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Special Areas of Conservation

River Axe

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country England
Unitary Authority Devon
Centroid* SY267961
Latitude 50.75916667
Longitude -3.039166667
SAC EU Code UK0030248
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 22.94
* 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 River Axe SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (90%)
  • Improved grassland (5%)
  • Other land (including Towns, Villages, Roads, Waste places, Mines, Industrial sites) (5%)

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

  • 3260 Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation

    The Axe is a south-western example of sub-type 2. Only the lower reaches of the main river have been designated, where the mixed catchment geology of sandstones and limestones gives rise to calcareous waters where R. penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans dominates, giving way to R. fluitans further downstream. Short-leaved water-starwort Callitriche truncata is an unusual addition to the Ranunculus community and gives additional interest.

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

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