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Deadman SSSI, Somerset

Coordinates: 50°56′05″N 3°05′29″W / 50.93474°N 3.09147°W / 50.93474; -3.09147
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Deadman
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Deadman SSSI, Somerset is located in Somerset
Deadman SSSI, Somerset
Location within Somerset
LocationSomerset
Grid referenceST234156
Coordinates50°56′05″N 3°05′29″W / 50.93474°N 3.09147°W / 50.93474; -3.09147
InterestBiological
Area28.8 hectares (0.288 km2; 0.111 sq mi)
Notification1987 (1987)
Natural England website

Deadman (grid reference ST234156) is a 28.8 hectare (71.2 acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest on the edge of the Blackdown Hills, near Buckland St Mary 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Taunton in Somerset, notified in 1987.

Deadman is one of the best remaining examples of a mixed valley mire in Somerset. It contains a rich mosaic of wet heath, bog pools and birch/willow carr grading into acid marshy grassland. These communities support several species of plant which are rare in the county. Ground water issues from numerous springs within the greensand producing a locally raised water table and shallow peaty surface horizon. It is at these points that bog communities develop, characterised by the floating leaves of bog pondweed (Potamogeton polygonifolia), bog bean (Menyanthes trifoliata) and marsh St John's-wort (Hypericum elodes). In places this wet heath has undergone a transition to birch (Betula sp.) and willow (Salix sp.) carr. This provides an important habitat for breeding nightingales and grasshopper warblers.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Deadman" (PDF). English Nature. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2006. Retrieved 12 August 2006.