Assessment of fire damage at Traprain Law, East Lothian, September 2004

Transcription

1 COMMISSIONED REPORT Commissioned Report No. 095 Assessment of fire damage at Traprain Law, East Lothian, September 2004 (ROAME No. F04LJ01) For further information on this report please contact: Alan Leitch Scottish Natural Heritage Laundry House Dalkeith Country Park DALKEITH Midlothian EH22 2HA Telephone: This report should be quoted as: Averis, A. B. G. (2005). Assessment of fire damage at Traprain Law, East Lothian, September Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 095 (ROAME No. F04LJ01). This report, or any part of it, should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural Heritage. This permission will not be withheld unreasonably. The views expressed by the author(s) of this report should not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage. Scottish Natural Heritage 2005.

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3 COMMISSIONED REPORT Summary Assessment of fire damage at Traprain Law, East Lothian, September 2004 Commissioned Report No. 095 (ROAME No. F04LJ01) Contractor: Ben Averis Year of publication: 2005 Background Traprain Law is a small, steep-sided hill 2.5km SSW of East Linton, East Lothian, Scotland (OS Grid Reference NT ). It is just over 40ha in area. Most of the hill is grassland, and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it is of botanical interest. The hill is also a SSSI for geological reasons. The vegetation is grazed by rabbits and sheep. Sheep numbers were high from 1989 to 1995, but have been lower since 1995 (none since winter ). Cattle were also present between 1993 and In early autumn 2003 an accidental fire originating to the south-west of the hill burned much of the vegetation on the western, southern and south-eastern slopes. Scottish Natural Heritage commissioned this survey in order to assess the damage to the botanical interest of the hill, and to use this information to help make decisions about future land management. The survey was carried out on 13 and 14 September 2004, about a year after the fire took place. The vegetation was mapped and classified using the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) at the scale of 1:5,000. The survey information has been digitised. The data are not incorporated into the written report, but held on a CD, copies of which may be consulted, by prior arrangement, at the SNH Headquarters Library or at the SNH Forth and Borders Office at Dalkeith. Main findings Burning was restricted to parts of the southern and western slopes. The burnt areas total 7.476ha, which makes up 18.6% of the area of the site. The effect of burning on the vegetation varies from light to severe. The most lightly burnt areas now have dense swards of grassland and are more or less recovered. The most severely affected areas have much bare soil, but small scattered plants of various species show that revegetation is starting to take place. In this survey most of the plant species which had been seen on the site in previous surveys were refound. In particular, Carex muricata ssp. lamprocarpa, Viola tricolor and the moss Hedwigia integrifolia are still present in good quantity within and adjacent to the burnt areas on the lower southern slopes.

4 Numbers of grazing stock will need to be kept low for the next few years to allow the burnt areas to revegetate without getting too trampled. Seeding of grasses onto bare, burnt ground is not particularly desirable but could be acceptable just SE of the summit and on part of the western slopes. Since 1995 the lighter grazing has allowed the grassland vegetation to grow taller, with increasing amounts of Arrhenatherum elatius. The general trend is for U4 Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland to develop towards MG1 Arrhenatherum grassland. For further information on this project contact: Alan Leitch, Scottish Natural Heritage, Laundry House, Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith, Midlothian EH22 2NA. Tel: For further information on the SNH Research & Technical Support Programme contact: The Advisory Services Co-ordination Group, Scottish Natural Heritage, 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP. Tel: or [email protected]

5 Contents Summary 1 INTRODUCTION 1 2 SURVEY METHODS 2 3 DESCRIPTIONS OF VEGETATION TYPES 4 4 DISCUSSION Summary descriptions of the vegetation in 1995 and Effects of the fire in autumn Thoughts about future management 15 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 17 6 REFERENCES 18 APPENDICES Appendix 1 Species lists 19 Appendix 2 Quadrat data 26 Appendix 3 Target notes 29 Appendix 4 Maps 30

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7 1 INTRODUCTION Traprain Law is a small, steep-sided hill 2.5km SSW of East Linton, East Lothian, Scotland (OS Grid Reference NT ). It is just over 40ha in area. It is composed of igneous rock (it is a volcanic plug) and rises from 90m a.s.l. at its base to 221m a.s.l. at the summit. It measures about 1500m from SW-NE and 600m from SE-NW. Most of the hill is grassland, and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it is of botanical interest. The hill is also a SSSI for geological reasons. Soils are welldrained and range from acidic to neutral (as judged by the vegetation). Rock outcrops are abundant, and much of the south-eastern slope is very steep, with cliffs. There is a disused quarry on the north-eastern slope. The land surrounding the SSSI is mostly arable farmland; there is also a road and a small area of deciduous woodland. Up until the mid 1980s Traprain Law was grazed by sheep for 3 4 months each year and up to 20 cattle in summer. In the mid to late 1980s the hill was grazed by rabbits only. Between 1989 and 1995 it was grazed by up to 250 sheep all year round, with the addition of cattle (12 plus followers) each spring between 1993 and In summer 1995 concern by staff of Scottish Natural Heritage that the hill appeared to be overgrazed led to a vegetation survey in August 1995 (Averis 1995) which showed that it was indeed overgrazed. Since then the number of sheep was dropped to about 150, and has remained relatively low since. No grazing stock have been on the hill since winter In early autumn 2003 an accidental fire originating to the south-west of the hill burned much of the vegetation on the western, southern and south-eastern slopes. Scottish Natural Heritage commissioned this survey in order to assess the damage to the botanical interest of the hill, and to use this information to help make decisions about future land management. 1

