Turmennan ASSI

Turmennan consists of a valley mire, which is in a transitional stage between fen and bog. It supports a wide range of plant communities, ranging from swamp to a variety of fen types and wet grasslands.
Small pockets of wet heath and scrub further enhance the scientific interest of the area.

The diversity of wetland habitats supports a rich invertebrate community with a number of notable Odontata (Dragonflies and Damselflies) and aquatic Coleoptera (water beetles).

The fen communities range from slightly base-rich to markedly acidic which is partly related to past patterns of peat cutting. Sedges dominate the sward with a variety of associated herbs depending on local edaphic conditions. A carpet of brown mosses dominated by Calliergon cuspidatum and Calliergon cordifolium occurs beneath the more base-rich fen with the more acidic areas characterised by Sphagnum bog-mosses.

Notable plants include marsh St John's-wort, floating club-rush and least bur-reed.