Shanklin Chine is one of a number of Chines on the south coast of the Island. Others
can be seen at Luccombe, Chilton and Whale Chine near Chale. "Chine" is a local word
for a deep narrow ravine. And is now only used in the Isle of Wight and Dorset. Although
all the Chines mentioned are attractive in various ways, Shanklin Chine is unique
in the quality of its Flora and Fauna.
This Nature Trail is designed as a walk through the Chine with numbered stopping
places, or Stations, as shown on the accompanying map, from which features of particular
interest may be seen. The notes which may be found on the Nature Trail leaflet draw
your attention to these special features.
As well as a host of flowering and non flowering plants there is a variety of trees
and shrubs including Wych, Elm, Sycamore, Alder, Elder and Beech. Evergreen Rhododendrons
grow in profusion along the steep sides. During your trail you may also see Grey
Wagtails, Island bred Chipmunks, rescue birds such as Cockatiels, Meyers Parrots,
Senegal Parrots, Asian blue Quails and Chinese Golden Pheasants. You may also see
a Kestrel on or near the cliffs. In the lighter area of the Chine a variety of flowering
plants attract many species of Butterfly and the presence of ponds encourage Dragonflies.
You may even see a Red Squirrel. We believe we have 3 families of Red Squirrels and
we are encouraging them to breed, as this environment is very attractive for these
animals with its vast amounts of food and cover, safe and secure.
NON-FLOWERING PLANTS
LIVERWORTS - Liverworts were the first plants able to live out of water, and they
must still have very wet conditions with the air saturated with moisture, which is
assured here by the continuous spray from the waterfall. Liverworts have no roots,
but are attached to the ground by numerous elongated cells, called rhizoids. They
have microscopic male and female organs, and at certain times of the year the male
organs produce sperm, which swim through the film of moisture and fertilise the eggs
in the female organs. The fertilised egg then grows into a stalk and capsule, which
may be like a tiny pin or umbrella, according to the species. These produce spores,
which are scattered by tiny twisting threads, known as elaters. Some Liverworts have,
in addition, little cups containing gemmae that look like tiny eggs. These are small
portions of the plant, which break off and are distributed by rain.
GOLDEN SAXIFRAGE
- you can see here on the left is a lovely golden yellow when in flower.
MOSSES -
Mosses are very like liverworts in several ways but they do have simple stems and
small leaves. The male and female organs are contained in the leafy rosettes, which
form at the ends of the stems and branches, and the resulting capsule is like a tiny
pepper-pot.
FERNS - These are more advanced than mosses and liverworts, as they have
real roots and stems with vessels to carry water and food. so they can live in much
drier situations. The large leafy stage, that we see and recognise as a fern, corresponds
to the capsule stage of a moss or liverwort. The spores are produced on the backs
of the fronds, and are blown about by the wind. If they land in suitably damp conditions,
the spores will grow into tiny flat heart-shaped prothalli, no larger than a half-penny
piece, rather like a small liverwort. The prothallus bears the male and female organs,
and once again the fertilised egg will grow into a new clump of fern. So the Male
Fern and the Lady Fern are different species of fern, and have nothing to do with
sex. Both are found here.
HORSETAILS - These are survivors of a very ancient group of plants, which were once
very common and grew into large trees. Their fossilised remains we know as coal.
They spread by underground stems, or rhizomes, and early in the season fertile shoots,
without branches, appear bearing cone-like structures at the top, which produce spores.
As these die away, stronger and taller shoots appear with whorls of green branches,
which are able to make food, which is passed down and stored in the rhizomes for
further growth next year.
LICHENS - These are dual-plants, made up of a fungus and a green alga growing together
to their mutual benefit.
Along the bottom paths of the chine there is more light which encourages flowers
that attract butterflies, The stream with its moist banks and bog plants encourage
Dragonflies. along these banks you will find the Gunnera Manicata with its tall suculent
stems and large leaves. The stems on these plants are very spiky as you can see here
on the right. It germinates best in very moist, but not wet, conditions ideal here
with flowers and a long thick stem like branch that protrudes out from the crown
of the plant. This crown is recognisable by the red fibrous husk-like covering. It
is sensitive to cold and frost as it prefers temperatures of 22 to 29 °C. To protect
this crown the giant leaves are cut down as soon as the chine closes in November
and they are layered over the crown to mulch down, and save it from the cold of winter.
In the Spring the tiny shoots grow through this mulch and erupt into the giant stems
and leaves you will recognise as the Gunnera Manicata you see here. Unbelievable
these giant plants grow this big in less than 1 year!
As well as the Gunnera, there are other plants that thrive in the chine such as Ramsons,
or Wild Garlic. we also have a couple of invasive plants that are being controlled
with success. Himalayan Balsam, and Polygonum cuspidatum or Japanese Knotweed. Both
of these plants were introduced by the Victorians. Here at the Chine we are using
several experimental systems to control and eradicate. If you would like to know
more out Japanese Knotweed and how we deal with this invasive problem please click
this link, JAPANESE KNOTWEED.
