List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Derbyshire facts for kids
Imagine special places in Derbyshire, England, that are super important for nature! These places are called Sites of Special Scientific Interest (often shortened to SSSIs). They are chosen because they have amazing plants, animals, or unique rocks and landforms.
In England, a group called Natural England is in charge of finding and protecting these special spots. They look at different areas, and Derbyshire is one of them. As of 2012, there are 99 SSSIs in Derbyshire! Some of these sites are important for their cool rocks and how the land was formed (that's called geological interest). Others are special because of the living things there, like rare plants or animals (that's biological interest). And some sites are important for both!
Natural England took over this job from another group called English Nature in 2006. They use the same county maps that were used from 1974 to 1996 to decide where these sites are. All the information about these sites comes from Natural England's official records.
Contents
What are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)?
SSSIs are like nature's VIP areas! They are protected by law because they are the best examples of England's natural heritage. This means they show us important parts of our country's wildlife, geology, and land features.
Why are SSSIs important?
- Protecting Wildlife: They provide safe homes for rare or special plants and animals.
- Studying Nature: Scientists can learn a lot from these sites about how ecosystems work and how the Earth has changed over time.
- Saving Unique Features: They protect special rocks, caves, rivers, and other natural formations that you might not find anywhere else.
Derbyshire's Natural Treasures
Derbyshire is home to many different SSSIs. Out of the 99 sites:
- 28 sites are special mainly for their geological features. This could be ancient rocks, fossils, or interesting cave systems.
- 54 sites are important for their biological features. These might be rare wildflowers, special types of forests, or places where unique birds or insects live.
- 17 sites are amazing because they have both important biological and geological features!
These sites help us make sure that Derbyshire's incredible natural environment is protected for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future.
See also
- List of SSSIs by Area of Search
- List of Ancient Woods in England
- Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
- Peak District National Park
Images for kids
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Thorpe Cloud and Dovedale, in the Dove Valley and Biggin Dale SSSI, Derbyshire
