L-Moor, Shepreth facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Cambridgeshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 6.6 hectares |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
L-Moor, Shepreth is a special natural area in Shepreth, Cambridgeshire, England. It covers about 6.6 hectares, which is roughly the size of nine football fields! This site is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it's home to unique plants and animals.
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What is L-Moor, Shepreth?
L-Moor, Shepreth is a very important natural space. It was given its special SSSI status in 1986. This means it's protected by law because of its rare wildlife and natural features. It's a "biological" SSSI, which means it's important for living things like plants and animals.
A Home for Amazing Plants
The land at L-Moor has never been ploughed. This means its soil has been undisturbed for a very long time. It is a type of "calcareous grassland," which means the soil has a lot of calcium carbonate (like chalk or limestone). This special soil helps certain types of plants grow really well.
You can find many different kinds of wildflowers here. Some areas are drier, and in these spots, you might see plants like horseshoe vetch and felwort. Horseshoe vetch is a yellow flower that looks a bit like a pea plant. Felwort has pretty blue or purple flowers.
Dry Areas and Wet Areas
Other parts of L-Moor are wetter, especially near the stream that runs through the site. In these damp areas, you can find different plants. For example, devil's bit scabious grows here, which has lovely purple, pincushion-like flowers. You might also spot fen bedstraw, a delicate plant with tiny white flowers. The mix of dry and wet areas helps many different plant species thrive.
Tiny Creatures, Big Importance
Besides the plants, L-Moor is also a fantastic place for small animals, especially invertebrates. Invertebrates are creatures without a backbone, like insects, spiders, and snails. Natural England, a government body that protects nature, thinks L-Moor is very valuable for these tiny creatures. They play a huge role in the ecosystem, helping plants grow and providing food for other animals.
You might also see rabbits grazing in some parts of the moor. Their grazing helps keep the grass short, which is good for certain wildflowers and insects.
Who Protects L-Moor?
L-Moor, Shepreth is carefully looked after by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. This charity works hard to protect wildlife and wild places. They manage the site to make sure its special plants and animals continue to have a safe home.
How to Visit L-Moor
If you want to explore this special place, there is public access to L-Moor from Meldreth Road. It's a great spot to see unique wildflowers and learn about local wildlife.
