| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
.JPG) Acaster South Ings, north gateway | |
| Location | North Yorkshire |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | SE594437 |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 38.3 ha (95 acres) |
| Notification | 1988 |
| Location map | Magic Map (Defra) |
Acaster South Ings is aSite of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI, nearYork, England. It consists of twoalluvialflood-meadows, and was designated in 1988 because it supports diverse fauna and flora, some of which is rare in theVale of York area. One of the rarities is thetansy beetle, which feeds on the leaves of thetansy plant.
Acaster South Ings is a 38.3 hectares (95 acres) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI),[1] consisting of "two large alluvial flood-meadows."[2] The meadows are adjacent to theRiver Ouse and approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) south ofYork. Such wet grasslands are considered rare in the United Kingdom due to contemporary "drainage and agricultural improvement."[1][3] The site is accessed on foot via a public footpath along the Ouse riverbank, fromAcaster Malbis via Acaster Marine.[4]
The SSSI was firstnotified in 1988, and is classified under a wildlife enhancement scheme, due to the presence ofgrasslands containing rare plant and insect life.[5] It is one of nine wildlife SSSIs in the Greater York area, the other designated sites beingStrensall Common,Heslington Tilmire,Askham Bog,Fulford Ings,Naburn Marsh,Church Ings,Derwent Ings andRiver Derwent.[6] It is one of four riversidehay meadow SSSIs listed by theYorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, alongsideClifton Ings and Rawlcliffe Meadows, Fulford Ings and Naburn Marsh.[7]
There are grasses such asgreat burnet,cock's-foot,creeping bent,meadow foxtail,Yorkshire fog andcrested dog's tail.[1]
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Flowering plants covering the flood meadow includemeadow vetchling,ox eye daisy,common sorrel,red clover,creeping thistle,meadowsweet,ribwort plantain andmeadow buttercup. There are "distinct stands throughout the grassland" ofcommon bistort, and some areas which containcommon meadow rue, andpepper saxifrage.[1]
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The site is protected, by earthdykes, from potential flooding from the adjacent River Ouse. These dykes provide plant habitat which is drier than the flood meadows. Some plants which prefer this drier habitat aremeadow cranesbill,field mouse ear andclustered bellflower. Along the riverside are trees and shrubs such asosier andhawthorn, and plants taller than those in the meadows, includingtansy,butterbur,common mugwort,reed canary grass andgreat willowherb.[1]
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There are two beetles which are protected here. The raretansy beetle[8] feeds on the leaves of the tansy plant, andAphthona nigriceps (aflea beetle) lives on meadow cranesbill.[1][nb 1] Other insects here are scarab beetleHoplia philanthus,red soldier beetle,pollen beetle and plant bugLeptoterna flavilabris. Thecurlew, a wading bird, breeds here. This is "one of few suitable breeding areas for waders" in theVale of York, so dog walkers are advised to keep dogs on leads during the spring breeding season.[1][nb 2]
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"Active management" is required, to conserve the above flora and fauna.[9] Farming practices for the protection of the above species are: "continuation of traditional management forhaycropping followed by aftermath grazing in late summer to early autumn."[1] To prevent tall growth and to avoid build-up of decayed vegetation, the fields are cut or mowed in early July after the curlews have bred and the protected plants haveset seed. Grazing animals are removed in autumn. There is "regular and careful maintenance of surface drainage including ditches and drains."[9] The condition of the site is described byNatural England as "unfavourable - recovering."[10] The unfavourable condition was specified as "unfavourabledevelopment" inHansard in 2004.[11]
In 2018 the company Renewables First assessed the area for potential effects of the proposedNaburnWeirHydroelectric Project. The assessment document concluded that the development was "not expected to have an adverse impact on the nearby SSSIs."[12]
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