Coetiroedd Cwm Elan/ Elan Valley Woodlands

General site character

• Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (23.3%)
  
• Dry grassland, Steppes (6%)
  
• Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (68.8%)
  
• Inland rocks, Screes, Sands, Permanent Snow and ice (1.9%)
  

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

• 91A0 Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles

  Elan Valley Woodlands is one of several sites representing old sessile oak wood in central Wales. The site is extensive, and comprises a series of woodland blocks with varying topography and underlying geology, and a wide range of structural types from dense closed canopy to open wood pasture with ancient trees, which support a rich invertebrate fauna. Sessile oak Quercus petraea predominates, with a typical upland acidic flora and rich lower plant assemblages including bryophytes such as Bazzania trilobata, Plagiochila spinulosa and Saccogyna viticulosa, and the lichens Arthonia vinosa, Catillera sphaeroides and Thelotrema lepadinum. The woods are also notable for their bird-life. They are all Special Protection Areas, and support breeding red kites Milvus milvus.

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

• 4030 European dry heaths
• 9180 Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines  * 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