Rook Clift

{{Short description|Site of Special Scientific Interest in West Sussex}}

{{Infobox SSSI

|image= Rook Clift (6).jpg

|image_caption =

|name= Rook Clift

|aos= West Sussex

|interest=Biological

|gridref={{gbmappingsmall|SU 819 182}}

|area= {{convert|10.7|ha|acre|abbr=off}}

|notifydate= 1997

|map=[https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%272000122%27 Magic Map]

}}

Rook Clift is a {{convert| 10.7 |ha|acre|abbr=off|adj=on}} biological Site of Special Scientific Interest east of South Harting in West Sussex.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S2000122&SiteName=&countyCode=46&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |title=Designated Sites View: Rook Clift | series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|accessdate = 14 May 2019}}{{cite web|url= https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%272000122%27|title=Map of Rook Clift|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|accessdate= 14 May 2019}} It is also a Special Area of Conservation.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteGeneralDetail.aspx?SiteCode=UK0030058&SiteName=&countyCode=46&responsiblePerson=&unitId=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |title=Designated Sites View: Rook Clift | series= Special Areas of Conservation|publisher=Natural England|accessdate = 30 April 2019}}

A stream rises in this steep sided valley, which has semi-natural ancient woodland on its slopes. The canopy is dominated by a nationally scarce tree, large leaved lime, with other trees including beech and ash. The rich mollusc fauna includes Helicodonta obvoluta, which is a Red Data Book species.{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/PDFsForWeb/Citation/2000122.pdf |title=Rook Clift citation|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|accessdate= 14 May 2019}}