Search Natural Areas Foreword Natural Areas & Their Role Natural Area Boundaries Marine Natural Areas Cornish Killas and Granites Introduction Previous Search results Key nature conservation features of National Significance Earth heritage Lowland dry acid grassland Lowland heathland Lowland wood pasture and parkland Rivers and streams Upland oak woodland Wet woodland Key nature conservation features of Local Significance Fen, marsh and swamp Lowland meadows Purple moor-grass and rush pastures Reedbeds Standing open water and canals

95 Cornish Killas and Granites   The Cornish Killas and Granite Natural Area covers a large proportion of the county of Cornwall. The Natural Area is characterised by a strong maritime influence with no part more than fifteen miles from the sea. The result is a mild and equable climate with above average rainfall and strong, salty winds that sweep across the gently undulating farmland, valleys, heaths and, peculiar to Cornwall, the past and present industrial mineral workings. The unifying factor is the underlying metamorphosed sedimentary and granite rocks that have shaped the present landform and produced the predominately acid soils. The Natural Areas has an outstanding geological heritage including upland granite exposures, exposures of deformed killas rocks, deposits of china clay and mineral veins of metals such as tin and copper. These were the backbone of Cornwall's mineral industries which very much correlate with many of the key geological and wildlife features of the area. The Natural Area is particularly notable for its extensive areas of heathland, including associated valley mires and willow carr, much of it associated with mineral activity. Although most of the native woodland has been cleared historically for agriculture and the mining industry a number of good examples remain. These include some outstanding parklands rich in lower plants, along with valley woodlands that enhance the many river systems that provide habitat for otters and salmon. Unimproved neutral and acidic grasslands are rare but there are some impressive examples whilst vegetation characteristic of base-rich areas is limited to areas influenced by sea sand such as dunes and related consolidated grasslands. The Natural Area is particularly rich in uncommon and rare species. Some of these are associated with the above habitats but many are found in the wider countryside environment of mixed farmland with its associated hedges, copses and woods as well as derelict mine sites and quarries.   Natural Area profile available - Size 1.23 Mb     Copyright    Privacy    Freedom of information    Directgov