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Special Areas of Conservation

Minsmere to Walberswick Heaths and Marshes

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country England
Unitary Authority East Anglia
Centroid* TM468682
Latitude 52.2561
Longitude 1.6172
SAC EU Code UK0012809
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 1256.57
* 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.
Location of Minsmere to Walberswick Heaths and Marshes SAC

General site character

  • Coastal sand dunes, Sand beaches, Machair (5%)
  • Shingle, Sea cliffs, Islets (15%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (20%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (40%)
  • Mixed woodland (20%)

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

  • 1210 Annual vegetation of drift lines

    This site is one of two representatives of Annual vegetation of drift lines on the east coast of England. It occurs on a well-developed beach strandline of mixed sand and shingle and is the best and most extensive example of this restricted geographical type. Species include those typical of sandy shores, such as sea sandwort Honckenya peploides and shingle plants such as sea beet Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima.

  • 4030 European dry heaths

    Lowland European dry heaths occupy an extensive area of this site on the east coast of England, which is at the extreme easterly range of heath development in the UK. The heathland is predominantly NVC type H8 Calluna vulgaris – Ulex gallii heath, usually more characteristic of western parts of the UK. This type is dominated by heather Calluna vulgaris, western gorse Ulex gallii and bell heather Erica cinerea.

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

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

  • Not Applicable

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.