The legal designation for an area of land in England, Scotland, or Wales that has been identified by Natural England, Scottish National Heritage, or Natural Resources Wales as being of special interest because of its flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features. Such sites are protected from development activities and funds are available for their conservation and management. There are over 9000 SSSIs in Britain; similar sites in Northern Ireland are designated Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.