Coed Aber Artro

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.8219, -4.0747

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

Description A biological site selected for its oceanic bryophyte interest. The Afon Nantcol flows into a reservoir above a sheer sided gorge strewn with rocks with such species as Harpalejeunea molleri, Grimmia hartmanii and Lophocolea fragrans growing upon the rocks and trees. Several species of fern occur including hart's tongue Asplenium scolopendrium, tunbridge filmy fern Hymenophyllum tunbrigense and wilsons filmy fern H. wilsonii. The gorge is dominated by sessile oak Quercus petraea with ash Fraxinus excelsior and odd wych elms Ulmus glabra. Beech Fagus sylvatica occurs in the gorge and is predominant above in the main wood. The ground flora consists of heather Calluna vulgaris, bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa. Bryophytes carpet the ground with bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripta, wood avens Geum urbanum and cow-wheat Melampyrum pratense. Remarks: Within the Snowdonia National Park.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
hart's-tongue fern Asplenium scolopendrium LC fern aspleniaceae
Tunrbidge filmy-fern Hymenophyllum tunbrigense VU fern hymenophyllaceae
wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
herb bennet Geum urbanum LC herb rosaceae
bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta LC herb liliaceae
common cowwheat Melampyrum pratense VU herb orobanchaceae
pointed pouncewort Harpalejeunea molleri LC liverwort jungermanniales
fragrant crestwort Lophocolea fragrans LC liverwort jungermanniales
billberry Vaccinium myrtillus LC shrub ericaceae
bell heather or ling Calluna vulgaris NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
beech Fagus sylvatica LC tree fabiaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
sessile or durmast oak Quercus petraea LC tree fagaceae
wych elm Ulmus glabra LC tree ulmaceae