8 2 SURVEY METHODS Fieldwork The survey was carried out on 13 and 14 September 2004, about a year after the fire took place. I walked over the site and mapped the vegetation using the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) (Rodwell 1991 et seq.) at the scale of 1:5,000, as in my previous survey in 1995 (Averis 1995). It was to be expected that the vegetation would not be exactly the same as in 1995 because (a) areas burned by the fire in 2003 have been modified, and (b) grazing has been reduced since I drew the boundaries of vegetation types onto the map, and for complex mosaics of two or more vegetation types I estimated the percentage cover of each type. Some vegetation is intermediate between two NVC types, so I recorded it as such, using a hyphen between the two NVC codes, eg MG1a-U1b. In 1995 I recorded a set of representative 2m x 2m quadrats for each vegetation type which I found, so I did not repeat this work in However, I did record a few representative 2m x 2m quadrats for NVC types which I found in 2004 but which had not been found in the 1995 survey. In each quadrat I recorded the approximate quantity of the aerial parts of each plant species seen, using the DOMIN scale: 1 = <4% cover (few individuals) 6 = 26 33% cover 2 = <4% cover (several individuals) 7 = 34 50% cover 3 = <4% cover (many individuals) 8 = 51 75% cover 4 = 4 10% cover 9 = 76 90% cover 5 = 11 25% cover 10 = % cover I recorded the location of each quadrat as an 8-figure Ordnance Survey grid reference. I also recorded its altitude (in metres above sea-level), slope aspect (N, NE, E etc.), approximate slope gradient (in degrees) and approximate height (in centimetres) of the vegetation. I made a list of all plant species which I found during the survey (Appendix 1), noting their approximate quantity using the scale 1 (rare), 2 (occasional), 3 (frequent) and 4 (abundant). However, the species recording was not quite as intensive as in the 1995 survey because I had to spend time looking at and mapping the burned areas; for this reason my 2004 species list is not quite as long as that which I made in Nomenclature Nomenclature in this report follows Stace (1997) for vascular plants, Blockeel & Long (1998) for bryophytes, and Purvis et al. (1992) for lichens. This up-to-date nomenclature is also used for the names of NVC communities and sub-communities, as in Averis et al. (2004). 2

9 Map digitising The survey information has been digitised. The data are not incorporated into the written report, but held on a CD, copies of which may be consulted, by prior arrangement, at the SNH Headquarters Library or at the SNH Forth and Borders Office at Dalkeith. A note which Alastair Dargie has provided with the CD gives the following information. This CD contains three folders of data for the vegetation survey of Traprain Law SSSI, East Lothian by Ben Averis in After the fire polygons: This has two shp files one referred to as long and one as short; the only difference between the two is in the attribute table structure. The long file has longer field widths for individual NVC codes as the format specified by SNH would have truncated some of the codes used by the surveyor. The short file has the specification laid down by SNH. However, some of the attribute data will have been truncated. 2. Before the fire polygons: This has two shp files one referred to as long and one as short; the only difference between the two is in the attribute table structure. The long file has longer field widths for individual NVC codes as the format specified by SNH would have truncated some of the codes used by the surveyor. The short file has the specification laid down by SNH. However, some of the attribute data will have been truncated. 3. Quadrats and target notes: This contains two shp files one referring to the quadrats and the other referring to the target notes. In the attribute data there is a UID field that references the points to the quadrat IDs used by the surveyor. There are two additional files which have been exported from the GIS as Microsoft Excel spreadsheets showing all of the attribute data and area calculations. Any technical enquiries should be directed by to: [email protected] or by phone on

10 3 DESCRIPTIONS OF VEGETATION TYPES This section contains a brief description of each of the vegetation types found in the 1995 and 2004 surveys. Table 1 gives a list of these vegetation and habitat types, and Table 2 shows the year(s) in which each type was recorded. Map 1 shows the distribution of the different types of vegetation here in August Map 2 shows the vegetation in September Map 3 shows the locations where quadrat samples and target notes were recorded in September Firstly, before describing the vegetation types in turn, a note about the classification of the areas which were burnt in 2003 (totalling 7.476ha = 18.6% of the area of the site). In the 2004 survey I recorded seven types of burnt habitat: burnt MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra sub-community burnt MG1b Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Urtica dioica sub-community burnt U1b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-rumex acetosella grassland, Typical sub-community burnt W23a Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community burnt W23c Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community Burnt W23c Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community Burnt bare ground The contract specification asks for the burnt areas to be classed in two other ways. Firstly it asks for a separation to be made between areas where only the above ground vegetation has been burnt, and those where peaty soil and consequently roots and the seed bank have been affected. Secondly it asks for burnt areas to be categorized according to three recovery classes: damaged and recovered; damaged and likely to recover; damaged and unlikely to recover. The burnt habitats are listed below according to their placing in these categories. Areas where only the above ground vegetation has been burnt are labelled in Map 2 (and in the descriptions below) as burnt, with a lower case letter b : burnt MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra sub-community (damaged and recovered) burnt MG1b Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Urtica dioica sub-community (damaged and recovered) burnt U1b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-rumex acetosella grassland, Typical sub-community (damaged and recovered) burnt W23a Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community (damaged and likely to recover) burnt W23c Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community (damaged and likely to recover) In the MG1 and U1 grasslands the vegetation is now mostly re-grown, showing little sign of the burning. The burnt W23a and burnt W23c have been burned rather more intensively (probably because the fire 4

11 remained here for longer as the gorse bushes were burning), so that the ground is not yet as thickly vegetated as in the grasslands. This is why I have classed the W23 here as damaged and likely to recover rather than damaged and recovered. Areas where soil and consequently roots and the seed bank have been affected are labelled in Map 2 (and in the descriptions below) as Burnt, with an upper case letter B : Burnt W23c Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community (damaged and likely to recover) Burnt bare ground (damaged and likely to recover) In these more severely burnt places the ground is mostly bare, but there is a very sparse growth of small young plants indicating that there is potential for revegetation eventually. This is why I have classed these two habitats as damaged and likely to recover. I have not found reason to class any of the burned areas on the hill as damaged and unlikely to recover. MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra sub-community In 1995 this was recorded as short (2 10cm), heavily grazed, species-poor grassland dominated by Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus and Arrhenatherum elatius. Some MG1 contained species of interest: Carex muricata ssp. lamprocarpa, Galium verum and Cruciata laevipes. The vegetation was shorter than is usual for MG1 which is generally a tall, lightly grazed type of grassland. Continued heavy grazing might have caused reductions of A. elatius and the conversion of the grassland to U4 (see below) or MG5 Cynosurus- Centaurea grassland. By 2004 the MG1a grassland, after nine years of lighter grazing, had grown much taller (40 70cm) though its species composition is still much the same as it was in In both surveys MG1a was found to be extensive on the lower slopes around the SW, S and SE sides of the hill, with some also in the fenced, ungrazed area around the top of the disused quarry. In 2004 some additional MG1a grassland was recorded on the lower northern slopes, having developed from U4a grassland as a result of lighter grazing. burnt MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra sub-community This is MG1a grassland which was burned in The burning was only light because the fire swept through the vegetation rapidly. The grassland has now regrown so much that the effects of the fire are hardly noticeable; the main clues to its having been burned are the odd burned gorse bush and scattered small patches of rather barer, burned ground with sparser MG1a vegetation. Most of this burnt MG1a grassland is on the lower southern slopes, but there are also some small patches scattered among Burnt bare ground on the steep, rocky SE-facing slope of the hill. MG1b Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Urtica dioica sub-community This is similar to the MG1a grassland described above, but contains abundant Urtica dioica. In 1995 U. dioica was noted as being common in some of the MG1a grassland; it seems better now to treat this vegetation as the MG1b sub-community, so I have amended the 1995 map accordingly. MG1b occurs with MG1a on the gentle lower western, southern and south-eastern slopes, and also among U4a-MG1b grassland on the gentle middle western slopes. 5

