| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
_Lathyrus_pratensis_-_Inflorescence.jpg) Example – meadow vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis) | |
  Location within Gloucestershire | |
| Location | Gloucestershire |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | SO850130 |
| Coordinates | 51°48′57″N2°13′06″W / 51.815876°N 2.218278°W /51.815876; -2.218278 |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 12.8hectare |
| Notification | 1996 |
| Natural England website | |
Range Farm Fields (grid referenceSO850130) is a 12.8-hectare (32-acre)biological Site of Special Scientific Interest inGloucestershire, near toGloucester City,notified in 1996.[1][2]
The site lies in theCotswoldArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is in the Cotswold HillsEnvironmentally Sensitive Area (ESA). The geology is from theJurassic time period which means it includes Lias Clay, silt,limestone and old landslip. The fields face north-west and are on a slope. There are four separate pastures with hedgerows. There is a relatively small area of bracken and woodland and it includes flushes and scrub areas.[1]
The site is a largeflower-rich unimproved grassland area. Use and management has reduced the amount of this type of habitat nationally. The site is exceptional because of its size and the variations in the neutral grassland (acid to calcareous). Three grassland types are thus present – acidic, neutral and calcareous.[1]
The unimproved grassland includescrested dog's-tail andcommon knapweed. There isheath-grass,meadow vetchling,lady's bedstraw. A large number of Cotswold sites was surveyed and Range Farm Fields was found to be the most diverse and to contain the three grassland types.[1]
Herbs includeoxeye daisy,devil's-bit scabious,yellow rattle anddyer's greenweed. One particular field has a large amount ofgreat burnet. The latter is more common in flood meadows.Corky-fruited water-dropwort is also recorded.[1]
Springs present encourage the species which flourish in such areas and these includesharp-flowered rush,marsh marigold,ragged robin,common spotted orchid andbird's-foot trefoil.[1]
The site has significant wildlife value because of its many features such as mixed hedgerows, scrub and woodland as well as the grassland. Hedgerows are mainlyhawthorn,bramble andfield rose. The woodland is mainlyash andoak with ahazel understorey.[1]