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Survey Details for CRMRTLH002 - 2026-06-07

CRMRTLH002

Landscape Habitats

N/A

Carmarthenshire

2005-08-22

  • Level 1: Dry (Relatively) Terrestrial Habitats
  • Level 2: Woodland & Scrub
  • Level 3: Coniferous Woodland

Monitoring

Q1 - Date of monitoring?

  • 2016-01-15

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 remains unchanged following monitoring work

Q1c - Change indicated by

  • No Answer

Q1d - What has changed?

  • No Answer

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

  • Yes
    • Boundary justified using Phase 1 Habitat Survey Data / aerial photographs and broadly verified by a field visit (06 July 2005).

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

  • Yes
    • Fringes the Usk Reservoir (CMLH1) and provides complimentary habitat, particularly cover for mammals and birds.

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

  • 294 (ha)

Description

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

  • Podzolic
  • Ground-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.

  • Planted Coniferous Woodland
    • 96%
  • Unimproved Acid Grassland
    • 1%
  • Semi-improved Acid Grassland
    • 1%
  • Bracken
    • 1%

Q6 - Does the area contain habitats of international importance?

  • No

Q7 - If yes, which habitats of international importance?

  • No Answer

Q8 - Does the area contain BAP habitats?

  • Yes

Q9 - If yes, which BAP habitats?

  • Purple Moor Grass & Rush Pastures

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)

  • Habitat surrounding the reservoir is used by a variety of protected and notable species (including Nightjar, overwintering Osprey, Red Kite, insects such as the Marsh Fritillary, mammals including bats, Red Deer, Otters, Water Vole, Brown Hare and Polecat as well as reptiles such as Slow Worm, Grass Snake and Adder). Sources: Forestry Commission & 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?

  • Other
    • Mosaic of differing forestry phases including clearcut areas interspersed by broadleaf cover and semi-natural grassland communities.

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

  • Some
    • Although Glasfynydd Forest is predominantly conifer plantation, the mosaic of tree cover and clearcut areas with fragments of semi-natural habitat are of biodiversity value.

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)

  • Tree felling

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

  • Some
    • The plantations provide cover for nesting birds and mammals.

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?

  • Not known

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

  • Stands of plantation conifer at various stages of production bordering the Usk Reservoir. A variety of semi-natural habitats are interspersed between or within stands and include broadleaf woodland, scrub, marshy grassland, acid grassland and heath.

Condition

Q25 - Value

  • Moderate

Q26 - Condition

  • Unassessed

Q27 - Trend

  • Constant

Recommendations

Q28 - Existing management

  • Generally Appropriate

Q29 - Existing management remarks:

  • Management appears appropriate given the nature of the aspect area as an active conifer plantation.

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. Identify key areas for protected species such as Marsh Fritillary butterfly and attempt to maintain / manage habitat availability.

Q31 - Guideline

  • No Answer

Aspect Area Boundary

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

  • Level 3

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

  • All

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

  • Aerial photographs

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

  • No Answer

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

  • Aspect area boundaries are based upon extent of plantation forestry.

Evaluation

Q37 - Evaluation Criteria: Priority Habitats

  • Unassessed

Q38 - Evaluation Criteria: Significance

  • Unassessed

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

  • Moderate

Q44 - Evaluation Criteria: Importance for key species

  • Moderate

Q45 - Evaluation Criteria: Overall Evaluation Habitat and Species

  • Moderate
    • Habitat of local interest supporting specialised species such as Crossbill otherwise restricted within the wider countryside.

Q45a - Justification of overall evaluation

  • Conifer plantation containing a mix of semi-natural habitats and notable species.

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). Consultation with Phil Morgan (County Mammal Recorder) & Graham Motley (CCW Abergavenny)

Assessment

Q47 - Additional Assessments

  • Empty value

Q48 - Additional Comments

  • It is recommended that the Forestry Commission, Biodiversity Information Service, and the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority are consulted if more detailed information is required.