12 burnt MG1b Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Urtica dioica sub-community This is MG1b grassland which was burned in As with the burned MG1a grassland the burning was only light and the vegetation has now regrown to look more or less the same as the unburnt grassland of this sub-community. This burnt MG1b occurs with burnt MG1a on the lower southern slopes. MG9b Holcus lanatus-deschampsia cespitosa grassland, Arrhenatherum elatius sub-community This is tall ( cm) grassland dominated by tussocks of Deschampsia cespitosa, among which there is a flora consisting mainly of Arrhenatherum elatius, Holcus lanatus, Agrostis capillaris, Urtica dioica and a little Juncus effusus and Epilobium montanum. There is a small area of this grassland with MG10 J. effusus grassland on low, more or less level ground near the SW edge of the site. MG10a Holcus lanatus-juncus effusus rush-pasture, Typical sub-community This is tall (50 80cm) grassland dominated by tussocks of Juncus effusus, with other species including Holcus lanatus, Festuca rubra, Deschampsia cespitosa and Agrostis capillaris. There is a small area of this vegetation with MG9b D. cespitosa grassland on low, more or less level ground near the SW edge of the site. MG9a-MG10a Juncus effusus-deschampsia cespitosa-dominated vegetation intermediate between MG9a and MG10a This is tall (c. 45cm), species-poor grassland co-dominated by Deschampsia cespitosa and Juncus effusus, with some Holcus lanatus, Agrostis capillaris and Festuca rubra. Two small areas of it were recorded in 1995, on more or less level ground with impeded drainage near the summit and on the lower western slopes. In the latter location in 2004 I found it better to map the vegetation as a mosaic of MG9 and MG10, instead of a homogeneous grassland intermediate between the two. MG1a-U1b grassland intermediate between MG1a and U1b This is a patchy, short (1 12cm), species-poor grassland, with tussocks of Arrhenatherum interspersed with Digitalis purpurea and smaller plants such as Teucrium scorodonia, Senecio sylvaticus, Aira praecox and Festuca ovina. This grassland shows characteristics of both MG1a (see above) and U1b (Festuca ovina- Agrostis capillaris-rumex acetosella grassland, Typical sub-community; see below). U1b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-rumex acetosella grassland, Typical sub-community This is short (1 6cm), patchy vegetation dominated by Festuca ovina, Aira praecox and Agrostis capillaris, with scattered Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Poa pratensis, Dactylis glomerata, Teucrium scorodonia, Rumex acetosella, Galium saxatile, G.verum, Digitalis purpurea and the mosses Ceratodon purpureus, Brachythecium albicans and Polytrichum piliferum. In some places on the lower slopes it contains much Thymus polytrichus. This U1 grassland is common on thin soils on steep, rocky slopes facing between west and south-east. Small patches also occur among U4 and MG1 grasslands on more gentle slopes, where heavily grazed. U1 was recorded in both 1995 and 2004 surveys, but was found to be less extensive in 2004 than in 1995; this is not surprising because it is favoured by heavy grazing. 6

13 burnt U1b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-rumex acetosella grassland, Typical sub-community This is U1b grassland which has been burned in 2003, but only lightly so that the vegetation has now regrown sufficiently for this sub-community to be identifiable. There are small patches of this vegetation among Burnt bare ground and burnt MG1 grassland on the southern slopes. U1b-U4a grassland intermediate between U1b and U4a This is short (2 6cm) grassland dominated by Festuca ovina and Agrostis capillaris, with abundant Aira praecox and Anthoxanthum odoratum and frequent Poa pratensis, Teucrium scorodonia and Galium verum. Mosses are less abundant and varied than in the U4a grassland here. In 1995 I found this U1 U4 grassland to be common on the gently-sloping upper slopes, on W-SE aspects, and sparser on small areas of dry, thin soil among U4a grassland on the north side of the hill. In 2004 I found it to be less extensive than in 1995, and did not find any of it on the northern slopes (where the small patches of it have evidently developed into U4a grassland). U4a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Typical sub-community This is short grassland dominated by Festuca ovina, Agrostis capillaris and Anthoxanthum odoratum, with smaller quantities of Deschampsia flexuosa, Holcus lanatus, Poa pratensis and Galium saxatile. Mosses are abundant, especially Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi and Pseudoscleropodium purum. Several herbs other than G. saxatile are present in small quantity, including G. verum, Achillea millefolium, Rumex acetosa, Teucrium scorodonia, Veronica chamaedrys and Viola riviniana. In 1995 I found this U4a grassland to be heavily grazed and about 3 10cm in height. It was the dominant type of vegetation on the steep northern side of the hill, and was also extensive on the upper part. In 2004 I found it to be taller (20 30cm), less grazed and less extensive; after nine years of lighter grazing much of the U4a recorded in 1995 on the northern slopes has developed into taller U4a-MG1a grassland (see below) transitional to Arrhenatherum grassland. U4a-MG1a grassland transitional between U4a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Typical sub-community and MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra subcommunity This is grassland similar to the U4a described above, but with abundant Arrhenatherum elatius in the taller (30 40cm) sward. The A. elatius is not as abundant as in the MG1 grassland described above, but is one of the most abundant species. This vegetation was shorter U4a grassland in 1995, and is developing toward taller MG1 as a result of the lighter grazing which has taken place in the last nine years. U4a-MG1b grassland transitional between U4a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Typical sub-community and MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Urtica dioica subcommunity This is similar to the U4a-MG1a grassland described above, but contains abundant Urtica dioica. It is extensive on parts of the lower and middle western slopes of the hill. U4a-MG9 Deschampsia cespitosa-dominated grassland on middle northern slopes Some small shallow depressions on the moderately steep middle northern slopes have abundant to dominant Deschampsia cespitosa in vegetation which is about 30cm tall and intermediate between U4a and MG9 7

