Avon Gorge Woodlands

General site character

• Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (4%)
  
• Dry grassland, Steppes (4%)
  
• Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (2%)
  
• Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (70%)
  
• Coniferous woodland (5%)
  
• Mixed woodland (5%)
  
• Inland rocks, Screes, Sands, Permanent Snow and ice (10%)
  

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

• 9180 Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines  * Priority feature

  Avon Gorge is representative of Tilio-Acerion forests in south-west England on the limestone cliffs and screes of a large river gorge. It is important because of the high concentration of small-leaved lime Tilia cordata, compared with other sites in the region, the presence of rare whitebeams Sorbus spp., including two unique to the Avon Gorge (S. bristoliensis and S. wilmottiana), and other uncommon plants, such as green hellebore Helleborus viridis. Other characteristic species include soft shield-fern Polystichum setiferum and hart’s-tongue Phyllitis scolopendrium. Species-rich transitions to scrub and grasslands are associated with the woodland. Small groves of yew Taxus baccata also occur on some of the stonier situations.

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

• 6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites)

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

• Not Applicable

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

• Not Applicable