous crags in Caenlochan Glen in the not too distant past, have not been refound in the past 40 years or more. The most important species are Plagiothecium piliferum, Campylophyllum halleri, Myurella tenerrima, Mnium ambiguum, Plagiobryum demissum and Timmia austriaca, all Red Data Book species. This is a significant number of the nationally rare species for this habitat on the site and is worrying. There are no accurate map references or adequate site descriptions and these are not easy species to find and it may be that the right section of the extensive crags has been missed. To balance this, two new RDB species were found on the Caenlochan crags on this survey in Heterocladium dimorphum and Eurhynchium pulchellum.

Comparison with previous surveys is only possible for Glas Choire north of Glas Maol which was visited by Pitkin in 1980, prior to the skiing developments. This area does not seem to have suffered unduly and most of the species seen by Pitkin were refound and significant additions made to the flora of the flushes. Other surveys in the area were for individual species; Grimmia unicolor (Long and Rothero, 1995a) and Bryum dixonii (Rothero1997a) were readily refound on rocks in Coire Fee, Splachnum vasculosum (Rothero, 1997b) was seen in a new site and Tayloria lingulata (Rothero 1997c) was found in three new sites. Attempts to find Plagiothecium piliferum (Long & Rothero, 1995c) failed again. There is more detailed information for Saelania glaucescens from a visit in 1993 and 1994 (Long and Rothero, 1995b). Essentially there seems to be little change in the stands of this species that were recorded in 1993 and a new stand (Monitoring site 9) was found in Glen Doll. A number of the patches had sporophytes but all the patches are rather small.

Table 2. Attribute table for indirect monitoring of JNCC special bryophyte habitat 9 (bryophyte species of snowbeds) on Caenlochan SSSI, 2005. Attributes Targets Method of Comments assessment Niche No loss of area of snowbed Ideally Favourable availability satellite The area covered tecnology seemed no different to that in 1994 Niche No loss of diversity from Comparison Favourable? diversity baseline with photos No photos available but species diversity unchanged from 1994 visit

9 Table 3. Attribute table for indirect monitoring of JNCC special bryophyte habitat 10 (bryophyte species of montane flushes) on Caenlochan SSSI, 2005.

Attributes Targets Method of Comments assessment Water 95% of flushes with Visual Favourable quality cool,clear water assessment Water All flushes showing water Visual Favourable movement movement assessment Vegetation No encroachment by Visual Favourable structure scrub, some open areas assessment present Negative All flushes free from Visual Unfavourable some indicator: excessive trampling or assessment flushes show signs of disturbance poaching deer trampling

Table 4. Attribute table for indirect monitoring of JNCC special bryophyte habitat 20 (bryophyte species of scree) on Caenlochan SSSI, 2005.

Attributes Targets Method of Comments assessment Niche No loss of area of scree Mapping, Favourable availability supporting feature of photography The area covered interest seemed no different to that in 1996 Negative No evidence of burning Visual Favourable indicator: assessment fire Negative No disturbance in the from Visual Favourable indicator: of abrasion or damage to assessment some deer tracks disturbance the vegetation through the scree below craig Maud

Table 5. Attribute table for indirect monitoring of JNCC special bryophyte habitat 25 (bryophyte species of montane acid crags) on Caenlochan SSSI, 2005.

Attributes Targets Method of Comments assessment Niche No loss of area of rock Mapping, Favourable availability outcrop photos The area covered seemed no different to that in 1996 Negative No evidence of grazing Visual Favourable indicator: No evidence of abrasion assessment some evidence of deer disturbance tracks and grazing

10 Table 5. Attribute table for indirect monitoring of JNCC special bryophyte habitat 25 (bryophyte species of montane acid crags) on Caenlochan SSSI, 2005.

Attributes Targets Method of Comments assessment Niche No loss of area of rock Mapping, Favourable availability outcrop photos The area of crag seemed no different to that in 1996 Negative No evidence of grazing Visual Unfavourable indicator: No evidence of abrasion assessment Well-marked erosion by disturbance deer and presumably grazing on Craig Maud and on parts of Caenlochan crags

Management: The management statement (2001) for the site regrettably makes no mention of the lower plant interest on the site, however the long-term objectives for the plant communities and species apply equally to bryophytes and lichens. The effects of trampling and grazing by deer on the calcareous crags at the head of Caenlochan Glen and on the broken crags to the south of Craig Maud in Glen Doll should be monitored. It would seem prudent to consider reducing deer numbers in these areas. The exclosure in Coire Fee does not seem to have adversely affected the bryophytes noted in this survey but, in general, total exclusion of grazing animals is not good for bryophytes and there needs to a balance of conservation objectives.

As part of the continuation of research on the status of the rare plant species recommended in the management statement, targeted survey work to address the concern over the apparent loss of a number of rare calcicole mosses from the head of Caenlochan Glen, should be commissioned. The population of Saelania glaucescens, possibly the only one remaining in Britain (the second, in Glen Feshie, has not been seen for over 40 years), should be regularly monitored as the total size of the population is rather small.

References:

Blockeel, T L & Long, D G, 1998. A Checklist and Census Catalogue of British and Irish Bryophytes. British Bryological Society, Cardiff.

Long DG & Rothero GP, 1995a. Grimmia unicolor Species Dossier; Scottish Cryptogamic Conservation Project. Unpublished report for SNH.

Long DG & Rothero GP, 1995b. Saelania glaucescens Species Dossier; Scottish Cryptogamic Conservation Project. Unpublished report for SNH.

Long DG & Rothero GP, 1995c. Plagiothecium piliferum Species Dossier; Scottish Cryptogamic Conservation Project. Unpublished report for SNH.

Pitkin P, 1980. Bryological interest of Glas Choire and Garbh Choire, Glenshee. Unpublished report for NCC.

11 Rothero GP, 1997a. Bryum dixonii Species Dossier; Scottish Cryptogamic Conservation Project. Unpublished report for SNH.

Rothero GP, 1997b. Splachnum vascu/osum Species Dossier; Scottish Cryptogamic Conservation Project. Unpublished report for SNH.

Rothero GP, 1997c. Tayloria lingulata Species Dossier; Scottish Cryptogamic Conservation Project. Unpublished report for SNH.

12 Annex 1. Map 1. Location of the important areas for bryophytes on the Caenlochan SSSI. 2005. - .. --

Flushes Acid crags and scree Calcareous crags and scree 11=.::..

13 Annex 2. Bryophyte species list for Caenlochan SSSI. 2005-11-25

This list is compiled mainly from records made by Gordon Rothero, with supplementary records from David Long and members of the British Bryological Society. Most are recent records, primarily since 1980 but do include some that are much older and these are mentioned in the text of the main report.

Mosses Bryum subapiculatum Amblyodon dealbatus Bryum weigelii Amblystegium confervoides Calliergon cordifolium Amblystegium serpens Calliergon giganteum Amphidium lapponicum Calliergon sarmentosum Amphidium mougeotii Calliergon stramineum Andreaea alpestris Calliergon trifarium Andreaea alpina Calliergonella cuspidata Andreaea mutabilis Campyliadelphus chrysophyllus Andreaea rothii falcata Campylium stellatum protensum Andreaea rothii rothii Campylium stellatum stellatum Andreaea rupestris Campylophyllum halleri Anoectangium aestivum Campylopus atrovirens Anomobryum julaceum julaceum Campylopus flexuosus Antitrichia curtipendula Campylopus fragilis Archidium alternifolium Campylopus pyriformis Arctoa fulvella Campylopus subulatus Atrichum undulatum Ceratodon purpureus Aulacomnium palustre Climacium dendroides Barbula convoluta Conostomum tetragonum Barbula unguiculata Cratoneuron filicinum Bartramia halleriana Ctenidium molluscum Bartramia ithyphylla Ctenidium molluscum condensatum Bartramia pomiformis Ctenidium molluscum molluscum Blindia acuta Ctenidium molluscum robustum Brachydontium trichodes Cynodontium bruntonii Brachythecium glaciale Cynodontium jenneri Brachythecium plumosum Cynodontium strumiferum Brachythecium reflexum Cynodontium tenellum Brachythecium rivulare Dichodontium pellucidum Brachythecium rutabulum Dichodontium pellucidum sensu lato Brachythecium starkei Dicranella heteromalla Breutelia chrysocoma Dicranella palustris Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens Dicranella subulata Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum Dicranella varia Bryum alpinum Dicranodontium denudatum Bryum arcticum Dicranoweisia cirrata Bryum argenteum Dicranoweisia crispula Bryum bicolor Dicranum bonjeanii Bryum caespiticium sensu lato Dicranum fuscescens Bryum capillare Dicranum majus Bryum dixonii Dicranum scoparium Bryum imbricatum Dicranum scottianum Bryum mildeanum Dicranum spurium Bryum pallens Didymodon fallax Bryum pseudotriquetrum Didymodon ferrugineus Bryum riparium Didymodon insulanus Bryum rubens Didymodon rigidulus

