Cadnant Dingle

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 53.2390, -4.1609

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Gwynedd County

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Rock Outcrop

Landscape processes: Volcanic / Igneous

Description

Description Cadnant Dingle, a woodland in a narrow valley near Llandegfan, has been selected as a representative example of the Brachypodium sylvaticum - Quercus/Fraxinus (slender false brome -oak/ash) group of broadleaved woodlands. For the most part the woodland is situated on the steeply sloping valley sides of the Dingle and the principle canopy-forming trees are ash Fraxinus excelsior, wych elm Ulmus glabra, sessile oak Quercus petraea and birch Betula, whilst hazel Corylus avellana with hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and elder Sambucus nigra are characteristic of the understorey. The soil conditions are variable and base-rich volcanic intrusions outcrop locally in the valley. The ground flora includes a range of woodland herbs and corns and is notably rich in bryophytes amongst which there are a number of locally uncommon species such as Lophocolea fragrans, Marchesinia mackaii and Fissidens celticus. It is also one of the few remaining localities in the area which is still frequented by red squirrel.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
wood false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum LC grass poaceae
fragrant crestwort Lophocolea fragrans LC liverwort jungermanniales
Mackay's pouncewort Marchesinia mackaii LC liverwort jungermanniales
Welsh pocket moss Fissidens celticus LC moss dicranales
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
elder Sambucus nigra LC shrub caprifoliaceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
ash Fraxinus excelsior LC tree oleaceae
sessile or durmast oak Quercus petraea LC tree fagaceae
wych elm Ulmus glabra LC tree ulmaceae