Current overview of National Nature
Reserves
NNRs in the landscape
Urban and rural NNRs
NNRs in the landscape
| Landscape
type |
Definition |
Area of
NNR (ha) |
Percentage
by area |
| Upland |
Land above upper limit of agricultural
enclosure |
13,105 |
52% |
| Lowland |
Land below upper limit of agricultural
enclosure |
8,346 |
33% |
| Intertidal |
Shoreline below mean high water mark |
3,897 |
15% |
| Total |
|
25,348 |
100% |
Around half of the NNR area is in the
uplands, however, a large proportion of this is derived from just
two massive sites: Yr Wyddfa at 1,672 ha and Y Berwyn at 7,920 ha.
The upland NNRs are dominated by heathland vegetation, blanket bogs
and acid grassland.
About one third of the NNR area is in the
lowlands. These sites tend to be smaller in area and have a
significant proportion of lowland wetland habitats, as well as
coastal landscapes such as sea cliffs and dunes.
15% of the NNR area is permanently or
temporarily underwater, being below the coastal mean high water
mark. This includes seashores, smaller estuaries and some sub-tidal
channels.
However, NNRs are not used
to protect important sub-tidal marine sites - this is the role
of Marine Nature Reserves
(MNRs).
Urban and rural NNRs
Many NNRs are in rural or remote areas,
however, this is not always the case. 11 (16%) NNRs can be reached
within only 1km of the edge of a town or city, and 35 (50%) within
5km.
NNRs within 1km of town or
city
| Carmel |
Dyfi |
| Coed Tremadog |
Fiddler’s Elbow |
| Coedmor |
Kenfig Pool & Dunes |
| Cors Caron |
Merthyr Mawr Warren |
| Crymlyn Bog & Pant Y
Sais
|
Morfa Harlech |
| Cwm Clydach |
|
More information on visiting
NNRs