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Special Areas of Conservation

Coetiroedd Cwm Elan/ Elan Valley Woodlands

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Wales
Unitary Authority East Wales
Centroid* SN923638
Latitude 52.26222222
Longitude -3.578888889
SAC EU Code UK0030145
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 438.74
* 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 Coetiroedd Cwm Elan/ Elan Valley Woodlands SAC

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%)

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

  • 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

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.