Oxford University’s Wytham Estate (1°20’W 51°46’N; UK National Grid: SP 462,080) encompasses 775ha of ancient woodland, secondary woodland, conifer plantation, grassland, riverine habitat and mixed farmland. The woods comprise a 425ha Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), lying in a loop of the River Thames, with ancient areas of woodland forested since prehistoric times. The woods was bequeathed to the care of Oxford University in 1943, and a number of long term ecological studies in Wytham began as far back as the 1940s.
Over 3800 vertebrate and invertebrate animal species and 600 plant species have been recorded at this site. The underlying geology is limestone on greensand with Oxford clay. Wytham is also an Environmental Change Network site looking at climate change and how this interacts with plant and animal communities. As a microcosm of lowland English countryside, Wytham provides unrivalled opportunities for research and training.