14 grasslands. These small areas are rich in species, evidently as a result of a mixture of damp and well-drained conditions, and in some places the close proximity of steep, shaded, rocky banks. Galium verum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Primula vulgaris and Brachythecium rutabulum indicate fairly rich soils. Other species include small quantities of Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Carex flacca and Vaccinium myrtillus. U4b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-trifolium repens sub-community This resembles the U4a grassland described above but with very abundant Holcus lanatus. Small patches of U4b occur among U4a on the gently sloping upper part of the hill. The vegetation is quite well grazed and is about 20cm in height. U4b-MG1a grassland transitional between U4b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-trifolium repens sub-community and MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra sub-community This is similar to the U4a-MG1a grassland described above, but with more Holcus lanatus so that there is more affinity with U4b than with U4a. Small areas of this vegetation occur in association with patches of other grasslands and large areas of Burnt bare ground on the lower western slope of the hill. U5a Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Species-poor sub-community Small patches of short (c.20cm) U5a grassland dominated by Nardus stricta occur among the U4a grassland on the gentle upper NNW-facing slopes of the hill. Apart from the dominant Nardus the species composition is similar to that of the surrounding U4a grassland. W8 Fraxinus excelsior-acer campestre-mercurialis perennis woodland In the small stand of ash-sycamore woodland in the north-east of the site, the abundance of certain species typical of well-drained, neutral to slightly basic lowland soils points clearly to W8, but the ground layer is too poorly-developed for classification to sub-community level. As the wood matures it may develop a more distinct type of ground layer, perhaps of the Geranium robertianum sub-community (W8e) which is common in East Lothian. W23a Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community This is gorse scrub, with a ground layer which is sparse, species-poor and about 2 25cm tall with a flora similar to the U4a grassland described above. Small patches of it are scattered among the U4 and MG1 U4 grasslands on the northern side of the hill. burnt W23a Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community This is W23a gorse scrub which was burnt by the fire in The gorse bushes have been burned but are still standing. The ground vegetation has not been completely burnt, so that there are now many scattered plants beneath the burned gorse bushes. 8

15 W23c Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community This is gorse scrub, with a ground layer which is sparse, species-poor and about 2 25cm tall with a flora rather like that of the U1 and MG1a grasslands described above, and containing abundant Teucrium scorodonia. There are many patches of it among the U1 and MG1 grasslands on the southern side of the hill. burnt W23c Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community This is W23c gorse scrub which was burnt by the fire in The gorse bushes have been burned but are still standing. The ground vegetation has not been completely burnt, so that there are now many scattered plants beneath the burned gorse bushes. Much of the W23c scrub on the south side of the hill is burned in this manner. Burnt W23c Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community This is W23c gorse scrub which was burnt more severely by the fire in The gorse bushes are burned but still standing. The ground vegetation has been more or less completely burned, and the ground is still mostly bare soil and rock. There are patches of this vegetation on some steep, rocky slopes on the southern side of the hill. OV24b Urtica dioica-galium aparine community, Arrhenatherum elatius-rubus fruticosus agg. subcommunity This is vegetation dominated by a dense growth of Urtica dioica, among which there is much Galium aparine and some Arrhenatherum elatius, Cirsium vulgare, C. arvense and Heracleum sphondylium. There are small patches of this vegetation on the lower SW slopes (among MG1b grassland) and on gentle upper western slopes (among U4a grassland). In these and many other places on the hill, nettles have evidently become common in response to eutrophication by sheep droppings and urine when more sheep were present. OV27b Chamerion angustifolium community, Urtica dioica-cirsium arvense sub-community This is species-poor, weedy vegetation dominated by a dense growth of Chamerion angustifolium growing up to about 200cm in height. Other species include Urtica dioica, Galium aparine, Arrhenatherum elatius, Cirsium arvense and the mosses Eurhynchium praelongum and Brachythecium rutabulum. There are a few small areas of this OV27 in the north-east of the site, among ungrazed MG1a grassland on slopes above the old quarry. Burnt bare ground This habitat consists of extensive bare soil where the fire in 2003 burned not only the aerial part of the plants, but also much of the soil itself and also much of the plant roots. However, despite the severe damage there are already signs of revegetation. There are sparsely scattered small plants of Senecio sylvaticus, Teucrium scorodonia, Digitalis purpurea, Ulex europaeus, Stellaria media, Cerastium glomeratum, Chamerion angustifolium, Holcus lanatus, Arrhenatherum elatius and the moss Ceratodon purpureus. It is too early to predict the precise type of vegetation which will develop in future, but it could be something like the U1, U4 or MG1 grassland which existed in these places before the fire. Some of the small patches of this 9

16 habitat on the middle south-eastern slopes have a notable abundance of Viola tricolor. This species appears to have benefitted from the more open habitat (and at least a temporary reduction in competition from other plants) which the fire has produced. Bare rock This is rock which does not support a continuous cover of vascular plant vegetation, but has a varied cover of bryophytes and lichens (these being very extensive in places) and some vascular plants such as Teucrium scorodonia, Arrhenatherum elatius, Festuca rubra, Rosa canina, Ulex europaeus, Cytisus scoparius and Sedum telephium growing in crevices. This habitat is extensive on the steep SE-facing slope of the hill and in the old quarry in the NE. Bare stony ground This is bare, more or less level and more or less unvegetated ground (save for some comon mosses) on the floor of the old quarry in the north-east of the site. 10

17 Table 1 Vegetation and habitat types recorded in surveys of Traprain Law, East Lothian in August 1995 and September 2004 MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra sub-community burnt MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra sub-community MG1b Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Urtica dioica sub-community burnt MG1b Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Urtica dioica sub-community MG9b Holcus lanatus-deschampsia cespitosa grassland, Arrhenatherum elatius sub-community MG10a Holcus lanatus-juncus effusus rush-pasture, Typical sub-community MG9a-MG10a Juncus effusus-deschampsia cespitosa-dominated vegetation intermediate between MG9a and MG10a MG1a-U1b grassland intermediate between MG1a and U1b U1b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-rumex acetosella grassland, Typical sub-community burnt U1b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-rumex acetosella grassland, Typical sub-community U1b-U4a grassland intermediate between U1b and U4a U4a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Typical sub-community U4a-MG1a grassland transitional between U4a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Typical sub-community and MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra sub-community U4a-MG1b grassland transitional between U4a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Typical sub-community and MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Urtica dioica sub-community U4a-MG9 Deschampsia cespitosa-dominated grassland on middle northern slopes U4b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-trifolium repens sub-community U4b-MG1a grassland transitional between U4b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-trifolium repens sub-community and MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra sub-community U5a Nardus stricta-galium saxatile grassland, Species-poor sub-community W8 Fraxinus excelsior-acer campestre-mercurialis perennis woodland W23a Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community burnt W23a Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community W23c Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community burnt W23c Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community Burnt W23c Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community OV24b Urtica dioica-galium aparine community, Arrhenatherum elatius-rubus fruticosus agg. sub-community OV27b Chamerion angustifolium community, Urtica dioica-cirsium arvense sub-community Burnt bare ground Bare rock Bare stony ground 11

