Discover Habitats: Limestone Pavement

Limestone Pavement

In the series of Discover Habitats we will look at some of Britain's widespread and rare habitats and look at what we can expect to find here and what makes in special. In this episode we will be exploding Limestone Pavement.

Limestone Pavement at Gait Barrows

What is Limestone Pavement?

Limestone Pavement is a unique and unmistakable habitat that was made from fossilised sands, that originated from warm shallow seas some 350 million years ago. It contains fossils of ancient corals and shelly creatures from which it was originally made. During the last ice age some 10,000 years ago, the rock was cut and scoured by a thick ice sheet. After melting it left behind debris which progressively eroded through the rock making fissures (known as grikes) in the pavement.

Limestone Pavement at Hutton Roof Crags

Why is this Habitat Important?

Limestone Pavement is a rare habitat and can have very diverse flora which is a result of its variety of micro habitats it creates within its grikes. It supports a combination of different rare plants, that makes Limestone Pavement interesting. These include the Rigid Buckler Fern, Limestone Fern, Angular Solomon's-seal and Dark-red Helleborine. It also supports some more widespread species such as Hard Shield Fern, Hart's-tougue, Lily-of the-valley, Dog's Mercury plus many others.

Below: Selection of plants found in Limestone Pavement

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  Dark-red Helleborine

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  Broad-leaved Helleborine

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  Broad-leaved Helleborine

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  Angular Solomon's-seal

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  Lily-of-the-valley

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  Hard Shield Fern

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  Maidenhair Spleenwort

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  Limestone Fern

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  Hart's-tongue Fern

Limestone Pavement can be also benefit some insects like this Grayling which love the dry, open bare ground of Limestone Pavements.

Grayling sun bathing on the open bare rock surface