14 Didymodon spadiceus Hypnum andoi Hypnum Didymodon tophaceus bambergeri Hypnum Diphyscium foliosum callichroum Hypnum Distichium capillaceum cupressiforme Hypnum Ditrichum cylindricum hamulosum Hypnum Ditrichum flexicaule jutlandicum Hypnum Ditrichum gracile lacunosum Hypnum Ditrichum heteromallum resupinatum Isopterygiopsis Ditrichum zonatum muelleriana Isopterygiopsis Drepanocladus revolvens pulchella Isothecium Encalypta alpina alopecuroides Isothecium Encalypta ciliata myosuroides Isothecium Encalypta rhaptocarpa myosuroides Encalypta streptocarpa brachythecioides Entodon concinnus Kiaeria blyttii Entosthodon obtusus Kiaeria falcata Eucladium verticillatum Kiaeria starkei Eurhynchium praelongum Leptodontium flexifolium Eurhynchium pulchellum Leucobryum glaucum Eurhynchium striatum Leucodon sciuroides Fissidens adianthoides Meesia uliginosa Fissidens bryoides Mnium ambiguum Fissidens dubius Mnium hornum Fissidens osmundoides Mnium marginatum marginatum Fissidens taxifolius Mnium spinosum Fontinalis antipyretica Mnium stellare Fontinalis squamosa Mnium thomsonii Funaria hygrometrica Molendoa warburgii Grimmia atrata Myurella julacea Grimmia curvata Myurella tenerrima Grimmia donniana Neckera complanata Grimmia elongata Neckera crispa Grimmia funalis Oedipodium griffithianum Grimmia hartmanii Oligotrichum hercynicum Grimmia incurva Oncophorus virens Grimmia pulvinata Orthothecium intricatum Grimmia torquata Orthothecium rufescens Grimmia trichophylla Orthotrichum affine Grimmia unicolor Orthotrichum anomalum Gymnostomum aeruginosum Orthotrichum rupestre Hedwigia stellata Herzogiella Palustriella commutata striatella Heterocladium Palustriella commutata commutata dimorphum Heterocladium Palustriella commutata falcata heteropterum Palustriella decipiens Homalothecium sericeum Paraleucobryum longifolium Hookeria lucens Philonotis calcarea Hygrohypnum duriusculum Philonotis fontana Hygrohypnum eugyrium Philonotis seriata Hygrohypnum luridum Philonotis tomentella Hygrohypnum ochraceum Plagiobryum demissum Hygrohypnum smithii Plagiobryum zieri Hylocomium pyrenaicum Plagiomnium elatum Hylocomium splendens Plagiomnium rostratum Hylocomium umbratum Plagiomnium undulatum Hymenostylium recurvirostrum Plagiopus oederianus

15 Plagiothecium cavifolium Rhizomnium magnifolium Plagiothecium denticulatum Rhizomnium punctatum denticulatum Rhynchostegium riparioides Plagiothecium denticulatum Rhytidiadelphus loreus obtusifolium Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Plagiothecium piliferum Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Plagiothecium platyphyllum Rhytidium rugosum Plagiothecium succulentum Saelania glaucescens Plagiothecium undulatum Sanionia uncinata Platydictya jungermannioides Schistidium apocarpum Pleurozium schreberi Schistidium rivulare Pogonatum aloides Schistidium robustum Pogonatum urnigerum Schistidium strictum Pohlia annotina Schistidium trichodon Pohlia bulbifera Scleropodium purum Pohlia cruda Scorpidium scorpioides Pohlia drummondii Seligeria donniana Pohlia elongata Seligeria pusilla Pohlia ludwigii Seligeria recurvata Pohlia nutans Sphagnum capillifolium Pohlia wahlenbergii Sphagnum compactum Pohlia wahlenbergii glacialis Sphagnum contortum Polytrichum alpinum Sphagnum cuspidatum Polytrichum commune Sphagnum denticulatum Polytrichum formosum Sphagnum fallax Polytrichum juniperinum Sphagnum fimbriatum Polytrichum longisetum Sphagnum fuscum Polytrichum piliferum Sphagnum girgensohnii Polytrichum sexangulare Sphagnum inundatum Polytrichum strictum Sphagnum lindbergii Pseudobryum cinclidioides Sphagnum magellanicum Pseudocrossidium hornschuchianum Sphagnum palustre Pseudoleskea incurvata Sphagnum papillosum Pseudoleskea patens Sphagnum riparium Pseudoleskeella catenulata Sphagnum russowii Pseudoleskeella rupestris Sphagnum squarrosum Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans Sphagnum subnitens Pterigynandrum filiforme Sphagnum tenellum Pterogonium gracile Ptilium Sphagnum teres crista-castrensis Sphagnum warnstorfii Ptychodium plicatum Splachnum sphaericum Ptychomitrium polyphyllum Splachnum vasculosum Racomitrium aciculare Syntrichia intermedia Racomitrium affine Syntrichia ruralis Racomitrium aquaticum Tayloria lingulata Racomitrium ellipticum Tayloria tenuis Racomitrium elongatum Tetraphis pellucida Racomitrium ericoides Tetraplodon angustatus Racomitrium fasciculare Tetraplodon mnioides Racomitrium heterostichum Thamnobryum alopecurum Racomitrium lanuginosum Thuidium abietinum abietinum Racomitrium macounii Thuidium philibertii Racomitrium sudeticum Thuidium recognitum Rhabdoweisia crispata Thuidium tamariscinum Rhabdoweisia fugax Timmia austriaca

16 Tortella tortuosa Frullania tamarisci Tortula muralis Gymnocolea inflata Tortula subulata graeffii Gymnomitrion concinnatum Tortula subulata subulata Gymnomitrion crenulatum Trichostomum brachydontium Gymnomitrion obtusum Trichostomum crispulum Haplomitrium hookeri Trichostomum tenuirostre Harpanthus flotovianus Ulota bruchii Herbertus stramineus Ulota crispa Hygrobiella laxifolia Ulota drummondii Ulota Jungermannia atrovirens hutchinsiae Warnstorfia Jungermannia borealis exannulata Warnstorfia Jungermannia exsertifolia fluitans Weissia Jungermannia gracillima brachycarpa Jungermannia hyalina Weissia controversa Jungermannia obovata Zygodon viridissimus viridissimus Jungermannia paroica Jungermannia pumila Liverworts Jungermannia sphaerocarpa Anastrepta orcadensis Jungermannia subelliptica Anastrophyllum hellerianum Kurzia pauciflora Anastrophyllum minutum Kurzia trichoclados Aneura pinguis Leiocolea alpestris Anthelia julacea Anthelia Leiocolea bantriensis juratzkana Apometzgeria Lejeunea cavifolia pubescens Lepidozia pearsonii Barbilophozia atlantica Lepidozia reptans Barbilophozia attenuata Lophocolea bidentata Barbilophozia barbata Lophozia bicrenata Barbilophozia floerkei Lophozia excisa Barbilophozia hatcheri Lophozia incisa Barbilophozia lycopodioides Lophozia longidens Bazzania tricrenata Lophozia opacifolia Bazzania trilobata Lophozia sudetica Blasia pusilla Lophozia ventricosa Blepharostoma trichophyllum Marchantia polymorpha Calypogeia azurea Marsupella adusta Calypogeia fissa Marsupella alpina Calypogeia muelleriana Marsupella brevissima Calypogeia neesiana Marsupella emarginata Cephalozia bicuspidata Marsupella emarginata aquatica Cephalozia connivens Marsupella emarginata emarginata Cephalozia leucantha Marsupella emarginata pearsonii Cephalozia lunulifolia Marsupella funckii Cephalozia pleniceps Marsupella sphacelata Cephaloziella divaricata Marsupella sprucei Cephaloziella hampeana Marsupella stableri Chiloscyphus polyanthos Metzgeria conjugata Cololejeunea calcarea Metzgeria furcata Conocephalum conicum Moerckia blyttii Diplophyllum albicans Mylia anomala Diplophyllum taxifolium Mylia taylorii Douinia ovata Nardia breidleri Eremonotus myriocarpus Nardia compressa Frullania dilatata Nardia geoscyphus Frullania fragilifolia Nardia scalaris

