| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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)  Location within Somerset | |
| Area of Search | Somerset |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | ST705460 |
| Coordinates | 51°12′45″N 2°25′25″W / 51.21244°N 2.42371°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 140.6 ha (347 acres) |
| Notification | 1963 |
| Natural England website | |
Asham Wood (grid reference ST705460) is a 140.6-hectare (347-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Downhead in the Mendip Hills, Somerset, notified in 1963.
Asham Wood is the largest and most diverse of the ancient semi-natural woods in the Mendips. It has been the subject of controversy and attempts to protect the environment from increased quarrying activity in the area.
The wood occupies 2 deep valleys and the intervening plateau. Most of the underlying rocks are calcareous Carboniferous Limestone and Shales, but Devonian Portishead Beds outcrop along the northern valley. There are a range of unusual flora and fauna.[1]
At Asham Wood near Frome coppicing and 50 dormouse boxes have been introduced in order to encourage nesting. The boxes are monitored and dormice numbers are recorded.[2]
References
- ^ "Asham Woods" (PDF). English Nature. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2006. Retrieved 2006-07-17.
- ^ "Somerset : Asham Wood and Batts Combe quarry - Protecting dormice". Hanson. Retrieved 17 July 2006.