A survey of the vegetation of Ben Nevis - Scottish Natural Heritage

Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 090 (ROAME No. F02LD01)
Summary
Acknowledgments
Contents
1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 The study area 1
1.2 Geology and geomorphology 1
1.3 Climate 2
1.4 Nomenclature 3
2 BACKGROUND STUDY 4
2.1 Vegetation 4
2.2 Flora 6
2.2.1 Vascular plants 6
2.2.2 Bryophytes and lichens 6
3 SURVEY METHODS 10
3.1 Vegetation 10
3.2 Flora 11
4 DESCRIPTIONS OF VEGETATION TYPES 12
5 EVALUATION 66
5.1 General description of the site 66
5.2 Vegetation 67
5.2.1 General patterns of vegetation 67
5.2.2 Wider British and European distributions of vegetation types 68
5.2.3 Vegetation types of special interest 80
5.2.3.1 Qualifying EC Habitats Directive Annex I Habitats 86
5.2.3.2 Non-qualifying EC Annex I Habitats 92
5.2.3.3 Notable vegetation types which are not EC
Annex I Habitats 93
5.3 Flora 94
5.3.1 Phytogeography of the flora 94
5.3.2 Uncommon plant species 98
5.3.2.1 Nationally Scarce and Nationally Rare
vascular plants 98
5.3.2.2 Uncommon bryophyte species 105
5.4 Summary of the total botanical interest 105
5.5 Relationships between vegetation and environment 106
5.5.1 Geology and geomorphology 106
5.5.2 Climate 109