Phase 2 National Vegetation Classification and Habitat Survey:

Roudsea Wood and Mosses NNR

Conducted: 24-27/6/2022

Roudsea Wood and Mosses National Nature Reserve

Roudsea Wood is a 239-hectare site, recognized as a National Nature Reserve
(NNR), Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and Special Area of Conservation
(SAC). These designations reflect its ecological importance as home to hazel dormice,
nesting ospreys, raft spiders, and adders as well as rare plant species like royal fern,
herb paris, sundew, and ancient yews among others. Sitting at the top of the tidal range
of the Leven Estuary in South Cumbria, Roudsea wood has several distinct geological
features, including Bannisdale slate, alluvium under peat, platy porcelaneous limestone,
blocky limestone, raised peat, and shelly limestone. The hilly terrain and winds from the
Atlantic bring orographic rainfall in greatest quantities during the fall and early winter,
with monthly precipitation peaking in October at 103mm, and persisting at above 60mm
from August-January.

Topography and Geology Maps:

Figure 1: Roudsea Wood NNR Topography (m)

Figure 2: Roudsea Wood NNR Bedrock Geology and Drift Geology (British Geological Survey)

Group Results:

The quadrat data below reflects total species present in each habitat, the DOMIN
value representing quantitative contribution of each species to the overall vegetation.
Each score represents a threshold corresponding to cover and abundance, accounting
for the vertical projection of each species into the various layers of the habitat (ground,
understory, canopy). These values are used to calculate the NVC scores in table 1.1.
The NVC scores available in table 1.1 represent the accuracy of fit each classification
received, calculated by computerized keys, and based on statistical comparisons using
similarity coefficients between NVC samples and the floristic tables in British Plant
Communities. Results below are specific to the work of one team of three surveyors,
covering 10 quadrats across the site.
 1.1 Quadrat Data
Quad Grid Geology Horizon Humus Soil Soil Soil Notes pH NVC NVC NVC NVC Notes
Reference Type Group Subgroup Key Final Score
Name/Code
A-01 Platy L, F, H, Mull Rendzina Humic Shallow soil, thin 5.36 W13a W13 21 Yews abundant in
SD 33105 canopy, more species
porcelaneous Ah, B, Rendzina humic layer, or b
82651 limestone R (Rzh) limestone bedrock, rich than 13b
fizzed with HCl
A-02 Platy L, F, H, Mull Humic Typical Non-calcareous, 5 W11a W9a 62 Hazel coppice, with
SD 33240 Dryopteris filix-mas, D.
porcelaneous Ah, B Gley Soil Humic Gley some gleying
82185 limestone (Gch) Dilitata
A-03 Estuarine - Mor Raw Gley Raw Sandy Clear gleying, - SM13 SM13b 63 Coastal saltmarsh with
SD 32967 Puccinellia maritima
Gley (Gr) alluvial sediments
81663 made it very sandy dominating
A-04 Bannisdale L, F, H, Mor Ranker Humic Solid rock < 40cm, 4.2 W17b W17b 92 Oak woodland with
SD 32940 birch bilberry
slate A, B, C, Ranker (Rh) over slate
82381 R understory
A-05 Bannisdale L, F, H, Mor Peat Raw Oligo- Thick peat, pH 3.3 3.3 W18 W16b 36 Pine/spruce,
SD 32882 holly/bracken
slate A amorphous
82288 Peat (Poa) understory
A-06 Estuarine L, F, A Mor Raw Gley Raw Sandy Clear gleying, 7.3 S4 S4a 100 saltmarsh reedbed;
SD 32992 Phragmites australis
Gley (Gr) alluvial sediments
81695 apparent (sandy) monoculture
A-07 Bannisdale L, F, H, Mull Ranker Humic Solid rock < 40cm, 4.1 W11 W17b 35 Wet flush between
SD 32982 ridges, elm and rowan,
slate A, B, R Ranker (Rh) slate
82167 fern understory
A-08 Alluvium L, F, Mor Peat Earthy (Poe) ~6m of peat, fibrous 3.37 M18 M18a 71 E. tetralix and E.
SD 33480 vaginatum Sphagnum
Om
82668 subnitens var. subnitens
and Sphagnum tenellum
A-09 Alluvium L, Of Mor Peat Earthy (Poe) Deep peat, very thin 3.7 W18d Lg 25 Lagg woodland; only
SD 33423 NVC fit limited to
litter layer above
82505 Scotland
A-10 Bannisdale L, F, O, Mor Ranker Acid Brown Solid rock <40cm, 3.43 W16b W16b 76 Oaks present, some
SD 33016 holly and silver birch,
slate A, B Ranker (Rba) slate, pH 3.43
82314 mossy/bilberry ground
layer

