Aston Rowant Woods Explained

Aston Rowant Woods
Aos:Oxfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Interest:Biological
Notifydate:1986
Map:Magic Map

Aston Rowant Woods is a 209.7ha biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Aston Rowant in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.[1] [2] Part of it is in Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve, and a large part is in the Chiltern Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation.[3] [4] The site is also in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.[5]

The site is described by Natural England as "of national importance as a large, unfragmented area of ancient semi-natural woodland characteristic of the Chilterns scarp". It is composed of Grove Wood, Aston Wood, Juniper Bank, Kingston Wood, High Wood and Crowell Wood. Flora include 52 species indicative of ancient woods, and there are over 100 species of fungi, while damp hollows and fallen trees provide diverse habitats for invertebrates. Uncommon species include the herb Paris quadrifolia and the flower green hellebore. There are small areas of scrub and chalk grassland.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aston Rowant Woods citation . Sites of Special Scientific Interest . Natural England . 26 February 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225101/http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1000426.pdf . 3 March 2016 .
  2. Web site: Map of Aston Rowant Woods. Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. 26 February 2016.
  3. Web site: Chilterns Beechwoods. Joint Nature Conservation Committee. 25 February 2016.
  4. Web site: Chilterns Beechwoods (SAC). Natural England. 25 February 2016.
  5. Web site: Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan 2014 - 2019. 14. Chilterns Conservation Board. April 2014. 4 January 2016.