Saproxylic Invertebrate Survey of Wye Valley Woodlands Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in 2017

This dataset was collected to add to our current knowledge of the saproxylic invertebrate fauna found across the Wye Valley Woodlands Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Despite the designation remarkably little is known about the saproxylic invertebrate fauna of the SAC. It is known to support significant populations of a number of nationally rare and threatened species, but until now only limited investigation of the fauna had been carried out. The two outstanding species known from the SAC are the lime bark beetle Ernoporus tiliae and Cosnard's net-winged beetle Erotides cosnardi, both Species of Principal Importance in England but not included on Section 7 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016. These works will be the first phase of an intended larger body of work planned for the coming years aimed at producing a comprehensive inventory of invertebrate interest across the Wye Valley Woodlands. This inventory in the longer term will aid the process of drawing up management guidelines as a basis for the sustainable management of the woodlands within the Wye Valley Woodlands SAC and potentially the wider landscape. These preliminary surveys have demonstrated the great potential interest of the Wye Valley Woodlands SAC for saproxylic invertebrates and provide ample justification for continued survey, as resources permit. They suggest that it is the extent of the woodland in the SAC that is a key factor, although individual areas may have more localised special interest for particular rare and threatened species. The importance of veteran trees is emphasised as well as the value of individual open-grown trees. These are significant as they suggest a modified approach to saproxylic conservation within the SAC.

Identifier: NRW_DS121295

Alternative Title

Arolwg Infertebrat Saproxylic o Ardal Cadwraeth Arbennig (ACA) Coetiroedd Dyffryn Gwy yn 2017

Metadata Language: English

Lineage: Surveys were by visual searches of key saproxyic habitats as well as sweeping by net and targeted beating. The ultimate objective is to compile a provisional inventory of woodland saproxylic invertebrate fauna across the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that make up the Welsh side of the Wye Valley Woodland SAC. Where possible recording effort was focussed on the identification of any saproxylic species of national or local conservation importance. Three of the SSSI's – Fiddlers Elbow; Pierce, Alcove and Piercefield Woods; and Blackcliff/Wyndcliff - were explored during autumn 2017 and notes made on the saproxylic fauna. Using hand-searching techniques, a total of 39 saproxylic species of invertebrate were found, as well as species associated with other habitats; seven of the species found have Nationally Scarce status. Some of these are best known in Wales from Monmouthshire: Diplocoelus fagi, Ernoporicus caucasicus and Platystomos albinus. Although the species lists are currently too small for analysis using the Saproxylic Quality Index (SQI), trial analysis suggests that the SQI values for the two larger sites - Pierce, Alcove and Piercefield Woods; and Blackcliff/Wyndcliff – are comparable with some of the best sites in the UK for representation of rarer saproxylic species.

Dataset Reference Date (Publication): 2018-01-01

Temporal Extent

Begin date: 2017-09-26

End date: 2017-11-16

Topic category

Biota

Owner

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en

Originator

Alexander

59 , Sweetbrier Lane, Exeter, EX1 3AQ, United Kingdom

Extent

Geographic Extent: Wales (WLS)

Format Type and Description

Documents ()

Specification

Database: Records held in WID. Documents: pdf of the report in the DMS report archive.

Data quality

Quality Scope: Dataset

Conformity: Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
Explanation
Degree: false

Lineage: Surveys were by visual searches of key saproxyic habitats as well as sweeping by net and targeted beating. The ultimate objective is to compile a provisional inventory of woodland saproxylic invertebrate fauna across the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that make up the Welsh side of the Wye Valley Woodland SAC. Where possible recording effort was focussed on the identification of any saproxylic species of national or local conservation importance. Three of the SSSI's – Fiddlers Elbow; Pierce, Alcove and Piercefield Woods; and Blackcliff/Wyndcliff - were explored during autumn 2017 and notes made on the saproxylic fauna. Using hand-searching techniques, a total of 39 saproxylic species of invertebrate were found, as well as species associated with other habitats; seven of the species found have Nationally Scarce status. Some of these are best known in Wales from Monmouthshire: Diplocoelus fagi, Ernoporicus caucasicus and Platystomos albinus. Although the species lists are currently too small for analysis using the Saproxylic Quality Index (SQI), trial analysis suggests that the SQI values for the two larger sites - Pierce, Alcove and Piercefield Woods; and Blackcliff/Wyndcliff – are comparable with some of the best sites in the UK for representation of rarer saproxylic species.

Keywords

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2008-06-01

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme

Keywords

NRW Thesaurus

biological monitoring
biological surveys
ecological monitoring
saproxylic invertebrates

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2023-12-31

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords

Code: British National Grid (EPSG::27700)

Content Information

NRW Profile

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NRW Related Title: Saproxylic Invertebrate Survey of Wye Valley Woodlands Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in 2017

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Other constraints: There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.

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Use constraints type: Other restrictions

Other constraints: © CNC/NRW Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and NRW's copyright. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose.

Attribution Statement

Other constraints: Open Government Licence (OGL)

Licence

Other constraints: Open Government Licence (OGL)

Metadata

File Identifier: 4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313231323935 XML

Metadata Language: English

Parent Identifier: Welsh Invertebrate Database (WID)
NRW_DS23774

Resource type: Dataset

Metadata Date: 2024-05-31T09:43:48.557Z

Metadata Standard Name: NRW

Metadata Standard Version: 1.0

pointOfContact

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en

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Saproxylic Invertebrate Survey of Wye Valley Woodlands Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in 2017

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Data quality

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Keywords

Citation

Keywords

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Content Information

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Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Access Constraints Directive

Access Constraints Text

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