Table 1.1: Geology, soil, and NVC key data for each quadrat (A-01 through A-10) conducted by Group A.

1.2 Quadrat A-01 Tables 1.2-1.10: Quadrat

Habitat Description: Yew woodland, limestone ridge, moss and rocky data recorded by Group A at
ground layer, leaf litter 10 different locations within
Species Present Latin name Layer DOMIN Roudsea Wood NNR
Yew Taxus baccata Canopy 9 displaying short habitat
Small-leaved lime Tilia cordata Canopy 5 description, list of all
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Ground 1 species present, habitat
Dog violet Viola riviniana Ground 4 layer, and DOMIN value.
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Ground 2
Tufted hairgrass Deschampsia cespitosa Ground 1
False broam Brachypodium sylvaticum Ground 4
Ash Fraxinus excelsior Ground 3
Wood sedge Carex sylvatica Ground 1
Bank haircap moss Polytrichum formosum Ground 1
Tamarisk moss Thuidium tamariscinum Ground 4
Common striated feather moss Eurhynchium striatum Ground 7
Comb moss Ctenidium molluscum Ground 2
Swan’s neck thyme-moss Mnium hornum Ground 4
 1.3 Quadrat A-02
Habitat Description: Hazel coppice, birch and oak mix, honeysuckle, moss, and
leaf litter ground layer, rocky
Species Present Latin name Layer DOMIN
Hazel Corylus avellana Canopy 8
Downy birch Betula pubescens Canopy 6
Ash Fraxinus excelsior Canopy 5
Bird cherry Prunus padus Canopy 3
Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Understory 4
Hazel Corylus avellana Understory 5
Bird cherry Prunus padus Understory 1
Holly Ilex aquifolium Understory 1
Tufted hairgrass Deschampsia cespitosa Ground 7
Wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella Ground 4
Male fern Dryopteris filix-mas Ground 7
Broad buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata Ground 4

Bramble Rubus fructicosus Ground 4

Bird cherry Prunus padus Ground 1
Dog violet Viola riviniana Ground 3
Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Ground 1
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Ground 1
Tamarisk moss Thuidium tamariscinum Ground 4
Common striated Eurhynchium striatum Ground 5
feather-moss
Hart’s tongue thyme Plagiomnium undulatum Ground 1
moss
 1.4 Quadrat A-03
Habitat Description: Salt marsh

Species Present Latin name Layer DOMIN

Red fescue Festuca rubra Ground 5
Sea arrowgrass Triflochin maritima Ground 8
Thrift Armeria maritima Ground 5
Saltmarsh grass Puccinellia maritima Ground 5
Sea-milkwort Glaux maritima Ground 1

1.5 Quadrat A-04

Habitat Description: Pine and spruce forest, holly and bracken understory,
rowan and downy birch present
Species Present Latin name Layer DOMIN
Sessile oak Quercus petraea Canopy 9
Downy birch Betula pubescens Canopy 5
Holly Ilex aquifolium Understory 5
Sitka spruce Pinus sitchensis Understory 4
Downy birch Betula pubescens Understory 2
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Understory 4
Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Understory 1
Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus Ground 7
Sessile oak Quercus petraea Ground 3
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Ground 3
Wavy hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa Ground 6
Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis Ground 1
Common greenshield Flavoparmelia caperata Ground 1
lichen
Greater fork moss Dicranum majus Ground 4

Tamarisk moss Thuidium tamariscinum Ground 2

Bank haircap moss Polytrichum formosum Ground 1
Cypress leaved plait Hypnum cupressiforme Ground 4
moss
Swan's neck thyme- Mnium hornum Ground 1
moss
Broom fork moss Dicranum scoparium Ground 1

