Wytham Woods facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Oxfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 423.8 hectares (1,047 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Wytham Woods is a very special forest and nature area. It covers about 423.8-hectare (1,047-acre) of land. You can find it north-west of Oxford in Oxfordshire, England. This area is so important for nature that it has a special title: a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
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Wytham Woods: A Special Place
Wytham Woods is a "Site of Special Scientific Interest" (SSSI). This means it's a place that the government protects because it has rare wildlife, plants, or geology. It's also known as a "Nature Conservation Review" site. This means it's one of the best examples of its kind in the country for nature.
What Makes Wytham Woods Special?
Wytham Woods is home to many different types of natural areas, called habitats. These include very old forests, known as ancient woodland. It also has areas of grassland that grow on limestone rock. These different habitats allow many kinds of plants and animals to live there.
Over 500 different types of plants have been found in Wytham Woods. Scientists have also collected a lot of information about the birds, mammals, and insects that live there. In fact, more information about these animals has been gathered here than almost anywhere else in the country!
Amazing Animals of Wytham Woods
The woods are full of life! Scientists have recorded:
- More than 900 different kinds of beetles.
- Over 580 types of flies.
- About 200 kinds of spiders.
- More than 700 types of bees, wasps, and ants.
- Around 250 kinds of true bugs.
- 27 different types of earthworms.
This huge variety of creatures shows how rich and healthy the environment is in Wytham Woods.
Who Studies Wytham Woods?
The Oxford University owns Wytham Woods. They use the woods as a living laboratory. Students and professors from the university do a lot of research here. They study everything from how plants grow to how different animals interact. Their long-term studies help us understand nature better.
Visiting Wytham Woods
Because Wytham Woods is such an important place for research and nature, you can't just walk in. You need to get a special permit from Oxford University to visit. This helps protect the delicate environment and the ongoing scientific studies.
