Bognor Reef facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | West Sussex |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological Geological |
| Area | 39.7 hectares (98 acres) |
| Notification | 1988 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Bognor Reef is a special natural area located along the coast of Bognor Regis in West Sussex, England. It covers about 39.7 hectares (which is roughly the size of 55 football fields!). This site is important for two main reasons: its amazing wildlife (biological) and its ancient rocks and fossils (geological). Because it's so unique, it's been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected by law to make sure its special features are kept safe for everyone to enjoy and learn from.
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What Makes Bognor Reef Special?
Bognor Reef is not just one type of place; it's a mix of different natural environments. You can find sandy beaches, rolling sand dunes, grassy areas, thick bushes (scrub), and wet marshlands all in one spot. This variety of habitats makes it a home for many different plants and animals.
Home to Rare Plants
One of the most exciting plants found at Bognor Reef is the childing pink (scientific name: Petrorhagia nanteuilii). This small, delicate flower is very rare in the UK and is considered nationally endangered. Finding it here shows how important it is to protect this area. It's like finding a hidden treasure!
A Window into Ancient Earth
Bognor Reef is also incredibly important for understanding Earth's past. It has a full set of rock layers known as the London Clay. These layers formed a very long time ago, during a period called the Early Eocene. This was about 56 to 48 million years ago, long before humans existed!
Discovering Ancient Fossils
The London Clay at Bognor Reef is a fantastic place to find fossils, especially plant fossils. Scientists can learn a lot about what the world was like millions of years ago by studying these ancient plant remains.
What makes Bognor Reef truly unique is its collection of pyritised fossil insects. Pyritised means the original insect remains have been replaced by a shiny, metallic mineral called pyrite, often called "fool's gold." Natural England, a government organization that protects nature, says that Bognor Reef is the most important place in the entire world for finding these amazing fossil insects, especially ancient beetles. Imagine finding a beetle that lived millions of years ago, perfectly preserved in stone!
Protecting Bognor Reef
As a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Geological Conservation Review site, Bognor Reef is carefully managed to protect its unique features. This helps scientists study the ancient past and ensures that rare plants and animals continue to thrive. It also means that future generations can visit and appreciate this incredible natural wonder.
