Scottish Natural Heritage Archive Report No. 058

Site dossier for bryological interest – Barry Links SSSI

A R C H I V E R E P O R T

Archive Report No. 058

Site dossier for bryological interest –

Barry Links SSSI

For further information on this report please contact:

David Genney Scottish Natural Heritage Great Glen House Leachkin Road INVERNESS IV3 8NW Telephone: 01463 725253 E-mail: david.genney@nature.scot

This report should be quoted as: Hodgetts, N.G. 2006. Site dossier for bryological interest – Barry Links SSSI. Scottish Natural Heritage Archive Report No. 058.

This report, or any part of it, should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural Heritage. This permission will not be withheld unreasonably. The views expressed by the author(s) of this report should not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage.

© Scottish Natural Heritage 2019.

Archive Reports Scottish Natural Heritage is committed to making the findings of all of its research publicly available whenever possible. In the past, a number of reports from staff and contractors were produced as paper documents and lodged in the SNH library or file systems. Some related to Site Condition Monitoring, others covered a range of subjects. These were not published as Research Reports for a number of reasons. In order to make these reports more available, we have decided to publish them online under the series title of Archive Reports. These will be numbered consecutively in the order that they are prepared for web publication. Their publication date, authors and title will be recorded as presented in the original report. The Archive Reports will be published as scanned PDF files of the original reports. They have not been subject to any new editing, formatting or other changes, other than the cover, title page and this page. Many of the reports published as Archive Reports were produced by contractors and were originally intended as internal documents to inform our policy and advice. As a result they may contain historical information that is no longer current or accurate, and may contain views of contractors or staff which do not represent the current views and policy of SNH. Many of the reports published as Archive Reports were produced by contractors and were originally intended as internal documents to inform our policy and advice. As a result they may contain historical information that is no longer current or accurate, and may contain views of contractors or staff which do not represent the current views and policy of SNH. This report was commissioned by SNH as part of the Site Condition Monitoring (SCM) programme to assess the condition of special features (habitats, species populations or earth science interests) on protected areas in Scotland (Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and Ramsar). Site Condition Monitoring is SNH’s rolling programme to monitor the condition of special features on protected areas, their management and wider environmental factors which contribute to their condition. The views expressed in the report are those of the contractor concerned and have been used by SNH staff to inform the condition assessment for the individual special features. Where the report recommends a particular condition for an individual feature, this is taken into account in the assessment process, but may not be the final condition assessment of the feature. Wider factors, which would not necessarily be known to the contractor at the time of the monitoring, are taken into consideration by SNH staff in making final condition assessments. Access permission was obtained from all those owning and managing the site.

Site Condition Monitoring dossier for bryological interest – Barry Links SSSI

Introduction

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are designated on the basis of notified features of interest. These include habitats, species or geological features. Site Condition Monitoring (SCM) is a six year programme of assessment of the state of all notified features of interest on designated sites. Reporting is based on feature types and will be to common standards across the four UK country conservation agencies. This project addresses bryophyte monitoring on sites in Scotland, and covers all Scottish SSSIs where bryophytes are a notified feature. Barry Links is a large peninsula of blown sand dunes where a large number of rare mosses and liverworts has been recorded. The known biological interest at the time of notification is described on the citation (Appendix 1). The site occupies 1,041.1 ha at altitudes between sea level and ca. 13 m, at grid reference NO532319 (site centroid), in Watsonian vice-county 90, Angus.

Known bryophyte interest

Barry Links has been known as an important site for dune slack bryophytes for a long time (e.g. Duncan 1966), with 132 species recorded by Ursula Duncan, according to the SNH file notes. The bryophyte flora was re-assessed in 1979 by David Chamberlain, who considered the site still to be of national importance. Rare species recorded from this site include Bryum calophyllum, B. knowltonii, B. marratii, B. warneum, Moerckia hibernica, Riccardia incurvata, Campyliadelphus elodes, Drepanocladus polygamus (= Campylium polygamum) and Drepanocladus sendtneri. However, by the time Rothero visited the site in 2000, only B. warneum could be found at two small isolated localities within the site.

The SSSI citation (Appendix 1) mentions bryophytes as follows: "The site supports an unusually large number of rare mosses and liverworts..."

Therefore, the main bryological feature reported on is: Bryophyte species of sand dunes and slacks.

