Wye and Crundale Downs
| Country | England |
| Unitary Authority | Kent |
| Centroid* | TR084444 |
| Latitude | 51.16 |
| Longitude | 0.981111111 |
| SAC EU Code | UK0012831 |
| Status | Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) |
| Area (ha) | 111.32 |
| * 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
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Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (5%)
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Dry grassland, Steppes (60%)
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Improved grassland (15%)
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Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (20%)
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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
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This site hosts the priority habitat type "orchid rich sites". Wye and Crundale Downs consists mostly of NVC types CG4 Brachypodium pinnatum and CG5 Bromus erectus–Brachypodium pinnatum grasslands, although small areas of CG2 Festuca ovina–Avenula pratensis grassland also occur. It has an important assemblage of rare, scarce and uncommon orchids, including early spider-orchid Ophrys sphegodes, late spider-orchid O. fuciflora, burnt orchid Orchis ustulata and lady orchid Orchis purpurea. The site contains the largest UK colony of O. fuciflora, representing about 50% of the national population.
Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site
- Not Applicable
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.