site of special scientific interest
noun /ˌsaɪt əv ˌspeʃl saɪənˌtɪfɪk ˈɪntrəst/, /ˌsaɪt əv ˌspeʃl saɪənˌtɪfɪk ˈɪntrest/
/ˌsaɪt əv ˌspeʃl saɪənˌtɪfɪk ˈɪntrəst/, /ˌsaɪt əv ˌspeʃl saɪənˌtɪfɪk ˈɪntrest/
(abbreviation SSSI)
- any of the places or areas of Britain in which the wild animals or plants are considered rare or of scientific importance. There are thousands of SSSIs in Britain, and they are protected by the government against damage caused by farming or building.