Skip to content
0

Coastal

The group is no longer active and information on this page is not current and is for reference purposes only.

This is the information page for the WBP Coastal Ecosystem Group. The Coastal Ecosystem Group activities relate to the following Section 7 priority habitats in Wales: Coastal Saltmarsh; Coastal Vegetated Shingle; Coastal Sand Dunes; Maritime Cliff and Slopes

Welsh coastal habitats are a priority for nature conservation supporting a variety of specialised species. They are fragile, dynamic environments and under pressure from land use changes. Sand dunes, vegetated shingle, maritime slope and saltmarsh are the priority coastal habitats in Wales, each supporting common and specialist species including the nationally scarce fen orchid (Liparis loeselii).

500

Coastal Priority Habitats in Wales

The WBP Coastal Group has identified priority areas for targeted conservation effort in Wales which are listed below. The area maps are also available in GIS format. Use the contact us link to request the files.

The Coastal Group draws its membership from a range of statutory, local authority and wildlife charities and is currently chaired by Angus Garbutt, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH). If you require a full membership list of the group, please contact the group chair.

Do you have a question relating to the work of this group? contact us

Fen orchid

Fen orchid- a Welsh botanical treasure

Fen orchids (Liparis loeselii) are one of the most threatened plants in north-west Europe. The sand dune systems at Kenfig National Nature Reserve near Bridgend are a UK stronghold for the species. The fen orchid has been lost from Whiteford Burrows on Gower and outside of Wales it only occurs on a few sites in East Anglia. A radical programme to support fen orchid at the Kenfig site involves scraping away dune vegetation to create dune slacks- a preferred habitat for the species. The on-going work supported by Welsh Government funds involves NRW, Plantlife, Bridgend Council and the Wales Biodiversity Partnership coastal ecosystem group and will help secure the future of this threatened species.

If you would like to submit a biodiversity-related or ecosystem approach evidence gap to this group please contact us

If your gap could be addressed through research activity/ a specific research project, please visit the Evidence Gaps Project page and click on the link 'Formulating Questions for Scientific Research'

↑ Back to top
← Return to WBP Legacy Work