Aims

The aim of this exercise was to visit Barry Links SSSI and to produce a site condition monitoring dossier reporting on the condition of the notified bryological features. Features of interest and their condition were to be described in simple terms and an accurate record of their precise location is to be made in such a way that, using the dossier, a stranger to the site could relocate the features and describe their condition on subsequent monitoring visits.

Methods

Preparatory work consisted of collating existing data. The SNH files contain the citation, map and management statement, which includes some information on the bryophytes. They also contain notes based on information from Ursula Duncan and SNH Species Dossiers on Bryum calophyllum and B. warneum (Rothero 2003a, 2003b).

Barry Links was visited on 19 August 2005, with about 6 hours spent on site. However, movement was restricted due to MoD firing on the range, so it was not possible to visit the north-east part of the site, which includes the 'water hazard'. The SSSI citation, site map and additional data were used to attempt to relocate the features of bryological interest. 'Monitoring sites' were not established in this case, as nothing of bryological interest was found. However, the areas visited are indicated approximately in Fig. 1. A

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GPS was used to pinpoint locations to a maximum accuracy of 5 m. Digital photography was used where appropriate. Sketch maps and notes were made in the field and used, in conjunction with the SSSI maps supplied, to produce an account of the bryological interest. Although no attempt was made at a full survey, a summary list of species seen during the visit was made (see Table 1, below).

All records were entered in the Recorder 2002 database. Bryophyte nomenclature follows Blockeel and Long (1998); vascular plant nomenclature follows Stace (1999). Information on bryophyte status is taken from the latest revision of the Red List, which updates Church et al. (2001) and is published on the JNCC web site (www.jncc.gov.uk). The site score was arrived at using the Guidelines (Hodgetts 1992) in conjunction with up-to-date status lists (JNCC web site), since the lists in Hodgetts (1992) are now badly out-of-date. Frequencies in the species list are recorded on the DAFOR scale (d = dominant, a = abundant, f = frequent, o= occasional, r = rare. These are sometimes qualified with l = locally.

Figure 1. Map showing approximate areas sampled in detail during site visit.

Survey and monitoring record

General A total of 26 taxa were recorded (Table 1). The majority of the site is covered with coarse dry grassland interspersed with mown rifle ranges, areas of scrub, secondary woodland and occasionally heathland (Fig. 2). False oat Arrhenatherum elatius, rosebay willowherb Chamerion angustifolium, ragwort Senecio jacobaea, harebell Campanula rotundifolia, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and cocksfoot Dactylis glomerata are especially abundant. Bryophytes are few and far between, with the exception of a few common species. This generalisation includes the dunes near the mouth of the Buddon Burn - one of Rothero's sites for Bryum warneum (Rothero 2003b). The higher, drier dunes are completely overgrown with grasses and sea buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides, while the hollows are choked with reeds Phragmites australis, perennial sowthistle Sonchus arvensis, lyme- grass Leymus arenarius and other grasses (Figs. 3-7). Bryophytes are sparse, and almost confined to a small number of common and ruderal species occurring on the occasional patch of bare sand. The Buddon Burn itself is choked with weeds. There is simply no suitable habitat remaining for the specialist dune bryophytes.

There is more open ground, with shorter grass, near the lighthouses, but this is mainly a dry turf with Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum lacunosum and Syntrichia ruraliformis dominant in the bryophyte layer. Between the two lighthouses there is a wide open, level area of dry dune slack with large patches of creeping willow Salix repens (Fig. 8). A single

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small, damp dune slack was found west of the High Lighthouse (NO53663095), dominated by bulrush Typha latifolia, lesser spearwort Ranunculus flammula and a few other marsh plants (Fig. 9). There was however no standing water here. This is the other of Rothero's sites for Bryum warneum (Rothero 2003b), but none could be found. Riccardia incurvata was locally dominant here on the damp turf, growing with Pellia endiviifolia, hummocks of Calliergonella cuspidata and a tiny amount of Fossombronia incurva. Dunes at Barry Links are now not strikingly calcareous. For example, no Homalothecium lutescens, a common plant in calcareous dune slacks, was found. Likewise, there was no crust of pottiaceous species, but Ceratodon purpureus was the most frequent acrocarpous moss.

Grazing appears to be absent from the site, except for rabbits in some areas.

Figure 2. General view over the inland part of the dune system in the western part of the site. Note tall grasses, and patches of scrub and rosebay willowherb.

Figure 3. Overgrown dunes near the Buddon Burn, ca. NO515327, looking west.

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Figure 4. Overgrown dunes near the Buddon Burn, ca. NO515327, looking south.

