Habitats

SSSI features for habitats can be notified if they qualify under criteria outlined in the habitats sections (Part C, chapters 1-10) of the Guidelines for Selection of Biological SSSIs.  Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) can be designated for the UK habitats listed on Annex I of the EC Habitats Directive.

Mountains

• Limestone pavement, inland cliffs and screes
• Montane grasslands and heaths
• Upland assemblages

Grasslands

• Acid grasslands - upland
• Acid grasslands - lowland
• Neutral grasslands
• Calcareous grasslands - upland
• Calcareous grasslands - lowland

 Heathlands

• Heathlands - upland
• Heathlands - lowland

Woodlands

• Coniferous woodlands
• Broadleaved and mixed woodlands

Wetlands

• Blanket bogs
• Lowland raised bogs
• Fens and marshes - upland
• Fens and marshes - lowland
• Rivers and streams
• Standing water

Coastal

• Saltmarsh
• Sea cliffs 
• Dunes, shingle and machair 

Marine

• Rocky shores, reefs and caves
• Intertidal sands and muds
• Lagoons
• Subtidal sandbanks
• Estuaries  - no assessments of features in this category have been undertaken yet
• Large shallow inlets and bays - no assessments of features in this category have been undertaken yet