Cothill Fen facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Oxfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological Geological |
| Area | 43.4 hectares (107 acres) |
| Notification | 1993 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Cothill Fen is a very special natural area in Oxfordshire, England. It covers about 43.3 hectares, which is like 80 football fields! This place is important for both its amazing plants and animals, and its interesting geological features.
It's recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its unique nature. Parts of Cothill Fen are also a Special Area of Conservation and a National Nature Reserve. Inside Cothill Fen, you'll find two smaller nature reserves: Lashford Lane Fen and Parsonage Moor. These are looked after by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust.
Contents
Why Cothill Fen is So Special
Cothill Fen is a truly unique place. It has rare types of habitats called calcareous fen and moss-rich mire. These are home to many different creatures.
Amazing Plants and Animals
This site is bursting with life! Scientists have found over 330 different types of vascular plants here. These are plants that have special tissues to carry water and nutrients.
The fen is also home to a rich variety of invertebrates, which are animals without backbones. This includes insects, spiders, and snails. In fact, 25 species found here are listed in the Red Data Book of Invertebrates. This book highlights species that are rare or endangered.
A Look Back in Time: The Geology of Cothill Fen
Cothill Fen is not just important for its living things; it's also a valuable place for understanding Earth's history. The ground here contains layers of Peat. Peat is a type of soil made from partly decayed plants.
By studying the peat at Cothill Fen, scientists can learn about the plants that grew here thousands of years ago. This helps us understand what the environment was like during the early Holocene period, which was between 10,000 and 6,500 years ago. It's like a natural time capsule!
What is a Fen?
A fen is a type of wetland that gets its water and nutrients from groundwater. This groundwater has often passed through rocks like limestone, making it rich in minerals like calcium. This is why they are called calcareous fens.
Fens are different from bogs, which get most of their water from rain. The special water in fens allows unique plants and animals to thrive that can't live anywhere else.
Who Looks After Cothill Fen?
Cothill Fen is protected and managed by several organizations. It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which means it's legally protected for its wildlife and geology.
It's also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which is a European designation for important habitats. The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust actively manages parts of the fen, including Lashford Lane Fen and Parsonage Moor, to keep them healthy for wildlife.
