Nature in ...our approach for local action 2020 – 2030 PART 1 Setting the Scene

May 2020

[email protected] | www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/biodiversity 1 VISION

Our vision Carmarthenshire... ‘where nature matters to everyone’

The Carmarthenshire Youth Council acts as a voice for “I am lucky to live in a very green young people in the county. We asked members of the Eco part of the world, and my hope for Action Team for their vision for Carmarthenshire’s natural the future of the nature in my county, environment. is for it to be preserved as much as possible. “I often find peace in nature. Most of my life I've lived in a place where the “I would like to highlight the acts and thrives with its problems with plastic pollution in the surroundings, from the woods that rivers and on the coastline where it is being digested by, and we used to play in when we were entangling wildlife. younger to watching the waves come to shore now. It's as if it was created, “I would also like to see less littering and fly‐tipping in my almost perfectly, yet there is area, where some people dump rubbish in the lanes.” evidence of the damage that humans have done. I have seen the love from members of the community trying to Sophie Banning restore the woods and the clean sandy beaches. Every time Year 11, Carmarthenshire I go to these places now, they're different from my Youth Council. memories. The woods that we once played in now cleared to build houses, the beaches littered with plastic, rope and electrical goods. This has happened in my lifetime, imagine what's happened in the last 50 years. From afar it may look like nothing has changed, but I know and I'm fighting to make a change. (And it's clear that others are too.)

“Now there are litter picks every month and community gardens popping up, people are switching to local produce and using what we have. Let's show everyone what we have to offer when we keep our environment, our surroundings and our planet clean.”

Arwen Skinner, Carmarthenshire Youth Council.

CONTENTS 2

Contents

INTRODUCTION ‐ WHO IS THIS PLAN FOR? 3

PART 1 CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 5 Background 5 1.1 What is biodiversity? 5 1.2 Carmarthenshire's biodiversity ‐ a local overview 5 1.3 Why our biodiversity matters 10 The State of Nature 12 1.4 Recognising the loss of biodiversity 12 1.5 In Carmarthenshire ‐ what does the loss of biodiversity mean? 13 1.6 …but let’s be positive 17 Partnership working in Carmarthenshire 18 1.7 Carmarthenshire Nature Partnership 18 1.8 The previous Biodiversity Action Plan 23

PART 2 HOW YOU CAN HELP ‐ IDEAS FOR ACTION 25 2.1 What can you do? 26 2.2 Businesses 26 2.3 Communities 26 2.4 Schools 26 2.5 Individuals 27 2.6 Tourism providers 27 2.7 How you can help ‐ ideas for action 27

PART 3 CARMARTHENSHIRE NATURE RECOVERY PLAN 37 3.1 Nature Recovery Action Plan 38 3.2 Nature Recovery in Carmarthenshire ‐ identifying the challenges and opportunities 38 3.3 Challenges 39 3.4 Opportunities 40 3.5 Taking action locally 41 3.6 Reporting 45

PART 4 REFERENCES & APPENDICES 46 4.1 References 47 Appendix 1 ‐ Summary of policy and legislation 49 Appendix 2 ‐ Section 7 priority habitats and species 51 Appendix 3 ‐ Partner projects (2020) 56

Glossary 58 L. Wilberforce 3 WHO IS THIS PLAN FOR?

Introduction ­ who is this plan for?

This document is written in four parts. future action and hopefully inspire central theme. This is part of a vision Within the document the terms other organisations, community to restore and create better connected biodiversity and nature are used groups and individuals who have a networks of habitats within the interchangeably ‐ both describe the common interest in protecting and county, as well as networks of makeup of the natural environment of enhancing our natural environment. information sharing to inform action Carmarthenshire. by a range of participants. A resilient Part 3 focuses on the local priorities in natural environment in the county This plan has a broader scope than relation to the national objectives of contributes to the desire for a healthy, previous versions, with the aim that it the Wales Nature Recovery Action safe and economically sustainable will reach a wider audience and, in Plan. Part 3: Carmarthenshire [3]. doing so, be a more useful and ‐ considers how we will address these practical document. objectives in Carmarthenshire, Part 4 contains the References and ‐ considers the challenges and Appendices with technical information Part 1 provides the background to the opportunities of meeting these on legislation, policy, priority species Nature Recovery Plan for objectives, and habitat lists for Carmarthenshire Carmarthenshire and: ‐ informs the future work of the and a glossary. ‐ explains what biodiversity is, why it partners within the Carmarthenshire is important, the threats to it, and Nature Partnership, who all have a Overall it is hoped that the plan will: the framework within which action common interest in protecting and • be straightforward. Technical has previously been taken; enhancing our natural environment. information re policy/legislation will ‐ provides information on the work of largely be confined to appendices or the partners that make up the The Carmarthenshire Nature references (Part 4) to enable users Carmarthenshire Nature Partnership Partnership have worked together to to find out more if required, and describes some of the work identify priorities areas for action • link to relevant information on they carry out to help and conserve within Carmarthenshire that reflect partner organizations’ websites, and enhance our habitats and the objectives of the Welsh Nature which should further supplement species; Recovery Action Plan [1] and the the information provided in the opportunities identified within the document, Part 2 outlines how others could take South West Area Statement [2]. • be a dynamic document that will be action and signpost where further updated as necessary. information can be obtained. This The plan has a focus on ecological should help provide the setting for resilience, with connectivity as a WHO IS THIS PLAN FOR? 4

“a resilient natural environment in the county contributes to the desire for a healthy, safe and economically sustainable Carmarthenshire” 5 CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

PART 1 ­ Carmarthenshire’s natural environment Background

1.1 What is biodiversity? Biodiversity is all life on Earth. It is the diversity within species (genes) ‐ individual plants, animals and fungi ‐ between species, and finally the entire ecosystems on which they depend.

