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Species at Risk of Vanishing from Wales' Largest National Park
Developing
In Short: Experts have sounded the alarm over the ecological health of Nant Ffrancon, a valley in Eryri National Park in Wales.
A project led by the National Trust aims to restore and protect 4,040 acres of habitats in Nant Ffrancon.
This initiative involves working with local communities, tenant farmers, and volunteers.
Ecological surveys and regular monitoring will be conducted to assess the impact of the restoration work, using species such as the woodcock and otter, and plants including aspen and juniper, to gauge the valley's health.
Background
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Located on the island of Great Britain, it is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic Sea to the south-west.
What's still developing
- The National Trust said Nant Ffrancon, a valley in Eryri National Park, was facing "serious ecological decline" with some species in danger of disappearing altogether, including the mountain blackbird and the mountain finch.
- "We're in a very serious situation - we're in a nature emergency. There are so many species in this valley which are on the brink of extinction," said Simon Rogers from the National Trust.
- Rogers said there was a "unique variety of habitats" in the area and warned many species "really are on the brink".
- The ring ouzel bird has been in decline across the area "One of the ones we've chosen to look at particularly in this project is the ring ouzel - a bird that's red-listed," he explained.
- Cwm Idwal Partnership Officer Rhys Wheldon-Roberts said monitoring was "really important because it allows us to graze in the right areas at the right densities and at the right time".
- Nant Ffrancon is one of the most special and unique landscapes in Wales but experts say its habitats have deteriorated Some of Wales' most endangered species are "at risk of vanishing" from an area of the country's largest national park, experts have warned.
- But experts say its habitat has deteriorated and some of Wales' most threatened species, including the ring ouzel bird, are in danger of disappearing altogether.