17 Nowellia curvifolia Scapania aspera Odontoschisma sphagni Scapania compacta Pellia endiviifolia Scapania cuspiduligera Pellia epiphylla Pellia Scapania degenii neesiana Plagiochila Scapania gracilis asplenioides Plagiochila Scapania gymnostomophila carringtonii Plagiochila Scapania irrigua porelloides Porella Scapania lingulata arboris-vitae Scapania nemorea Porella cordeana Scapania paludosa Preissia quadrata Scapania scandica Ptilidium ciliare Scapania subalpina Ptilidium pulcherrimum Scapania uliginosa Radula complanata Scapania umbrosa Radula lindenbergiana Scapania undulata Reboulia hemisphaerica Tetralophozia setiformis Riccardia chamedryfolia Tritomaria exsectiformis Riccardia latifrons Tritomaria polita Riccardia multifida Tritomaria quinquedentata Riccia sorocarpa Scapania aequiloba

18 Annex 3. Sites for direct monitoring of the bryophyte interest on the Caenlochan SSSI.

45 sites were selected to reflect the bryophyte interest of the site. The sites with bryophyte-dominated snowbed vegetation are essentially assemblages of species and what is being monitored is the diversity and extent of the target community on the selected site. Most are sites where individual rare species are being monitored, and here an attempt was made to select only those rarities that a competent bryologist could recognise in the field.

For each site there is a description of the bryophyte interest, a GPS reading for the site, a description and map of the location, the date of the record and the recorder plus notes on what is to be monitored and a list of associates or the assemblage of target species on the site. There are also a varying number of photographs of each site, showing the location and, where appropriate, some detail of the bryophyte interest on the site.

19 Map 2. The approximate location of the 45 bryophyte monitoring sites on the Caenlochan SSSI.

.,. 1 •, ·... -' ...

20 Monitoring site 1: A stand of Saelania glaucescens in crevices of low, broken, base- rich crags.

Grid reference: Base of site below falls is at NO2439.7492.

Location: At the base of an angled band of broken crags and on associated rocks on the north (true left) side of the burn at the base of the Falls of Fee in Coire Fee.

Date: May 30th, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Photos 1.3 – 1.5 show the location and numbering of the patches; unfortunately the lowest patch, patch 1 is just out of shot below Photo 1.2. The cushion size below gives the diameter of the cushion except where stated.

1) 1cm, 4cm, 1.5cm. Fruiting. 2) 2cm – an open turf plus some 16 scattered stems. 3) 17 stems in an open turf. 4) 4 x 1.5cm, 3 x 2cm, 8 x 2cm. 5) 2.5cm – an open turf with some 30 stems. 6) 2 x 5cm. Fruiting. 7) 2 x 5cm. Fruiting. 8) 30 scattered stems. 9) 4 x 2cm. Fruiting 10) 30+ scattered stems.

Of the 10 distinct patches, four were fruiting but the total population here is worryingly small. It has persisted on the site for at least 150 years but most of the patches here seem smaller than my memory of the site in 1993 although the number of patches found, ten, was the same on both occasions.

Associated species: Amphidium lapponicum, Pohlia cruda, Bartramia ithyphylla, Viola riviniana, Tortella tortuosa, Distichium capillaceum, Frullania tamarisci, Radula lindenbergiana, Andreaea rupestris.

21 Photo 1.1. Caenlochan, the location of monitoring site 1; the line of low crags faces away from the camera and is hidden in this view from the path in the valley floor. May, 2005.

Photo 1.2. Caenlochan, the location of monitoring site 1; looking north across the Falls of Fee from the main path up the coire. 2005.

22 Photo 1.3. Caenlochan, monitoring site 1; location of lower patches 2-7 of Saelania glaucescens . Patch 1 is c. 5m below and right of patch 2. May, 2005.

Photo 1.4. Caenlochan, monitoring site 1; the location of middle patches 6 and 7 from below and near the falls. May, 2005.

23 Photo 1.5. Caenlochan, monitoring site 1; the location of upper patches 8 – 10 from below. The grassy gully at the top of the site is visible at top centre. May 2005.

24 Monitoring site 2: A small stand of Saelania glaucescens in crevices at the base of large crags.

Grid reference: NO2477.7542

Location: At the base of ‘Oxytropis Rocks’ on the north side of Coire Fiadh, Clova.

Date: May 30th, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: In very small quantity here with only four small patches found. In 1993, five patches were found but the sizes were not recorded. No fruiting plants were seen here. The patch numbers below refer to Photo 2.2 and the cushion size gives the diameter of the cushion except where stated.

1) 2 x 3cm, an open turf. 2) 2cm and 1.5cm in a loose turf. 3) 1.5cm plus 25 scattered stems. 4) 1cm plus 5 scattered stems.

Associated species: Amphidium lapponicum, Pohlia cruda, Bartramia ithyphylla, Weissia controversa, Galium sterneri, Campanula rotundifolia, Viola riviniana.

25 Photo 2.1. Caenlochan, monitoring site 2; the location of the stand of Saelania glaucescens viewed from the path in the valley bottom to the south. May, 2005.

Photo 2.2. Caenlochan, monitoring site 2; the location of the patches of Saelania glaucescens viewed from below. May, 2005.

26 Monitoring site 3: Cushions of Grimmia unicolor on periodically irrigated base-rich slabs at the base of crags.

Grid reference: NO2473.7538

Location: At the base of ‘Oxytropis Rocks’ on the north side of Coire Fiadh, Clova.

Date: May 30th, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Cushions and patches of Grimmia unicolor occur on these wet slabs,often mixed with other bryophytes. 23 cushions were counted but a more diligent survey on a drier day would probably find more.

Associated species: Grimmia funalis, Anomobryum julaceum, Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens, Racomitrium macounii subsp. alpinum, Blindia acuta, Saxifraga nivalis.

27 Photo 3.1. Caenlochan, monitoring site 3; the location of the cushions of Grimmia unicolor viewed from the path in the valley bottom to the south. May, 2005.

28 Monitoring site 4: Cushions of Bryum muehlenbeckii on periodically irrigated rocks in lower more broken part of falls.

Grid reference: Base of site below falls is at NO2439.7492

Location: on rocks in the Falls of Fee, Coire Fiadh, Clova.

Date: May 30th, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: There are a number of large (10cm diameter) cushions here but the volume of water and the frequency of the somewhat similar Bryum pseudotriquetrum prevented an accurate assessment. The presence of at least five cushions would indicate favourable condition.

29 Photo 4.1. Caenlochan monitoring site 4, viewed from the path on the valley floor. Patches of Bryum muehlenbeckii are scattered in the area outlines. 2005.

30 Monitoring site 5: A stand of Grimmia incurva on the flat top of a rock in wooded block scree.

Grid reference: NO2404.7699

Location: In the wooded scree below Craig Maud in Glen Doll. The stand is near the top of the woodland where the tree cover is more sparse.

Date: 21st June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Grimmia incurva is reasonably abundant over a limited area. Almost all the black cushions within the area outlined in Photo 5.3 are the moss. There are a few more patches deeper into the crevice ie. above the area outlined in Photo 5.3.