Biodiversity is everywhere: for example, it includes all the species in habitats such as gardens, fields, hedgerows, mountains, rivers and in the sea ‐ and of course it includes us.

An ecosystem includes all living things in a given area, as well as their interactions with each other, and with their non‐ living environment (e.g. air, water, soil). The living and not‐living parts are linked through nutrient cycles and the flow of energy. Each organism has a role to play and contributes to the health and productivity of the ecosystem as a whole.

Biological diversity, also known as biodiversity, is the sum of species diversity, genec diversity within species and ecosystem diversity.

Ecosystem diversity

Species diversity

Genec diversity

1.2 Carmarthenshire's network of habitats that support lost or degraded. biodiversity ‐ a local overview biodiversity: streams and rivers, At a local level, biodiversity greatly woodland, hedgerows and species‐rich Carmarthenshire supports a rich influences the character of our grassland. The sea and seabed around mosaic of different habitats [4] making landscape and the experience of the the Carmarthenshire coast are also up our landscapes, most of which have people who live in the county. rich in species, including harbour been influenced by a long history of Carmarthenshire is justly celebrated porpoise. Where collieries and heavy human activity and land‐management for its natural environment, including industry once existed, old industrial practices. Whether they cover large or magnificent coastal sand dunes, quiet sites can now flourish with wildlife. small areas, all our varied habitats add estuaries, steep wooded valleys and Gardens in towns and are to the richness of biodiversity in rugged uplands. Throughout much of increasingly important for wildlife as Carmarthenshire. the rest of the county there is a natural habitats elsewhere are being CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 6

Species‐rich hedgerows [5] with core part of the challenge facing us all Special Scientific Interest. We also have mature hedgerow trees are a when we are looking to conserve and nature reserves (often managed by significant landscape and historic enhance biodiversity in wildlife organisations or the Council) feature across much of the county. Carmarthenshire. and country parks. They can be important habitats for butterflies, moths, birds and small Wildlife is also strongly associated with Beyond our protected sites, other mammals. However, the current the culture and history of equally important habitats within the condition of hedgerows in the county Carmarthenshire. Many animals and wider countryside contribute is very variable ‐ some have been plants have influenced the names of significantly to the resilience (see box restored/replanted in recent years, but farms, houses and streets over the below) of our natural environment. others have been removed or continue years, e.g. Cwrt‐y‐Cadno (Cadno = fox), The conservation and enhancement of to decline through lack of appropriate Cwmysgyfarnog (ysgyfarnog = hare), these habitats, as part of a national management. Today we also see the Cilyblaidd (blaidd = wolf), Dôl‐Haidd network of habitats, must be impact of ash dieback disease on our Isaf (dôl = meadow; haidd = barley). considered as integral to the future hedgerow trees. Some of these species and habitats are success of any plan for nature recovery still common, some now rare and in the county, and indeed any land The range of species [6] recorded in some long gone from our countryside. management plan. Habitats outside the county reflects the diverse range of designated sites can be also locally habitats within Carmarthenshire and In Carmarthenshire we have a network identified as Sites of Importance for the ability of species to adapt to a of ‘designated’ (protected) sites [7], Nature Conservation (SINCs). They can variety of conditions. Some species are protected at a national or international include sites that contain a single common and others much scarcer, level, these include our Special habitat or a variety of habitat types relying on a specific habitat to survive. Protection Areas and Ramsar sites, our and/or which support a single or range For example, the brown hairstreak National Nature Reserves, and Sites of of species. butterfly was once widespread in Wales but has declined severely as the annual flailing of hedgerows has become more widespread. Parts of Carmarthenshire, where young blackthorn is not cut back in this way, remain strongholds for this species.

We place many, and sometimes conflicting, demands on our natural

environment and reconciling these is a I.

Ecosystem resilience: The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 lists the features that contribute to ecosystem resilience.

