Morrone Birkwood

General site character

• Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (5%)
  
• Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (85%)
  
• Dry grassland, Steppes (3%)
  
• Alpine and sub-Alpine grassland (1%)
  
• Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (5%)
  
• Inland rocks, Screes, Sands, Permanent Snow and ice (1%)
  

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

• 5130 Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands

  Morrone Birkwood is one of several sites representing juniper Juniperus communis formations in north-east Scotland. It has the most extensive and diverse example of a transition between woodland and juniper scrub in the UK. The site contains examples of juniper developed both on limestone drift soil and on contrasting acidic soils. The stands on lime-rich soils are the largest and most diverse in Scotland. The flora is species-rich, with a well-developed northern component. This includes rare species usually associated with Scots pine Pinus sylvestris woods, such as twinflower Linnaea borealis, serrated wintergreen Orthilia secunda and interrupted clubmoss Lycopodium annotinum. Nodding mellick Melica nutans, globeflower Trollius europaeus and northern bedstraw Galium boreale also occur. Juniper is actively regenerating on the open slopes above the wood. Pollen analysis indicates that the wood has not altered floristically since the post-glacial period. Other habitats associated with the limestone include 6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates, 7220 Petrifying springs with tufa formation, 7230 Alkaline fens and 7240 Alpine pioneer formations of the Caricion bicoloris-atrofuscae.

• 7240 Alpine pioneer formations of the Caricion bicoloris-atrofuscae  * Priority feature

  Morrone Birkwood supports a relatively low altitude representation of this habitat in the eastern Scottish Highlands. Although they are not extensive, open flushes of M11 Carex demissa – Saxifraga aizoides mire are frequent, associated with 7220 petrifying springs and more extensive areas of 7230 Alkaline fens. Species such as yellow saxifrage Saxifraga aizoides, Scottish asphodel Tofieldia pusilla and alpine rush Juncus alpinoarticulatus are present.

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

• 4060 Alpine and Boreal heaths
• 6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites)
• 7220 Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion)  * Priority feature
• 7230 Alkaline fens

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

• 1013 Geyer's whorl snail Vertigo geyeri