Trewent Point facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
In the distance: Trewent Point
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| Area of Search | Pembrokeshire |
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| Coordinates | 51°37′50″N 4°53′32″W / 51.630473°N 4.8922647°W |
| Interest | Biological and Geological |
| Area | 64.15 ha |
| Notification | 1977 |
Stackpole Quay - Trewent Point is a special cliff area in South Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is part of the Castlemartin Peninsula. This place is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
It became an SSSI in January 1977. This was done to protect its important plants, animals, and rocks. The area covers about 64 hectares. That's like 158 football fields! Natural Resources Wales helps to look after this amazing site.
Why Stackpole Quay is Special
This SSSI is important for two main reasons. It has unique rocks and interesting wildlife. Scientists study the rocks to learn about Earth's past. They also study the plants that grow here.
Ancient Rocks and Fossils
The rocks at Stackpole Quay are very old. They are from a time called the Silurian period. This period was about 425 million years ago. Many fossils have been found here. These fossils help scientists know the age of the rocks.
Some of these fossils are like those found in North America. This is different from other parts of Wales. The grey sandstone here shows how these ancient rocks formed. You can see many folds and bends in the rocks. These shapes show how the Earth's crust moved long ago. This movement was part of a big event called the Variscan orogeny.
Plants of the Cliffs
The limestone cliffs at Stackpole Quay are home to special plants. These plants can grow in the small cracks and crevices of the rocks. They are very tough!
Here are some of the plants you might see:
- Thrift (Armeria maritima)
- Sea plantain (Plantago maritima)
- Rock sea-spurrey (Spergularia rupicola)
- Sea-lavender (Limonium binervosum)
- Golden-samphire (Inula crithmoides)
These plants are an important part of the cliff's ecosystem. They help keep the soil in place and provide food for insects.
