Moorlinch SSSI facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Somerset |
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| Coordinates | 51°07′12″N 2°52′23″W / 51.12002°N 2.87293°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 226 hectares (2.26 km2; 0.87 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1985 |
Moorlinch is a very special natural area in Somerset, England. It covers about 226 hectares, which is like 558 football fields! In 1985, it was officially named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected place because it has important plants, animals, or land features that scientists want to study and protect.
Contents
About Moorlinch
Moorlinch is part of the amazing Somerset Levels and Moors. This whole area is a huge wetland with lots of grassy fields and water channels. Moorlinch is located near the River Parrett and at the bottom of the Polden Hills.
Watery World
The land at Moorlinch is quite flat and low. Water drains slowly into a big channel called the King's Sedgemoor Drain. Because of this, the ground is often very wet. In winter and early spring, many fields can even flood. This high water level is perfect for the special plants and animals that live here.
Ditches Full of Life
The many ditches crisscrossing Moorlinch are super important. They are regularly cleaned and looked after, which helps them stay full of different kinds of plants. These ditches are like watery highways for many creatures.
Amazing Plants
Moorlinch is home to some rare and interesting plants. These plants love the wet conditions found in the ditches and fields.
- Lesser Water-plantain (Baldellia ranunculoides) is a small plant that grows in shallow water.
- Tubular Water-dropwort (Oenanthe fistulosa) has hollow stems and pretty white flowers.
- Hairlike Pondweed (Potamogeton trichoides) is a delicate plant that lives underwater.
Cool Insects
The wet environment and rich plant life at Moorlinch also support many different insects. Some of these insects are quite rare!
- The water beetle (Hydrophilus piceus) is a large beetle that lives in the water.
- The soldier fly (Odontomyia ornata) is a colorful fly found near water.
Dragonflies and Damselflies
Moorlinch is a fantastic place to see dragonflies and damselflies. These beautiful insects love to fly around the water channels. You can find large groups of them here, including:
- The Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense)
- The Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum)