Associated species: Racomitrium heterostichum, Tetralophozia setiformis, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Kiaeria blyttii,

31 Photo 5.1. Caenlochan, the location of monitoring site 5 viewed from the valley floor to the SE. 2005.

Photo 5.2. Caenlochan, the location of monitoring site 5 looking SE along the line of the slope. The yellow flag arrowed marks the stand. 2005.

32 Photo 5.3. Caenlochan, detail of monitoring site 5 looking down on the flat top of the rock below the overhang. 2005.

33 Monitoring site 6: Stands of Barbilophozia lycopodioides and Schistidium trichodon on calcareous rocks in the scree below Craig Maud.

Grid reference: NO2412.7668

Location: There are lines and patches of scree on the slopes below the recessed section of crags S of Craig Maud and N of the Dounalt Burn. The site is about halfway up the slope.

Date: 21st June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Schistidium trichodon is remarkably abundant on the calcareous rocks that are scattered through the scree but Barbilophozia lycopodioides is sparse and this was the best patch seen. The patch is c. 25cm in diameter and is shown in Photo 6.4. Most of the dark cushions in Photo 6.5 are Schistidium trichodon.

Associated species, Barbilophozia lycopodioides: Dicranum fuscescens, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Sedum rosea, Alchemilla alpina, Barbilophozia hatcheri, Schistidium trichodon: Tortella tortuosa, Schistidium papillosum, Racomitrium fasciculare, Andreaea rupestris, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Didymodon rigidulus.

34 Photo 6.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 6 looking up the slope from the valley bottom. 2005.

Photo 6.2. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 6 looking up the line of scree. 2005.

35 Photo 6.3. Caenlochan; detail of monitoring site 6 with the patch of Barbilophozia lycopodioides arrowed on the left and Schistidium trichodon on the right. 2005.

Photo 6.4. Caenlochan; detail of the large patch of Barbilophozia lycopodioides which is outlined in red. 2005.

36 Photo 6.5. Caenlochan; detail of the patches of Schistidium trichodon. Almost all the dark patches on the central rock are the moss. 2005.

37 Monitoring site 7: Several patches of Saelania glaucescens.

Grid reference: NO2400.7661

Location: In crevices at the base of the recessed calcareous crags between Craig Maud to the N and the Burn of Dounalt to the S.

Date: 21st June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: There are small patches of Saelania glaucescens in 6 places close together under the crags as shown in Photo 7.1. 1) 1) 2.5 x 4.5 fruiting 2) 20+ scattered stems 3) 15 stems in a tiny patch 4) 3cm diameter, 1 x 6cm +scattered stems 5) 16 stems in tiny patch 6) 1.5cm diameter + scattered stems

Associated species: Anoectangium aestivum, Thymus polytrichus ssp britannicus, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Pohlia cruda, Alchemilla alpina, Campanula rotundifolia, Dryas octopetala, Silene acaulis, Ctenidium molluscum, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Plagiochila porelloides.

38 Photo 7.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 7 viewed from the valley floor to the east. Craig Maud is on the right and the Burn of Dounalt on the left. 2005.

Photo 7.2. Caenlochan monitoring site 7; the location of patches 1 to 3, by the right hand arrow in Photo 7.1. 2005.

39 Photo 7.3. Caenlochan monitoring site 7; the location of patches 4 to 6, by the left hand arrow in Photo 7.1. 2005.

40 Monitoring site 8: A stand of Hygrohypnum duriusculum on rocks in the burn in a series of cascades.

Grid reference: NO2406.7646

Location: On irrigated rocks in a steep but accessible section of the Burn of Dounalt just below the initial falls as the burn drops from the plateau.

Date: 21st June, 2004.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Numerous patches of Hygrohypnum duriusculum on rocks subject to regular inundation in the area outlined in Photo 8.2 and no doubt elsewhere in the steep section of the burn.

Associated species: Scapania undulata, Hygrohypnum ochraceum, Brachythecium plumosum, Marsupella emarginata,

Photo 8.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 8 in the Burn of Dounalt viewed from the valley floor. 2005.

41 Photo 8.2. Caenlochan; detail of monitoring site 8 from below. Hygrohypnum duriusculum is scattered on the rocks in the section outlined. 2005.

42 Monitoring site 9: Patches of Saelania glaucescens amongst broken rocks by the burn.

Grid reference: NO2416.7662 (this is the reference for the point from which Photo 9.1 was taken).

Location: The stand is on the true left (N) bank of the Burn of Dounalt, just at the base of the steepest upper section of the burn, below and angled line of broken crags.

Date: August, 2004.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Compared with the other sites, Saelania glaucescens is quite frequent in a limited area here. Diligent searching of the broken slopes above may well be rewarded with other patches. The groups of patches were marked with flags circled in Photo 9.1. Lowest flag: 10 x 2cm, 3 x 1.5cm, 5 x 2cm and many scattered stems; fruiting. Middle flag: very open patch 10cm diameter, 3cm diameter + c.50 scattered stems; fruiting Top flag: patches 3cm, 1cm, 2cm, 2cm in diameter all rather open turfs + c.25 scattered stems.

Associated species: Pohlia cruda, Hypnum cupressiforme, Viola riviniana, Thymus polytrichus ssp britannicus, Tortella tortuosa.

43 Photo 9.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 9 by the Burn of Dounalt, viewed from below. The yellow flags marking the groups of patches are circled. 2005

44 Monitoring site 10: A good population of Grimmia unicolor.

Grid reference: NO2772.7471

Location: On irrigated slabs on broken crags midway up the slope on the N side of Winter Coire, above and to the right of an obvious overhang.

Date: 22nd June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: The distribution of the cushions is shown in Photo 10.2. There are 5 good patches in the left hand area and six scrappy cushions at the bottom right. The main stand is on the central slab; the lower cushions are marked with red flags in Photo 10.3 but most of the green cushions higher up are also Grimmia unicolor but were out of reach for marking.

Associated species: Schistidium strictum, Tortella tortuosa, Grimmia funalis, Racomitrium aciculare, Racomitrium lanuginosum and close by Potentilla crantzii, Saxifraga oppositifolia and Polystichum lonchitis.

45 Photo 10.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 10 looking N from below with the prominent overhang clearly visible. 2005.

Photo 10.2. Caenlochan monitoring site 10; the location of the main groups of cushions looking SW along the slope. 2005.

46 Photo 10.3. Caenlochan monitoring site 10; detail of the central area with the cushions marked with red flags. 2005.

47 Monitoring site 11: A stand of Tayloria lingulata and Palustriella decipiens.

Grid reference: NO2492.7359

Location: A flushed section of the Snow Burn on the east side of Mayar; the plant occurs in a dense bryophyte turf over flushed rocks.

Date: 22nd June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: A good population of Tayloria lingulata here with a number of dense patches marked by white pegs in the photos and with numerous sporophytes. There is just one large patch of Palustriella decipiens outlined in Photo 11.2.

Associated species: Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Palustriella commutata var falcata, Dichodontium pellucidum, Jungermannia atrovirens, Aneura pinguis, Blindia acuta, Fissidens taxifolius, Pohlia wahlenbergii var glacialis, Selaginella selaginoides, Carex viridula ssp oedocarpa and Epilobium anagallidifolium.

48 Photo 11.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 11 viewed from below looking N. 2005.

Photo 11.2. Caenlochan monitoring site 11; patches of Tayloria lingulata are marked with white pegs and the patch of Palustriella decipiens is outlined in red. 2005.

49 Photo 11.3. Caenlochan monitoring site 11; detail of one patch of Tayloria lingulata showing the habit, habitat and sporophytes. 2005.

50 Monitoring site 12: A small population of Oncophorus virens in flush.

Grid reference: NO2490.7353 Location: In a flush on the E side of an incised section of the Snow Burn to the E of Mayar. Date: 22nd June, 2005. Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: A very small population of this nationally scarce moss with just one patch some 20cm in diameter in flushed turf over a rock.