1.6 Quadrat A-05

Habitat Description: Pine and spruce forest, holly, bracken, rowan, downy birch
present
Species Present Latin name Layer DOMIN
Scots pine Pinus sylvestris Canopy 8
Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis Canopy 8
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Understory 4
Downy birch Betula pubescens Understory 5
Broad buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata Ground 5
Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis Ground 1
Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus Ground 2
Holly Ilex aquifolium Ground 3
Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Ground 1
Wavy hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa Ground 3
Scots pine Pinus sylvestris Ground 1
Cypress leaved plait
Hypnum cupressiforme Ground 6
moss
Large white moss Leucobryum glaucum Ground 1
Swan's neck thyme-
Mnium hornum Ground 4
moss
Grove earwort Scopania nemorosa Ground 1

1.7 Quadrat A-06

Habitat Description: Coastal saltmarch reedbed
Species Present Latin name Layer DOMIN
Common reed Phragmites australis Ground 10

1.8 Quadrat A-07

Habitat Description: Wet flush between two ridges through oak woodland, elm
and rowan present, fern understory
Species Present Latin name Layer DOMIN
Sessile oak Quercus petraea Canopy 9
Downy birch Betula pubescens Canopy 1
Hazel Corylus avellana Understory 6
Holly Ilex aquifolium Understory 3
Yellow flag iris Iris pseudacorus Ground 5
Soft rush Juncus effusus Ground 5
Oval sedge Carex leporina Ground 4
Blunt-leaved bog-
Sphagnum palustre Ground 3
moss
Smooth-stalk feather-
Brachythecium salebrosum Ground 1
moss
Broom fork moss Dicranum scoparium Ground 1

1.9 Quadrat A-08

Habitat Description: Raised mire
Species Present Latin name Layer DOMIN
Round-leaved sundew Drosera rotundifolia Ground 3
Cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccos Ground 1
Bog rosemary Andromeda polifolia Ground 3
Cross-leaved heath Erica tetralix Ground 4
Acute-leaved bog-
Sphagnum capillifolium Ground 9
moss
Soft bog-moss Sphagnum tenellum Ground 4
Sphagnum subnitens var.
Lustrous bog-moss Ground 5
subnitens
Common cotton grass Eriophorum angustifolium Ground 3
Hare's-tail cotton-
Eriophorum vaginatum Ground 8
grass
Heather Calluna vulgaris Ground 6
 1.10 Quadrat A-09
Habitat Description: Lagg woodland
Species Present Latin name Layer DOMIN
Scots pine Pinus sylvestris Canopy 7
Hare's-tail cotton-
Eriophorum vaginatum Ground 4
grass
Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus Ground 7
Purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea Ground 4
Downy birch Betula pubescens Ground 3
Broad buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata Ground 1
Scots pine Pinus sylvestris Ground 2
Cross-leaved heath Erica tetralix Ground 2
Heath star moss Campylopus introflexus Ground 1
Bank haircap moss Polytrichum formosum Ground 4
Acute-leaved bog-
Sphagnum capillifolium Ground 2
moss
Common striated
Eurhynchium striatum Ground 1
feather moss
 1.11 Quadrat A-10
Habitat Description: Acid oak woodland, bilberry and moss understory, rocky
outcrops, holly and silver birch present
Species Present Latin name Layer DOMIN
Sessile oak Quercus petraea Canopy 8
Bracken Pteridium aquilinum Ground 4
Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus Ground 9
Wavy hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa Ground 3
Holly Ilex aquifolium Ground 3
Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Ground 4
Sessile oak Quercus petraea Ground 3
Bramble Rubus fruticosus Ground 1
Bank haircap moss Polytrichum formosum Ground 4
Wood bristle-moss Orthotrichum affine Ground 1

National Vegetation Classification and Soil Maps:

Three maps were generated to describe the NVC and soil types across the NNR.
 NVC and Soil Maps:
Figure 3: Roudsea Wood NNR Soil Subgroup Map
Figure 4: Roudsea Wood NNR Soil pH Map
Figure 5: Roudsea Wood NNR NVC Communities Map
NVC and Soil Maps Legend
Habitat Assessment of NVC Communities:
SM13a – Puccinellia maritima saltmarsh, sub-community with P. maritima
dominant