18 Table 2 Vegetation and habitat types found by Ben Averis in vegetation surveys at Traprain Law, East Lothian, showing the area of each type recorded in each survey * Area measurements are in hectares and are based on data from digitising work done by Alastair Dargie Vegetation/habitat type W Bare rock Bare stony ground Burnt bare ground burnt MG1a burnt MG1b burnt U1b burnt W23a burnt W23c Burnt W23c MG10a MG1a MG1a-U1b MG1b MG9a-MG10a MG9b OV24b OV27b U1b U1b-U4a U4a U4a-MG1a U4a-MG1b U4a-MG9 <0.005 <0.005 U4b U4b-MG1a U5a <0.005 <0.005 W23a W23c

19 4 DISCUSSION 4.1 Summary descriptions of the vegetation in 1995 and 2004 In 1995 (Map 1) I found the vegetation here to be mainly short (3 10cm), heavily grazed grassland, with Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland (U4) prevalent on the northern slopes, the middle and upper western slopes and the summit area, and MG1 Arrhenatherum grassland prevalent on the lower western and southern slopes. The very steep, rocky middle and upper south-eastern slope had short U1 Festuca-Agrostis- Rumex grassland and, in less accessible, less grazed places, taller MG1 grassland. Patches of short U1 grassland were common elsewhere on the hill. Small patches of Ulex europaeus scrub (W23) were scattered widely on the lower slopes. The fenced area around the old quarry in the NE of the site had evidently been more or less ungrazed for some years, and its vegetation was mainly taller MG1 grassland with some scattered trees on the lower slopes and small patches of gorse scrub (W23), woodland (W8) and Chamerion angustifolium (OV27). In 1996 and 1997, after grazing had been reduced, I found the grassland to be generally taller (Averis 1996, 1997). This trend has continued, and in the present survey (Map 2) I found that nine years of lighter grazing had allowed most of the grassland to grow noticeably taller, and Arrhenatherum elatius to become more common. U4a Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland is still the most widespread type of vegetation on the upper parts of the hill and is also extensive on the middle and lower northern slopes, but it is now taller; the swards reaching 20 30cm in height (<10cm in 1995). MG1 Arrhenatherum grassland still clothes the lower western and southern slopes but again is taller than before, with a sward height of about 40 70cm compared with <10cm in On the lower northern slopes, much of the grassland which was short U4a in 1995 is now taller than before (now (30 40cm; was <10cm) and contains much A. elatius which shows that it is developing toward MG1; it is now therefore classed as intermediate between U4 and MG1 (U4- MG1). Small patches of short U1 grassland are still scattered quite widely but are less common and less extensive than in 1995; some of the previous U1 vegetation has grown into taller U4 or U4-MG1 grassland. The distribution of W23 gorse scrub is similar to that in Despite the reduction in stock grazing since 1995, rabbits are still present and in some places on the higher ground and around the lower southern slopes their grazing is intensive enough to maintain small patches of short U1 and U4 grassland. The vegetation of the fenced, more or less ungrazed area around the old quarry in the NE of the site is much the same as it was in 1995: mainly tall MG1 grassland (gradually becoming colonised by young trees on the lower slopes), with patches of gorse scrub (W23), woodland (W8) and Chamerion angustifolium (OV27). Nettles Urtica dioica are abundant in many places. This was noted in 1995, and was attributed to the effects of eutrophication from sheep urine and droppings. Even though sheep numbers have been reduced since 1995, the effects of eutrophication are evidently quite long-lived and may continue for many years to come. The places with the most dense patches of nettles are in small hollows where soils are deep and the flora was probably not particularly notable before the nettles became abundant. (The most botanically interesting habitats on the hill generally have thin soils or outcrops of rock.) 13

20 4.2 Effects of the fire in autumn 2003 In addition to the changes caused by the reduction in grazing since 1995, another factor has caused considerable change in parts of the hill in the last year the fire in early autumn The vegetation of much of the western and southern slopes was burnt. This is why this contract was organised, so that the effects of burning could be assessed. In this survey I recorded seven types of burnt habitat (see Map 2 and descriptions in section 3): burnt MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra sub-community Severity of burning: light (only the above-ground vegetation burnt) Summary: damaged and recovered burnt MG1b Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Urtica dioica sub-community Severity of burning: light (only the above-ground vegetation burnt) Summary: damaged and recovered grassland, Typical sub- burnt U1b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-rumex acetosella community Severity of burning: light (only the above-ground vegetation burnt) Summary: damaged and recovered burnt W23a Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Anthoxanthum odoratum subcommunity Severity of burning: light (only the above-ground vegetation burnt) Summary: damaged and likely to recover burnt W23c Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community Severity of burning: light (only the above-ground vegetation burnt) Summary: damaged and likely to recover Burnt W23c Ulex europaeus-rubus fruticosus scrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community Severity of burning: severe (soil and roots affected as well as above-ground vegetation) Summary: damaged and likely to recover Burnt bare ground Severity of burning: severe (soil and roots affected as well as above-ground vegetation) Summary: damaged and likely to recover The distribution of these burnt areas is summarised in Map 3. I have not found reason to class any of the burned areas on the hill as damaged and unlikely to recover, because wherever I looked in the most severely burnt areas I found at least the beginnings of revegetation. (For example, see the description of Burnt bare ground on pages 8 9.) In this survey I refound most of the plant species which I have seen here before. In particular, Carex muricata ssp. lamprocarpa, Viola tricolor and the moss Hedwigia integrifolia are still present within and adjacent to the burnt areas on the lower southern slopes. There are many plants of the first two species scattered among 14

