NVC grouping

Formal NVC Community Matching

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Upland Heath & Moorland

H12 – Calluna vulgaris–Vaccinium myrtillus Heath

(Dry upland heath)

Key species present

• Calluna vulgaris

• Vaccinium myrtillus

• Vaccinium vitis-idaea

• Empetrum nigrum

• Deschampsia flexuosa

• Danthonia decumbens

• Nardus stricta

Notes

• Classic upland heath on acidic soils

• Strong fit given crowberry + cowberry combination

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H8 – Calluna vulgaris–Erica cinerea Heath

(Dry lowland/upland heath)

Key species

• Calluna vulgaris

• Erica cinerea

• Genista anglica

• Thymus polytrichus

• Agrostis capillaris

Notes

• Fits drier slopes, thinner soils

• Often grades into H12 upslope

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H9 – Calluna vulgaris–Deschampsia flexuosa Heath

(Grass-rich heath)

Key species

• Calluna vulgaris

• Deschampsia flexuosa

• Agrostis capillaris

• Festuca ovina agg.

Notes

• Grazed or slightly improved heath

• Likely around track edges and burn sides

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Wet Heath & Bog

M15 – Trichophorum cespitosum–Erica tetralix Wet Heath

Key species

• Erica tetralix

• Trichophorum cespitosum

• Narthecium ossifragum

• Drosera rotundifolia

• Carex pauciflora

Notes

• Strong wet-heath signal

• Typical of upland Perthshire plateaux

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M20 – Eriophorum vaginatum Blanket Bog

Key species

• Eriophorum vaginatum

• Empetrum nigrum

• Calluna vulgaris

• Vaccinium myrtillus

Notes

• Ombrotrophic peat

• Often mosaicked with M15

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M6 – Carex echinata–Sphagnum recurvum Mire

(Sphagnum absent in list but community still fits)

Key species

• Carex echinata

• Carex nigra

• Juncus bulbosus

• Eleocharis quinqueflora

Notes

• Flushes and runnels

• Species set strongly consistent even without bryophytes listed

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Fen, Flush & Wet Grassland

M23 – Juncus effusus/acutiflorus Rush Pasture

Key species

• Juncus effusus

• Juncus acutiflorus

• Holcus lanatus

• Ranunculus repens

Notes

• Very strong fit

• Common in grazed wet pastures

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M10 – Carex dioica–Pinguicula vulgaris Mire

(Base-poor flush)

Key species

• Carex dioica

• Pinguicula vulgaris

• Carex pulicaris

• Selaginella selaginoides

Notes

• Excellent indicator species present

• Small but high-value habitat

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M25 – Molinia caerulea–Potentilla erecta Mire

Key species

• Molinia caerulea

• Potentilla erecta

• Succisa pratensis

• Carex panicea

Notes

• Classic purple-moor grass mire

• Often transitional to M23

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Acid Grassland

U4 – Festuca ovina–Agrostis capillaris–Galium saxatile Grassland

Key species

• Festuca ovina agg.

• Agrostis capillaris

• Galium saxatile

• Potentilla erecta

Notes

• One of the best-supported communities in your list

• Widespread upland pasture

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U5 – Nardus stricta–Galium saxatile Grassland

Key species

• Nardus stricta

• Galium saxatile

• Danthonia decumbens

Notes

• Species-poor acid sward

• Often heavily grazed

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Mesotrophic Grassland

MG5 – Cynosurus cristatus–Centaurea nigra Grassland

(Centaurea absent but community still fits)

Key species

• Cynosurus cristatus

• Briza media

• Plantago lanceolata

• Trifolium pratense

Notes

• Old meadow or lightly improved pasture

• Good structural diversity

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Woodland

W11 – Quercus petraea–Betula pubescens–Oxalis acetosella Woodland

Key species

• Betula pubescens

• Oxalis acetosella

• Viola riviniana

• Dryopteris dilatata

Notes

• Strong upland oak–birch signal

• Fern-rich ground flora

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W7 – Alnus glutinosa–Fraxinus excelsior–Lysimachia nemorum Woodland

Key species

• Alnus glutinosa

• Fraxinus excelsior

• Lysimachia nemorum

• Filipendula ulmaria

Notes

• Wet woodland / riparian strips

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W18 – Pinus sylvestris–Hylocomium splendens Woodland

(Bryophytes absent but vascular flora fits)

Key species

• Pinus sylvestris

• Vaccinium myrtillus

• Deschampsia flexuosa

Notes

• Semi-natural Scots pine woodland

• Especially on acidic substrates

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Tall Herb & Ruderal

OV26 – Epilobium angustifolium Community

Key species

• Chamerion angustifolium

• Cirsium vulgare

• Senecio jacobaea

Notes

• Disturbance following forestry, fire or soil movement

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Standing Water

A10 – Potamogeton polygonifolius Community

Key species

• Potamogeton polygonifolius

• Callitriche stagnalis

• Hippuris vulgaris

Notes

• Oligotrophic lochans, peaty pools

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Summary: Strongest Matches

If this were an NVC survey, your core communities would almost certainly be:

• H12 / H9 (Upland heath)

• M15 / M20 / M25 (Wet heath, bog & Molinia mire)

• U4 / U5 (Acid grassland)

• W11 / W7 (Upland woodland)