Crag Pit, Sutton facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Suffolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 0.7 hectares |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Crag Pit, Sutton is a special place in Suffolk, England. It's a small area, only about 0.7 hectares, which is roughly the size of one football field. This site is located north of a village called Shottisham.
It's known as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI for short. This means it's a protected area because it has important plants, animals, or geological features. Crag Pit, Sutton is special because of its unique plant life. It's also part of the beautiful Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Why is Crag Pit, Sutton Special?
Crag Pit, Sutton used to be a quarry, where people dug out rocks or sand. Now it's no longer used for digging. This old quarry has a special type of grassland. It's kept short by rabbits grazing on it. This short grass is the perfect home for some very rare plants.
Rare Plants Found Here
One of the most important plants found at Crag Pit, Sutton is called the Small Alison. This tiny flowering plant is very rare in Britain. In fact, this site is one of only two places in the whole country where it grows!
Another uncommon plant found here is the mossy stonecrop. These special plants need specific conditions to grow, which makes Crag Pit, Sutton a vital habitat for them.
What's Happening at the Site Now?
Over time, natural areas can change. As of June 2017, Crag Pit, Sutton has changed quite a bit. The site is now covered with thick woodland, bushes (called scrub), and tall herbs.
This means there isn't much of the short, rabbit-grazed grassland left. This change could affect the rare plants like Small Alison and mossy stonecrop, as they need open, short grassland to thrive. Protecting and managing sites like Crag Pit, Sutton helps make sure these rare plants can continue to grow.
