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Coordinates: 51°35′13″N 2°22′23″W / 51.587°N 2.373°W / 51.587; -2.373
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{{Short description|Protected area in Gloucestershire, England}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox SSSI
{{Infobox SSSI
⚫
|image=[[Image:Gateway_and_path,_Lower_Woods_Nature_Reserve_-_geograph.org.uk_-_486862.jpg|200px|]]

|image_caption=Gateway and path at Lower Woods Nature Reserve
|name=Lower Woods
|name=Lower Woods
|aos=Avon
|aos=Gloucestershire
|interest=Geological and Biological
|interest=Biological/Geological
|gridref=ST743876
|gridref={{gbmappingsmall|ST743876}}
|coordinates = {{coord|51.587|-2.373|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|area=280.1 [[hectare]]
|area=280.1 hectare
|notifydate=1966
|notifydate=1966
|enref=1002798
|map=[http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk/map.aspx?map=sssi&feature=1002798,sssi,HYPERLINK,LABEL ''English Nature'']
}}
}}

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[[Image:Gateway_and_path,_Lower_Woods_Nature_Reserve_-_geograph.org.uk_-_486862.jpg|thumb|alt=Alt|Gateway and Path at Lower Woods Nature Reserve]]
[[Image:Confluence of streams and a bridge Lower Woods - geograph.org.uk - 486787.jpg|thumb|alt=Alt|Confluence of streams and a bridge Lower Woods on the edge of Lower Woods Nature Reserve]]
[[Image:Confluence of streams and a bridge Lower Woods - geograph.org.uk - 486787.jpg|thumb|Confluence of streams and a bridge on the edge of Lower Woods Nature Reserve]]
'''Lower Woods''' ({{gbmapping|ST743876}}) is a {{convert|280.1|ha|adj=on}} [[biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest]] near the village of [[Wickwar]], [[South Gloucestershire]], [[SSSI notification|notified]] in 1966 and renotified in 1985. The site area has increased at last revision in 1974 to a {{convert|284.1|ha|adj=on}} site. The site is a [[nature reserve]] managed by the [[Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust]].
'''Lower Woods''' ({{gbmapping|ST743876}}) is a {{convert|280.1|ha|adj=on}} [[biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest]] near the village of [[Wickwar]], [[South Gloucestershire]], [[SSSI notification|notified]] in 1966 and renotified in 1985. The site area has increased at last revision in 1974 to a {{convert|284.1|ha|adj=on}} site. The site is a [[nature reserve]] managed by the [[Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust]].


Lower Woods are the most extensive area of [[ancient woodland]]s and seminatural woodland in the former county of [[Avon (county)|Avon]] and now in [[South Gloucestershire]]. It is one of the largest ancient woodlands in the south-west of England and covers some three square kilometres. There are three waymarked trails and over sixty miles of paths, rides and wide grassy 'trenches' (ancient roads).<ref name="nature reserve guide 2011">2011, 'Nature Reserves Guide', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, issued to celebrate its 50th Anniversary</ref>
Lower Woods are the most extensive area of [[ancient woodland]]s and seminatural woodland in the former county of [[Avon (county)|Avon]] and now in [[South Gloucestershire]]. It is one of the largest ancient woodlands in the south-west of England and covers some three square kilometres. There are three waymarked trails and over sixty miles of paths, rides and wide grassy 'trenches' (ancient roads).<ref name="nature reserve guide 2011">2011, 'Nature Reserves Guide', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, issued to celebrate its 50th Anniversary</ref>


This large reserve is made up of twenty-three woods and coppices the boundaries of which have remained unchanged for several centuries. The woods are linked by a network of grass trenches and ridges. The [[Little Avon River]] runs through the centre of the site. The woods are situated in the damp clay soils of the Vale of Berkeley and are made up of the distinct woodlands as well as grassland areas.<ref name="GWT reserve handbook">Kelham, A, Sanderson, J, Doe, J, Edgeley-Smith, M, et al, 1979, 1990, 2002 editions, 'Nature Reserves of the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation/Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust'</ref>
This large reserve is made up of twenty-three woods and coppices, the boundaries of which have remained unchanged for several centuries. The woods are linked by a network of grass trenches and ridges. The [[Little Avon River]] runs through the centre of the site. The woods are situated in the damp clay soils of the Vale of Berkeley and are made up of the distinct woodlands as well as grassland areas.<ref name="GWT reserve handbook">Kelham, A, Sanderson, J, Doe, J, Edgeley-Smith, M, et al, 1979, 1990, 2002 editions, 'Nature Reserves of the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation/Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust'</ref>


The site is adjacent to [[Yarley Meadows]] which is also an SSSI.
⚫
==The Woodland==

