Search Natural Areas Foreword Natural Areas & Their Role Natural Area Boundaries Marine Natural Areas South Wessex Downs Introduction Previous Search results Key nature conservation features of National Significance Acid grassland Chalk rivers Earth heritage Lowland calcareous grassland Key nature conservation features of Local Significance Fen, marsh and swamp Lowland beech and yew woodland Lowland heathland Lowland meadows Lowland mixed deciduous woodland Lowland wood pasture and parkland

80 South Wessex Downs   The most notable habitats of the South Wessex Downs are chalk grassland, chalk rivers, woodland and arable land, with smaller areas of meadow land and wetland habitats, with a wide variety of associated and characteristic species. The Natural Area is internationally important for its chalk grassland and its chalk rivers, and for a range of associated species. It contains not only the majority of England's remaining chalk grassland but also the single largest site in Northern Europe: Salisbury Plain. Many chalk rivers and streams drain off the plateaux. The main geological features are chalk plateaux, scarp and dip slopes, clay with flints deposits and valleys, both dry and occupied by rivers and streams. Whilst chalk dominates the land and water there are local influences from more neutral soils especially on flatter ground on hill tops and valley bottoms.   Natural Area profile available - Size 724.3 kb     Copyright    Privacy    Freedom of information    Directgov