Great Breach and Copley Woods facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Somerset |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°05′06″N 2°42′55″W / 51.08513°N 2.71523°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 64.8 hectares (0.648 km2; 0.250 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1972 |
Great Breach and Copley Woods is a special natural area in Somerset, England. It covers about 64.8 hectares (which is like 160 football fields!). This place is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because it has unique plants, animals, and fungi. It was officially recognized as a special site in 1972.
Contents
What Makes These Woods Special?
Great Breach and Copley Woods is a very old and natural forest with many different kinds of broadleaf trees. In the 1800s, many oak trees were planted here. Later, some parts were cleared and replanted with conifer trees.
These woods are special because they have two types of woodland that are rare in Britain. They are also home to many important insects and other small creatures. The different kinds of fungi found here are also very interesting.
The woods are located on a flat area and steep slopes that face west. They are at the eastern end of the Polden Hills. The soil here holds a lot of water and has plenty of lime. The rocks underneath are called Lower Lias and Keuper Marl.
Amazing Plants and Animals
Great Breach and Copley Woods is home to many species of invertebrates (animals without backbones) that are rare in the country. It also has special ground plants usually found in very old forests. More than 600 types of fungi grow here. Over 170 species that are rare in Somerset have been found. For example, a fungus called Lycophyllum konradianum has only ever been recorded here in Britain!
Trees and Plants in the Woods
There are two very old parts of the forest. In a section called Bunch Wood, you'll find mostly ash and small-leaved lime trees. There are also some field maple and hazel trees. In the southern part of the site, there's a forest area with mostly alder and ash trees.
Most of the rest of the woods were planted in the early 1800s with pedunculate oak and ash. Even though people planted these areas, they now look like ancient woodlands. They have many different plants growing under the main trees. These include the wayfaring tree, guelder-rose, dogwood, and spindle.
The plants on the forest floor are also typical of ancient woodlands. The open paths, called "rides," are also full of interesting plants. You might spot beautiful flowers like the pyramidal orchid and the greater butterfly-orchid.
Insects and Birds
These woods are very important for insects. They are one of Somerset's best places for butterflies. In recent years, 29 different kinds of butterflies have been seen breeding here. One very special butterfly is the Duke of Burgundy.
There are also many different kinds of moths, including rare ones like Ethmia terminella and Dystebenna stephensi. Other important insects include rare types of hoverfly. The site also has many different grasshoppers, bees, and other insects. The birds you see here are common British woodland species, but the lesser spotted woodpecker also lives here.
How the Woods are Cared For
The Somerset Wildlife Trust takes care of Great Breach and Copley Woods. They work to remove trees that don't belong, like certain non-native conifers and beech trees. These trees can harm the natural value of the site. By removing them, they allow the natural plants to grow back and more sunlight to reach the forest floor.
The Trust also keeps the many open paths and clearings in the woods tidy. These open areas are important because they help wildlife and people move around easily within the forest.
History of the Woods
Long ago, a house called Copley House stood among these woods, but it was taken down a long time ago. Parts of the site were used as a training camp during the Second World War. However, almost all signs of this camp have now disappeared. There is also an obelisk, which is a tall, thin monument, called the Colston Obelisk. It was built to remember someone who died in a hunting accident in 1852.
Images for kids
-
The Colston obelisk.
