Lymington River SSSI facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Ober Water (left) and the Highland Water (right) merge to form the Lymington River
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| Area of Search | Hampshire |
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| Interest | Biological Geological |
| Area | 34.8 hectares (86 acres) |
| Notification | 1997 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
The Lymington River Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a special natural area in Hampshire, England. It covers about 34.8 hectares (which is like 86 football fields!). This site is important for both its amazing plants and animals (biological interest) and its unique landforms and rocks (geological interest).
It includes parts of the Lymington River and its smaller streams, like Highland Water, Ober Water, and Mill Lawn Brook. This area is protected because it has very special natural features that are important to study and keep safe.
Contents
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest?
A Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI, is a protected area in the United Kingdom. These places are chosen because they have some of the best examples of wildlife, plants, or geological features. The Lymington River SSSI was officially recognized in 1997.
Protecting these sites helps to make sure that rare plants, animals, and important natural processes can continue to thrive. It also allows scientists to study these areas and learn more about our natural world.
The Lymington River and Its Branches
The Lymington River SSSI is made up of the main Lymington River and its three main branches: Highland Water, Ober Water, and Mill Lawn Brook. These streams flow through different parts of Hampshire, near towns like Lymington, Burley, and Stoney Cross.
What makes this river system so special is how quickly the types of plants change along its banks. In a very short distance, you can see many different plant communities growing. This is quite rare in England and makes the Lymington River a unique place to study nature.
Ober Water: A Home for Rare Plants and Dragonflies
Ober Water is a particularly important part of the SSSI. It has a very unusual and wide variety of plants. This stream is also home to several rare and protected types of dragonfly. These amazing insects need clean water and specific habitats to survive.
Because of its importance for plants and animals, Ober Water is listed as a Grade I site in the Nature Conservation Review. This means it's one of the most important places in the country for nature conservation.
Highland Water: A Natural River Classroom
Highland Water is another key part of the SSSI, but for different reasons. It's important for understanding how rivers work and shape the land. Scientists study Highland Water because it shows natural river processes that haven't been changed much by people.
This stream is part of the Geological Conservation Review. This list includes sites that are the best examples of geological features in Great Britain. Studying Highland Water helps us learn about how rivers have flowed and changed the landscape over long periods.
Protecting the Lymington River SSSI
The Lymington River SSSI is part of even larger protected areas. Some parts of the site are within The New Forest and Solent and Southampton Water Ramsar sites. Ramsar sites are wetlands that are considered important around the world, especially for waterfowl.
The site is also part of The New Forest Special Protection Area (SPA). SPAs are places specifically set aside to protect wild birds and their habitats. These different layers of protection help ensure the Lymington River SSSI remains a safe and healthy environment for its unique wildlife and geological features.
