IUCN Management Category IV (Managed Nature Reserve)

Biogeographical Province 2.8.5 (British Islands)

Geographical Location 12km northeast of Brynmawr, within the Brecon Beacons National Park; 51°48'N, 3°08'W.

Date and History of Establishment 1962.

Area 22.2 ha.

Land Tenure Owned by the Nature Conservancy Council.

Altitude 240m.

Physical Features The reserve consists of two blocks of woodland, both on the south side of the Afon Clydach ravine. The underlying millstone grit and Carboniferous limestone provide both acidic and base-rich conditions.

Climate No information

Vegetation A fine stand of mature self-regenerating beech in the Clydach Gorge. This is believed to be the only remaining large stand of mature beech wood in South Wales. The underlying millstone grit and Carboniferous limestone give rise to both acidic and base-rich conditions. The shrub layer and ground flora include some rare species of national importance, e.g. mountain sedge Carex montana and the whitebeam Sorbus porrigentiformis and a number of species that are of limited distribution in the county, e.g. yellow bird's nest Monotropa hypopitys, bird's-nest orchid Neottia nidus-avis and large wild thyme Thymus pulegioides.

Fauna None.

Cultural Heritage No information

Local Human Population No information

Visitors and Visitor Facilities No information

Scientific Research and Facilities Monitoring programme on regeneration.

None, but scientific work relevant to management requirements is encouraged.

Conservation Value No information

Conservation Management National Nature Reserve.

None.

Management Constraints Grazing by sheep. Minor vandalism.

Staff None - voluntary warden employed to keep watching brief on the NNR.

Budget All expenses met by the Nature Conservancy Council.

Local Addresses

Regional Officer, South Wales Regional Office, 44 The Parade, Roath, Cardiff CF2 3AB.

References

Information available from Nature Conservancy Council internal files.

Date No information