THE SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES OF DELIVERING LANDSCAPE SCALE CONSERVATION ACROSS THE CELTIC RAINFORESTS OF WALES.�

Gethin Davies

Senior Project Manager

Eryri National Park Authority

Areas with medium to high mean annual rainfall (over 2,000mm per annum) and moderately mild climates with relatively small seasonal variations in climatic conditions.

​

Areas traditionally associated with Celtic culture – hence the name.

​

​

​

​

Amman index of hygrothermy - measure of a climate’s oceanicity which combines temperature and rainfall data.

​

>100 Oceanic

>150 Hyper-oceanic

​

Features of the temperate rainforest

Forest Research - BRITISH FOREST LANDSCAPES; THE LEGACY OF WOODLAND FRAGMENTATION�

Celtic Rainforests LIFE�(LIFE17 NAT/UK/000020)

• Building on the evidence base of NRW led LIFE Natura 2000 Programme for Wales (LIFE11 NAT/UK/385), the project will improve the conservation status of 3,001.2ha of target habitat 91A0 (68.78% of Welsh SAC resource) and 27.17ha of target habitat 9180 habitat (2.98% of Welsh SAC resource).

- Threat from Invasive Alien Species, namely Rhododendron ponticum

- Over / under grazing

- Inappropriate (including lack of) woodland management

- Air pollution / atmospheric nitrogen

​

​

Value: €9,512,759

Timeline: August 2018 – July 2027 (originally July 2025)

Partners: Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park Authority (Lead beneficiary), RSPB Cymru and Coed Cadw (Co-beneficiaries), Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales and Dŵr Cymru / Welsh Water (Co-financiers)

1. Target SACs, including risk-based buffers around them, are to be cleared of Rp. Other IAS are reduced, and mechanisms established to maintain this in the long term.

2. Active woodland management, grazing and restoration that will improve habitat condition, increase resilience and improve ecosystem functions, are implemented at sites across the five SACs, supported by local partnerships.

3. Best practice methods including the three-stage approach to Rp control, grazing tailored to the needs of individual woodland sites, and practical habitat restoration techniques that improve conditions are demonstrated to UK and EU stakeholders.

4. Cultural, wildlife and natural capital value is increased amongst locals, tourists, statutory agencies and governments, so communities cherish and value Celtic Rainforest, and engage with and support positive management for the benefit of future generations.

Case study: landscape scale control of Rhododendron ponticum (Rp)

• Meirionnydd Oakwoods and Bat Sites SAC and part of Eryri SAC

​

• Coed Cwm Einion SAC

​

• Coetiroedd Cwm Elan Valley Woodlands SAC

​

• Cwm Doethie – Mynydd Mallaen SAC

​

Focus of Rp management

pre-2018

​

​

​

​

​

Estimated

730 ha of infestation

(Snowdonia Rhododendron

Strategy

2008)

Upscaling to Landscape Scale

Achievements to date (September 2025)

Primary Challenges

1. Contractor availability
2. Identifying landowners
3. Complexity of managing high volume of contracts
4. Resources / Staffing
5. Lack of enforcement powers
6. Each contract is different

​

And the future…

• Preparing AfterLIFE Plan outlining long-term legacy to progress and investment made through the project.
• Establishing viable and sustainable partnerships (regional and national) to continue building on foundations laid through Celtic Rainforests LIFE and other initiatives both by delivering direct and co-ordinated action and advocating for future support.
• Development of multi-year project for submission to HLF Connect Landscapes programme (led by Coed Cadw – stage 1 submission due early 2026 subject to approved EoI).
• Access LIFE Programme once again??

​

​

Diolch