The Puccinellia maratima saltmarsh was in good condition, evident in the high
NVC score for this habitat, 73%. The necessary species were present in appropriate
abundance including Puccinellia maritima dominating, with fewer instances of Plantago
maratima and Armeria maratima, very appropriate for a salt marsh habitat in the
northwest. Other saltmarsh communities within the larger section include SM16:
Festuca rubra saltmarsh, Juncetum gerardi. SM16 communities differed in their greater
abundance red fescue, saltmarsh rush, and they’re characteristically low in bryophytes
of which none were recorded. It’s worth noting there are hazy boundaries to the SM16
subcommunities, and the data shows both subcommunities where Juncus gerardii is
dominant (SM16b) and where tall Festuca rubra is dominant (SM16d). One unexpected
species was the saltmarsh sedge, Carex salina, which typically only occurs in Scotland.
Another feature of note was how threatened all the saltmarsh communities are to
erosion.

S4a – Phragmites australis swamp and reed beds, sub-community Phragmites

australis

The Phragmites reed bed habitat was in excellent condition as it scored 100% for
its NVC classification. This Phragmites australis sub-community was characterised
largely by its species poor nature, with Phragmites being entirely dominant. The sub-
community does allow for more species to be present, however none were observed.

S25b – Phragmites australis-Eupatorium cannabinum tall-herb fen, Carex

paniculata sub-community

The NVC score for the Phragmites fen habitat was 59%, suggesting it is in fair
condition but disturbed. However, what is highly likely, is that due to the fen being in a
valley between the slate and limestone ridges, there are species encroaching from both
sides that are typically woodland but can tolerate the wet, peaty, soils above the
alluvium beneath the fen. The species of note within the fen include Phragmites
australis and Gallium palustre (in small amounts). Several species present that are
indicative of the encroaching woodland species are Dryopteris filix-mas and Dryopteris
dilitata, which are both species more indicative of wet woodlands. This also explains the
pocket of Alnus – Carex pendula woodland Phragmites australis sub-community (W5a)
within the fen, which has several species present that overlap with those observed in
the rest of the fen including Alnus glutinosa, Salix cinerea, and again, Dryopteris dilitata,
which does not usually occur in the fen but is characteristic of the Alnus woodland.
W6e – Alnus – Urtica dioica woodland, sub-community Betula pubescens

The W6e Urtica dioica woodland received an NVC score of 60%, suggesting fair
condition with some disturbance. Salix is present, the canopy dominated by Pinus
sylvestris and Betula pubescens, consistent with the NVC designation. However, the
understory was made up entirely of Picea abies, which signifies a past plantation or
disturbance which allowed the non-native Norway spruce into the area. The NVC
categorizes the Alnus – Urtica dioica woodland as a border habitat between “dry
ground” communities and wetland, such as the dry woodlands on the limestone and the
fen in the valley, however due to the elevation of this area of W6e, it is likely that this is
a case of the pine species drying out a previously much wetter area.

W7c – Alnus – Fraxinus – Lysimachia woodland, sub-community Deschampsia

cespitosa

The W7e woodland received an NVC score of 60%, suggesting fair condition but
several auxiliary species present. There are species characteristic of the W7s woodland
in moderate to high abundance including Alnus glutinosa and Oxalis acetosella,
however there are also high numbers of unexpected species like Carex acutiformis.
This reflects a similar situation to the W6 woodland, as the W7c is also in the valley
between the limestone and slate ridges. It is a thinner strip of woodland and is therefore
more vulnerable to edge effects. Woodland species that can tolerate the wet soil are
encroaching, like Acer pseudoplantanus and Lonicera periclymenum. Also present is
the sub-community Carex remota-Cirsium palustre distinguished by its species rich
ground flora.