Diversity Connecvity Scale & Extent Condion Adaptability Generally speaking, Both within and The bigger the Ecosystems need to The ability of more diverse between ecosystem extends, be in a healthy ecosystems to ecosystems are more ecosystems without condion to adapt to events, resilient to external fragmentaon, the funcon effecvely, understanding that influences and their more resilient it is to deliver a range of ecosystems are not impacts. This likely to be important stac and will includes biological, ecosystem services change over me geological and physical diversity 7 CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Schematic map of main habitat types within Carmarthenshire

Upland habitats Woodlands & forestry Farmland Lowland, grassland and heathland Coastal habitats

Wyn Parry L. Wilberforce L. CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 8

There are 81 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the county (excluding the area within the Beacons National Park) covering 17,088 Ha, and ranging in size from small fields to large areas of mountain sides and long rivers. They cover approximately 7.2% of the county. Some of these also make up the three Special Protection Areas and eight Special Areas of Conservation, sites of international importance. I. Morgan

Carmarthenshire has more marshy grassland than any other county in Wales [8]. This important habitat supports the marsh fritillary butterfly, one of the most rapidly declining butterflies in . The conservation charity, Butterfly Conservation with the help of volunteers undertake regular surveys for marsh fritillaries and in 2018 recorded 15 new populations in Carmarthenshire. The county now supports 45% of all known marsh fritillary populations in Wales [9]. J. Weatherburn J.

Pant‐y‐llyn, near Carmel on the limestone ridge, is the only known example in mainland Britain of a ‘turlough’ ‐ a seasonal lake with no inlet or outflow streams and fed entirely by groundwater. It fills up each autumn and drains as in the summer the water table drops. A surprising depth of sediment has been found on the lake floor, going down more than 6m. The sediments at the bottom of the lake have been dated at over 10,000 years old [9A]. N. Matthew

The endangered strandline beetle is now restricted to a few beaches in Bay, including () and ‐ . The beetle is an indicator of the health of strandline communities, which include a range of rare and scarce species likely to be similarly threatened. Ironically they use plastic waste on beaches as refuges – which means that beach cleans here have to be undertaken with care [10]. P. Aubrey P.

The Carmarthenshire Bogs Project [11] has been working on six sites with lowland raised bog habitat. Peat bogs soak up water like a sponge and can help reduce flooding. Healthy bogs store carbon from the atmosphere. At Pyllau Cochion near Horeb, University have studied the preserved pollen, charcoal and plant remains taken from an 8‐m deep core from a bog that started forming after the last Ice Age, tracing its development through time.

Water vole numbers have declined dramatically across the UK, but Carmarthenshire continues to support important populations around , Laugharne and Pendine. The Wildlife Trust of South and and Natural Resources Wales have reintroduced ~400 water voles bred from Carmarthenshire stock to Ffrwd Farm Mire nature reserve in Pembrey. Water voles on the reserve and in the surrounding areas are now thriving.

Sausage beard lichen was not recorded in the county until 2006. Since then recording effort has increased the records of this internationally important species, which is highly sensitive to pollution, and it has been recorded from over 20 locations in the county. S. Bosanquet 9 CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The Welsh Government (WG) has species had been recorded in Find out much more about produced a list of priority species and Carmarthenshire with 25 being Carmarthenshire’s priority habitats habitats in Wales, which they consider assessed as priority species of concern and species at: are of key importance to sustain and in Wales [data from Welsh INNS www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/ enhance biodiversity in Wales. We project]. Japanese knotweed, biodiversity have a significant number of these in Himalayan balsam, grey squirrels and Carmarthenshire. Appendix 2 lists the American mink have all had significant priority habitats and species recorded Invasive Non‐native Species (INNS)‐ impacts on protected habitats and in the county. This list is being are plants plant or animals which have species in Carmarthenshire. The Wales reviewed by WG and expert groups been introduced to parts of the world Biodiversity Partnership has an INNS and will be updated. While there is a where they would not naturally be group to help identify INNS priorities in national focus on the conservation of found. They have the ability to spread, Wales. An important role of this plan is these species and habitats the causing damage to the environment, to consider how we can take a Carmarthenshire Nature Partnership the economy, our health and the way collaborative approach to recording has also identified local priorities. By we live. INNS are the second greatest and dealing with these species in the maintaining and enhancing the priority threat to biodiversity after habitat loss future. habitats we will be helping all the and fragmentation. INNS have been diversity of species associated with estimated to cost the UK economy at them. least £1.8 billion pounds annually [12]. At the end of 2019 over 70 INNS

“Invasive Non‐native Species (INNS) ‐ are plants and animals which have been introduced to parts of the world where they would not naturally be found” CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 10

1.3 Why our biodiversity Of course biodiversity has many [* This is recognized in the second of matters benefits to society and us as citizens. the Well‐being goals set out in the Primarily, biodiversity has an intrinsic A healthy natural environment is a Well‐being of Future Generations value, not tied to any economic vital part of a sustainable and robust (Wales) Act 2015 – Goal 2 – A benefit it might give us. The species society in Wales*. Wildlife provides Resilient Wales ‐ Appendix 1.] we see around us today in us with pleasure, inspiration and Carmarthenshire are the result of attractive communities but it also millions of years of continuing provides us with many of the things evolution and adaption to their that sustain our lives, through a changing environment ‐ a vast number of important 'ecosystem ecological 'library' of information that services' [14]: provisioning, help make the county the distinctive regulating, supporting and cultural place it is to live and work in today services. [13].

Ecosystem services: how can they help us?