21 the grasslands here. Flowering of C. muricata is sparse because some plants are grazed heavily by rabbits. V. tricolor is common in places. Its population may have increased as a result of ground conditions becoming more open, and competition with other plant species reduced, after the fire. The mosses H. integrifolia and Grimmia decipiens are still present in good quantity on steep rock faces on S and SW sides of the hill, despite their habitats generally coinciding with the burnt areas. The direct effects of burning must have been limited by the fact that they grow on barish rock surfaces rather than among vascular plants on the ground. 4.3 Thoughts about future management The burnt areas seem likely to revegetate if the numbers of sheep or cattle are kept low for the next few years. With too many animals the concern would be more to do with trampling than with actual grazing, although young plants of some species might well be very palatable to sheep and cattle. Too much trampling would limit at least the speed of revegetation, especially on steep slopes with dry, unstable soils. The steepest slopes, on the SE side of the hill, are so steep that grazing and trampling would probably be limited by accessibility anyway. The areas which appear to me to be most at risk from trampling damage and delayed revegetation are the areas of Burnt bare ground on the steep but accessible western slopes (around NT ) and on the gentle upper slopes just SE of the summit (around NT ). At the latter location there is also a risk of trampling by people who may be curious to examine these very accessible areas of burnt ground. This same area has been subjected to archaeological investigations earlier this year. I understand that for archaeological reasons further disturbance here and in the area further SW around NT NT is thought to be undesirable, and that archaeologists consider it important that the more accessible areas of bare burnt ground on level to gently sloping ground in these areas should revegetate as quickly as possible. I understand that seeding of grasses onto bare, burnt ground has been considered. In general I do not favour this approach because it would make the species composition less natural. This seems particularly relevant when considering that the site is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest partly for the botanical interest of its grassland vegetation. However, there could be a special case for the three areas mentioned above. In all of these areas the previous grassland itself was not especially notable for botanical interest; associated rocks were found to be more interesting. This is particularly true of the area just SE of the summit, where the grassland was just a species-poor sward but the rock outcrops nearby were, and still are, of greater interest in supporting species such as the moss Hedwigia integrifolia. In my opinion, reseeding of grass onto the more accessbile areas of burnt ground just SE of the summit and around NT NT could be acceptable, and reseeding on the larger burnt patches on the western slopes around NT would be less urgent but would also not be a cause for concern on ecological grounds. Appropriate species for planting in these places would be Festuca ovina, F. rubra and Agrostis capillaris. I think that seeding grasses onto the bare ground on the very steep, rocky south-eastern slope of the hill would be undesirable from a botanical viewpoint. However, physical access here is so difficult that it would surely not be practicable anyway. It is on these relatively inaccessible slopes that trampling by animals seems likely to be less intensive, so there does not seem to be much cause for concern about revegetation. It seems most likely that these steep south-eastern slopes will revegetate naturally in due course. 15

22 In none of these places can natural revegetation be expected to lead to the direct regrowth of grassland swards of the types which were present before burning. It seems likely that there will be an initial phase of revegetation in which weedy species are prominent, having benefitted from the open conditions and freedom from competition with other species. This vegetation may in turn develop gradually onto more continuous swards of grassland more like those which were present before burning. In the longer term, grazing will be necessary if the vegetation of the hill is to be maintained as grassland. With little or no grazing, deciduous woodland would be the natural result, though this would probably be sparse and open on the most rocky ground. Some species of interest, such as Carex muricata, Viola tricolor, Allium vineale, Helitotrichon pratense, Koeleria cristata and Briza media are plants of open habitats, and would probably decline if woodland were to thicken up over the whole hill, although some of the rock outcrops on the steep south-eastern slopes would probably stay open enough for the light-demanding moss Hedwigia integrifolia. It is also possible that future development of woodland would bring about other features of ecological interest which we cannot accurately predict. However, if grazing is to continue in order to maintain grassland vegetation here, it seems best that it should stay light, at least for the next five years or so, to help the burnt areas to revegetate. It would be worth considering grazing by cattle or ponies rather than sheep. They would be just as able to reduce the height of the taller swards, but would be less likely than sheep to go onto the steep, burnt areas and exacerbate the soil erosion there. In the longer term, once these areas have revegetated, it may be found necessary to keep the grazing intensity from being too low. Very little or no grazing might lead to grassland swards becoming so tall and over-dominated by coarse grasses such as Arrhenatherum elatius that smaller species of interest such as Carex muricata may decline because they cannot compete well with the tall grasses. 16

23 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This contract was commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage. The SNH Nominated Officer was Alan Leitch, based at the SNH office in Dalkeith, Midlothian. Alan was actually working away during the time of the contract, so Davy Gray stood in for him and took over as Nominated Officer. The GIS part of the project was done by Alastair Dargie. 17

24 6 REFERENCES Averis, A. B. G. (1995). A botanical survey of Traprain Law SSSI, East Lothian, and an assessment of grazing pressure. Report for Scottish Natural Heritage. Averis, A. B. G. (1996). The effect of grazing on the vegetation of Traprain Law SSSI, East Lothian. Scottish Natural Heritage contract report BE Averis, A. B. G. (1997). The condition of the vegetation of Traprain Law SSSI, East Lothian in November Scottish Natural Heritage contract report L Averis, A. M., Averis, A. B. G., Birks, H. J. B., Horsfield, D., Thompson, D. B. A. & Yeo, M. J. M. (2004). An Illustrated Guide to British Upland Vegetation. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. Blockeel, T. L. & Long, D. G. (1998). A check-list and census catalogue of British and Irish bryophytes. British Bryological Society. Hill, M. O. & Preston, C. D. (1998). The geographical relationships of British and Irish bryophytes. J.Bryol. 20, Preston, C. D. & Hill, M. O. (1997). The geographical relationships of British and Irish vascular plants. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 124, 1 12 Purvis, O. W., Coppins, B. J., Hawksworth, D. L., James, P. W. & Moore, D. M. (1992). The Lichen Flora of Great Britain and Ireland. The British Museum (Natural History). Rodwell, J. S. (Ed.) (1991 et seq.). British Plant Communities. 5 volumes: Vol. 1 (1991) Woodlands and Scrub; Vol. 2 (1991) Mires and Heaths; Vol. 3 (1992) Grasslands and montane communities; Vol. 4 (1995) Aquatic communities, swamps and tall-herb fens; Vol. 5 (2000) Maritime Cliffs, Sand Dunes, Saltmarshes and Other Vegetation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Stace, C. A. (1997). New Flora of the British Isles. 2nd Edition. Cambridge University Press. 18

