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Survey Details for BRCKNLH399 - 2026-06-04

BRCKNLH399

Landscape Habitats

Fforest Fach

Brecknockshire

2003-10-02

  • Level 1: Dry (Relatively) Terrestrial Habitats
  • Level 2: Grassland & Marsh
  • Level 3: Mosaic

Monitoring

Q1 - Date of monitoring?

  • 2016-03-10

Q1a - Monitoring undertaken by

  • Stages 1, 2 and 3 change detection, field verification and amendment completed by Environment Systems in conjunction with the local planning authority. Quality Assurance completed by TACP

Q1b - Has this record been updated following monitoring work?

  • This record has been updated following monitoring work as more up to date information is available

Q1c - Change indicated by

  • Phase 1 Habitat Survey & Seasonal Change Maps

Q1d - What has changed?

  • Classification
  • Description

Q1e - Has the information ever been verified in the field?

  • No

Q2 - Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area?

  • No Answer

Q3 - What is the total land area within the boundary (in hectares)?

  • 396

Description

Q4 - What are the dominant soil types? (specify up to 3 types)

  • Podzolic
  • Surface-water gley soils

Q5 - What Phase 1 habitat types are present? Only select the five most dominant types and, for each of these, specify below what percentage of the Aspect Area is made up of these.

  • Unimproved Acid Grassland
  • Improved Grassland
  • Marshy Grassland
  • Bracken
  • Wet Heath/Acid Grassland Mosaic

Q6 - Does the area contain habitats of international importance?

  • No Answer

Q7 - If yes, which habitats of international importance?

  • No Answer

Q8 - Does the area contain BAP habitats?

  • Yes

Q9 - If yes, which BAP habitats?

  • Upland Heathland

Q10 - Does the area contain protected sites?

  • No

Q11 - If yes, which ones?

  • No Answer

Q12 - Approximately what proportion of the Aspect Area is within the protected site?

  • 0%
    • 0%

Q13 - Does the area support important species?

  • Yes

Q14 - If yes, which species? (for each of the species, also note the source of information)

  • Pearl-bordered Fritillary Butterfly (CCW)

Q15 - Are there any significant threat species present in abundance? (Field visit required)

  • Not known

Q16 - What other features significantly influence the biodiversity in this area?

  • Ponds
  • Other
    • Flushes

Q17 - Are any of these features in a very good condition? (Field visit required)

  • No Answer

Q18 - Are any of these features in a poor condition? (Field visit required)

  • No Answer

Q19 - What are the main land management activities taking place in the area? (Field visit required)

  • Stock grazing

Q20 - Do any of the above appear to have an appreciable positive impact on biodiversity? (Field visit required)

  • No Answer

Q21 - Do any of the above appear to have an appreciable negative impact on biodiversity? (Field visit required)

  • No Answer

Q22 - Is the biodiversity in the area in any way threatened?

  • No Answer

Q23 - Are there clear opportunities to improve the biodiversity aspect of this area?

  • No Answer

Q24 - Summarise the key features that define this area's biodiversity character

  • Outlying hill between the Crai, Senni and Usk valleys. On the poorly draining soils of the hill top wet heath is a dominant component of the vegetation often in mosaic with acid grassland. On steep slopes at the periphery Bracken forms dense stands particularly on the north facing edge. Toward the east semi-improved acid grassland is present and small wooded areas are present. Other biodiversity features include flushes and small pools.

Condition

Q25 - Value

  • High
    • Habitat including heath and flush vegetation of high value to wildlife.

Q26 - Condition

  • Unassessed

Q27 - Trend

  • Constant

Recommendations

Q28 - Existing management

  • No Answer

Q29 - Existing management remarks:

  • No Answer

Q30 - Principal management recommendations

  • Please refer to the Local Biodiversity Action Plan for the Brecon Beacons National Park which details key actions to safeguard specific ecological receptors including habitats and species.

Q31 - Guideline

  • No Answer

Aspect Area Boundary

Q32 - To what level was this information site-surveyed?

  • None

Q33 - At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise?

  • Most

Q34 - What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary mapping?

  • OS Landline

Q35 - If OS Data was used, what was the scale?

  • 1:10,000

Q36 - What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries?

  • CCW Phase 1 habitat survey

Evaluation

Q37 - Evaluation Criteria: Priority Habitats

  • High
    • Heathland habitat present.

Q38 - Evaluation Criteria: Significance

  • High

Q39 - Evaluation Criteria: Opportunity

  • Unassessed

Q40 - Evaluation Criteria: Expansion rates

  • Unassessed

Q41 - Evaluation Criteria: Sensitivity

  • Unassessed

Q42 - Evaluation Criteria: Connectivity/Cohesion

  • Unassessed

Q43 - Evaluation Criteria: Habitat Evaluation

  • High

Q44 - Evaluation Criteria: Importance for key species

  • Unassessed

Q45 - Evaluation Criteria: Overall Evaluation Habitat and Species

  • High
    • Concentration of semi-natural habitat including heathland.

Q45a - Justification of overall evaluation

  • The area is located on an Outlying hill between the Crai, Senni and Usk valleys. The landscape habitat is characterised by a grassland mosaic. On the poorly draining soils of the hill top wet heath is a dominant component of the vegetation often in mosaic with acid grassland. On steep slopes at the periphery Bracken forms dense stands particularly on the north facing edge. Toward the east semi-improved acid grassland is present and small wooded areas are present. Other biodiversity features include flushes and small pools. The area supports Upland heathland BAP features. The area is classified as being of High value for overall habitat and species evaluation.

Bibliography

Q46 - Sources and additional assessments

  • BBNP (2002). Our Natural World - A Local Biodiversity Action Plan for the Brecon Beacons National Park. Volumes 1, 2 & 3. CCW Phase 1 Habitat Survey Data (Electronic Data Source). CCW Designated Sites (Electronic Data Source). Deacon, J. (1997) Identification of Limestone Pavements in Wales and their Flora. CCW Contract Science Report 159. Countryside Council for Wales, Bangor. JNCC (2003). Protected Sites - www.jncc.gov.uk Powys Biodiversity Partnership (2002). Our Partnership with Nature: A Local Biodiversity Action Plan for Powys. Yeo, M.J.M. et al. (in prep.). A vegetation Survey and Conservation Assessment of Lowland Grasslands in Brecknock. Countryside Council for Wales, Bangor. Consultation with Phil Morgan (County Mammal Recorder), Graham Motley (CCW Abergavenny), Harriet Shackle (former Biodiversity Officer, Powys CC), Adam Rowe (Biodiversity Information Service, Brecon)

Assessment

Q47 - Additional Assessments

  • Empty value

Q48 - Additional Comments

  • It is recommended that the Biodiversity Information Service for Powys and the Brecon Beacons National Park is consulted if more detailed information is required.