W8a – Fraxinus-Acer campestre – Mericurialis woodland, sub-community Primula

veris – Glechoma

On top of the limestone, the W8a Fraxinus-Acer campestre woodland received

an NVC score of 35%. This low score is potentially due to changing elevation across the
ridge, and the uneven drainage the soil experiences as a result. This can be seen in the
soil profiles as the rankers and rendzinas, typically more shallow soils, are on the
western part of the slope. The brown earths, usually deeper profiles, are more towards
the east. This can cause variation across the habitats depending on the root systems of
the flora, and whether they can tolerate shallow soil. The notable species present in the
W8a woodland include the expected Fraxinus and Quercus robur, and one base-rich
indicator, Brachypodium sylcaticum. There are patches of W9a mixed into the W8a,
which will be expanded on below.
W9a – Fraxinus-Sorbus aucuparia – Mercurialis woodland, sub-community
Isothecium-Diplophyllum

The W9a Fraxinus-Sorbus aucuparia woodland received an NVC score of 62%

as it has good populations of some key species but reflects active management due to
the practice of hazel coppicing. Also, the W8 and W9 woodlands at Roudsea Wood are
both along the limestone ridge and are beginning to mix. As habitats, they are
particularly difficult to differentiate in upland fringes due to their similar canopy and
ground layer populations. However, because of the coppicing, the area of W9a is
relatively clear. Another element that distinguishes the W9a from the nearby W8a is the
presence of Corylus avellana, Dryopteris filix-mas, D. Dilitata, Oxalis acetosella and
Rubus fruticosus.

W11a – Quercus-Betula-Oxalis acetosella woodland, sub-community Dryopteris

dilitata

The W11a Quercus-Betula-Oxalis acetosella and W10a Quercus-Pteridium-

Rubus fruticosus woodlands were merged largely due to their proximity. The former is
usually on well drained soils so it can sometimes be seen at slightly higher elevations.
The W11a woodland is only slightly more dominant in the area and received an NVC
score of 47%. The habitat is in fair condition however, it’s currently in the process of
mixing species with the W10a and other habitats nearby. For example, a species
expected in neither W10a, nor W11a but present in both is Holcus lanatus. This reflects
some level of disruption that is affecting both communities similarly.

W13b – Taxus baccata woodland, sub-community Mercurialis perennis

The W13b Taxus baccata woodland scored low at 21% and appears in poor
health. This is likely because areas of the woodland are very thin and extremely
vulnerable to edge effects. W13 communities are typically dry-ground, and it is clear a
wet hollow is developing within the woodland, as there is an area of W7c where some
unexpected and rare species are present. This includes oddities like Malvus sylvestrus
and rarities like Paris quadrifolia. Overall, the W13b is a threatened area by edge effects
and soil retaining moisture.

W16b – Quercus – Deschampsia flexuosa woodland, sub-community Vaccinium –

Dryopteris dilitata

The NVC score received by the W16b Deschampsia flexuosa woodland

averages from the Group A data to be 56%. There are areas that are in better health
than others, likely because they are very mixed in with W17 woodlands that are scoring
similarly. W16b is dominated by Quercus patrea, and Betula, as is the W17. The key
difference in habitats is typically that W16 is lower in bryophytes, however, moderate
populations of Hypnum cupressiforme, Mnium hornum, and a species usually found
only in W17b, Polytrichum formosum, were recorded. This evidence suggests the
habitats are mixing.
W18a – Erica tetralix-Sphagnum papillosum raised and blanket mire, sub-
community Sphagnum magellanicum-Andromeda polifolia
The W18a raised mire habitat received an NVC score of 71%, suggesting a mire
in good health. This is consistent with the habitat restoration work being done which
prevents the raised mire from draining. Notable species on the mire include Vaccinium
oxycoccos, Andromeda polifolia, Drosera rotundifolia, and Eriophorum vaginatum which
is the food plant for the heath butterfly. Also present in smaller number is the W17a –
Scirpus cespitosus-Eeriophorum vaginatum, Sub-community Drosera rotundifolia-
Sphagnum.

LGW – Lagg Woodland

The lagg woodland represents an area of transition that is difficult for the NVC to
interpret. This area is transitional between woodland and mire, where the Scott’s pines
began to colonize the mire and dry it out, opening the ground layer for other woodland
species such as Betula pubescens. The only habitat it resembled with any level of
accuracy is limited to Scotland and the NVC gave it a score of 25%. Therefore, it was
given a new designation of LGW. Notable species include Eriophorum vaginatum,
Campylopus introflexus, and Sphagnum capillifolium.
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