Southlake Moor facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Somerset |
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| Coordinates | 51°03′57″N 2°54′02″W / 51.06586°N 2.90046°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 196.1 hectares (1.961 km2; 0.757 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1985 |
Southlake Moor is a special natural area in Somerset, England. It covers about 196 hectares (484 acres). This area is protected because it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1985.
Southlake Moor is part of the larger Somerset Levels and Moors. This region is famous for its wide, flat lands. These lands are often wet and are used for grazing animals. The area has many ditches and waterways.
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What Makes Southlake Moor Special?
Southlake Moor is unique because it can be flooded on purpose. This happens in winter when the River Parrett has a lot of water. A special gate, called a sluice, is opened. This lets water from the river flow onto the moor.
Plants of the Moor
Many different plants grow at Southlake Moor. Scientists have found about 96 types of water and bankside plants here. One very interesting plant is the greater water-parsnip (Sium latifolium). This plant grows well in wet, marshy areas.
Animals of the Moor
When the moor is flooded in winter, it becomes a home for many birds. Thousands of Eurasian wigeon visit the area. You might also see Bewick's swan, common pochard, common teal, and tufted duck. These birds love the wet conditions.
You can often spot signs of otters (Lutra lutra) along the muddy banks of the River Parrett. Otters are playful mammals that hunt in the water. The ditches on the east side of the moor are home to the palmate newt (Triturus helveticus). Newts are small amphibians, similar to salamanders.
How the Moor is Managed
Work was done in 2009 and 2010 to improve the moor's water system. This included upgrading sluice gates, watercourses, and culverts. These are structures that control water flow. The goal was to make it easier to flood the moor in winter.
This project helps to divert water from the Sowy River onto the moor. The moor can hold a huge amount of water, about 1.2 million cubic meters. This is part of a bigger plan by the Parrett Internal Drainage Board. Their goal is to restore ten floodplains in Somerset. Floodplains are flat areas next to rivers that can flood.
In spring, the water is drained away from the moor. This allows the land to be used for grazing animals during the summer. The whole system also helps to create a perfect habitat for water birds.