⚫
Fuller information is available from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserves handbook<ref name="GWT reserve handbook"/> and the Trust publication on the natural history of the site.<ref name="natural history">2001(published), 'The Natural History of Lower Woods: Nature Reserve 2000', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust</ref> Large parts of the woodland are traditional coppice-with-standards, with [[Quercus robur|Pendunculate Oak]] and [[Ash (Fraxinus)|Ash]] over [[Hazel]] coppice. There is a wide range other shrubs including [[Field maple|Field Maple]], [[Holly]], [[Goat willow|Goat Willow]], [[Euonymus|Spindle]], [[Wild privet|Wild Privet]], [[Midland hawthorn|Midland Hawthorn]] and [[Guelder-rose]]. There are dense stands of [[Wild Service Tree|Wild Service tree]] which is an indicator of ancient woodland. There is some [[Sessile oak|Sessile Oak]] along the riverside [[Alder]]. Some of the wood has developed to a high forest structure.
==Geology==
The site contains significant exposures of clays, shales, limestones and bone-beds (''Rhaetic'' time period). These would have been laid down some 200 million years ago in a shallow sea. The exposures in this area have been a source of research for some 150 years, notably the units called the Westbury Beds, the Cotham Beds and the ''Liostrea'' Beds. The site has two horizons of [[Cotham Marble|Landscape Marble]] and outcrops of conglomeratic bone-beds (in the Westbury shales). The latter contain a significant amount of fossil fish, and sedimentological features.<ref name="NE citation">[http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1002798 Natural England SSSI information on the citation]</ref>

⚫
==The woodland==
⚫
Fuller information is available from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserves handbook<ref name="GWT reserve handbook"/> and the Trust publication on the natural history of the site.<ref name="natural history">Martin M, Rowlatt, S (editors), 2001(published), 'The Natural History of Lower Woods in 2000 AD', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, (includes list of contributors)</ref> Large parts of the woodland are traditional coppice-with-standards, with [[Quercus robur|pedunculate oak]] and [[ash (Fraxinus)|ash]] over [[hazel]] coppice. There is a wide range other shrubs including [[field maple]], [[holly]], [[goat willow]], [[Euonymus|spindle]], [[wild privet]], [[midland hawthorn]] and [[guelder-rose]]. There are dense stands of [[wild service tree]] which is an indicator of ancient woodland. There is some [[sessile oak]] and along the riverside [[alder]]. Some of the wood has developed to a high forest structure.


==Woodland flowers==
==Woodland flowers==
Fuller information is available from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserves handbook.<ref name="GWT reserve handbook"/> Typical woodland flowers include [[Hyacinthoides non-scripta|Bluebell]], [[Anemone nemorosa|Wood Anemone]], [[Early Purple Orchid|Early-purple Orchid]], [[Primula vulgaris|Primrose]], [[Ramsons]] (wood garlic), [[Common Dog-violet]] and [[Yellow archangel|Yellow Archangel]]. Uncommon species are [[Meadow saffron|Meadow Saffron]], [[Herb-Paris]], [[Common Cow-wheat]], [[Lathyrus linifolius|Bitter-vetch]] and [[Violet Helleborine]]. The grassy rides support [[Betony]], [[Devil's-bit Scabious]], [[Saw-wort]], [[Common spotted orchid|Common Spotted-orchid]], [[Greater knapweed|Greater Knapweed]], [[Greater Butterfly-orchid]], [[Primula veris|Cowslip]] and [[Yellow-rattle]]. The damper rides supports [[Lesser Spearwort]], [[Ragged-robin|Ragged-Robin]], [[Senecio congestus|Marsh Ragwort]], [[Brooklime]] and various sedges and rushes.
Fuller information is available from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserves handbook.<ref name="GWT reserve handbook"/> Typical woodland flowers include [[Hyacinthoides non-scripta|bluebell]], [[Anemone nemorosa|wood anemone]], [[early-purple orchid]], [[Primula vulgaris|primrose]], [[ramsons]] (wood garlic), [[common dog-violet]] and [[yellow archangel]]. Uncommon species are [[meadow saffron]], [[herb-paris]], [[common cow-wheat]], [[Lathyrus linifolius|bitter-vetch]] and [[violet helleborine]]. The grassy rides support [[Stachys officinalis|betony]], [[devil's-bit scabious]], [[saw-wort]], [[common spotted orchid|common spotted-orchid]], [[greater knapweed]], [[greater butterfly-orchid]], [[Primula veris|cowslip]] and [[yellow-rattle]]. The damper rides supports [[lesser spearwort]], [[ragged-robin]], [[Senecio congestus|marsh ragwort]], [[brooklime]] and various sedges and rushes.