25 APPENDIX 1 Vascular plants and bryophytes recorded by Ben Averis on Traprain Law, East Lothian in and 2004 The approximate quantity of each species in each part of the site is shown using four categories: 1 = rare 2 = uncommon 3 = common 4 = abundant These equate with rare, occasional, frequent and abundant as used in many botanical surveys, but occasional and frequent are given different names here because they are actually inappropriate for this purpose, being specifically to do with time and not quantity. The Phyt column to the left of the species name gives the appropriate European phytogeographical group, following the classifications by Preston & Hill (1997) for vascular plants and Hill & Preston (1998) for bryophytes: 11 Oceanic Arctic-montane 12 Suboceanic Arctic-montane 13 European Arctic-montane 14 Eurosiberian Arctic-montane 15 Eurasian Arctic-montane 16 Circumpolar Arctic-montane 21 Oceanic Boreo-arctic Montane 22 Suboceanic Boreo-arctic Montane 23 European Boreo-arctic Montane 24 Eurosiberian Boreo-arctic Montane 26 Circumpolar Boreo-arctic Montane 32 Suboceanic Wide-boreal 34 Eurosiberian Wide-boreal 35 Eurasian Wide-boreal 36 Circumpolar Wide-boreal 41 Oceanic Boreal-montane 42 Suboceanic Boreal-montane 43 European Boreal-montane 44 Eurosiberian Boreal-montane 45 Eurasian Boreal-montane 46 Circumpolar Boreal-montane 51 Oceanic Boreo-temperate 52 Suboceanic Boreo-temperate 53 European Boreo-temperate 54 Eurosiberian Boreo-temperate 55 Eurasian Boreo-temperate 56 Circumpolar Boreo-temperate 63 European Wide-temperate 64 Eurosiberian Wide-temperate 65 Eurasian Wide-temperate 66 Circumpolar Wide-temperate 70 Hyperoceanic Temperate 71 Oceanic Temperate 72 Suboceanic Temperate 73 European Temperate 74 Eurosiberian Temperate 75 Eurasian Temperate 76 Circumpolar Temperate 80 Hyperoceanic Southern-temperate 81 Oceanic Southern-temperate 82 Suboceanic Southern-temperate 83 European Southern-temperate 84 Eurosiberian Southern-temperate 85 Eurasian Southern-temperate 86 Circumpolar Southern-temperate 91 Mediterranean-Atlantic 92 Submediterranean-Subatlantic 93 Mediterranean-montane Introduced species are not assigned to any of the above phytogeographical groups. Instead, the letter i is written in the Phyt column. 19

26 Appendix 1 (continued) vascular plants Phyt Species i Acer pseudoplatanus Achillea millefolium Agrostis canina Agrostis capillaris Aira caryophyllea Aira praecox Alliaria petiolata 1 73 Allium vineale Alopecurus pratensis Anisantha sterilis 1 64 Anthoxanthum odoratum Anthriscus sylvestris Aphanes arvensis Arctium minus 1 84 Arenaria serpyllifolia Arrhenatherum elatius Asplenium adiantum-nigrum 1 76 Asplenium ruta-muraria 1 86 Asplenium trichomanes Athyrium filix-femina 1 74 Barbarea vulgaris 1 73 Bellis perennis Briza media Bromus hordeaceus 1 73 Callitriche stagnalis 1 56 Campanula rotundifolia Capsella bursa-pastoris 1 73 Cardamine flexuosa 1 36 Cardamine pratensis 1 74 Carex caryophyllea Carex flacca 1 84 Carex muricata ssp. lamprocarpa Centaurea nigra 1 1 i Centranthus ruber 1 73 Cerastium diffusum Cerastium fontanum Cerastium glomeratum Chamerion angustifolium Chrysosplenium oppositifolium 1 75 Cirsium arvense

27 Appendix 1 (continued) vascular plants Phyt Species Cirsium palustre Cirsium vulgare Conopodium majus Crataegus monogyna Crepis capillaris 1 74 Cruciata laevipes Cynosurus cristatus Cystopteris fragilis 1 73 Cytisus scoparius Dactylis glomerata Deschampsia cespitosa Deschampsia flexuosa Digitalis purpurea Dryopteris dilatata Dryopteris filix-mas Epilobium montanum Erica cinerea 1 84 Erophila verna 1 84 Festuca arundinacea 1 55 Festuca ovina Festuca rubra Filipendula ulmaria Fraxinus excelsior Galium aparine Galium saxatile Galium verum Geranium molle Geranium robertianum Geranium sanguineum 1 74 Geum urbanum Glyceria fluitans 1 83 Hedera helix Helictotrichon pratense Heracleum sphondylium Holcus lanatus Holcus mollis Hyacinthoides non-scripta 1 83 Juncus effusus Koeleria macrantha Lamium album

28 Appendix 1 (continued) vascular plants Phyt Species Lapsana communis Lathyrus pratensis Leucanthemum vulgare 1 83 Lolium perenne Lonicera periclymenum 1 85 Lotus corniculatus Luzula campestris 2 36 Luzula multiflora 2 1 i Matricaria discoidea 1 53 Montia fontana 1 54 Myosotis arvensis Myosotis discolor 1 83 Myosotis ramosissima 1 53 Nardus stricta Oxalis acetosella 1 74 Phleum pratense 3 3 i Pinus sylvestris Plantago lanceolata Plantago major Poa annua Poa pratensis Poa trivialis Polygonum aviculare Polypodium vulgare Potentilla erecta Primula vulgaris Prunus spinosa Ranunculus acris Ranunculus ficaria 1 55 Ranunculus repens Rosa canina Rubus fruticosus Rubus idaeus Rumex acetosa Rumex acetosella Rumex crispus Rumex obtusifolius Sagina procumbens Sambucus nigra Saxifraga granulata 2 22

29 Appendix 1 (continued) vascular plants Phyt Species Sedum acre Sedum telephium Senecio jacobea 2 2 i Senecio squalidus 1 73 Senecio sylvaticus Senecio vulgaris 2 2 i Silene alba 1 53 Silene dioica 1 74 Stachys sylvatica Stellaria graminea Stellaria holostea 1 65 Stellaria media Stellaria uliginosa 1 66 Taraxacum officinale agg Teucrium scorodonia Thymus polytrichus Torilis japonica 1 74 Tragopogon pratensis 1 73 Trifolium dubium 1 74 Trifolium pratense 1 54 Trifolium repens Trisetum flavescens Tussilago farfara Ulex europaeus Ulmus glabra Urtica dioica Vaccinium myrtillus 1 83 Veronica arvensis 1 54 Veronica chamaedrys Veronica officinalis Veronica serpyllifolia 1 73 Vicia hirsuta 1 54 Vicia sepium Viola riviniana Viola tricolor

