West Moor SSSI facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Somerset |
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| Coordinates | 50°59′40″N 2°49′40″W / 50.99446°N 2.82783°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 213 hectares (2.13 km2; 0.82 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1985 |
West Moor is a special natural area in Somerset, England. It covers about 213 hectares, which is like 526 football fields! This important place is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It was given this special protection in 1985 because of its amazing plants and animals.
West Moor is located near the River Parrett. You can find it south of towns like Curry Rivel, Langport, and Drayton. It is also northwest of Kingsbury Episcopi. This area is part of the larger Somerset Levels and moors. These are huge areas of grassy wetlands with many ditches.
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What Makes West Moor Special?
West Moor is very important for its unique natural features. It has some of the most varied water plant communities in the whole country. This means you can find many different kinds of plants growing in the water here.
Amazing Water Plants
The ditches at West Moor are called rhynes. These rhynes are full of interesting water plants. One cool plant you might see is called Frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae). It floats on the water and looks a bit like a tiny lily pad. These plants help make the rhynes a perfect home for many creatures.
Incredible Insects and Animals
Because of all the different plants, West Moor is also home to many different invertebrates. Invertebrates are animals without backbones, like insects, spiders, and snails. Many of these species are rare, meaning you won't find them in many other places. This makes West Moor a very important place for protecting these special creatures.
Protecting West Moor
Being a Site of Special Scientific Interest means West Moor is protected by law. This helps to keep its unique habitats safe. Protecting places like West Moor is important for nature. It ensures that rare plants and animals have a safe place to live and thrive.