==Mammals, Birds and Invertebrates==
==Mammals, birds and invertebrates==
The site supports [[Common dormouse|Common Dormouse]] and [[Lesser horseshoe bat|Lesser Horseshoe bat]] in particular. The site is considered as the most important in South Gloucestershire for [[Nightingale]]s. Also recorded are [[Woodcock]], [[Lesser Spotted Woodpecker]], [[Wood warbler|Wood Warbler]], [[Tawny owl|Tawny Owl]] and [[Turtle dove|Turtle Dove]]. The grassy rises, meadows and open coppice areas are ideal for rarer butterflies including [[Limenitis camilla|White Admiral]], [[Purple Hairstreak]], [[Silver-washed Fritillary]], [[Dingy Skipper]] and [[Brown Argus]].
The site supports [[common dormouse]] and [[lesser horseshoe bat]] in particular. The site is considered as the most important in South Gloucestershire for [[nightingale]]s. Also recorded are [[woodcock]], [[lesser spotted woodpecker]], [[wood warbler]], [[tawny owl]] and [[Streptopelia|turtle dove]]. The grassy rises, meadows and open coppice areas are ideal for rarer butterflies including [[Limenitis camilla|white admiral]], [[purple hairstreak]], [[silver-washed fritillary]], [[dingy skipper]] and [[brown argus]].


==Conservation==
==Conservation==
The main aims are to monitor the maintenance and enhancement of existing grassland areas, the coppice regimes and to remove exotic species of conifer and hybrid poplar. Coppice must be maintained at-standards. Scrub cutting is done in the original trenches, ensuring exposure of the old wood banks and ditches.
The main aims are to monitor the maintenance and enhancement of existing grassland areas, the coppice regimes and to remove exotic species of conifer and hybrid poplar. Coppice must be maintained at-standards. Scrub cutting is done in the original trenches, ensuring exposure of the old wood banks and ditches.

⚫
==SSSI Source==
⚫
* [http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1002798 Natural England SSSI information on the citation]
* [http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/unitlist.cfm?sssi_id=1002798 Natural England SSSI information on the Lower Woods units]


==Publications==
==Publications==
{{colbegin}}
{{colbegin}}
* Kelham, A, Sanderson, J, Doe, J, Edgeley-Smith, M, ''et al.'', 1979, 1990, 2002 editions, 'Nature Reserves of the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation/Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust'
* Kelham, A, Sanderson, J, Doe, J, Edgeley-Smith, M, ''et al.'', 1979, 1990, 2002 editions, 'Nature Reserves of the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation/Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust'
* Lower Woods Nature Reserve - Guide and Species List. Edited by Dr Mike Martin. Published by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust 1996, Revised Second Edition
* Martin M (editor), 1996, 2004 (revised second edition), 'Lower Woods Nature Reserve – A Guide', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
* 2001(published), 'The Natural History of Lower Woods: Nature Reserve 2000', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
* Martin M, Rowlatt, S (editors), 2001(published), 'The Natural History of Lower Woods in 2000 AD', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, (includes list of contributors)
* 'Lower Woods Nature Reserve – Information and Waymarked Walks', (undated), Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
{{colend}}
{{colend}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}

⚫
==SSSI source==
⚫
* [https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/1002798.pdf Natural England SSSI information on the citation]
* [https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteUnitList.aspx?SiteCode=S1002798&SiteName=Lower%20Woods&countyCode=&responsiblePerson=&unitId=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= Natural England SSSI information on the Lower Woods units]


==External links==
==External links==
Line 50: Line 61:
{{SSSIs Avon geological}}
{{SSSIs Avon geological}}
{{SSSIs Gloucs biological}}
{{SSSIs Gloucs biological}}
{{SSSIs Gloucs geological}}

{{coord|51.58666|N|2.37234|W|region:GB_source:enwiki-osgb36(ST743876)|display=title}}<!-- Note: WGS84 lat/long, converted from OSGB36 grid ref -->


[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Avon]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Avon]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in 1966]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in 1966]]
[[Category:South Gloucestershire]]
[[Category:South Gloucestershire District]]
[[Category:Forests and woodlands of England]]
[[Category:Forests and woodlands of Gloucestershire]]
[[Category:Woodland Sites of Special Scientific Interest]]
[[Category:Woodland Sites of Special Scientific Interest]]
[[Category:Nature reserves in Gloucestershire]]
[[Category:Nature reserves in Gloucestershire]]