30 Appendix 1 (continued) mosses Phyt Species Amphidium mougeotii Andreaea rupestris Aulacomnium androgynum 1 56 Bartramia pomiformis Brachythecium albicans Brachythecium rivulare Brachythecium rutabulum Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum Bryum alpinum Bryum argenteum Bryum capillare Bryum pallens Bryum pseudotriquetrum Calliergonella cuspidata 1 36 Ceratodon purpureus Dicranoweisia cirrata 1 36 Dicranum scoparium Eurhynchium praelongum Fissidens dubius Funaria hygrometrica 1 92 Grimmia decipiens Grimmia pulvinata Hedwigia stellata Hedwigia integrifolia Homalothecium sericeum Hylocomium splendens Hypnum cupressiforme Isothecium myosuroides myosuroides Mnium hornum Philonotis fontana Plagiomnium undulatum Plagiothecium succulentum 1 52 Plagiothecium undulatum Pleurozium schreberi Pohlia cruda 1 36 Pohlia nutans Polytrichum formosum 1 36 Polytrichum juniperinum Polytrichum piliferum Racomitrium aquaticum

31 Appendix 1 (continued) mosses Phyt Species Racomitrium heterostichum Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus Schistidium apocarpum 1 73 Scleropodium purum Thuidium tamariscinum Weissia controversa 2 2 Liverworts Phyt Species Barbilophozia atlantica 1 46 Barbilophozia floerkei Barbilophozia hatcheri 1 72 Calypogeia fissa 1 85 Frullania dilatata Frullania tamarisci Lejeunea cavifolia Lophocolea bidentata Marsupella emarginata Plagiochila porelloides Preissia quadrata Ptilidium ciliare Riccia sorocarpa 1 92 Scapania compacta Tritomaria quinquedentata 1 25

32 APPENDIX 2 Quadrat data recorded by Ben Averis on Traprain Law, East Lothian in September 2004 These 2m x 2m quadrats are recorded mainly as representative examples of vegetation types which I have not recorded here before. They are given code letters (A H) instead of code numbers so that they cannot be confused with the quadrats numbered which I recorded on Traprain Law in August U4b Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-trifolium repens sub-community Quadrat code A NVC type U4b Easting 5826 Northing 7471 Altitude (m) 214 Slope gradient (0 90 degrees) 2 Slope aspect (0 360 degrees) 0 Height of vegetation (cm) 20 Holcus lanatus 8 Festuca ovina 8 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 6 Agrostis capillaris 4 Galium saxatile 3 U4a-MG1a grassland transitional between U4a Festuca ovina-agrostis capillaris-galium saxatile grassland, Typical sub-community and MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra sub-community Quadrat code B NVC type U4a-MG1a Easting 5803 Northing 7490 Altitude (m) 110 Slope gradient (0 90 degrees) 15 Slope aspect (0 360 degrees) 345 Height of vegetation (cm) 30 Agrostis capillaris 7 Galium saxatile 7 Arrhenatherum elatius 6 Hylocomium splendens 6 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 4 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 Holcus lanatus 3 Stellaria graminea 3 Achillea millefolium 2 Anthoxanthum odoratum 2 Cerastium fontanum 1 Veronica chamaedrys 1 Rumex acetosa 1 26

33 Appendix 2 (continued) MG1a Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Festuca rubra sub-community Quadrat code C NVC type MG1a Easting 5787 Northing 7483 Altitude (m) 115 Slope gradient (0 90 degrees) 15 Slope aspect (0 360 degrees) 350 Height of vegetation (cm) 40 Arrhenatherum elatius 8 Holcus lanatus 5 Cruciata laevipes 5 Heracleum sphondylium 3 Rumex acetosa 2 Lathyrus pratensis 2 Agrostis capillaris Urtica dioica 1 Trisetum flavescens 1 MG1b Arrhenatherum elatius grassland, Urtica dioica sub-community Quadrat code D E NVC type MG1b MG1b Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope gradient (0 90 degrees) Slope aspect (0 360 degrees) 0 0 Height of vegetation (cm) Arrhenatherum elatius 8 8 Urtica dioica 5 4 Heracleum sphondylium 4 5 Dactylis glomerata 4 2 Holcus lanatus

34 Appendix 2 (continued) MG9b Holcus lanatus-deschampsia cespitosa grassland, Arrhenatherum elatius sub-community Quadrat code F G NVC type MG9b MG9b Easting Northing Altitude (m) Slope gradient (0 90 degrees) Slope aspect (0 360 degrees) 0 0 Height of vegetation (cm) Deschampsia cespitosa 10 9 Holcus lanatus 4 5 Arrhenatherum elatius 4 4 Agrostis capillaris 3 2 Urtica dioica 1 2 Juncus effusus 1 Epilobium montanum 1 OV24b Urtica dioica-galium aparine community, Arrhenatherum elatius-rubus fruticosus agg. sub-community Quadrat code H NVC type OV24b Easting 5786 Northing 7439 Altitude (m) 123 Slope gradient (0 90 degrees) 1 Slope aspect (0 360 degrees) 225 Height of vegetation (cm) 30 Urtica dioica 10 Galium aparine 6 Arrhenatherum elatius 3 Cirsium vulgare 1 28

35 APPENDIX 3 Target notes recorded in September 2004 on Traprain Law, East Lothian T1 NT Western limit of Carex muricata ssp. lamprocarpa seen in this survey; this species seen scattered through the grasslands between here and T2. T2 NT Eastern limit of Carex muricata ssp. lamprocarpa seen in this survey; this species seen scattered through the grasslands between here and T1. T3 NT South-western limit of Viola tricolor seen in this survey; this species seen scattered through the grasslands between here and T4. T4 NT North-eastern limit of Viola tricolor seen in this survey; this species seen scattered through the grasslands between here and T3. 29

36 APPENDIX 4 MAPS Map 1 1:5000 map of the vegetation of Traprain Law, East Lothian in August 1995 Map 2 1:5000 map of the vegetation of Traprain Law, East Lothian in September 2004 Map 3 Map 4 1:5000 map showing the areas affected by the fire in 2003 on Traprain Law, East Lothian 1:5000 map showing locations where quadrats (QA, QB, QC etc) and target notes (T1, T2, T3 etc) were recorded during vegetation survey of Traprain Law, East Lothian in September

37 Map 1 1:5000 map of the vegetation of Traprain Law, East Lothian in August

38 Map 2 1:5000 map of the vegetation of Traprain Law, East Lothian in September

39 Map 3 1:5000 map showing the areas affected by the fire in 2003 on Traprain Law, East Lothian 35

40 Map 4 1:5000 map showing locations where quadrats (QA, QB, QC etc) and target notes (T1, T2, T3 etc) were recorded during vegetation survey of Traprain Law, East Lothian in September