Folkington Reservoir facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | East Sussex |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 5.8 hectares (14 acres) |
| Notification | 1987 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Folkington Reservoir is a special place in East Sussex, England. It's a large area of land, about 5.8-hectare (14-acre) (which is like 14 football fields!). This site is important because it's home to many rare and interesting plants. It's officially known as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI for short.
What is Folkington Reservoir?
Folkington Reservoir is a place where water is stored, usually for people to drink. But this reservoir is unique! The water itself is covered, and the land on top and around it has become a home for amazing wildlife. It's located south-west of a town called Polegate.
Why is it a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)?
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a protected area in the United Kingdom. These places are chosen because they have very important plants, animals, or geological features. Folkington Reservoir is a "biological" SSSI. This means it's protected because of its special living things, especially its plants.
The government protects these sites to make sure their unique nature is kept safe for the future. It's like a special nature reserve, but with a legal status to ensure its protection.
Amazing Plants at Folkington Reservoir
The land around Folkington Reservoir is very special. It has a type of soil called chalk, which is great for certain kinds of plants. This area is known for its rich chalk grassland flora. Flora is just another word for plants.
Some of the beautiful plants you can find here include:
- Kidney vetch: A pretty yellow flower that looks a bit like a kidney bean.
- Horseshoe vetch: Another yellow flower, important for certain butterflies.
- Pyramidal orchid: A stunning pink or purple flower shaped like a pyramid.
- Fragrant orchid: This orchid has a lovely smell, as its name suggests.
One very rare plant found here is the hairy mallow (Althaea hirsuta). It's a protected species, meaning it's very important to keep it safe.
The top of the reservoir, where the bare chalk is, also has interesting plants. These are called ruderal species. Ruderal plants are ones that grow well in disturbed ground or places with little competition. Here, you can find:
- Scarlet pimpernel: A small plant with bright orange or red flowers.
- Parsley piert: A tiny plant that looks a bit like parsley.
These plants show how diverse and important the Folkington Reservoir site is for nature.
