The related Alpine Woodsia suffered a similar fate, although the risks were not all to the plants.

Scotland's populations of Alpine Woodsia and Oblong Woodsia are on the edge of their natural ranges.

John Sadler, later a curator of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, nearly lost his life obtaining a fern tuft on a cliff near Moffat and a botanical guide called William Williams died collecting alpine woodsia in Wales in 1861.

Flora include the rare mountain fir moss and northern woodsia fern; fauna include peregrine falcons, bald eagles, and shorebirds.

Also known as northern woodsia or alpine cliff fern, it is typically found in crevices, scree slopes and cliffs containing slate and calcareous rocks, especially limestone.

Also known as northern woodsia or alpine cliff fern, it is typically found in crevices, scree slopes and cliffs containing slate and calcareous rocks, especially limestone.