Abergynolwyn Forest Resource Plan
Results updated 30 May 2024
Summary of Abergynolwyn Forest Plan Consultation (November 2022)
Overall there were:
4 Consultation hub responses
9 responses from local residents
4 responses from Stakeholders/Organisations
18 people visited the drop-in session on 1st November 2022
What people liked about the plan:
Wildlife and biodiversity
Broadleaf Woodland (x2)
Protection of Wildlife
Low Impact Silvicultural Systems for wildlife (x2)
Ancient Woodland Restoration
Tourism and jobs provision
Tourism, footpaths and access provision for variety of visitors
What people disliked about the plan:
Clear felling
Large scale clear felling
Mess after clear felling
Access restrictions due to clear felling
Dead trees in Nant Gwernol
No mention of heritage, UNESCO world heritage site
The final plans have changed dramatically since the draft proposals presented in 2022. The major changes include felling of larch due to Phytophthera infection and realignment of many of previously proposed coupes together with more Low Impact Silvicultural Systems in the young crops. The future forest types have also been changed to increase broadleaves along rivers and streams and the Ancient Woodland areas and more mixed woodland in the lower elevations. The plans now also take into account, the management around the UNESCO world heritage site which have been consulted upon with CADW.
In terms of practical day to day management NRW tries to limit restrictions where possible when forest operations occur and clearing up of clear fell sites is also a priority. Dead trees in streams such as Nant Gwernol are monitored and removed when necessary.
Other issues/concerns raised in the consultation:
Please be sympathetic to heritage; increase access to the world heritage site; and clear areas around heritage features.
The final update plan has now been consulted with CADW. With regards to concerns in relation to clearing of the paths and around buildings/structures, our annual maintenance programme is ongoing in this respect. Work has taken place this year successfully using small cob horses (Carnog Working Horses) to sensitively clear areas such as the trails, tramway and aqueduct while clearing around the buildings/structures is planned for later in the year.
Don’t loose paths after tree planting as they are important for walking and tourism; keep Public Rights of Way maintained.
With regards to concerns in relation to clearing of the paths, inspection of these is carried out regularly and work carried out to maintain them.
There is regular flooding in the Valley – Are there any river checks and improvements that can be made? Clear trees fallen in the river to prevent flooding.
With regards to the risk of flooding, NRW regularly monitor the risk of flooding on our managed sites and action where risk of flooding is recognised, however we can only do this for watercourses on NRW managed land.
There is a danger of falling trees along the B4405 – clear fell sooner.
In relation to the risk of falling trees/branches onto the B4405, extensive pruning works were carried out this year on the majority of the Coed y Fedw area next to the B4405 to the Local Authority's satisfaction, however we will continue to monitor this area.
Importance of best practice management for breeding birds with minimum disturbance during forestry operations
NRW follows best practice in line with UKFS guidelines to protect all scheduled birds and European Protected Species
Remove abandoned vehicles
NRW Estates team is currently working on the removal of the abandoned vehicles.
Please provide access for mine explorers
There is now a Wales wide access permission process in progress to allow access to mines across Wales
Fencing along the forest boundary is in disrepair
This issue has now been resolved under new contracts for repair and replacement
General Suggestions to improve the plan/ forest:
Better access and parking with linked routes for horse riding have been suggested
Create more local employment via Tourism
Create a cycle track for mountain bikers
Provide more rustic seating
Mention more about recreation
More communication with NRW
NRW endeavours to promote informal recreation and access to the forest for multiple users and improve facilities wherever possible. The suggestions have been noted and will be considered by the local team as and when funds and projects become available. The benches referred to in the consultation are not NRW property and were not sited on NRW managed land but on Coed Cadw land.
Create ‘Habitat Islands’ for bats and biodiversity
Link up Ancient Woodlands to streams and deeper into the woodland
Break up blocky nature of the forest in the landscape
Preference for LISS in Coed-y -Graig and Ancient Woodland sites
Generally more broadleaves and mixed woodland and Low Impact Silvicultural Systems
The updated versions of the maps (please see below) show more broadleaves and more mixed woodland areas than the original draft proposal. Low Impact Silvicultural Systems (LISS) have been proposed in these mixed woodland areas in the younger 2nd rotation crops. Much of the blocky nature of the forest will slowly disappear as the older crops are removed and the more broadleaves and mixtures appear in the forest over time. The first rotation crops are not appropriate for LISS management due to lack of previous thinning and potential risk of windblow. Unfortunately, the larch crops have received a Statutory Plant Health Notice for Phytopthera infection and require removal, which will lead to clear felling of the larch crops on the village facing side of the forest in the near future.
