Search Natural Areas Foreword Natural Areas & Their Role Natural Area Boundaries Marine Natural Areas Wessex Vales Introduction Previous Search results Key nature conservation features of National Significance Earth heritage Fen, marsh and swamp Lowland dry acid grassland Lowland meadows Lowland mixed deciduous woodland Lowland wood pasture and parkland Reedbeds Key nature conservation features of Local Significance Ancient and/or species-rich hedgerows Lowland calcareous grassland Lowland heathland Purple moor-grass and rush pastures Rivers and streams Wet woodland

83 Wessex Vales   The Wessex Vales comprises the undulating ground lying between the chalk escarpment of Dorset and Wiltshire to the east, the Somerset Hills to the west and the Oxford Clay Vale to the north. The sea cliffs and shingle ridge of the Dorset coast form the southern boundary. The Natural Area is characterised by its abundance of small ancient woods linked by a network of species-rich hedges enclosing pastures and meadows. Deeply incised valleys contain streams and wet woodlands that are rich in invertebrates. Lowland wood pastures and parklands of international importance contain rare epiphytic lichens. The diverse range of habitats present are important for bats, notably lesser horseshoe bat, and the mines and quarries of the Vale of Wardour provide important winter hibernacula. Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks outcrop in quarries and cuttings, illustrating the stratigraphy and palaeontology of the Natural Area. Landslips are an important geomorphological feature.   Natural Area profile available - Size 1.11 Mb     Copyright    Privacy    Freedom of information    Directgov