Associated species: Palustriella commutata var falcata, Thalictrum alpinum, Tritomaria polita, Selaginella selaginoides.

Photo 12.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 12 viewed from below looking N with the patch of Oncophorus virens arrowed. 2005.

51 Monitoring site 13: A small population of the nationally rare moss Hygrohypnum smithii.

Grid reference: NO2489.7350

Location: On irrigated rocks in small waterfalls in an incised section of the Snow Burn E of Mayar

Date: 22nd June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Both groups of patches were badly eroded and so estimates of patch size are difficult. At the upper site there were 2 patches 15cm and 5cm in diameter. At the lower site there were patches 13cm and 10cm in diameter and both sites had sporophytes.

Associated species: Blindia acuta, Tortella tortuosa, Palustriella commutata var falcata.

52 Photo 13.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 13 viewed from below and to the west; the two stands are arrowed. 2005.

Photo 13.2. Caenlochan monitoring site 13; detail of one patch of Hygrohypnum smithii in a small waterfall at the upper site. 2005.

53 Monitoring site 14: A flush with a large population of Bryum weigelii. Grid reference: NO2338.7383 Location: In a flush on the W bank of the Mayar Burn. Date: 22nd June, 2005. Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: A large flush variegated pink with the stems of Bryum weigelii; there are numerous flushes along the line of the burn with an essentially similar flora but without the abundance of Bryum weigelii.

Associated species: Philonotis fontana, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Montia fontana, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Saxifraga stellaris.

Photo 14.1. Caenlochan monitoring site 14 from below. 2005

54 Monitoring site 15: A population of Sphagnum lindbergii in a flushed mire

Grid reference: NO2334.7404

Location: A flushed mire above the Mayar Burn where the slope of the burn eases back into the plateau and below a wet slope to the SW.

Date: 22nd June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: There are 5 patches of Sphagnum lindbergii here, none of them very large, and most consist of aggregates of scattered stems or groups of stems. The location of the patches is given in Photo 15.2.

Associated species: Sphagnum denticulatum, Drepanocladus revolvens, Sphagnum fallax, Carex nigra, Carex rariflora, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum capillifolium, Trichophorum cespitosum, Eriophorum vaginatum.

55 Photo 15.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 15 looking W across the Mayar Burn towards the ridge with spot height 866m. 2005.

Photo 15.2. Caenlochan monitoring site 15 with the patches of Sphagnum lindbergii arrowed; looking W over the Mayar Burn. 2005

56 Monitoring site 16: A population of the nationally rare moss Grimmia elongata.

Grid reference: NO2087.7722 Location: On a crag on the W bank of the next gully E of the Canness Burn at the Dacies above Canness Glen. Date: 22nd June, 2005. Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: There are some 15 cushions of this moss in a small area of very dry rock in a slightly undercut area near the base of the crag. The rock seems strongly acidic and this moss is often associated with metalliferous rocks and this may account for the lack of any close associates.

Associated species: None.

57 Photo 16.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 16 viewed from above looking SW down Canness Glen. 2005.

58 Monitoring site 17: A large population of the nationally scarce liverwort Marsupella alpina.

Grid reference: NO2071.7814 Location: In the incised section of the tributary of the Canness Burn That flows down from the bealach due W of Tom Buidhe. Date: 22nd June, 2005. Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: A large population here with numerous thin, black patches of the liverwort scattered over the slabby crags which take some irrigation from the boggy ground above. There is also a small population of Oedipodium griffithianum a little further up the burn . Associated species: Racomitrium heterostichum, Marsupella emarginata, Andreaea rothii, Kiaeria blyttii, Polytrichum alpinum Trichophorum cespitosum and Alchemilla alpina i n u m ,

59 Photo 17.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 17, looking up the line of the burn with the slopes of Tom Buidhe on the right. 2005

60 Monitoring site 18: Philonotis seriata springs in area of moderately late snow-lie

Grid reference: NO2087.7836 Location: In hollow above burn on the SW slopes of Tom Buidhe Date: 22nd June, 2005. Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Good patches of Philonotis seriata with typical associates in this M32 spring, one of a number in the area.

Associated species: Philonotis seriata, Jungermannia exertifolia ssp. cordifolia, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Scapania uliginosa, Dicranella palustris, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Pellia neesiana, Juncus triglumis, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Veronica serpyllifolia ssp humifusa and Phleum alpinum.

61 Photo 18.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 18 looking E across the burn to the SW slopes of Tom Buidhe.

62 Monitoring site 19: Sphagnum lindbergii on the margins of a flush.

Grid reference: NO2116.7903

Location: On the margin of a large stony flush on the NW slopes of Tom Buidhe.

Date: 23rd June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: There are patches and scattered stems of Sphagnum lindbergii all along the E side of this large flush in the vicinity of the rucksack in Photo 19.1. There are other small stands of Sphagnum lindbergii at NO2112.7901 and NO2127.7908, with some large patches at the latter site.

Associated species: Sphagnum denticulatum, Eriophorum angustifolium, Nardus stricta, Polytrichum alpinum, Sphagnum papillosum.

63 Photo 19.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 19, looking up the slope from the NE with the top of Tom Buidhe up to the left. 200

64 Monitoring site 20: Sphagnum lindbergii in a flush mire.

Grid reference: NO2175.7883

Location: In a large boggy hollow on the eastern slopes of Tom Buidhe.

Date: 22rd June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero Notes: A further stand of Sphagnum lindbergii in an area of moderately late snow lie high on the E side of Tom Buidhe. There are other scattered patches of Sphagnum lindbergii in this large hollow but this is probably the best stand.

Associated species: Carex nigra, Aulacomnium palustre, Sphagnum denticulatum, Eriophorum angustifolium, Huperzia selago, Trichophorum cespitosum, Polytrichum alpinum, Sphagnum papillosum.

Photo 20.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 20 (R-hand arrow) looking up the slope and NW across the hollow with the top of Tom Buidhe in the distance. 2005.

65 Monitoring site 21: An area of moderately late snow-lie with Moerckia blyttii.

Grid reference: NO2164.7864

Location: On the steep slopes above a large hollow on the east slopes of Tom Buidhe.

Date: 23nd June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: This site has a small population of Moerckia blyttii in the upper part of the area outlined in Photo 21.2 and Conostomum tetragonum, Kiaeria falcata, Marsupella sphacelata and Lophozia opacifolia are also present. The site was chosen as it is these marginal snowbed sites that will presumably respond first to changes in climate.

Associated species: Moerckia blyttii, Kiaeria falcata, Marsupella sphacelata, Marsupella adusta, Marsupella sprucei, Anthelia juratzkana, Lophozia opacifolia, Barbilophozia floerkei, Ditrichum zonatum var. zonatum, Brachydontium trichodes, Racomitrium heterostichum and Sibbaldia procumbens.

66 Photo 21.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 21 looking up and across the hollow NW towards the summit of Tom Buidhe. 2005.

Photo 21.1. Caenlochan monitoring site 21 looking up the slope; there is no hard boundary and some snowbed species occur across the slope. 2005.

67 Monitoring site 22: A large population of Pseudobryum cinclidioides on flats by the burn.

Grid reference: NO2241.7643

Location: In flushed areas beside the Burn of Fialzioch.

Date: 24th June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: This nationally scarce moss occurs here in considerable abundance and there are further stands up the burn.

Associated species: Anthoxanthum odoratum, Veronica serpyllifolia ssp humifusa, Deschampsia cespitosa, Bryum weigelii, Philonotis seriata, Equisetum arvense, Viola palustris, Marchantia polymorpha ssp montivagans,

68 Photo 22.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 22 looking up the burn from the SE. 2005.

Photo 22.2. Caenlochan; monitoring site 22; detail of patches and habitat, the burn is underground at this point. 2005.

69 Monitoring site 23: A stand of Sphagnum lindbergii in flush mire.

Grid reference: NO2288.7589

Location: In a grassy flush on the south side of the Burn of Dounalt.

Date: 24th June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: There are frequent small patches and groups of stems at the margin of the flush in the area indicated in Photo 23.1. There is a similar stand in a small flush nearby at 2305.7593 and no doubt smaller stands elsewhere by the burn.

