Factsheet for Merrick Kells IPA

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Country: United Kingdom

Central coordinates: 55.13333333o [55o 7' 59" North], -4.41666667o [4o 25' 0" West]

Administrative region: Scotland Dumfries & Galloway

Area: 8768 ha

Altitude: 80 - 843

Site Description
Merrick Kells SSSI consists of two parts. The larger part is dominated by the Merrick in the west and the smaller part by the Rhinns of Kells to the east; the two areas are separated by a conifer plantation. The site is the most extensive area of unafforested upland in Galloway and includes a wide range of plant communities from acid grassland through bog and heathland to the moss and sedge-dominated vegetation of the summits. The large bog of Silver Flowe is the most important and varied system of patterned blanket bog in Britain.. This area is rich in bog mosses Sphagnum and has pool and hummock structures similar to the bogs of the more northerly parts of Scotland. There are several oligotrophic lochs within the site and cliffs which support a range of arctic-alpine plants. The crags and steep ,heathy slopes support a range of Atlantic bryophytes.

Botanical Significance
Noted for habitat and bryophytes interest. Silver Flowe has good populations of Sphagnum austinii and Sphagnum pulchrum on an extensive mire system. The steeper heathy slopes have a moderate development of bryophyte-rich Atlantic heath with stands of Pleurozia purpurea, Dicranodontium uncinatum, Herbertus aduncus ssp. hutchinsiae and Campylopus setifolius with much Racomitrium lanuginosum and Sphagnum species. The crags have some montane vascular plants including Salix lapponum and Saussurea alpina.

Management guidance notes
The site includes two separate areas; the Merrick ridge of hills in the west and the ridge of Corserine to the east. The western block also includes the extensive mire system at Silver Flowe. The sites are separated and surrounded by large areas of plantation conifer woodland.

Notes
Site is mostly owned by FCS and is managed for conservation in agreement with SNH