Isle of Wight Downs

General site character

• Shingle, Sea cliffs, Islets (4%)
  
• Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (10%)
  
• Dry grassland, Steppes (70%)
  
• Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (16%)
  

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

• 1230 Vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic Coasts

  The Isle of Wight Downs represents one of the best examples of chalk grassland in the south of England under maritime influence. The exposed and weathered cliff tops provide a range of sheltered and exposed conditions. The most exposed chalk cliff tops support important assemblages of nationally rare lichens, including Fulgensia fulgens. The western end of the site adjoins the cliffs of the South Wight Maritime cSAC. Here, species-rich calcareous grassland vegetation is present on the cliff tops. The instability and maritime influence has altered the chalk grassland vegetation to include maritime species such as yellow horned-poppy Glaucium flavum, rock samphire Crithmum maritimum, wild cabbage Brassica oleracea, and buck’s-horn plantain Plantago coronopus, together with calcareous grassland species such as common restharrow Ononis repens, wild carrot Daucus carota, carline thistle Carlina vulgaris and lesser hawkbit Leontodon saxatilis. This site represents an uncommon transition from chalk grassland species to sea cliff vegetation, which can include the Annex II species 1654 Early gentian Gentianella anglica.

• 4030 European dry heaths

  This site comprises tracts of 6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) together with areas of dry heath belonging to NVC type H2 Calluna vulgaris – Ulex minor heath. The dry heath supports small breeding populations of Dartford warbler Sylvia undata and a wide range of invertebrates and plants. There are also some stands of the rare chalk heath (not defined by the NVC), with features intermediate between CG2 Festuca ovina – Avenula pratensis grassland and Calluna – Ulex heath. Heathland on deep gravel overlying chalk is an unusual biological feature in the UK.

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

  The Isle of Wight Downs complex consists of large areas of semi-natural dry grassland on chalk at the southern extremity of its UK range. It provides extensive examples of CG2 Festuca ovina – Avenula pratensis grassland in both inland and coastal situations on a variety of aspects and slope gradients. Locally, the Festuca – Avenula grassland grades into CG1 Festuca ovina – Carlina vulgaris grassland, particularly on south-facing slopes on the coast. This open, stony grassland contains one of the most important examples of lichen-rich maritime chalk grassland in the UK. Smaller areas of CG3 Bromus erectus grassland occur on the eastern parts of the chalk outcrop. Semi-natural dry grassland is locally replaced by 4030 European dry heaths where superficial deposits overlie the chalk.

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

• Not Applicable

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

• 1654 Early gentian Gentianella anglica

  Chalk grasslands on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight support very large populations of early gentian Gentianella anglica, numbering hundreds of thousands of plants, although these populations have varied in size from year to year. Compton Down supports the largest populations.

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

• Not Applicable