Clermont and Anglesey Mountain ASSI

Clermont & Anglesey Mountain has been declared an area is of special scientific interest because of its heathland vegetation, in addition to its associated plant and animal species. Complex patterns of dry and wet heath with associated habitats form a mosaic of vegetation within a varied topography.

The heathland communities are very variable and depend upon local environmental conditions. They exhibit a well defined altitudinal sequence from lowland through to upland heath. Transitional communities throughout this gradation contribute to the overall interest of the area.

Below 250m in height the heath is often characterised by the abundance of Western Gorse Ulex gallii. This type of vegetation is generally restricted to the warm, oceanic regions of lowland Britain, and its occurrence so far north is notable. This heath gives way upslope to vegetation in which HeatherCalluna vulgaris and Bell Heather Erica cinerea are the dominant species, forming the most widespread heath community on Clermont & Anglesey Mountain. At higher altitudes, transitional communities with species such as Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus occur.

On the lower slopes and in hollows the damp microclimate allows wet heaths to develop. This community is dominated by the prominence of Cross-leaved Heath Erica tetralix, Common CottongrassEriophorum angustifolium, Bog Asphodel Narthecium ossigfragum and Sphagnum bog-mosses.

Some of the slopes are flushed by mineral rich waters and are characterised by sedges such as Dioecious Sedge Carex dioica and Common Yellow-sedge Carex viridula with herbs such as Devil’s-bit Scabious Succisa pratensis.