Porton Down SSSI facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Hampshire Wiltshire |
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| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 1,559.0 hectares (3,852 acres) |
| Notification | 1992 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Porton Down SSSI is a very special natural area in England. It covers a huge space, about 1,559 hectares, which is like 3,852 football fields! This important place is located where the counties of Hampshire and Wiltshire meet. It's right next to the Porton Down science park. Much of this land belongs to the Ministry of Defence, so it's usually closed to the public. This helps keep the wildlife safe and undisturbed.
Contents
Porton Down: A Special Place for Nature
Porton Down is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI. This means it's one of the best places in the country for wildlife and natural features. It was given this special protection in 1992.
Why is Porton Down Protected?
This area is protected for several important reasons. It has one of the largest areas of natural chalk grassland in the whole country. Chalk grassland is a special type of habitat that grows on chalky soil. It is home to many unique plants and animals.
More About Its Protection
Porton Down is also recognized as a Nature Conservation Review site, which means it's very important for nature. It is also a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area. These titles show how valuable this land is for protecting different kinds of plants, animals, and their homes.
Amazing Animals and Plants
Porton Down SSSI is home to many different living things. It has important groups of lichens, which are like tiny plants that grow on rocks and trees. It also has many different vascular plants. These are plants with special tubes that carry water and nutrients.
Birds and Bugs
The area is especially important for its populations of invertebrates. These are animals without backbones, like insects, spiders, and worms. Porton Down is also a key breeding ground for stone curlews. These are special birds that like to live in open, grassy areas. Besides grasslands, you can also find areas of scrub and woodland here.
