Dunster Park and Heathlands

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Dunster Park and Heathlands
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Somerset UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Somerset
Location Somerset
Grid reference SS955441
Coordinates 51°11′12″N3°29′48″W / 51.18654°N 3.49663°W / 51.18654; -3.49663 Coordinates: 51°11′12″N3°29′48″W / 51.18654°N 3.49663°W / 51.18654; -3.49663
InterestBiological
Area466.6 hectares (4.666 km2; 1.802 sq mi)
Notification 2000 (2000)
Natural England website

Dunster Park and Heathlands (grid reference SS955441 ) is a 466.6 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Somerset, notified in 2000.

This site is located in the north-east of the Exmoor National Park within a few miles of the Bristol Channel near the village of Dunster, and is notified for nationally important lowland dry heath, dry lowland acid grassland, wood-pasture with veteran trees and ancient semi-natural oak woodland habitats. The fauna of the lowland heath includes a nationally rare butterfly the heath fritillary (Mellicta athalia). The assemblage of beetles associated with the veteran trees is of national significance. [1]

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References

  1. "Dunster Park and Heathlands" (PDF). English Nature. Retrieved 12 August 2006.