Aller Hill facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Somerset |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°03′29″N 2°50′46″W / 51.05817°N 2.84608°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 18.4 hectares (0.184 km2; 0.071 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1988 |
Aller Hill is a special natural area near Aller in Somerset, England. It covers about 18.4 hectares, which is like 45 football fields! This site is known as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It was officially recognized in 1988 because of its unique plants and wildlife.
Contents
What is Aller Hill?
Aller Hill is a beautiful part of the Somerset countryside. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it is a place that is protected by law because it has important plants, animals, or geological features. The government protects these areas to make sure they are safe for nature to thrive.
Why is it Special?
Aller Hill is very important because it is home to some truly rare plants. There are three types of plants here that are considered "nationally rare." This means they are very hard to find anywhere else in the country. Another three plant species are "restricted" in Somerset, meaning they don't grow in many other places in the county.
The main part of Aller Hill has a special kind of grass called sheep's fescue. You can also find other grasses like yellow oat grass and quaking-grass. These grasses create a perfect home for other unique plants.
Rare Plants You Can Find
Among the grasses, you can spot some amazing plants:
- Salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor) is a common plant here. It has pretty, reddish-brown flowers.
- Rough marsh-mallow (Althaea hirsuta) is one of the nationally rare plants. It has delicate, pale pink or white flowers.
- Nit-grass (Gastridium ventricosum) is another nationally rare species found on Aller Hill. It is a type of grass that is very uncommon.
These plants are carefully looked after to make sure they continue to grow and flourish.
Protecting Nature
Protecting places like Aller Hill is very important. It helps to keep rare plants and animals safe. When an area is an SSSI, it means people need to be careful not to damage it. This helps to protect the natural world for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future. It's like a special nature reserve where unique species can live without being disturbed.
Nearby Nature
Aller Hill is not the only special place in the area. The nearby Aller and Beer Woods are also protected. They are also a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest. This shows that the whole area is very important for nature and wildlife.
Images for kids
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Aller Hill, showing its natural beauty.
