Holne Woodlands, previously known as Holne Chase and Central South Dartmoor, is a 1007.5-hectare (2,490 acres) biological Site of Special Interest (SSSI) within the Dartmoor National Park, Devon. It includes Holne Chase, a Nature Conservation Review site, and is part-owned by the National Trust.[1] It also includes Holne Chase Castle, a univallate Iron Age hillfort and Scheduled Monument.[2] The name “Holne” means “place abounding in holly”.[3]
The site is important for its extensive area of ancient semi-natural oak woodland, which supports nationally important lichen communities and many species of breeding bird. Most of the woodland lies on Carboniferous slates and mudstones, which have been cut through by the fast-flowing River Dart and its tributaries to form a steep valley system, ranging in height from about 60 m (197 ft) to 300 m (984 ft).[1]
Woodland Trust
Flora and fauna
The woodland is dominated by sessile oak, with ash and wych elm trees occupying the wetter soils. Herbaceous plants include sanicle, woodruff, primrose and common cow-wheat. Fern species (particularly on the north-facing slopes) include scaly male-fern, broad buckler-fern, lady fern, lemon-scented fern (Thelypteris limbosperma), royal fern and Tunbridge filmy-fern.[1]
Lichens found on the site include Lobaria pulmonaria, Lobaria laetevirens, Lobaria scrobiculata, Graphina ruiziana, Heterodermia obscurata, Parmeliella jamesii, Peltigera collina, Parmelia sinuosa and Sticta dufourii.[1]
Bird species include raven, buzzard, great spotted woodpecker, wood warbler, pied flycatcher, redstart, stonechat and whinchat. Otters (Lutra lutra) have been seen traversing the site, and the water quality provides a suitable environment for the spawning of salmon (Salmo salar) and trout (Salmo trutta).[1]