Site Code
Country: United Kingdom
Central coordinates: 53.11874642o [53o 7' 7" North], -3.97112880o [3o 58' 16" West]
Administrative region: Wales
Area: 21500 ha
Altitude: 100 - 1085
Site Description
At 1085 meters, the summit of Eryri (Snowdon) is the highest mountain in England and Wales. To the north and west of this high-point, the other 13 summits over 3000 ft form a stunning upland landscape of plateau, cliffs, and screes, bisected by wooded river valleys and lakes. Heaths, alpine cliff and scree habitats predominate, and a unique suite of rare arctic alpine higher and lower plants are present as well as a range of threatened birds and invertebrates. The site has long been protected by its status as a National Park (a planning authority with its own biodiversity remit), and the more recent designations of SAC and SSSI further ensure that any management undertaken is beneficial to biodiversity.
Botanical Significance
Eryri (Snowdon) qualifies soundly as an IPA on all three criteria. For Criterion A there are large populations of Luronium natans (Floating Water-plantain) and the endemic Eyebrights Euphrasia cambrica and E. rivularis. The exceptionally rich flora (Criterion B) is shown by hot-spots of threatened vascular species for both inland rock and montane habitats, and also for montane lichen habitats. Finally, Eryri’s status as an outstanding example of a habitat type of global or European plant importance comes from its designation as a SAC for its calcareous rocky slopes, alpine and boreal grasslands, montane to snow level scree, tall herb fringe communities and its oligotrophic to mesotrophic lakes.
Management guidance notes
This IPA includes all upland areas of Snowdonia north and west of Betws-y-Coed. This diverse matrix of habitats includes alpine and subalpine heath, grassland, rocks and scree, some of which are base-rich. It also includes metalliferous mine deposits, upland oligotrophic lakes and streams. The IPA closely matches the Eryri SAC/SSSI, but includes lowland areas to the north-west where some important Luronium natans populations are found.
Notes
Much of the IPA interest on this site falls within SSSIs with their own management plans. However, some peripheral sites for Luronium natans currently fall outside protected areas. Some unprotected land is managed under agri-environment schemes. Overgrazing of upland areas remains a major threat to some species and habitats. A 100 year long framework for upland habitat restoration has been developed by CCW.