Provisioning services - any type of benefit to people that can be extracted from nature. FOOD RAW MATERIALS MEDICINE FRESHWATER

Supporng services - these processes allow the earth to sustain life. Without them the other services would not exist. HABITATS GENETIC DIVERSITY PHOTOSYNTHESIS NUTRIENT RECYCLING

Regulang services - work together to make ecosystems clean, sustainable, funconal and resilient to change. BIOLOGICAL CONTROL CLIMATE REGULATION WATER REGULATION POLLINATION

Cultural services - are non-material benefits that contribute to the develop- ment and advancement of people. RECREATION INSPIRATION TOURISM SPIRITUAL

A lot of these ecosystem services we the UK [15]. Without pollinators we The Carmarthenshire Nature get for free. The cost of replacing would struggle to grow many Partnership believes that nature these (if possible) would be commercial vegetable and fruit crops, really matters in the county ‐ for its extremely expensive. For example, including apples, pears, strawberries, own sake and for the support it gives bees are vital to our economy ‐ they beans and peas and oilseed rape. us. This core value underpins the pollinate many of our crops including work of the Partnership in the strawberries and apples as well as Carmarthenshire's natural conservation and recovery of nature animal fodder crops, e.g. clover. The environment surely matters to us all ‐ (biodiversity) in the county. It will value of pollination as a contribution for a variety of reasons: ethically, take action from us all to help nature to the UK crop market in 2007 was emotionally, environmentally and and the CNP will encourage and estimated to be £430 million and the economically. It is at the very support others to take positive action. cost of hand pollination, were we to foundation of our society and the lose this valuable service, has been basis of our economic success and estimated at £1.8 billion per year in our physical and mental wellbeing. 11 CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The coastal saltmarsh habitats along the Carmarthenshire coast act as a very effective defence Regulating against waves. They absorb wave energy reducing the height of waves thereby reducing the risk of flooding and erosion. They also store and can sequester (trap) carbon and also have a provisioning role providing us with meat from sheep and cows grazed on the marshes.

The range of habitats in the county support the diversity of species that use them. The agricultural and forestry economies in Carmarthenshire are influenced by and influence all Supporting types of ecosystem services, e.g. soils can be negatively impacted by intensive agriculture. Agriculture relies on clean water supplies but can both agriculture and forestry can have adverse impacts on the quality of our water.

Tourism generated £441 million in Carmarthenshire in 2018. Carmarthenshire’s varied habitats Cultural and landscapes are the natural resource on which this economic activity is based, be it a day on the beach or a bike ride through the forests or enjoying locally produced produce whilst eating out [16].

In 2019 in Carmarthenshire there were approximately 749 apiaries (a place where bee hives are Provisioning kept) made up of an estimated 4120 hives. Based on averagehoney production per hive in Wales in 2019 of 26 kg/hive this would equal honey production of approximately 107 tonnes, with an estimated value of £824K (pers. comm. Regional Bee Inspector)

“In 2019 in Carmarthenshire there were approximately 749 apiaries (a place where bee hives are kept) made up of an estimated 4120 hives” CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 12

The State of Nature

1.4 Recognising the loss of Also, in 2016 Natural Resources Wales biodiversity… published a State of Natural Resources It can hardly be ignored that today Report [19], which assessed the that our natural environment is under current condition of our natural ongoing and increasing threat. Hardly resources (which includes a day goes by when we do not see or biodiversity). It raised concerns about read about declines in population the state of the natural environment in numbers and the distribution of Wales, with the main findings species, and the extent and quality of summarised below: habitats. • many plant and animal species are In May 2019 this was highlighted in decline; forcefully by the release of a report by • Wales failed to meet its 2010 the Intergovernmental Science‐Policy international and national Platform on Biodiversity and biodiversity targets with the decline Ecosystem Services (IPBES), when they continuing in many cases [and it is released the results of the most highly likely it will miss most of its thorough planetary health check yet targets for 2020]; [17]. Its key messages include: • diversity is declining as shown by the loss of habitats and species; • that nature and its vital • the extent of some habitats has contributions to people are declined significantly; deteriorating worldwide, • the condition of habitats shows • that the direct and indirect drivers mixed results, with some improving for change have accelerated during and some declining; the past 50 years, • connectivity between habitats has • that goals for conserving and greatly reduced; sustainably using nature may only • all habitats have problems with be achieved through resilience. ‘transformative’ changes across economic, social, political and The following factors have all been technological factors, identified as key pressures impacting • that nature can be conserved, on our biodiversity, leading to habitat restored and used sustainably fragmentation and loss and the through urgent and concerted effort. decline in species [20].

