Arger Fen

Arger Fen is a 49.7 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) south-east of Sudbury in Suffolk, England.[1][2] The site occupies two separate areas. The 17.6-hectare (43-acre) Arger Fen Local Nature Reserve is part of the larger eastern block,[3][4] and contains part of the 21-hectare (52-acre) Tiger Hill Local Nature Reserve,[5][6] along with part of the 110-hectare (270-acre) Arger Fen and Spouse's Vale, a nature reserve managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.[7] The site lies in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,[8]

Arger Fen
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Arger Fen within Suffolk
Area of SearchSuffolk
Grid referenceTL933356
Coordinates51.986°N 0.818°E / 51.986; 0.818
InterestBiological
Area49.7 hectares (0.50 km2; 0.19 sq mi)
Notification1986
Location mapMagic Map

The site is made up of a mix of woodland and meadow habitats with much of the woodland believed to be ancient in origin.[9] The underlying geology is a mixture of sand and gravel banks and clay soils, producing a mix of habitat types, including wet fen type habitats at lower levels and dry grasslands on acidic soils on hill tops.[9] It is one of only two known areas of ancient woodland in Eastern England which feature wild cherry (Prunus avium).[7][9]

Badgers are found on the reserve in a number of active setts.[7][9] Other rare fauna include the hazel dormouse and barbastelle bat.[7] In 2012 the reserve, which has ash trees at least 300 years old, was identified as a site of ash dieback[7][10] and in 2013 it became a research site for Forestry Commission scientists studying genetic resistance to the Chalara fungus which causes the disease.[11]

There are onsite car parking facilities as well as two-way marked trails, including areas of board walk.[7] The trust has attempted to encourage the growth of the dormouse population, partly by expanding the area of land it owns at Arger Fen.[12]

References
  1. "Designated Sites View: Arger Fen". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  2. "Map of Arger Fen". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  3. "Arger Fen". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 16 March 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  4. "Map of Arger Fen". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  5. "Tiger Hill". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  6. "Map of Tiger Hill". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  7. "Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale". Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  8. "Wildlife at Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale". Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  9. "Arger Fen" (PDF). SSSI citation. Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  10. "Ash dieback: Fears realised for ancient Arger Fen wood". BBC news website. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  11. "Ash dieback disease to be studied at Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve". BBC news website. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  12. "Suffolk Wildlife Trust appeal to buy land for dormice". BBC Suffolk news website. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
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