Coedwigoedd Penrhyn Creuddyn/ Creuddyn Peninsula Woods

General site character

• Dry grassland, Steppes (2%)
  
• Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (92%)
  
• Coniferous woodland (5%)
  
• Inland rocks, Screes, Sands, Permanent Snow and ice (1%)
  

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

• 9180 Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines  * Priority feature

  Creuddyn Peninsula Woods has developed on a series of craggy Carboniferous limestone hills, and is a large example of Tilio-Acerion forest near its western extreme at this latitude in the UK. The site is one of three selected to represent the geographic range and variation of this habitat across the Carboniferous limestone of north Wales. The canopy is primarily of ash Fraxinus excelsior and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, with a calcicolous understorey and ground flora. Characteristic species include dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, hart’s-tongue Phyllitis scolopendrium and spurge laurel Daphne laureola. Yew Taxus baccata dominates locally, and there are gradations to oak Quercus petraea woodland. In places there are mosaics with rich calcareous grassland containing many rare species.

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

• 6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites)
• 91J0 Taxus baccata woods of the British Isles  * Priority feature

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