Alder Alnus glutinosa and willow Salix spp. are the dominant trees in floodplain woodland. In the drier areas, other trees such as ash Fraxinus excelsior and elm Ulmus spp may become abundant.

Ground flora can be very varied. Some stands are dominated by tall herbs, reeds and sedges, for example common nettle Urtica dioica, common reed Phragmites australis, greater tussock sedge Carex paniculata and meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria.

Lower-growing communities might have species such as common marsh bedstraw Galium palustre, alternate golden-leaved saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, marsh marigold Caltha palustris and red campion Silene dioica.

Floodplain woodland, by nature of its intimate contact with watercourses, is generally excellent habitat for otters Lutra lutra. Wet conditions underfoot mean that the impact of disturbance by people and their dogs is low, while the dense vegetation of the shrub and field layers provides good cover and ample safe resting places. The same factors make floodplain woodland a valuable habitat for many breeding bird species.

Floodplain Woodland :

• Distribution
• Typical Species

Sites:

• Conon Islands
• Lower River Spey