Site Code
Country: United Kingdom
Central coordinates: 57.45546457o [57o 27' 19" North], -4.40371087o [4o 24' 13" West]
Administrative region: Scotland East Highland (Easterness)
Area: 137 ha
Altitude: 54 - 288
Site Description
A wooded, steeply cut gorge, whose varied topography and mostly alkaline soils have allowed a very diverse upland mixed ash woodland to develop. Birch-hazel is most common, found on the gorge sides. Among the hazel are willows, aspen, rowan and particularly whitebeam (unusually abundant). The valley floor is dominated by willow and alder in wetter areas; ash is found further north where ground flora reflect more basic soils. On the drier and more stable upper slopes, birch and rowan are most frequent. Juniper is found on rock outcrops away from grazing. Some pines exist at the southern end, but it is not clear if they are natural or planted. To the north are some impressive planted exotic species, particularly Douglas fir. The site is designated an SSSI for the aforementioned upland mixed ash woodland and the associated lichen assemblage. Its damp and shaded environment favours mosses; notably, the lower section Reelig Glen is designated an SAC for being one of only three UK sites in which nationally Endangered green shield-moss Buxbaumia viridis has been found in recent years.
Botanical Significance
Moniack Gorge is designated an SSSI for its diverse upland mixed ash woodland and associated lichen assemblage (181 species, 31 nationally scarce). In the north, willow and ash fragments support significant populations of the Lobarion lichen community (e.g. nationally rare Fuscopannaria ignobilis, nationally scarce F. mediterranea), which have spread to planted trees matured in the last 30 years, e.g. lower branches of firs. Further south, the steep sheltered gorge and various trees (particularly willow, ash and hazel) provide good habitat, especially in the glades where higher light levels have created the most lichen-rich areas in the site. For example, hazel supports lichens of the Graphidion community; and in 2004 surveyors found the Vulnerable and nationally rare specked script Schismatomma graphidioides on a mature ash, and the Near Threatened, nationally rare Buellia violaceofusca on rugged birch.
The lower section, Reelig Glen, is designated as an SAC due to the presence of green shield-moss Buxbaumia viridis, which in the UK is listed as Endangered and has very specific habitat requirements, being restricted to well-decayed wood (particularly conifer logs) in damp and sheltered woodland locations. This moss is only known from 4 sites in northern and eastern Scotland, with very few plants at each. In 1999 researchers at Moniack Gorge recorded 23 sporophytes, thought to be a large proportion of the UK population. There is evidence that the species has been present for many years.
As well as the mixed woodland and lichens, the site also contains a rich range of vascular plants (over 250 species), and some impressive exotic trees including Douglas fir, one of which (Dougal Mor) was previously the UK’s tallest known tree at 64 metres high.
Management guidance notes
Notes
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