Coed Allt Craig Arth
Also within
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Silurian
Description
Description A semi-natural broadleaved woodland clothing both sides of the Afon Arth Valley, overlying Silurian grits and shales. The north side of the river is predominantly pure sessile oak Quercus petraea, coppiced in places, with an understorey of hazel Corylus avellana, occasional holly Ilex aquifolium and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, and a typical herb flora normally associated with acidic western oakwoods. The south side of the river is narrower and has generally more mixed woodland. Numerous wet flushes occur, containing ash Fraxinus excelsior and several basiphilous herbs -sanicle Sanicula europaea, woodruff Galium odoratum and dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis. Occasional stands of wych elm Ulmus glabra and small-leaved lime Tilia cordata occur along the river banks with alder Alnus glutinosa on the wetter flood plains. Of special interest are the scattered groups of wild service-tree Sorbus torminalis, known only in one other wood in Ceredigion, and indicative of ancient woodland with permanent tree cover.
Species mentioned
Show the 11 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| woodruff | Galium odoratum | LC | herb | rubiaceae |
| dog's mercury | Mercurialis perennis | LC | herb | euphorbiaceae |
| sanicle | Sanicula europaea | LC | herb | apiaceae |
| hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna | LC | shrub | rosaceae |
| alder | Alnus glutinosa | LC | tree | salicaceae |
| hazel | Corylus avellana | LC | tree | corylaceae |
| ash | Fraxinus excelsior | LC | tree | oleaceae |
| holly | Ilex aquifolium | LC | tree | aquifoliaceae |
| sessile or durmast oak | Quercus petraea | LC | tree | fagaceae |
| lime small leaved | Tilia cordata | LC | tree | malvaceae |
| wych elm | Ulmus glabra | 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
Show 20 indicator speciesSchoenoplectus 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
Show 15 indicator speciesIsolepis 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
Show 11 indicator speciesBerula 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
Show 12 indicator speciesFontinalis 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