In October 2019 the UK State of 1.4.1 Factors affecting / Nature Report [18] shows that, on contributing to the loss of average, Wales’ wildlife has declined biodiversity in Wales in recent decades. Wales’ wildlife is • Climate change. undergoing rapid change – the There is clear evidence of climate proportion of species defined as change in Wales, e.g. increase in mean showing strong changes in daily temperatures, reduction in air distribution, either increasing or frosts, and increase in storm events decreasing, rose from 24% over the [21]. This is predicted to have a range long term to 46% over the past 10 of impacts on habitats and species years. including a decline in native species, changes in migration patterns and 13 CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

increases in invasive species. • Pollution though impacts on air, Whilst out walking or travelling land and water can have an adverse through the county it might be hard to For example, long‐term data (1981– effect on biodiversity. Agricultural believe that there have been changes. 2005) from reservoir runoff has impacted on our water Some of these changes might not be highlights the sensitivity of the courses and air pollution from obvious ‐ we still have our invertebrate community in transport, industry and agriculture watercourses flowing through the headstreams (streams that are the can have an adverse impact on county from mountain to sea but are sources of a river) to climatic effects, grasslands, soils and woodlands. they still supporting healthy aquatic suggesting changes in the composition wildlife? We have thousands of of the invertebrates found there and • Invasive non‐native species. Species hectares of green fields but what reductions in their abundance [22]. such as Himalayan balsam and proportion of them now are species‐ Japanese knotweed are well rich hay meadows? Are our bog In addition, the State of Natural established in Carmarthenshire and habitats still forming peat and storing Resources Report [19] identified the the grey squirrel and American mink water? Are our habitats still connected potential for increased coastal erosion, have had a significant negative so that wildlife can move through the affecting beaches, intertidal areas and impact on the red squirrel and water landscape? other coastal features – this could vole, respectively in the county. have a significant impact along our For our species we might need to sit extensive coastline. The IPBES assessment (2019) has back and think about the changes to shown the strong interrelationship their populations. When did you last It should be noted though, that some between climate change, the loss of hear the curlew or cuckoo or see a species can benefit from climate biodiversity and human wellbeing. Any hare or a hedgehog? You might have change. Some species are expanding local framework to address climate seen/heard them regularly when you their range northwards or not change should consider the impact on were younger but not so often these migrating back to the continent. Short‐ Carmarthenshire's biodiversity and days. Today you might see more distance migrant birds, such as also consider how our natural Himalayan balsam and fewer orchids, blackcaps and chiffchaffs, are already environment can help with mitigation more monoculture grassland and less benefitting from the warmer, wetter and adaption to climate change. We species‐rich meadows. Is this our winters that the UK has experienced cannot solve the threats of human‐ legacy for the next generation? over recent years and are increasingly induced climate change and loss of overwintering here rather than biodiversity in isolation. We either migrating back to southern Europe. solve both or we solve neither. Biodiversity loss Think of the county as a room lit by • Agriculture ‐ since the Second World Welsh Government [24] and a lightbulb with a dimmer switch. War changes in farming practices Carmarthenshire [25] Over the years as our biodiversity (e.g. silage production, increase in have now declared a Climate has declined, each loss/decline field size, intensified grazing and Emergency. Perhaps it could be argued could be seen as a taking the increased use of chemicals and that it should have declared a Climate dimmer switch down a notch. Our fertilizers) have all impacted on our and Nature emergency as the two eyes adjust and get used to the species and habitats [23]. issues are so intimately connected [26, slightly darker/less biodiverse 27]. 'room'/county. However, there will • Development is a big driver of land come a point where we can no use and habitat change in certain 1.5 In Carmarthenshire ‐ what longer function within our ‘room’ areas of the county. Housing, does the loss of biodiversity and the county’s natural commercial and industrial mean? environment can no longer support development, quarries, road Living in Carmarthenshire this us effectively due to the cumulative building, wind‐farms and biodiversity crisis might be hard to loss of biodiversity. recreational developments have recognise ‐ compared with other areas been key drivers of landscape of the UK the county is still change and biodiversity loss in comparatively diverse and 'green'. Carmarthenshire. CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 14

The State of Nature in Wales 2019 report [28] identified that there has been a considerable change in Welsh wildlife in recent decades with evidence of the decline in the diversity of species and the extent of natural and semi‐natural habitats. Within Carmarthenshire:

The fen orchid has been lost from our coastal habitats due to loss of the wet hollows within the sand dunes.

Curlews are now a rare and local breeding bird in the county (although it is a more common winter visitor to our coastline) due to loss of suitable nesting habitat in upland and lowland grasslands.

Annual recording has shown the continued decline of the brown hairstreak butterfly in areas of Carmarthenshire – a stronghold for this rare species. Brown hairstreaks continue to thrive so much better in the Teifi valley, where generally intensive annual flailing of hedges is less widespread and scrub blackthorn patches are often allowed to persist for several years. D Rees

Bog habitats are now scarce in the county, isolated within the wider agricultural landscape. They have been drained, planted on or lost to development.

We are likely to see significant changes in our woodland and hedgerows as trees succumb to ash dieback disease.

Sometimes it is possible to look back and see how things Penclacwydd. Today the turtle doves are virtually extinct as have changed directly. Nature in Wales, the old journal of a breeding bird in Wales (State of Birds in Wales 2018) due the Wildlife Trusts provides some revealing evidence to loss of habitat in both breeding and wintering areas relating to two species of dove recorded in the county. among other factors.

In volume 10 in 1967 there is a report that, in July 1965, a collared dove (near right photo) was reported at the vicarage in Caio in April, feeding with the hens, stating that this is first record for Carmarthenshire. Today, over 50 years later, the collared dove is a common and widespread resident breeding bird having spread west from Asia, quickly adapting to new environments.

