Millstone Grit

Surface life

Millstone Grit is a coarse sandstone forming a cap on Redmire Moor. It supports a community of ericaceous plants, particularly Ling Heather, Calluna vulgaris. The rock surfaces exposed to the sun host algae and cyanobacteria.


1 / 5
Millstone Grit surface life
Habitat
2 / 5
Millstone Grit surface life
Millstone Grit
3 / 5
Millstone Grit surface life
Algae & cyanobacteria
4 / 5
Millstone Grit surface life
Quartz and alga
5 / 5
Millstone Grit surface life
Quartz & cyanobacteria

Photograph detail


Slide 1: Millstone Grit with Ling Heather, Calluna vulgaris. Stony Banks, Redmire Moor. December.


Slide 2: Millstone Grit showing upper surface and cut section. Collected from Stony Banks, Redmire Moor. December.


Slide 3: Millstone Grit showing upper surface populated by green algae and black cyanobacteria. Collected from Stony Banks, Redmire Moor. December.


Slide 4: Quartz crystal with algae from Millstone Grit. Collected from Stony Banks, Redmire Moor. December.


Slide 5: Quartz crystals with cyanobacteria from Millstone Grit. Collected from Stony Banks, Redmire Moor. December.