Dixton Wood facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Example - Violet Click Beetle (Limoniscus violaceus)
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| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
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| Coordinates | 51°58′50″N 2°01′53″W / 51.980608°N 2.031257°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 13.14 hectare |
| Notification | 2000 |
Dixton Wood is a special forest in Gloucestershire, England. It covers about 13 hectares (that's like 32 football fields!). In 2000, it was named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a really important place for nature. Dixton Wood is also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This is an even bigger protection under European rules, showing how valuable its wildlife is.
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Where is Dixton Wood Located?
Dixton Wood is found in the beautiful Cotswolds area. This region is known for its amazing natural beauty. The wood is close to the town of Winchcombe. It is also north of a larger town called Cheltenham.
The forest sits on a steep hillside that faces east. All around the wood are green fields of grass. It's in the lower parts of a big slope. You can think of it as being similar to Bredon Hill. Bredon Hill is another important nature spot nearby.
Why is Dixton Wood Special?
Dixton Wood is very important because of a tiny creature. It is home to a rare insect called the Violet Click Beetle (Limoniscus violaceus). This beetle is super special! It is protected by law in the UK. It is also listed under European rules for protecting animals.
The beetle lives in dead or decaying wood. Finding it here shows that Dixton Wood has very healthy old trees. These trees create the perfect home for this unique insect. It also means the wood is great for other beetles that live in dead wood.
Where Else Do Violet Click Beetles Live?
In Britain, the Violet Click Beetle is only found in two other places. One is Bredon Hill, which is a nature reserve. The other is Windsor Forest. This makes Dixton Wood a very rare and important home for them. There are also about 15 other places in central Europe where these beetles live.
What is the Woodland Like?
Dixton Wood has many tall, old trees. Some of these trees are called "pollards." These are trees that have been cut in a special way. This cutting helps them grow many new branches. It also creates lots of dead wood. Dead wood is very important for insects like the Violet Click Beetle.
The soil in the wood is moist clay. The way the wood faces east also helps keep it damp. This creates a humid, or moist, environment. This dampness helps wood decay naturally. This process has been happening for a long time. It means the forest has always had good conditions for its special wildlife.
Experts from Natural England studied the trees in 2010. They looked at how old the trees were. They also suggested planting new trees. This helps make sure the wood stays a great home for its rare creatures.