Final Version of Maps are below:
Overview
Natural Resources Wales is responsible for the sustainable management of the publicly owned woodlands and forests of Wales. They are managed for the benefit and well-being of the people who visit them and depend on them for their livelihood. This responsibility includes improving their biodiversity and long-term resilience to climate change so that future generations will also be able to enjoy the benefits they provide. Every ten years Natural Resources Wales reviews the long-term management plans for each forest area. These are compiled in a new Forest Resource Plan.
Abergynolwyn Forest Resource Plan (FRP) lies within the Tal-y-llyn and Dysynni valleys, located at the foot of Cadair Idris in southern end of Snowdonia National Park. These glacial valleys are characterised by dramatic mountainous views, with sparsely distributed settlements along the flat valley floor. The largest of these settlements is the village of Abergynolwyn, which sits at the northern edge of the main Abergynolwyn FRP forest block. The B4405 road runs in north-easterly direction along the base of the Tal-y-llyn valley, connecting the FRP to Tywyn on the west coast, and Dolgellau, the A487 and the A470 in the East.
This FRP includes the main Abergynolwyn forest block (596 ha), Cemetery block (9 ha) and Coed y Graig Block (35 ha), which together total 641 ha of land. Cemetery block and the north-eastern face of the main Abergynolwyn block line the southern face of the steep glacial valley and sit prominently above Abergynolwyn village. From here the main Abergonolwyn block follows the course of the Nant Gwernol and Nant Llaeron, lining the northern faces of Foel Fawr, Tarrenhendre and Foel y Geifr, which sit above the old Bryn-Eglwys slate quarry. The Coed y Graig block is located roughly 3 km north-west of the other blocks, on the northern face of the Dysynni Valley.
The FRP is located at the western end of the vast Dyfi Forest, and as is characteristic within the Dyfi, the Abergynolwyn FRP blocks are predominantly coniferous. Although the main Abergynolwyn block is directly connected to the wider Dyfi Forest, the eastern end of this management block is demarked by the Foel y Geifr ridgeline which sits in the mountain massif that lies between the villages of Abergonolwyn and Pantperthog. The Dyfi Biosphere also borders the southern end of the main Aberynolwyn block along this ridgeline. Other European protected sites within the vicinity of the FRP include the Cadair Idris SAC and Craig yr Aderyn SPA. The surrounding habitat of the FRP blocks consists of enclosed grazed farmland and open mountain, commercial conifer forest blocks, and smaller areas of mixed conifer/broadleaved woodlands on the lower slopes and riversides. Most of the FRP land is dedicated for open access on foot under the CRoW Act and also allows access for horse and cycles on a permissive basis.
97.9% of the Abergynolwyn FRP falls into the ‘Dysynni – upper and ‘Dysynni – lower’ river catchments, with the remainder within the ‘Fathew’, ‘Pennal’ and ‘Dulas North’ catchments. All of these catchments are classified as ‘Moderate’ or ‘Good’ under the Water FrameWork Directive assessment, although four of the five are also classified as failing acid sensitivity thresholds.
Map showing the locations of the Forest Blocks related to this FRP:
Opportunities & Priorities
- Removal of larch and diversify the forest species composition to increase resilience to pests and diseases whilst building a robust forest for future generations.
- Continue to maintain a sustainable supply of timber production through the design of felling and restock species choice.
- Increased successional /riparian woodland areas for the improvement of habitat resilience and landscape scale habitat linkages.
- Identify and protect important heritage features, including the historic natural environment.
- Continue to identify and restore ancient woodland site features and areas of conservation interest.
- Maintain and improve visitors experience by providing a safe and enjoyable diverse environment.
Summary of the main changes that will occur in the FRP:
- The restoration of ancient woodland sites (67ha) by the removal of conifer and the creation of native broadleaf habitat. The vision is that 12% of the forest area shall be restored to Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland by the end of the FRP period.
- An increase in broadleaf woodland habitat from 9% to 21% of the forest area.
- Reduce Sitka spruce cover from 54% to 42% by the end of the FRP period.
- Increase of Low Impact Silvicultural Systems (LISS) to 21% of the forest area.
- The removal of larch (42 ha or 6.5% of FRP area).
This document helps to explain some of the categories shown on the maps below:
Why your views matter
We would like to know your opinion and views on the new plans for Abergynolwyn forest so it can help us improve the long-term management of the forest.
What happens next
A summary of the consultation responses and outcomes will be available on this website 4 to 6 weeks after the closing date.
Areas
- Tywyn
Audiences
- Management
Interests
- Forest Management
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