Edge Common

Edge Common
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Example - Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina)
Location of Edge Common.
Area of searchGloucestershire
Grid referenceSO847092
Coordinates51°46′54″N 2°13′21″W / 51.781702°N 2.222462°W / 51.781702; -2.222462
InterestBiological
Area20.47 ha (50.6 acres)
Notification date1974
Natural England website

Edge Common (grid reference SO847092) is a 20.47-hectare (50.6-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire, notified in 1974.

The Common is in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Flora

The site is unimproved Jurassic limestone grassland. This is the type of grassland which was prevalent in the Cotswolds, and the site represents a good example. The grasses include Tor Grass, Upright Brome and there are typical calcareous herbs present. There is an area of Beech woodland, and Birch scrub, with scattered disused quarries.

Invertebrates

It is a noted site for butterflies, particularly the Cotswold blues and the Duke of Burgundy. Grazing regimes are being managed to support this.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Natural England SSSI information on the citation[link removed]
  2. ↑ Stroud District Local Plan, adopted November 2005, Appendix 6 ‘Sites of Nature Conservation Interest’ Archived 2012-06-06 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ Natural England SSSI information on the Edge Common unit[link removed]

SSSI Source