River Avon System

Last updated
River Avon System
Site of Special Scientific Interest
River Avon - geograph.org.uk - 715080.jpg
The River Avon south of Fordingbridge
Location Hampshire
Wiltshire
Grid reference SU 126 251 [1]
InterestBiological
Area475.9 hectares (1,176 acres) [1]
Notification 1996 [1]
Location map Magic Map

River Avon System is a 475.9-hectare (1,176-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Hampshire and Wiltshire, southern England. [1] [2] It is a Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I. [3] It is part of the Avon Valley and New Forest Ramsar sites [4] [5] and is also part of two Special Protection Areas: Solent and Southampton Water, and the New Forest. [6] [7]

This site consists of stretches of the River Avon and its tributaries, which are described by Natural England as "of national and international importance for their wildlife communities". It has more than 180 species of aquatic plants and one of the most diverse fish species in the country. There is also a rich invertebrate fauna and mammals include water voles and water shrews. [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Designated Sites View: River Avon System". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  2. "Map of River Avon System". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  3. Ratcliffe, Derek, ed. (1977). A Nature Conservation Review. Vol. 2. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. pp. 167–68. ISBN   0521-21403-3.
  4. "Designated Sites View: Avon Valley". Ramsar Site. Natural England. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  5. "Designated Sites View: The New Forest". Ramsar Site. Natural England. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  6. "Designated Sites View: Solent and Southampton Water". Special Protection Areas. Natural England. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  7. "Designated Sites View: The New Forest". Special Protection Areas. Natural England. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  8. "River Avon System citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2020.

Coordinates: 51°01′30″N1°49′19″W / 51.025°N 1.822°W / 51.025; -1.822