Blackdown Hills - Ecology

Ecology

There are 16 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in the Blackdown Hills ranging from the 156-hectare (390-acre) Black Down and Sampford Commons to Reed Farm pit at just less than 1-hectare (2.5-acre). In total they cover 640 hectares (1,600 acres), or just under 2% of the AONB. Of these SSSIs 79% are deemed by English Nature to be being positively managed. SSSI is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom, selected by Natural England, for areas with particular landscape and ecological characteristics. It provides some protection from development, from other damage, and (since 2000) from neglect, under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

The grasslands, heathland, meadows and mire support extensive populations of birds such as Barn owls (Tyto alba) and nightjar, with butterflies including Marbled White (Melanargia galathea), Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) and the Gatekeeper Butterfly (Pyronia tithonus). The flora includes the Heath Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata), Corky fruited water dropwort (pimpinelloides), Green-winged Orchid (Anacamptis morio), Heather (Calluna vulgaris), Lousewort (Pedicularis) and Birds foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). The hedgerows and woodlands are made up of Ash, Hazel (Corylus), Grey willow (Salix cinerea) and Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) which support populations of Dormouse (Gliridae), Common Lizards, Siskin, Stinking iris (Iris foetidissima) and the Purple Hairstreak butterfly (Neozephyrus quercus). The rivers and streams are home to Kingfisher, Otter and the Daubenton's bat.

Blackdown and Sampford Commons have extensive surviving examples of the heathland, carr woodland and marshy grassland habitats that have developed on the acidic soils overlying the Greensand and Keuper Marls of the Blackdown Hills. The heathland supports a typical invertebrate fauna, including a wide variety of butterfly species, and with spiders notably abundant. The site is regionally important for birds which favour heathland habitats.

Quants, a grassland clearing in a forestry plantation well known for its butterflies including Duke of Burgundy, Marsh Fritillary and Wood White, is a candidate for Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). These are designated under the European Commission Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) as internationally important habitats.