Portsdown
Site of Special Scientific Interest
LocationHampshire
Grid referenceSU 640 065[1]
InterestBiological
Area69.1 hectares (171 acres)[1]
Notification1984[1]
Location mapMagic Map

Portsdown is a 69.1-hectare (171-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest on Portsdown Hill, on the northern outskirts of Portsmouth in Hampshire.[1][2]

This is a linear south-facing escarpment with a rich chalk grassland flora. The diverse insect fauna includes all the chalk downland butterflies and a population of the largest British bush cricket, Tettigonia viridissima. On the lower slopes, raised beaches indicate former sea levels.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Designated Sites View: Portsdown". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  2. ^ "Map of Portsdown". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Portsdown citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Portsdown.

50°51′14″N 1°05′31″W / 50.854°N 1.092°W / 50.854; -1.092

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