Buckland Warren facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Area of Search | Oxfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 0.04 hectares (0.099 acres) |
| Notification | 1992 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Buckland Warren is a very small piece of land, about the size of a tennis court (0.04 hectares or 0.1 acres), located east of Faringdon in Oxfordshire, England. It's officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it's home to a very rare plant.
Contents
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)?
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a special area in the United Kingdom. These places are protected by law because they have important wildlife, plants, or geological features. They are like nature's treasures! The government wants to make sure these unique spots are kept safe for the future.
Buckland Warren was named an SSSI in 1992. This means it has been recognized as a really important place for nature.
Why is Buckland Warren Special?
Buckland Warren is a narrow strip of land found between a wood and a golf course. It might not look like much at first glance, but it's super important for one specific reason: it's home to a plant called the broad-leaved cudweed.
This plant is incredibly rare in Britain. It has been found in fewer than ten places across the entire country! Because it's so rare, the broad-leaved cudweed is listed in the British Red Data Book of Vascular Plants. This book lists plants that are in danger of disappearing.
What is Broad-leaved Cudweed?
The broad-leaved cudweed is an annual plant. This means it grows, flowers, produces seeds, and then dies all within one year. For this special plant to grow well, it needs the soil to be disturbed. Farmers usually do this by ploughing their fields.
At Buckland Warren, the soil needs to be ploughed in early to mid-October. This helps the seeds of the broad-leaved cudweed to sprout and grow. Without this regular disturbance, the plant might not be able to survive there.
Can You Visit Buckland Warren?
Buckland Warren is on private land. This means it's owned by someone and is not open to the public. There are no paths or ways for people to visit this special site. Its protection is mainly about preserving the rare plant that lives there.