Figure 5. Looking west along the west-flowing part of the Buddon Burn at ca. NO514321, from the dune just inland, with Monifieth in the background. Note reed-dominated vegetation choking course of burn and long grass on surrounding dunes. Former site for Bryum warneum.

Figure 6. Looking west along the west-flowing part of the Buddon Burn at ca. NO514321, from the foredune separating it from the beach, with Monifieth in the background. Note reed-dominated vegetation choking course of burn and long grass on surrounding dunes.

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Figure 7. Looking east along the west-flowing part of the Buddon Burn at ca. NO514321. Note reed- dominated vegetation choking course of burn and long grass on surrounding dunes.

Figure 8. Looking south-east towards the Low Lighthouse from near the High Lighthouse, over large, dry dune slack.

Figure 9. Small damp dune slack at NO53663095, looking towards flag. Slack dominated in the bryophyte layer by Riccardia incurvata. Pellia endiviifolia and Fossombronia incurva also present. Former site for Bryum warneum.

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Table 1. Summary list for Barry Links, 19 August 2005

Species Frequency Conservation/oceanic status Liverworts Aneura pinguis o Fossombronia incurva r Nationally Scarce Pellia endiviifolia r Riccardia incurvata r Nationally Scarce

Mosses Brachythecium albicans o Brachythecium glareosum f Brachythecium rutabulum a Bryum argenteum o Bryum bicolor o Bryum capillare o Calliergonella cuspidata (= Calliergon cuspidatum)

o/lf

Ceratodon purpureus a Climacium dendroides o Dicranum scoparium f Eurhynchium praelongum a Hylocomium splendens f Hypnum cupressiforme a Hypnum lacunosum f Pleurozium schreberi f Polytrichum juniperinum f Polytrichum piliferum f Racomitrium canescens o Nationally Scarce Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus a Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus f Scleropodium purum (= Pseudoscleropodium purum)

f

Syntrichia ruraliformis (= Tortula ruraliformis)

f/la

Species previously recorded from Barry Links but not seen during 2005 SCM work. It seems superfluous to make a long list of the species that have apparently been lost from this site, as they are listed in the existing SSSI files, but they include all the special plants of calcareous dune slacks, such as Amblyodon dealbatus, Catascopium nigritum, Distichium inclinatum, Drepanocladus lycopodioides, Meesia uliginosa (these five species already considered 'probably extinct' at the site by U.K. Duncan in the 1960s, according to SNH files), Bryum calophyllum (last seen 1965), B. knowltonii (last seen 1964), B. marratii (last seen 1964), B. neodamense (last seen 1886), B. uliginosum (last seen 1896), B. warneum (last seen 2000), Drepanocladus sendtneri, Moerckia hibernica, Thuidium abietinum (last seen 1912) and Haplomitrium hookeri.

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Management observations

A total of 26 species were recorded. It appears that the long process of decline at Barry Links is now almost complete. None of the dune speciealist bryophytes was found, and indeed there appeared to be no habitat for them whatsoever. It may be that Campylidelphus elodes and perhaps other species of interest remain in the area of the 'water hazard' in the NE of the site, but this area could not be visited because of MoD restrictions.

Many, indeed, the vast majority of previously recorded species, were not refound. Instead, all that was found was a small selection of common sand dune species and ruderal generalist species, except for the single small slack which still supports Riccardia incurvata and Fossombronia incurva. Racomitrium canescens is considered Nationally Scarce, and indeed is the rarest of the three species in the R. ericoides/elongatum/canescens group, but is probably under-recorded.

The site can no longer be considered of any particular importance for bryophytes (with the possible exception of the 'water hazard' area, which was not visited), although an intensive and urgent programme of remedial management could well reverse the process of decline, as is happening at Saltfleetby NNR in Lincolnshire. This would have to include extensive scraping of dune slacks using heavy machinery, followed by instituting a regime of grazing. Information received later (Lynne Farrell, pers. comm.) suggested that there should be some Highland cattle grazing the site. This may be the case, but neither they, nor any evidence of their presence, was seen. Perhaps they are confined to the north-east corner.

Total score (Hodgetts 1992): 30.

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Assessment The bryophyte features are coastal sand dune specialists. The following table (Table 2) is based on Common Standards Monitoring Guidelines for Bryophytes and Lichens

(www.jncc.gov.uk), including elements of basic cliff, woodland, ravine and riverine features. The allocation of Scapania praetervisa to 'scree' in that document is not considered correct.

