| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 | |
  Arger Fen within Suffolk | |
| Location | Suffolk |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | TL933356 |
| Coordinates | 51°59′10″N0°49′05″E / 51.986°N 0.818°E |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 49.7 hectares (0.50 km2; 0.19 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Arger Fen is a 49.7-hectare (123-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) south-east of Sudbury in Suffolk, England. [1] [2] The site occupies two separate areas. The 17.6-hectare (43-acre) Arger Fen Local Nature Reserve is part of the larger eastern block, [3] [4] and contains part of the 21-hectare (52-acre) Tiger Hill Local Nature Reserve, [5] [6] along with part of the 110-hectare (270-acre) Arger Fen and Spouse's Vale, a nature reserve managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. [7] The site lies in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, [8]
The site is made up of a mix of woodland and meadow habitats with much of the woodland believed to be ancient in origin. [9] The underlying geology is a mixture of sand and gravel banks and clay soils, producing a mix of habitat types, including wet fen type habitats at lower levels and dry grasslands on acidic soils on hill tops. [9] It is one of only two known areas of ancient woodland in Eastern England which feature wild cherry ( Prunus avium ). [7] [9]
Badgers are found on the reserve in a number of active setts. [7] [9] Other rare fauna include the hazel dormouse and barbastelle bat. [7] In 2012 the reserve, which has ash trees at least 300 years old, was identified as a site of ash dieback [7] [10] and in 2013 it became a research site for Forestry Commission scientists studying genetic resistance to the Chalara fungus which causes the disease. [11]
There are onsite car parking facilities as well as two-way marked trails, including areas of board walk. [7] The trust has attempted to encourage the growth of the dormouse population, partly by expanding the area of land it owns at Arger Fen. [12]