Conversely the migratory turtle dove, once a much more common summer visitor, has declined drastically, with only one recent record in Carmarthenshire, in 2016 at 15 CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Landscape change in area since 1973

Carmarthenshire’s landscapes have constantly evolved Focusing on this first photo, south of the settlements over thousands of years. In rural areas the more recent of Bynea and , the most noticeable changes to habitats and species might seem less artificial feature through the landscape is the main obvious but in urban areas the transformation of the railway line (shown in red). The site of the current local landscape in recent decades can be more Morfa Berwig Local Nature Reserve is outlined in dramatic. These photographs illustrate this clearly. orange and the dashed line shows an old road, now no longer in existence. South of the railway line are The first photo, taken in 1973, shows the coastal Penceiliogwydd, Pen‐y‐Bryn and Bryn Carnarfon farms. floodplain habitats east of Llanelli largely intact and These would have been managed in a fairly low being used for agriculture. However, much of this intensive manner and wetland species would have coastal floodplain grazing marsh is itself the result of occurred. previous change. It was formed from saltmarsh habitat reclaimed for agriculture in previous centuries. If you The 2018 aerial photograph shows approximately the look closely you can see lines of old channels that ran same area (although at a slightly different angle). through the saltmarsh. This is evidence of historical Much has changed in the 45 years since 1973. New landscape change. roads (A484 and coastal link road) have been created and a water treatment works and a holiday park have CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 16

been developed. Much of the coastal floodplain and create suitable habitat for water voles in this area grazing marsh has been lost. In addition, the Wildfowl and Morfa Berwig Local Nature Reserve has been and Wetland Trust (WWT)’s Millennium Wetlands, designated for its habitats and species to protect it for which was created in 1998‐2000, has created new local people. wetland habitats south of Penceiliogwydd farm. As a result of this work at WWT and Morfa Berwig There have obviously been impacts to the local there now exists a diversity of habitats including biodiversity. The landscape has been fragmented and reedbed, new ditches, lakes, ponds, scrub, and wet developed, areas of remaining land are no longer woodland, which now support a number of priority managed in the same way and may have scrubbed species including breeding willow tit, lapwing, water over. Species like the yellow wagtail and little owl, vole, otter, barn owl, pochard, and over 20 species of recorded here around the time of the 1973 photo now dragon and damselfly. no longer occur. The rare water vole would have occurred much more widely in the landscape, but this species is now much declined in the wider area. Today there are efforts to try and reverse some of these impacts. WWT, NRW and CCC have worked to conserve 17 CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

1.6 But let’s be positive… • that so many more people/communities/schools are It would be easy to be overwhelmed by the scale of more aware and concerned about the issues and are biodiversity loss and the issues that need to be addressed taking positive action. to reverse its decline. However, there are reasons for • that organisations and others undertake conservation taking a more positive attitude: work not because it is easy, but because the challenges are worth the hard work involved! • the fact that there is more coverage in the news and on television to raise awareness about the importance of This will help us to find solutions, to believe that change is biodiversity and the threats to it, possible and to encourage and undertake action to build • that Welsh legislative and policy structure and action resilience and to reverse the declines in biodiversity. planning has been developed to directly consider the Certainly in Carmarthenshire there are positive stories. natural environment in Wales, the way we manage it, and its links to health and well‐being. This will be used as the context for future action in Carmarthenshire and is described in Appendix 1 and Part 3 of this plan.

The Red Squirrel Partnership was The Mid Wales Red Squirrel Partnership (MWRSP) was established in 2002 [29]. The Partnership aims to expand and protect the unique population of red squirrels in mid Wales; one of only three significant red squirrel populations in the whole of Wales. The Partnership has worked to establish sound baseline information about the red squirrel population in mid Wales, leading to the development of a robust understanding of the work required to conserve this species in mid Wales.

Marsh fritillary butterfly ‐ Carmarthenshire continues to be a stronghold for this rare species, with 45% of current populations in Wales found in the county – the impact of recorder effort. The Caeau Mynydd Marsh Fritillary Project [30] began in 2013 and is successfully mitigating the impacts of development on the protected marsh fritillary butterfly and the habitat that supports it in the area. Funded by developer contributions, the project is essential to the delivery of the Council’s Local Development Plan, securing sufficient habitat to support the butterfly population in the area. The project received an award for ‘Planning in the Natural Environment’ category at the National RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence in 2018.

The Carmarthenshire Meadows Group was formed in 2015 and now has over 80 members. It has developed into a group largely run by its members. A range of organisations and local ecologists support the group, hosting site visits and providing talks and training. This, along with the opportunity to get together and share experiences, is giving many small landowners in the county the confidence and knowledge to manage their meadows and contribute to the conservation and enhancement of this scarce habitat. Meadows are not only a habitat to a range of plants and wildlife but part of our cultural heritage, often with locally distinctive Welsh names.

