Site Code
Country: United Kingdom
Central coordinates: 52.36046306o [52o 21' 37" North], -3.75947429o [3o 45' 34" West]
Administrative region: Wales (Breconshire, Caernarvonshire, Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire)
Area: 306 ha
Altitude: 60 - 580
Site Description
Twelve long-abandoned heavy metal mine sites and an area of heavy metal rich river shingle beside the Afon Ysywyth comprise this site. Together they support some of the most important areas for metal tolerant or metal-demanding mosses, lichens and higher plants. Natural outcrops of heavy metals have been so heavily exploited only secondary anthropogenic sites remain.
Botanical Significance
Noted for lichen and habitat interest. Hotspots for threatened lichens of old metalliferous mine workings. Calaminarian grasslands of the Violetalia calaminariae.
Management guidance notes
Component sites: Coed Rheidol Mine, Cwm Brwyno, Cwmsymlog, Cwmystwyth, Dyffryn Castell, Eaglebrook, Esgair Hir and Esgar Ffraith, Grogwynion, Grogwynion/Ystwyth River Shingles. Noted for lichen and habitat interest.
Notes
None