Site description

Mull is the second largest island in the Inner Hebrides. Its complex of woodlands is the largest remaining example of native woodland in the Hebrides. The woodlands lie at the southern limit of the mid-west Atlantic bryophyte zone and support a rich assemblage of oceanic lichens, bryophytes, flowering plants and ferns.
Mull Oakwoods IPA is located on the south-eastern side of the Inner Hebridean Island of Mull, in an area surrounding Loch Spelve and Loch Uisg and the southern and eastern shores of Loch Buie. The site includes areas of geological, woodland, coastal and invertebrate interests. Of primary geological significance is the demonstration of rock deformation associated with the emplacement of the Mull central igneous complex. This has produced clearly defined concentric fold structures, which form the best developed and finest example of this type of deformation in the British Palaeogene Igneous Province.

Botanical significance

Comments on qualifying features:
Additional features of interest in Mull Woodlands site (NM 680296): Lichens: Pseudocyphellaria norveguca (one of a genus of leafy lichens sometimes referred to as ‘specklebelly’ lichens); and, Pyrenula hibernica (‘blackberries and custard’).

This complex of woodlands on the island of Mull is the largest remaining example of native woodland in the Hebrides. The Ardura-River Lussa section of the site features open oak-birch Quercus-Betula woodland with ash-hazel Fraxinus excelsior-Corylus avellana on base-rich soils, and alder Alnus glutinosa along stream courses.

Open oak/birch woodland dominates the woodland canopy along the north-east facing slopes of the Lussa Valley, the western flanks of Cruach Ardura and on the slopes around the Abhainn a’ Choire. The understory is comprised of a mixture of rowan, bird cherry, hazel and holly. In addition, the woodland supports a rich assemblage of oceanic lichens, bryophytes, flowering plants and ferns.

Saltmarsh showing a transition from pioneer marsh to upper marsh occurs within the Auchnacraig section of the IPA and is notable for the very extensive transition from upper marsh to wet grassland and stream-flushed vegetation in An Gleannan.

Pseudocyphellaria norveguca, Pyrenula hibernica

Fauna

The extensive transition from saltmarsh to acid marshy grassland with calcareous flushes to the north of Auchnacraig is home to populations of two rare Scottish invertebrates – the marsh fritillary butterfly and the forester moth.

Protected Areas

Mull Oakwoods SAC – component parts of the SAC lie within the IPA boundary.
Cnuic agus Cladach Mhuile SPA
Ardura – Auchnacraig SSSI – lies within the IPA boundary.

Conservation Issues

The saltmarsh was found to be in favourable condition when monitored in 2003. However the upland oak woodland was found to be in unfavourable recovering condition when monitored in 2001. The upland oak woodland feature failed to meet targets for browsing impact and regeneration. However, current management should allow, within the long term, sufficient regeneration to maintain the woodland.