Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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Location | Hampshire |
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Grid reference | SU 640 065[1] |
Interest | Biological |
Area | 69.1 hectares (171 acres)[1] |
Notification | 1984[1] |
Location map | Magic 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]