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Special Areas of Conservation

Cwm Cadlan

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Wales
Unitary Authority East Wales
Centroid* SN961098
Latitude 51.77722222
Longitude -3.505277778
SAC EU Code UK0013585
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 84.2
* This is the approximate central point of the SAC. In the case of large, linear or composite sites, this may not represent the location where a feature occurs within the SAC.
Location of Cwm Cadlan SAC

General site character

  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (15.5%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (5%)
  • Dry grassland, Steppes (2.3%)
  • Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (52.4%)
  • Improved grassland (16.6%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (7.6%)
  • Other land (including Towns, Villages, Roads, Waste places, Mines, Industrial sites) (0.6%)

Download the Standard Data Form for this site (PDF <100kb)

Note When undertaking an appropriate assessment of impacts at a site, all features of European importance (both primary and non-primary) need to be considered.

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • 6410 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden soils (Molinion caeruleae)

    Cwm Cadlan has the largest recorded example of Molinia meadows in Wales. The typical form of Molinia caerulea – Cirsium dissectum fen-meadow (M24b) is extensively developed, and there are clearly-displayed transitions to a range of associated habitats, including base-rich flush and neutral grassland. Globe-flower Trollius europaeus occurs in the Molinia meadows here towards the southern limit of its British distribution.

  • 7230 Alkaline fens

    Cwm Cadlan supports an outstanding suite of flushed short-sedge mire communities on glacial drift overlying Carboniferous limestone within the valley of the Nant Cadlan on the southern fringe of Brecon Beacons National Park. Communities referable to NVC type M10 Carex dioica – Pinguicula vulgaris mire occur widely, often in close association with flushed examples of purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea meadow (M24 Molinia caerulea – Cirsium dissectum fen-meadow), and characteristic species include common butterwort Pinguicula vulgaris, bog pimpernel Anagallis tenella, marsh arrowgrass Triglochin palustris and the moss Campylium stellatum. Other sedge-rich swards are also present which display floristic affinities to both M10 and M24; basophilous elements of this vegetation include tawny sedge Carex hostiana, flea sedge Carex pulicaris and quaking-grass Briza media.

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

  • Not Applicable

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.