Kenninghall and Banham Fens with Quidenham Mere facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Norfolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 48.4 hectares (120 acres) |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Kenninghall and Banham Fens with Quidenham Mere is a very special natural area in Norfolk, England. It covers about 48.4-hectare (120-acre), which is roughly the size of 70 football fields! This site is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected place because of its unique plants, animals, or geology. Kenninghall and Banham Fens is a biological SSSI, which means it's super important for its living things. It's located west of a village called Banham.
What Makes This Place Special?
This amazing natural area is found in the valley of the River Whittle. It's home to several different types of habitats, which are like different neighborhoods for plants and animals.
Diverse Habitats
- Quidenham Mere: This is a beautiful lake within the site. Lakes provide homes for fish, insects, and birds.
- Fens: Fens are a type of wetland. Unlike bogs, which get all their water from rain, fens are fed by groundwater from springs. This site has "tall fen" and "fen grassland." The springs here bring up water rich in minerals, which helps special plants grow.
- Wet Woodland: This is a forest area where the ground is often wet or waterlogged. Trees like willows and alders often grow well in these conditions.
- Calcareous Grassland: This type of grassland grows on soil that is rich in calcium carbonate, also known as lime. This special soil allows certain types of wildflowers and grasses to thrive that can't grow elsewhere.
Unique Plants
The fen grasslands at Kenninghall and Banham Fens are especially important because of the plants that grow there. You can find:
- Purple moor grass: A type of grass that often grows in wet, heath-like areas.
- Blunt-flowered rush: A common plant found in damp, grassy places.
- Black bog-rush: Despite its name, this rush often grows in fens, especially those rich in lime.
These plants, along with many others, create a unique ecosystem that supports a variety of wildlife.
Protecting Our Natural World
Kenninghall and Banham Fens with Quidenham Mere was officially recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1985. This protection helps make sure that these important habitats and the species that live there are kept safe for the future. Protecting places like this is vital for biodiversity, which means the variety of life on Earth.
It's important to know that this site is on private land. This means there is no public access for visitors. This helps to protect the delicate environment from disturbance.