Table 2. Assessment of condition of bryophyte interest features

Attributes Targets Method of assessment

Comments

Niche availability

Sufficient area of suitable habitat to maintain population No loss of area supporting the interest feature

Mapping, photography Unfavourable - see photographs and comments above

Water level Water table at or above surface of slack for prolonged period during winter months

Visual assessment Unknown - not visited in winter - but was very dry in summer

Negative indicators: pollution

No evidence of excessive algal growth in dune slacks

Visual assessment Favourable

Negative indicators: disturbance

No evidence of excessive disturbance to slack (or other sandy ground)

Visual assessment Favourable

Negative indicators: scrub

Slacks and other sandy ground supporting the interest feature should be predominantly free from scrub

Visual assessment Unfavourable - many slacks colonised by scrub and other coarse vegetation

Assessment: Bryophyte species of sand dunes and slacks: Unfavourable - declining.

The total score falls a long way below the SSSI selection threshold of 300, and the site is no longer of any major bryological interest. Remedial management, including scraping of slacks and introducing a suitable grazing regime, is needed to rescue this site.

Summary statement: "This site used to support a rich assemblage of specialist sand dune bryophytes, but has now lost virtually all its interest."

Acknowledgements:

I would like to thank Anna Griffith (former SNH Lower Plant Specialist), Chris McGregor and Shona Hill (SNH Airdrie office) and Sandra Penman (SNH Battleby office) for their invaluable help. I would also like to thank all the landowners/occupiers who gave permission for the fieldwork.

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References

Averis, A.B.G. 1991. A survey of the bryophytes of 448 woods in the Scottish Highlands. Scottish Field Unit Survey Report No. 54. Edinburgh, Nature Conservancy Council. Blockeel, T.L. & Long, D.G. 1998. A checklist and census catalogue of British and Irish bryophytes. Cardiff, British Bryological Society.

Church, J.M., Hodgetts, N.G., Preston, C.D. & Stewart, N.F. 2001. British Red Data Books. Mosses and liverworts. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Duncan, U.K. 1966. A bryophyte flora of Angus. Transactions of the British Bryological Society 5 (1):1-82.

Hodgetts, N.G. 1992. Guidelines for selection of biological SSSIs: non- vascular plants. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Rothero, G.P. 2003a. Blunt Bryum Bryum calophyllum Species Dossier.

Unpublished report. Edinburgh, Scottish Natural Heritage.

Rothero, G.P. 2003b. Warne's thread-moss Bryum warneum Species Dossier. Unpublished report. Edinburgh, Scottish Natural Heritage.

Stace, C. 1999. Field Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

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Appendix 1. Citation and site map for Barry Links SSSI

BARRY LINKS SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

Dundee District Angus District

PLANNING AUTHORITY: Tayside Region

Midas Reference: 154

DATE NOTIFIED UNDER 1949 ACT: 14 August 1961

DATE NOTIFIED UNDER 1981 ACT: 9 May 1985

NATIONAL GRID REFERENCE: NO 532319 OS 1:50,000 SHEET NO: 54

- 1:25,000 SHEET NO:

1:25,000 NO: 53

NO 53

AREA: 1,041.1 ha. DESCRIPTION:

Botanical: Ornithological: Entomological

A peninsula of blown-sand showing all of the classic elements of coastal dune succession with the full range of characteristic plant communities. These communities are relatively undisturbed, and support a large number of vascular plant species including national and regional rarities. The site supports an unusually large number of rare mosses and liverworts and several species of sand dune invertebrates which are very local in their distribution. The breeding bird community includes one national rarity and the site is of Regional importance for the variety of its wintering species.

Geological

The extensive sand-covered foreland of Barry Links provides a representative assemblage of many beach, dune and links landforms that offer valuable opportunities for studies of coastal evolution. The site is particularly noted for its parabolic dune system, one of the finest of this type in Britain, comprising unique, elongated 'hairpin' landforms with an exceptionally regular and repeated pattern. These unique characteristics may reflect the unusually open exposure of the foreland and the lack of topographic interference with formative winds. Barry Links is therefore a key site for coastal geomorphology.

REMARKS

Boundary amended with an addition of 32.6 ha which was previously notified as part of Monifeith Bay SSSI.

Site contiguous with Monifeith Bay SSSI.

Part of the site is a Nature Conservation Review site and part is a Geological Conservation Review site.

Area of site within Dundee District 81.2 ha. Area of site with in Angus District 959.89 ha.

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