Associated species: Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum denticulatum, Carex nigra, Polytrichum commune, Eriophorum vaginatum, Dicranella palustris, Warnstorfia exannulata, Sphagnum capillifolium, Carex aquatilis.

70 Photo 23.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 23 looking up and across the burn from the NE. 2005.

71 Monitoring site 24: Splachnum vasculosum in narrow flush associated with tiny rill.

Grid reference: NO2379.7573

Location: The flush is on the south side of the Burn of Dounalt on the slopes that drop down from the plateau.

Date: 24th June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: There are scattered patches up to 10cm in diameter in the area outlined in Photo 24.1. This is a rather non-descript spot but the map reference and the photo should enable it to be refound. The population of Splachnum vasculosum was much larger here in 1996 and fruiting abundantly; presumably the population will fluctuate and possibly disappear.

Associated species: Dicranella palustris, Marchantia polymorpha ssp montivagans, Caltha palustris, Stellaria uliginosa, Pseudobryum cinclidioides, Philonotis fontana, Philonotis seriata, Carex nigra, Veronica serpyllifolia ssp humifusa, Montia fontana, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Bryum pallens, Poa sp., Pohlia wahlenbergii var glacialis.

72 Photo 24.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 24 looking NE doen the slope and across the Burn of Dounalt towards Craig Maud. 2005.

Photo 24.2. Caenlochan monitoring site 24; detail of the habit and habitat of Splachnum vasculosum. 2005.

73 Monitoring site 25: Pseudoleskea incurvata and Brachythecium reflexum in block scree.

Grid reference: NO2416.7667

Location: In scree on the slope below the broken crags south of Craig Maud, close to the Burn of Dounalt.

Date: 24th June, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: The main patch of the nationally rare moss Pseudoleskea incurvata is shown in Photo 25.4 on the surface of a rock in a deep crevice in the scree. There is another smaller patch, some 6cm in diameter 1m to the right of the crevice shown in Photo 25.3. Stems of Brachythecium reflexum are scattered through other bryophytes and on fern litter in the crevice.

Associated species: Plagiochila porelloides, Pohlia cruda, Barbilophozia hatcheri, Tortella tortuosa.

74 Photo 25.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 25 looking up the slope to the large gully on the S side of Craig Maud. 2005.

Photo 25.2. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 25 looking up the slope. 2005.

75 Photo 25.3. Caenlochan monitoring site 25;detail of the crevice in which the stand occurs. 2005.

Photo 25.4. Caenlochan monitoring site 25;detail of the stand of Pseudoleskea incurvata covering the rock surface in the crevice. 2005.

76 Monitoring site 26: Large area of snowbed vegetation

Grid reference: NO1712.7673

Location: In a large E-facing hollow below Brudhach Mor on the E side of Glas Maol

Date: 2nd July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: A good assemblage of snowbed species in patches on a rather grassy site and including Brachythecium glaciale in flushed grassland at the top of the site. There are good stands of Scapania paludosa in the flushes below the snowbed. The hepatic crust is very limited, occurring as little patches in open, stony Nardus stricta grassland (Photo 26.3). The extent of the snowbed should be monitored as well as the species diversity, although the boundary line will be a transitional zone rather than a precise delineation.

Associated species: Polytrichum sexangulare, Kiaeria starkei, Kiaeria falcata, Lophozia opacifolia, Pohlia ludwigii, Marsupella brevissima, Anthelia juratzkana (rare), Marsupella sphacelata, Conostomum tetragonum, Barbilophozia floerkei,

77 Photo 26.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 26 looking W from the plateau above Canness Glen. 2005.

Photo 26.2. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 26 from the north side of Caenlochan Glen. 2005.

78 Photo 26.3. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 26 from below and to the SE. 2005.

Photo 26.4. Caenlochan monitoring site 26; snowbed vegetation in a stony matrix with tussocks of Nardus stricta.. 2005.

79 Monitoring site 27: An assemblage of calcicole scree species including Pseudoleskea patens and Brachythecium reflexum.

Grid reference: NO1731.7648

Location: A small area of scree and associated flushed grassland just above the main Craigie Doubs crags above Caenlochan Glen

Date: 2nd July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Brachythecium reflexum and Herzogiella striatella occur on fern litter in the scree in at least two places while Pseudoleskea patens grows on the surface of rocks in sheltered crevices. Hylocomium pyrenaicum is scattered in the flushed grassland just below the rucksack in Photo 26.2.

Associated species: Brachythecium reflexum, Herzogiella striatella, Pseudoleskea patens, Plagiothecium denticulatum var obtusifolium, Hylocomium pyrenaicum, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Tortella tortuosa, Distichium capillaceum, Dicranoweisia crispula, Diplophyllum albicans.

80 Photo 27.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 27 from the north side of Caenlochan Glen. 2005.

Photo 27.2. Caenlochan monitoring site 27 from below. The flushed grassland runs diagonally down left from the rucksack. 2005.

81 Monitoring site 28: A good population of Grimmia atrata.

Grid reference: NO1739.7628

Location: On open slabby rocks in a subsidiary gully on the NW side of the main gully that runs down from the bealach NW of Little Glas Maol.

Date: 2nd July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Much of the rock in the main gully is calcareous but in this small gully there is an area of slabby broken rock which is different in character and has a different assemblage of bryophytes including Grimmia atrata. It seems likely that there is some metal content in the rock which many bryophytes do not like; all the few associates are strongly calcifuge species.

Associated species: Grimmia atrata, Racomitrium heterostichum, Polytrichum piliferum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Andreaea rupestris, Kiaeria blyttii, Oedipodium griffithianum.

82 Photo 28.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 28 from the north side of Caenlochan Glen. 2005.

Photo 28.2. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 28 looking NW across the main gully. 2005.

83 Photo 28.3.. Caenlochan monitoring site 28; Grimmia atrata cushions are frequent in the area outlined. 2005.

84 Monitoring site 29: A stand of Hypnum bambergeri on flushed rocks in gully.

Grid reference: NO1741.7627

Location: In the large gully that runs down from the bealach NW of Little Glas Maol. At the base of nose of broken crags between the main gully and a subsidiary gully to the NW and close to the main burn.

Date: 2nd July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: A large broken patch of Hypnum bambergeri some 30cm in diameter on wet slabby ledges of broken crag.

Associated species: Ctenidium molluscum, Racomitrium macounii subsp. alpinum, Blindia acuta, Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens, Schistidium apocarpum agg., Cololejeunea calcarea, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Selaginella selaginoides, Tortella tortuosa, Amphidium lapponicum,.

85 Photo 29.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 29 viewed from the NE side of Caenlochan Glen. 2005.

Photo 29.2. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 28 looking NW across the main gully. 2005.

86 Photo 29.3. Caenlochan monitoring site 29; the large broken patch of Hypnum bambergeri is outlined. 2005.

87 Monitoring site 30: Pseudoleskea patens on rocks and Mnium spinosum in crevice in scree

Grid reference: NO1748.7650

Location: In large block scree near the base of the large fan of scree below the main Craigie Doubs crags.

Date: August, 2004.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Pseudoleskea patens occurs in good patches on the surface of the large rock in the scree and on several other boulders in the vicinity. Mnium spinosum is limited to shaded crevices in the area arrowed in Photo 30.3.

Associated species: Pseudoleskea patens, Mnium spinosum, Dicranoweisia crispula, Barbilophozia hatcheri, Porella cordeana, Schistidium strictum, Tortella tortuosa, Polystichum lonchitis, Athyrium distentifolium, Sedum rosea.

88 Photo 30.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 30 viewed from the NE side of Caenlochan Glen. 2005.

Photo 30.2. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 30 viewed from below. 2005.

89 Photo 30.3. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 30 with the main boulder arrowed. The toe of the crag above should help refinding. 2005.

90 Monitoring site 31: A small population of Heterocladium dimorphum in the scree.

Grid reference: NO1746.7650

Location: In large block scree near the centre of the large fan of scree below the main Craigie Doubs crags.

