North Fetlar

General site character

• Shingle, Sea cliffs, Islets (5%)
  
• Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (1%)
  
• Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (5%)
  
• Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (85%)
  
• Dry grassland, Steppes (2%)
  
• Inland rocks, Screes, Sands, Permanent Snow and ice (2%)
  

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

• 4030 European dry heaths

  North Fetlar represents species-rich forms of maritime H7 Calluna vulgaris – Scilla verna and upland H10 Calluna vulgaris – Erica cinerea heaths at the northern limit of their range in the UK. The species-rich Thymus praecox – Carex pulicaris sub-type of Calluna – Erica heath (H10d) is especially well-developed and extensive on base-rich serpentine rock. The combined extent of the maritime and upland species-rich heath is the largest within the SAC series but not as rich in associated flora and invertebrates as related heaths on Rum. Oceanic-northern species-poor forms of Calluna – Erica heath with abundant woolly fringe-moss Racomitrium lanuginosum, unusually developed at low altitude in the harsh climate, are also well-represented.

• 7230 Alkaline fens

  Alkaline fens fed by base-rich water from serpentine rocks are widespread across North Fetlar. They represent the habitat on Shetland and in the far north. The NVC type is M10 Carex dioica – Pinguicula vulgaris mire. Transitions occur to base-rich swamp communities.

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

• Not Applicable

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

• Not Applicable