A phytosociological study of Widdybank Fell in upper Teesdale

Abstract

The vegetation of Widdybank Fell, Upper Teesdale, was classified, mapped at 1:10,000 and (in parts) 1:2,500 and related to comparable British communities. The phytosociological role of the “Teesdale Assemblage” was also investigated. The methods of Zurich-Montpellier phytsociology were used. Field analysis was followed by a polythetic sub-division and linear ordination of the data. Thirty-six vegetation units or noda encompassing eleven alliances, and orders of eight classes were found. The complement of noda within each alliance was termed an ɤnodal group. The classes and alliances found are as follows: Class Asplenitea rupestris Festucco-Brometea Violetea calaminariae Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Montio-Cardaminetea Parvocaricetea Oxycocco-Sphagnetea Nardo-Callunetea Alliance Androsacion vandellii – siliceous rock crevice vegetation (Sub-all. Seslerio-Mesobromion – semi-dry calcareous grasslands Thlaspeion calamnaries – heavy metal mineheap vegetation Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Ranunculo-Anthoxanthion – sub-alpine pastures Montio-Cardaminetea Caricion davallianae – eu-trophic sedge-marsh Oxycocco-Sphagnetea Ericion tetralicis – damp heath Erico-Sphagion – ombregenous and raised bogs Nardo-Callunetea Violion caninae – rough grasslands Empetrion nigri - heaths