Latest revision as of 14:26, 29 August 2024

Lower Woods
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Gateway and path at Lower Woods Nature Reserve
Lower Woods is located in Gloucestershire
Lower Woods
Location within Gloucestershire
LocationGloucestershire
Grid referenceST743876
Coordinates51°35′13″N 2°22′23″W / 51.587°N 2.373°W / 51.587; -2.373
InterestBiological/Geological
Area280.1 hectare
Notification1966
Natural England website
Confluence of streams and a bridge on the edge of Lower Woods Nature Reserve

Lower Woods (grid reference ST743876) is a 280.1-hectare (692-acre) biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest near the village of Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, notified in 1966 and renotified in 1985. The site area has increased at last revision in 1974 to a 284.1-hectare (702-acre) site. The site is a nature reserve managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

Lower Woods are the most extensive area of ancient woodlands and seminatural woodland in the former county of Avon and now in South Gloucestershire. It is one of the largest ancient woodlands in the south-west of England and covers some three square kilometres. There are three waymarked trails and over sixty miles of paths, rides and wide grassy 'trenches' (ancient roads).[1]

This large reserve is made up of twenty-three woods and coppices, the boundaries of which have remained unchanged for several centuries. The woods are linked by a network of grass trenches and ridges. The Little Avon River runs through the centre of the site. The woods are situated in the damp clay soils of the Vale of Berkeley and are made up of the distinct woodlands as well as grassland areas.[2]

The site is adjacent to Yarley Meadows which is also an SSSI.

Geology

[edit]

The site contains significant exposures of clays, shales, limestones and bone-beds (Rhaetic time period). These would have been laid down some 200 million years ago in a shallow sea. The exposures in this area have been a source of research for some 150 years, notably the units called the Westbury Beds, the Cotham Beds and the Liostrea Beds. The site has two horizons of Landscape Marble and outcrops of conglomeratic bone-beds (in the Westbury shales). The latter contain a significant amount of fossil fish, and sedimentological features.[3]

The woodland

[edit]

Fuller information is available from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserves handbook[2] and the Trust publication on the natural history of the site.[4] Large parts of the woodland are traditional coppice-with-standards, with pedunculate oak and ash over hazel coppice. There is a wide range other shrubs including field maple, holly, goat willow, spindle, wild privet, midland hawthorn and guelder-rose. There are dense stands of wild service tree which is an indicator of ancient woodland. There is some sessile oak and along the riverside alder. Some of the wood has developed to a high forest structure.

Woodland flowers

[edit]

Fuller information is available from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust nature reserves handbook.[2] Typical woodland flowers include bluebell, wood anemone, early-purple orchid, primrose, ramsons (wood garlic), common dog-violet and yellow archangel. Uncommon species are meadow saffron, herb-paris, common cow-wheat, bitter-vetch and violet helleborine. The grassy rides support betony, devil's-bit scabious, saw-wort, common spotted-orchid, greater knapweed, greater butterfly-orchid, cowslip and yellow-rattle. The damper rides supports lesser spearwort, ragged-robin, marsh ragwort, brooklime and various sedges and rushes.

Mammals, birds and invertebrates

[edit]

The site supports common dormouse and lesser horseshoe bat in particular. The site is considered as the most important in South Gloucestershire for nightingales. Also recorded are woodcock, lesser spotted woodpecker, wood warbler, tawny owl and turtle dove. The grassy rises, meadows and open coppice areas are ideal for rarer butterflies including white admiral, purple hairstreak, silver-washed fritillary, dingy skipper and brown argus.

Conservation

[edit]

The main aims are to monitor the maintenance and enhancement of existing grassland areas, the coppice regimes and to remove exotic species of conifer and hybrid poplar. Coppice must be maintained at-standards. Scrub cutting is done in the original trenches, ensuring exposure of the old wood banks and ditches.

Publications

[edit]
  • Kelham, A, Sanderson, J, Doe, J, Edgeley-Smith, M, et al., 1979, 1990, 2002 editions, 'Nature Reserves of the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation/Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust'
  • Martin M (editor), 1996, 2004 (revised second edition), 'Lower Woods Nature Reserve – A Guide', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
  • Martin M, Rowlatt, S (editors), 2001(published), 'The Natural History of Lower Woods in 2000 AD', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, (includes list of contributors)
  • 'Lower Woods Nature Reserve – Information and Waymarked Walks', (undated), Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 2011, 'Nature Reserves Guide', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, issued to celebrate its 50th Anniversary
  2. ^ a b c Kelham, A, Sanderson, J, Doe, J, Edgeley-Smith, M, et al, 1979, 1990, 2002 editions, 'Nature Reserves of the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation/Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust'
  3. ^ Natural England SSSI information on the citation
  4. ^ Martin M, Rowlatt, S (editors), 2001(published), 'The Natural History of Lower Woods in 2000 AD', Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, (includes list of contributors)

SSSI source

[edit]
[edit]
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