Potter's Wood

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 50.4726, -3.7828

Open in the interactive map →

Also within

Devon County

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (3)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SX734649 — Favourable 1.22 2010-09-09
SX734651 — Favourable 1.22 2010-09-09
SX735651 — Favourable 15.94 2010-09-09

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Cave / Cavern · Geological Period: Quaternary · Rock Type: Limestone

Landscape processes: Karst

Description

Potters Wood SSSI Description The caves are of national importance geologically and provide an important bat roosting site. This is one of three networks of cave passages in separate limestone outcrops around Buckfastleigh. Detailed study has shown that the three networks developed over the same time-span during the late Pleistocene period of geological history, about 150,000 years ago. Furthermore, stages in the development of the cave can be related to stages in the development of the valley of the River Dart. Accumulations of debris washed into the caves during their formation contain important fossil remains which give an indication of the age of the caves. The caves also contain important and spectacular mineral deposits. The wide range of important features found within these caves makes this a most valuable site for the study of late Pleistocene cave formation. Greater Horseshoe, and perhaps other species of bat roost in the caves. Trees around the entrance provide shelter and are used as staging posts by bats entering and leaving the caves. Site Notified to Secretary of State on 22 May 1986

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea