This is a list of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Merseyside, which is part of North West England. Merseyside has a population of 1,353,600 making it one of the most densely populated areas of the United Kingdom. Geographically, Merseyside is split by the River Mersey which has a surrounding network of canals, rivers and valleys some of which have been created by human activity. Other habitats have been adversely affected by humans including many peat mosslands. , There are 14 sites designated within this Area of Search, of which 10 have been designated due to their biological interest, 1 due to its geological interest, and 3 for both biological and geological interest.
In England the body responsible for designating SSSIs is Natural England, which chooses a site because of its fauna, flora, geological or physiographical features. Natural England took over the role of designating and managing SSSIs from English Nature in October 2006 when it was formed from the amalgamation of English Nature, parts of the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service. Natural England, like its predecessor, uses the 1974–1996 county system and as such the same approach is followed here, rather than, for example, splitting these sites between the Lancashire and Cheshire lists. The data in the table is taken from English Nature's website in the form of citation sheets for each SSSI.English Nature citation sheets for each SSSI. Retrieved on 2006-10-27. (PDF files).
For other counties, see List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest by Area of Search.
Sites Site name Reason for designation Area Grid reference Year in which notified Map Biological interest Geological interest Hectares Acres Dee Estuary14.435.61979 Dibbinsdale53.2131.51979 Hesketh Golf Links14.636.11989 Heswall Dales29.673.11979 Meols Meadows7.117.51988 Mersey Narrows117.8291.12000 New Ferry73.9182.62000 North Wirral Foreshore2109.95213.61979 Red Rocks11.428.11979 Ribble Estuary9226.322798.21966 Sefton Coast4605.311380.02000 Stanley Bank Meadow14.936.81986 The Dungeon1.22.81977 Thurstaston Common70.8174.91954
Notes Data rounded to one decimal place. Grid reference is based on the British national grid reference system, also known as OSGB36, and is the system used by the Ordnance Survey. Link to maps using the Nature on the Map service provided by English Nature. Ribble Estuary was originally two SSSIs: Southport Sanctuary (designated 1966) and Ribble Estuary (1976). The site also extends into the county of Lancashire and so can be found on the list of SSSIs in Lancashire.
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