Rackenford and Knowstone Moors is a nature reserve of the Devon Wildlife Trust, situated about north-west of Tiverton, in Devon, England. The habitat is culm grassland.
Description The reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest"Hare's Down, Knowstone & Rackenford Moors SSSI" Natural England. Retrieved 12 November 2021. and a Special Area of Conservation. Its area is ."Rackenford and Knowstone Moors" Devon Wildlife Trust. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
Culm grassland is found in poorly drained lowland areas of acidic soil where there is high rainfall. The vegetation includes abundant purple moor grass and sharp-flowered rush."Purple moor grass and rush pastures (culm grassland - Devon and Cornwall)" Buglife. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
Over the last century, over 90% of culm grassland has been lost. The remaining parts are mostly in fragmented areas in north Devon; the most extensive fragment is this reserve. The Trust endeavours to protect, re-establish and link together isolated sites of culm grassland. In the reserve there is light grazing by cattle and deer; the low-intensity land management, little changed from prehistoric times, allows a wide diversity of plant species.
Species In the wetter areas, besides purple moor grass and sharp-flowered rush, species include ragged-robin, meadowsweet and wild angelica; in waterlogged areas there is sphagnum moss and sundew. In dry areas there is saw-wort, thistles and heathers. The plants support many species of butterflies, such as small pearl-bordered fritillary, marbled white and dingy skipper; birds including curlew, snipe and reed bunting may be found.
Prehistoric site On Knowstone Inner Moor there is saucer barrow, of the early Bronze Age: it is a mound, diameter and height up to , surrounded by a ditch and outer bank.
See also Culm Measures Dunsdon National Nature Reserve
References
External links Rackenford and Knowstone Moors leaflet of Devon Wildlife Trust "Culm Grassland Natural Flood Management Project" Devon Wildlife Trust