Volunteers/recorders. Carmarthenshire has many people and groups that volunteer their time and expertise to help conserve and record biodiversity in the county. Every conservation organisation working here will be supported by the valuable input of volunteers. There are active groups for a range of species including plants, birds, fungi and butterflies. All are supported by expert county recorders and the West Wales Biodiversity information Centre (WWBIC), which collects and collate all the biological records in the area. WWBIC continues to support the growth of this significant evidence base and holds biological recording days at sites in the county and organised wildlife identification training. CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 18

Partnership working in Carmarthenshire…

1.7 Carmarthenshire Nature The public bodies within the are still a key priority in the area but Partnership Partnership (e.g. Natural Resources further funding is required. First set up in 1998 the Wales and Carmarthenshire County Carmarthenshire Nature Partnership Council) have direct duties under (formerly Carmarthenshire Local Welsh legislation that influence their Biodiversity Action Plan Partnership) work. For example, the Environment is made up of a number of partners (Wales) Act 2016 places a with a depth of knowledge, biodiversity duty on all public bodies experience and enthusiasm for the to ‘seek to maintain and enhance The Bat Conservation Trust supports county’s biodiversity. The Partnership biodiversity’ as part of their functions local volunteer bat groups and works is individual to our area and for over (Appendix 1). These organisations locally and nationally on projects. 20 years has provided probably the have produced plans that evidence Work focuses on discovering more only opportunity for local how they are embedding that duty about bats and how they use the organisations, ecologists and within their organisations. These landscape, taking action to protect recorders to network, share public bodies are also driven by bats and inspiring people about bats experiences and develop projects in national policies and organisational and their environment. In partnership. strategies and plans connected to the Carmarthenshire BCT have provided natural environment. training for council staff, supported The Partnership has been chaired the local bat groups and arranged an and facilitated by the County Council The individual conservation urban bat survey with volunteers. and has close links with the Wales organisations within the Partnership, Biodiversity Partnership [32] who make up a broad spectrum of provide a steer on priorities for expertise on a wide range of species action in Wales and the Welsh and habitats (including our best and Government policy and legislation least known wildlife). connected to our natural environment. The Botanical Society of Britain and advances the study and The group meets three times a year . understanding of our wild plants and The partners’ work focuses on action Amphibian and Reptile Conservation supports their conservation across that seeks to maintain and enhance work to conserve amphibians and Britain and Ireland. Locally a biodiversity within Carmarthenshire reptiles and saving the habitats on recording week is arranged each year either through the management of which they depend. In for experienced and inexperienced land, or action to help specific Carmarthenshire they have worked botanists and provides an species. All raise awareness about with landowners to create valuable opportunity for the informal the county’s species and habitats, pond habitats in the county. Now, as development of identification skills, and the issues affecting biodiversity part of a HLF‐funded project across exploring sites in the county to in Carmarthenshire. By sharing , they are working locally identify new and updated plant experience, knowledge and best on a ‘Connecting the ’ records. Our county plant recorders practice, partner projects develop project, working with partners to co‐ordinate local botanical survey from these meetings. The knowledge protect and conserve some of our work as part of national plant and expertise within the group aims most vulnerable native species of monitoring schemes. to inform the implementation of amphibian and reptile. In national legislation and policy at a Carmarthenshire the focus will be on local level. An annual report is adders and grass snakes ‐ training produced each year to highlight the volunteers to survey and monitor work of the partners. sites and help with practical conservation work. Pond networks 19 CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

rare bee surveys. They have also parks, nature reserves, parks and produced a new guide to creating amenity space, undertakes bumblebee‐friendly community biodiversity projects and delivers a greenspace. BBCT also created range of functions that can impact on bumblebee habitat at Sandy Water Park the natural environment, e.g. Butterfly Conservation (BC) in and Mynydd Mawr in partnership with planning, highway maintenance, Carmarthenshire manages Caeau Ffos Carmarthenshire County Council and regeneration projects. The Fach nature reserve near Cross Hands local residents. Environment (Wales) Act 2016 puts for the marsh fritillary butterfly and, into place a duty to require all public with volunteers, have carried out bodies, when carrying out their extensive survey for this species in functions to seek to ’maintain and the county, greatly increasing enhance biodiversity’ where it is knowledge about their range and within the proper exercise of their extent. They offer advice, when In the Cross Hands area the Council’s functions and seek to ‘promote the possible, to landowners on habitat Caeau Mynydd Mawr Marsh Fritillary resilience of ecosystems’. The Council management. BC volunteers also Project works with local landowners to has prepared a Forward Plan to spend each winter surveying for the improve marshy grassland habitat for evidence how it will integrate this eggs of the brown hairstreak butterfly the marsh fritillary butterfly to help legislation into the delivery of its and undertaking management at key ensure the butterfly population can services. sites. Their work means that we now sustain itself in an area of high know much more about the development. The project has surveyed distribution of these rare butterflies a large area of land to assess the quality in the county. of the marshy grassland habitat in the Cross Hands area, which will inform future development and allow targeting The Carmarthenshire Meadows of sites for potential management. Group was established in 2015. Its aim is to inspire the establishment of a county‐wide community that Buglife has been working in the supports each other to conserve and county with partners to identify ‘B‐ enhance our wildlife‐rich meadows, Lines’ – networks of habitat with a large or small, across focus on creating / restoring flower‐ The Carmarthenshire Bird Club Carmarthenshire. Walks, talks and rich habitat with local communities / promotes the observation, recording site visits take place each year, landowners. Officers have also helped and protection of wild bird training is offered and a group out with surveys of local wildlife sites populations in Carmarthenshire. It website is available. A number of the in the county and, through their arranges indoor meetings and field partners have contributed to Threatened Bee Report, highlighted trips for members and is an excellent supporting the Meadows Group. the presence of several important way to meet other birders and visit bee species in the county and action sites of ornithological interest. The required to help them. Club produces an annual bird report and has contributed significantly to the long‐term monitoring of birds in the county.