Date: 2nd July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: A small stand of this RDB species on the upper surface of a flat calcareous schist rock in an overhung crevice in the scree. Diligent searching may well reveal other small patches in the area.

Associated species: Heterocladium dimorphum, Racomitrium heterostichum, Plagiochila porelloides, Dicranoweisia crispula, Tritomaria quinquedentata.

91 Photo 31.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 31 viewed from the NE side of Caenlochan Glen. 2005.

Photo 31.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 31 viewed below. The site is some 20m above monitoring site 30. 2005.

92 Monitoring site 32: A patch of scree with stands of Pseudoleskea patens, Brachythecium reflexum, Brachythecium starkei and the oceanic hepatic Herbertus stramineus.

Grid reference: NO1745.7645 to NO1743.7643

Location: Towards the southern edge of the fan of scree below Craigie Doubs, Caenlochan Glen.

Date: 2nd July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Brachythecium reflexum and the RDB species Brachythecium starkei occur on fern litter in between the boulders. Pseudoleskea patens forms patches on flat sheltered rock faces and Herbertus stramineus in one of its most easterly sites in Britain occurs on ledges of the bigger boulders. Hypnum bambergeri occurs on rocks just below this site.

Associated species: Pseudoleskea patens, Brachythecium reflexum, Brachythecium starkei, Herbertus stramineus, Tortella tortuosa, Dicranoweisia crispula, Racomitrium heterostichum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Schistidium apocarpum agg.

93 Photo 32.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 32 viewed from the NE side of Caenlochan Glen. 2005.

Photo 32.2. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 32 viewed from bottom of the scree. 2005.

94 Photo 32.3. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 32 viewed from the south, looking across the scree to the base of the main crags. 2005.

95 Monitoring site 33: Ptychodium plicatum and Hypnum bambergeri on rocks at base of crags

Grid reference: NO1742.7657

Location: Amongst broken crags at the lowest point of the Craigie Doubs crags, Caenlochan Glen.

Date: 2nd July 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Small stands of both these species, the Ptychodium plicatum in a turf at the base of a small crag and Hypnum bambergeri on an irrigated slab just below. The patch of Ptychodium plicatum is 15 x 3cm but quite sparse within this. The patch of Hypnum bambergeri is 12 x 20cm.

Associated species: Saxifraga oppositifolia, Geranium sylvaticum, Carex atrata, Ctenidium molluscum, Trollius europaeus, Silene acaulis, Tortella tortuosa, Viola riviniana, Persicaria vivipara, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla alpina, Lotus corniculatus and Carex viridula ssp brachyrrhyncha.

96 Photo 33.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 33 viewed from the NE side of Caenlochan Glen. 2005.

Photo 33.2. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 33 looking north along the line of the crags. 2005.

97 Photo 33.3. Caenlochan monitoring site 33 from below showing the stand of Ptychodium plicatum (top arrow) and Hypnum bambergeri (bottom arrow). 2005.

Photo 33.4. Caenlochan detail ofmonitoring site 33 from below showing the stand of Ptychodium plicatum (top arrow) and Hypnum bambergeri (bottom arrow). 2005.

98 Monitoring site 34: A large stand of Pseudobryum cinclidioides and patches of Sphagnum lindbergii.

Grid reference: NO1693.7745 etc.

Location: A large area of springs and flushes at the head of the burn north of White Braes.

Date: 3rd July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Pseudobryum cinclidioides covers many m² in this area of flushes, outlined in red in Photo 34.1 with two smaller areas arrowed and certainly elsewhere here. Sphagnum lindbergii is more sparse but has scattered patches throughout the flush system and is very locally frequent.

Associated species: Sphagnum russowii, Carex rariflora, Carex curta, Polytrichum commune, Rubus chamaemorus, Sphagnum fallax, Eriophorum vaginatum, Saxifraga stellaris, Carex nigra, Warnstorfia exannulata, Pohlia wahlenbergii var glacialis.

99 Photo 34.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 34 looking NE towards the top of Garbh Choire with the path visible just beyond the flushes. 2005.

100 Monitoring site 35: Ditrichum flexicaule and Pseudoleskeella rupestris on limestone boulders on slope.

Grid reference: NO1832.7710

Location: On limestone boulders on the slope above and east of the Glasalt Burn, Caenlochan Glen.

Date: 3rd July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: There are 17 cushions of Ditrichum flexicaule of varying size on the lower rocks in Photo 35.2. The RDB species Pseudoleskeella rupestris occurs on the sheltered underside of the upper boulder as arrowed in Photo 35.2 as a single large and dense patch.

Associated species: Tortella tortuosa, Pterigynandrum filiforme, Schistidium ? papillosum, Pseudoleskeella catenulata, Ctenidium molluscum, Scapania aspera, Plagiochila porelloides.

101 Photo 35.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 35 viewed from the ridge to the west of the Glasalt Burn looking NE. 2005

Photo 35.2. Caenlochan monitoring site 35;the boulders looking up the slope with Ditrichum flexicaule on the lower rocks and Pseudoleskeella rupestris on the upper. 2005.

102 Monitoring site 36: Mnium spinosum, Schistidium trichodon and Myurella julacea on a limestone block.

Grid reference: NO1830.7715

Location: On the west bank of the Glasalt Burn at the head of Caenlochan Glen

Date: 3rd July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: A good assemblage of calcicole species on this rock. The patches of Myurella julacea occur in the dense bryophyte turf along the diagonal bedding planes and are arrowed in red in Photo 36.2. The sparse stand of Mnium spinosum is arrowed in blue, tucked away in a crevice at the base of the rock. Schistidium trichodon occurs on the open upper surface of the rock.

Associated species: Schistidium trichodon, Myurella julacea, Mnium spinosum, Tortella tortuosa, Ctenidium molluscum, Porella cordeana, Plagiochila porelloides, Orthotrichum rupestre, Pterigynandrum filiforme, Preissia quadrata,

103 Photo 36.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 36 looking up the Glasalt Burn. 2005.

Photo 36.2. Caenlochan; detail of monitoring site 36 with the stands of Myurella julacea in red and Mnium spinosum in blue. 2005

104 Monitoring site 37: Ptychodium plicatum, Mnium spinosum and Pseudoleskeella rupestris on calc-schist boulder on slope

Grid reference: NO1834.7728

Location: On the steep bouldery slope below broken crags on the east side of the Glasalt Burn at the head of Caenlochan Glen.

Date: 3rd July, 2005 .

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: The patches of Pseudoleskeella rupestris on the rocks are indicated by the red arrows in Photo 37.1 with Ptychodium plicatum and Mnium spinosum in turf at the base arrowed in blue.

Associated species: Ptychodium plicatum, Mnium spinosum, Pseudoleskeella rupestris, Tortella tortuosa, Schistidium apocarpum agg., Porella cordeana, Nardus stricta, Thymus polytrichus ssp britannicus, Viola lutea, Ctenidium molluscum, Saxifraga oppositifolia,

105 Photo 37.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 38 viewed from the ridge to the west of the Glasalt Burn looking NE. 2005

Photo 37.2. Caenlochan monitoring site 37; detail of the patches of Pseudoleskeella rupestris (red) and stems of Ptychodium plicatum and Mnium spinosum (blue). 2005.

106 Monitoring site 38: A stand of the RDB species Eurhynchium pulchellum.

Grid reference: NO1835.7729 (This the reference for the point from which Photo 38.2 was taken)

Location: On the broken calc-schist crags high above the east bank of the Glasallt Burn at the head of Caenlochan Glen.

Date: 3rd July 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: A third British site for this rare and threatened species. The site is not easy to find but the GPS reading and the photos and a little scrambling should enable the site to be refound. The patch seen is approximately 7 x 3cm with other scattered stems, some moribund, over an area of open gravelly soil some 30cm in diameter on a ledge on strongly calcareous crags.

Associated species: Saxifraga oppositifolia, Hypnum cupressiforme, Draba incana, Grimmia torquata, Ditrichum gracile, Helichtotrichon pratense, with Dryas octopetala and Veronica fruticans nearby.

