Juniper Hill, Edgeworth

Juniper Hill, Edgeworth (SO928058 and SO928064) is an 11.25-hectare (27.8-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1974.[1][2][3] The site is listed in the 'Cotswold District' Local Plan 2001-2011 (on line) as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS).[4]

Juniper Hill, Edgeworth
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Example - Juniper growing in the UK (Juniperus communis)
Location within Gloucestershire
Area of SearchGloucestershire
Grid referenceSO928058 and SO928064
Coordinates51.751297°N 2.104976°W / 51.751297; -2.104976
InterestBiological
Area11.25 hectare
Notification1974
Natural England website

Location

The site lies in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is in two sections. It is one of a small number of sites on Jurassic limestone which has Juniper as its dominant species.[1]

Flora

The Juniper on the site is recorded as being of a great age, with specimens which are over 100 years old.[1]

Ungrazed calcareous grassland makes up the northern section of the site, which consists mainly of Upright Brome, Tor-grass, Common Rock Rose and Old Man's Beard. Larger trees such as Oak and Ash are regenerating in this area. There is an adjacent Larch plantation which is supporting Juniper.[1]

Grazed grassland makes up the southern section under the Juniper, and this is made up of a greater amount of fescues and herbs typical of the unimproved limestone grassland of the Cotswolds.

Conservation

Many of the Juniper plants are dying and management is underway to attempt regeneration.[1][5]

References
  1. Natural England SSSI information on the citation
  2. Cotswold District Local Plan, Appendix 1, Sites of Special Scientific Interest Archived 2012-03-26 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Stroud District Local Plan, adopted November 2005, Appendix 6 ‘Sites of Nature Conservation Interest’ Archived 2012-06-06 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Cotswold District Local Plan, Appendix 2, Key Wildlife Sites Archived 2013-10-13 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Natural England SSSI information on the Juniper Hill, Edgeworth unit

SSSI Source


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