Coed Nant Llolwyn

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.3733, -4.0761

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Also within

Dyfed County

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Silurian

Description

Description An important example within Ceredigion of a semi-natural mixed broadleaved woodland, situated in a dingle cut in the Upper Llandovery sandstones of the Silurian. The main tree species are ash Fraxinus excelsior, wych elm Ulmus glabra, sessile oak Quercus petraea, beech Fagus sylvatica, rowan Sorbus aucuparia and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, which occurs locally in one or two places. Hornbeam Carpinus betulus, small-leaved lime Tilia cordata and English elm Ulmus procera occur rarely as isolated trees. The shrub layer, which is localised, contains hazel Corylus avellana and occasionally elder Sambucus nigra and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna. The ground flora includes a good range of woodland herbs, and the occurrence of such species as dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, enchanter’s-nightshade Circaea lutetiana and false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum indicates that the soils are base-rich in parts of the wood. Several uncommon lichens have been recorded from the site. The small stream, Nant Llolwyn, which flows through the dingle, adds diversity to the woodland as a habitat for plants, insects and small birds.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
wood false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum LC grass poaceae
enchanter's nightshade Circaea lutetiana LC herb onagraceae
dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis LC herb euphorbiaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
elder Sambucus nigra LC shrub caprifoliaceae
sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus Not listed in GB list tree aceraceae
hornbeam Carpinus betulus LC tree betulaceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
beech Fagus sylvatica LC tree fabiaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
sessile or durmast oak Quercus petraea LC tree fagaceae
rowan Sorbus aucuparia LC tree rosaceae
lime small leaved Tilia cordata LC tree malvaceae
wych elm Ulmus glabra LC tree ulmaceae
English elm Ulmus procera LC tree ulmaceae

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea