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A Guide to Ravine Woodlands in the Wye Valley The woods of the lower Wye Valley, on the border of South Wales and England are one of the most important areas for woodland conservation in the United Kingdom. Semi-natural woodland is abundant and virtually continuous along 18 miles of the Wye gorge within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Ash woodlands occur within an intimate mix of other native woodland types including beech, yew and oak dominated woodlands. Such a mosaic of woodland types in one area is very rare and is believed to be similar to original natural woods of the valley. This has maintained a ravine woodland ecosystem with rich and unusual wildlife habitats. Nationally important populations of species such as the greater and lesser horseshoe bats, white admiral butterfly, dormouse, Tintern spurge and narrow-leaved bittercress occur within the Wye gorge. Through the Ravine WoodLIFE Project 884 ha of the SAC at 14 sites were managed for conservation by English Nature, Countryside Council for Wales, Forestry Commission, Wye Valley AONB and Woodland Trust. This work included archaeological and ecological surveys, coppicing, thinning, the removal of non-native species, deer management and improving access for management work. The Wye Valley Woodlands project area comprises 14 sites along the length of the River Wye:
This map has been derived from the Ordnance Survey map by English Nature with the permission of OS on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Licence Number: GD272299 General information about the area: www.wyevalleyaonb.co.uk General information for visitors: www.wyevalleytourism.co.uk |
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