Site Code
Country: United Kingdom
Central coordinates: 52.93333333o [52o 55' 59" North], -4.00000000o [4o 0' 0" West]
Administrative region: Wales (Merioneth)
Area: 1828 ha
Altitude: 0 - 30
Site Description
The Meirionnydd Oakwoods are a very large example of old sessile oak woods in north Wales, with an outstanding Atlantic flora of bryophytes and lichens. The woods, primarily of sessile oak with an acidic ground flora, extend along a series of inter-connected valleys, with a wide variety of slopes and aspects, and include many narrow ravines and gorges. The woods also contain an extensive area of alder woodland, rich in dead wood. There is a plenteous ground flora, with notable plant species including globe-flower and touch-me-not balsam. These woods are scattered over an area of some 1700 hectares.
Botanical Significance
Noted for lichens and bryophytes of of the Broadleaved deciduous woodland: oceanic woodland habitat.
Oceanic woodland: Atlantic Hazelwoods
Oceanic woodlands are present in western and ‘upland’ regions of the British Isles from Devon and Cornwall in southern England, through Wales to Sutherland in north-west Scotland. There is much variation both at the national and local level.
Management guidance notes
Component sites: Ceunant Llennyrch, Bont Ddu, Coed Crafnant, Coed Ganllwyd; Coed y Rhygen, Dolmelynllyn Coed Ganllwydd, Nannau and Meirionnydd Oakwoods. Noted for lichen, bryophyte and habitat interest. Additional feature of interest: Pyrenula hibernica, Sticta canariensis.
Notes
None