Gower Ash Woods/ Coedydd Ynn Gŵyr

General site character

• Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (3.8%)
  
• Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (3%)
  
• Improved grassland (2.5%)
  
• Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (90.6%)
  
• Coniferous woodland (NaN%)
  
• Inland rocks, Screes, Sands, Permanent Snow and ice (NaN%)
  

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

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

  Gower Ash Woods comprises one of the most extensive areas of Tilio-Acerion forest in Wales and is near the western extreme of the habitat’s range in the UK. The woods are formed along a series of largely inter-linked valleys and ravines cut into Carboniferous limestone, and also on coastal slopes and cliffs with unique transitions through scrub to sand dunes, freshwater marsh and saltmarsh. The woods have a great diversity of trees and shrubs, including ash Fraxinus excelsior, sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, pedunculate oak Quercus robur, small-leaved lime Tilia cordata, field-maple Acer campestre, dogwood Cornus sanguinea and spindle Euonymus europaeus. The ground flora is rich, with dramatic vernal displays of ramsons Allium ursinum and bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta and characteristic species such as hart’s-tongue Phyllitis scolopendrium. Rare species include purple gromwell Lithospermum purpureocaeruleum and butcher’s-broom Ruscus aculeatus.

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

• 91E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)  * 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