The Late-Weichselian flora of the Isle of Man

Abstract

The last glacial deposits of the Ballaugh-Kirkmichael area in the north-east of the Isle of Man have been investigated by analysis of pollen and macroscopic fossils and by radiocarbon dating. Assemblages totalling over 160 taxa of vascular plants and mosses have been recorded from strata referred to Late-Weichselian zones I, II and III. Among the most noteworthy species are 46 not now living on the island; these include Dianthus deltoides, Juncus balticus, Lychnis viscaria, Ranunculus hyperboreus, Sibbaldia procumbens, Meesia tristicha, Helodium blandowii and Polytrichum norvegicum. The vegetation comprised a great diversity of communities of open, largely calcareous grassland, snow beds, mires both base-rich and base-poor, flushes, freshwater, inundated flats and calcareous dunes. Saline conditions are indicated by Glaux maritima and Triglochin maritima. Trees were represented only by Betula and the taller shrubs by Juniperus and Salix.