Fontmell and Melbury Downs

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

Country	England
Unitary Authority	Dorset and Somerset
Centroid^*	ST900193
Latitude	50.97222222
Longitude	-2.142777778
SAC EU Code	UK0012550
Status	Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha)	263.09
* This is the approximate central point of the SAC. In the case of large, linear or composite sites, this may not represent the location where a feature occurs within the SAC.

General site character

Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (12%)
Dry grassland, Steppes (88%)

Download the Standard Data Form for this site (PDF <100kb)

Note When undertaking an appropriate assessment of impacts at a site, all features of European importance (both primary and non-primary) need to be considered.

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

Not Applicable

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites)

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

1654 Early gentian Gentianella anglica

This inland site supports consistently large populations of early gentian Gentianella anglica, numbering many thousands of plants. The site includes large areas of species-rich chalk grassland and is one of three sites selected in the centre of the main range of the species.

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

Not Applicable

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.