107 Photo 38.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 38 viewed from the ridge to the west of the Glasalt Burn looking NE. 2005

Photo 38.2. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 38 viewed from below and looking SE along the line of the crags. The white peg marking the site is just visible. 2005

108 Photo 38.3. Caenlochan; detail of monitoring site 38 with the area of soil with Eurhynchium pulchellum outlined. 2005.

109 Monitoring site 39: A calcareous flush with a population of Cinclidium stygium.

Grid reference: NO1837.7751

Location: At the head of a small tributary that runs SW into the Glasallt Burn to the north of the line of crags on the east side of the burn.

Date: 3rd July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Cinclidium stygium is patchily frequent in the area outlined in red in Photo 39.2 and more searching would probably reveal other patches in the flushes here. There is also a good population of the nationally scarce liverwort Tritomaria polita.

Associated species: Cinclidium stygium, Tritomaria polita, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Bryum pallens, Ctenidium molluscum, Selaginella selaginoides, Palustriella commutata var commutata, Thalictrum alpinum, Equisetum variegatum, Tofieldia pusilla.

110 Photo 39.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 39 looking east from the plateau above Craigie Glasallt. 2005.

Photo 39.2. Caenlochan; location of the stand of Cinclidium stygium on site 39. The prominent boulder in the background should help with re-finding this site. 2005.

111 Monitoring site 40: Large stands of Sphagnum lindbergii and Sphagnum riparium in flush.

Grid reference: NO1825.7810 etc.

Location: A flush system on the plateau on the headwaters of the Glasallt Burn.

Date: 3rd July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: Sphagnum riparium is abundant and often dominant in the upper part of the flush – virtually all the green lining the flush in Photo 40.3 is this species. Sphagnum lindbergii is patchily frequent in the lower part of the flush and is occasionally mixed with Sphagnum riparium.

Associated species: Sphagnum riparium, Sphagnum lindbergii, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum denticulatum, Philonotis fontana, Montia fontana, Sphagnum capillifolium, Carex curta, Scapania uliginosa, Phleum alpinum.

112 Photo 40.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 40 looking NE across the headwaters of the Glasallt Burn towards Cairn of Claise. 2005.

Photo 40.2. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 40 looking E across the headwaters of the Glasallt Burn with Cairn of Claise slopes in the upper left. 2005.

113 Photo 40.3. Caenlochan; detail of monitoring site 40. Most of the green in the upper part is Sphagnum riparium with Sphagnum lindbergii the brown in the lower part. 2005.

114 Monitoring site 41: An area of moderately late snow-lie in an incised burn.

Grid reference: NO1635.7602

Location: At the head of the Batheacbeag Burn on the south side of Glas Maol.

Date: 4th July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: There were still small amounts of snow here on the date of the survey but, despite appearances, the snowbed vegetation is not well developed and is limited to patches on stony soil in the open Nardus stricta grassland. The site may well be vulnerable to climate change over the years. Any loss of the species listed may indicate change.

Associated species: Polytrichum sexangulare, Kiaeria starkei, Kiaeria falcata, Marsupella brevissima (sparse), Conostomum tetragonum, Pohlia ludwigii.

115 Photo 41.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 41 looking NE across the Batheacbeag Burn with Glas Maol summit up on the right. 2005.

Photo 41.2. Caenlochan; monitoring site 41 looking up the burn with the patchy snowbed vegetation on either side. 2005.

116 Monitoring site 42: Stands of Brachythecium reflexum and Pseudoleskea patens at the base of an overhung crag.

Grid reference: NO1740.7635 (GPS reading for the point from which Photo 42.3 was taken)

Location: Below the crags that form the retaining wall of a steep recess just south of the main Craigie Doubs crags

Date: 3rd July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: These two species occur mixed with other bryophytes on the top of rocks in a sheltered crevice at the base of steep crags in a gully outlined in red in Photo 42.3. There is a patch of Pseudoleskea patens some 8 x 3cm but with many scattered shoots close by. The main patch of Brachythecium reflexum is 10 x 5cm but again there is more mixed with other bryophytes.

Associated species: Brachythecium reflexum, Pseudoleskea patens, Ctenidium molluscum, Diplophyllum albicans, Dicranum scoparium, Plagiochila porelloides, Grimmia torquata, Tortella tortuosa, Dicranoweisia crispula.

117 Photo 42.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 42 looking SE across the head of Caenlochan Glen. 2005.

Photo 42.2. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 42 looking S across the slope of the recess with the main gully in the background. 2005.

118 Photo 42.3. Caenlochan; detail of site 42 with the stand circled. 2005.

119 Monitoring site 43: Splachnum vasculosum in large flush.

Grid reference: NO1673.7790

Location: In a flush on the upper eastern slopes of Glas Choire on Glas Maol.

Date: 4th July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: This is a long flush running down the slope in which three patches of Splachnum vasculosum were found. Over time the plant may spread within the flush or it may die out here but appear in other similar flushes close by so these should be surveyed as well.

Associated species: Philonotis seriata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Warnstorfia exannulata, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola palustris, Deschampsia cespitosa, Jungermannia exertifolia ssp. cordifolia, Scapania undulata, Pellia neesiana, Poa humilis, Cardamine pratensis, Montia fontana, Phleum alpinum.

120 Photo 43.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 43 looking up and across the slope SE towards the line of the main burn and the plateau. 2005.

Photo 43.2. Caenlochan; detail of site 43 looking up the flush with the three patches marked. 2005.

121 Monitoring site 44: A small population of the RDB moss Tayloria lingulata.

Grid reference: NO1668.7798

Location: In a sedge-dominated flush on the E bank of the main burn in the E hollow of Glas Choire, GlasMaol.

Date: 4th July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: There are two patches here of Tayloria lingulata both in rather more open vegetation over rocks within the flush, The larger stand (scattered over 15cm diameter and fruiting) is marked with a yellow flag in Photo 44.2 and the smaller (c.10 stems without fruit) with a white peg.

Associated species: Carex nigra, Festuca rubra, Ranunculus acris, Scapania undulata, Persicaria vivipara, Phleum alpinum, Equisetum palustre, Meesia uliginosa, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Cinclidium stygium (rare),

122 Photo 44.1. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 44 looking SE up the line of the main burn and to the plateau. 2005.

Photo 44.2. Caenlochan; location of monitoring site 44 looking up the line of the main burn. 2005.

123 Photo 44.3. Caenlochan; detail of monitoring site 44 showing the habitat of the larger patch of Tayloria lingulata. 2005.

124 Monitoring site 45: A large stony flush with Tayloria lingulata, Oncophorus virens and a large population of Cinclidium stygium.

Grid reference: NO1602.7734

Location: In a large area of flushes on the eastern slopes of Meall Odhar.

Date: 4th July, 2005.

Surveyor: Gordon Rothero

Notes: This is an excellent flush with a very large population of Cinclidium stygium in the area outlined in the two photos. There are two patches of Tayloria lingulata arrowed in Photo 45.2. The right-hand peg has two main patches both c. 4cm in diameter plus a number of scattered stems. The left-hand peg has stems mixed with other bryophytes in an area 15 x 20cm with hundreds of stems. There are two cushions of Oncophorus virens by the right-hand peg, one 5cm in diameter and the other 20 x 10cm. There are other nationally scarce species here in Scapania degenii, Tritomaria polita and Meesia uliginosa.

Associated species: Tayloria lingulata, Cinclidium stygium, Oncophorus virens, Scapania degenii, Tritomaria polita, Meesia uliginosa, Carex nigra, Carex viridula ssp oedocarpa, Festuca rubra, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Palustriella commutata var falcata, Scapania undulata, Selaginella selaginoides, Tofieldia pusilla, Persicaria vivipara.

125 Photo 45.1. Caenlochan; the location of monitoring site 45 looking SW up the slope towards the bealach between Meall Odhar and Glas Maol.

Photo 45.2. Caenlochan; detail of monitoring site 45 looking up the slope with the extent of Cinclidium stygium outlined and the patches of Tayloria lingulata arrowed. 2005.

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