List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Merseyside facts for kids

The Ribble Estuary, the largest SSSI in Merseyside.

This is a list of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Merseyside, which is part of North West England. Merseyside has a population of 1,353,600 making it one of the most densely populated areas of the United Kingdom. Geographically, Merseyside is split by the River Mersey which has a surrounding network of canals, rivers and valleys some of which have been created by human activity. Other habitats have been adversely affected by humans including many peat mosslands. As of 2007^[update], There are 14 sites designated within this Area of Search, of which 10 have been designated due to their biological interest, 1 due to its geological interest, and 3 for both biological and geological interest.

In England the body responsible for designating SSSIs is Natural England, which chooses a site because of its fauna, flora, geological or physiographical features. Natural England took over the role of designating and managing SSSIs from English Nature in October 2006 when it was formed from the amalgamation of English Nature, parts of the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service. Natural England, like its predecessor, uses the 1974–1996 county system and as such the same approach is followed here, rather than, for example, splitting these sites between the Lancashire and Cheshire lists. The data in the table is taken from English Nature's website in the form of citation sheets for each SSSI.

For other counties, see List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest by Area of Search.

Sites

Site name	Reason for designation		Area		Grid reference	Year in which notified	Map
	Biological interest	Geological interest	Hectares	Acres
Dee Estuary	Y	Y	14.4	35.6		1979	Map
Dibbinsdale	Y		53.2	131.5		1979	Map
Hesketh Golf Links	Y		14.6	36.1		1989	Map
Heswall Dales	Y		29.6	73.1		1979	Map
Meols Meadows	Y		7.1	17.5		1988	Map
Mersey Narrows	Y		117.8	291.1		2000	Map
New Ferry	Y		73.9	182.6		2000	Map
North Wirral Foreshore	Y		2109.9	5213.6		1979	Map
Red Rocks	Y		11.4	28.1		1979	Map
Ribble Estuary	Y		9226.3	22798.2		1966	Map
Sefton Coast	Y	Y	4605.3	11380.0		2000	Map
Stanley Bank Meadow	Y		14.9	36.8		1986	Map
The Dungeon		Y	1.2	2.8		1977	Map
Thurstaston Common	Y	Y	70.8	174.9		1954	Map