Biddle Street, Yatton facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Avon |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°22′45″N 2°49′50″W / 51.37930°N 2.83044°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 110.7 acres (0.448 km2; 0.1730 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1994 |
Biddle Street, Yatton is a special place near the village of Yatton in North Somerset, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because it has important wildlife, plants, or geology. This particular SSSI is about 44.8 hectares, which is roughly the size of 60 football fields! It was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1994.
This area is really important for its amazing variety of plants and tiny creatures that live in and around its water. The way the land is managed and the different types of soil here create perfect homes for many unique species.
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What Makes Biddle Street, Yatton Special?
Biddle Street, Yatton is a "biological" SSSI. This means it's protected because of its living things, like plants and animals. The main reason it's so special is its network of small waterways, called rhynes and ditches. These water channels are like superhighways for nature, supporting a huge range of aquatic (water-loving) plants and animals.
Amazing Plants You Can Find
The water channels at Biddle Street, Yatton are home to many different kinds of water plants. Where the water is open and clear, you might spot plants like the Common Water-starwort and the European Frogbit. The Fan-leaved Water-crowfoot also thrives here.
Unique Water Plants
The soil under the water has a special type of chalky influence. This helps certain plants grow, such as the Whorled Water-milfoil and a type of algae called Stonewort. Even more exciting, two very rare plants in the UK can be found here: the Rootless Duckweed and the Hairlike Pondweed. These plants are super important for the health of the water and the creatures that live in it.
Incredible Insects and More
The rhynes and ditches aren't just for plants! They are also buzzing with a rich variety of invertebrates. These are animals without backbones, like insects and snails. Many different aquatic beetles live here. Some are very rare, including the Hydacticus transversalis and Britain's largest water beetle, the Great Silver Water Beetle.
Water Beetles and Dragonflies
You'll also find many beautiful dragonflies and damselflies flitting around the water. One of these, the Variable Damselfly, is nationally scarce, meaning it's rare across the country. These insects are important predators and also show how healthy the water environment is.
Mussels in the Water
The water also supports strong groups of Common Freshwater Mussels. These mussels help to filter the water, keeping it clean. Another very rare mussel, the Pea Mussel, also lives here. Finding these rare species shows just how important Biddle Street, Yatton is for protecting wildlife.