Coed Cymru works in the county to give help and advice at wide range of Bumblebee Conservation Trusthas woodland and farm sites, including delivered events and training across supporting landowners with Carmarthenshire as part of their Bee applications for grant aid for Wild West Wales project. This included Carmarthenshire County Council woodland planting and management. activities with local schools, Beewalk manages land, including country Officers have advised on the Information Days, guided walks and CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 20

woodland management at a number educational element to all meetings opportunities to inspire and educate of CCC sites and work on specific which enables those with an interest its visitors about actions they can projects such as that to help in wildlife but with less experience, to take to conserve our native wildlife landowners affected by the learn from the knowledge of other and plants. Forest Wind Farm Connection to carry members. The members have out small‐scale landscape and contributed significantly to the ecological enhancements. recording effort of species in the county. The National Trust owns eight coastal and countryside sites in the county, around 5500 acres. This Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is includes Dinefwr, a parkland WG’s sponsored public body which The Mid Wales Red Squirrel National Nature Reserve in works to ensure that the natural Partnership, led by the Wildlife Trust where it looks after some of the resources of Wales (land and sea) are of South and West Wales, was was most impressive veteran trees in the sustainably managed. NRW has a established in 2002. The Partnership county and is delivering an extensive wide remit including looking after aims to expand and protect the hay meadow reversion project. At Carmarthenshire’s many protected unique population of red squirrels in Dolaucothi the Trust manages native sites (SSSIs, SACs and SPAs), managing mid Wales; one of only three woodlands and is also reverting its national nature reserves and areas of significant red squirrel populations in coniferous woodlands by replanting commercial forestry, regulating and the whole of Wales. The Partnership with native species and controlling permitting a wide range of activities, has worked to establish sound invasive rhododendron and providing grant aid, monitoring and baseline information about the red supporting the re‐introduction and survey and providing advice on a squirrel population in mid Wales, protection of native species such as wealth of environmental issues. NRW leading to the development of a the pine martin, red squirrel and also works in partnership with a robust understanding of the work brown hare. The Trust as a whole is range of organisations, and in required to conserve the red squirrel working towards ensuring that all of Carmarthenshire has collaborated on in mid Wales. its in‐hand land and 50% of its let projects such as the control of land is classed as being of Higher invasive species, habitat restoration, Nature Status by 2025. Volunteers sand dune management and contribute significantly to the Trust’s installation of fish passes. They are work throughout the county. leading on the local Area Statement process in south‐west Wales which will provide an opportunity to rethink the way our natural resources are The National Botanic Garden of managed and used. Wales carries out applied research in three core themes, ‘Saving Plants Plantlife manages a grassland reserve and Fungi’, ‘Saving Pollinators’ and near , . This site is a ‘Science and Society’ and has remnant of the flower‐rich grassland The Llanelli Naturalists was formed in recently set up the National Seed once abundant in Wales. Plantlife led 1973 and organises field and indoor Bank for Wales. The Garden farms its a WREN‐funded partner project, meetings throughout the year. The Waun Las Natural Nature Reserve to which included Carmarthenshire society publishes a newsletter, which encourage biodiversity and a thriving sites, to manage invasive sea includes articles on the natural conservation volunteer group carries buckthorn within our dune habitats history of the county and reports on out a wide‐range of wildlife to increase bare sand habitat so the society's field meetings. The recording tasks. Special events such benefiting many rare plants, group offers an excellent opportunity as Wales Fungus Day and the invertebrates and reptiles. Plantlife to meet other naturalists of all Pollination Festival, and the Garden’s has also just launched a Wales‐wide abilities and to visit places of wildlife Biophilic Wales, Growing the Future project, Magnificent interest. There is also an informal and Tyfi Cymu projects provide many Meadows/Gweirgloddiau Gwych 21 CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Cymru. Working in partnership it will restore a network of meadows using local seeding techniques, train people

to identify, monitor and manage The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust grasslands and undertake community West Wales Biodiversity information manages 450 acres of lakes, scrapes, activities aimed at improving well‐ Centre (WWBIC) collects and collates pools, ditches and lagoons adjoining being and celebrating our meadows. biological records in the the salt marshes and shore of the Carmarthenshire. WWBIC works scenic Burry Inlet, Llanelli. Over the continuously to improve and support years they have used innovative ways the growth of this significant to maintain and enhance wetland evidence base and holds biological habitats and improve conditions for recording days at sites in the county important wetland species such as and organised wildlife identification reconnecting existing reed bed areas PONT (Pori Natur a Threftadaeth / training. The environmental data it into a larger contiguous area of Grazing, Nature and Heritage) is the holds are used by national, regional wetland habitat. Grazing is now conservation grazing organisation for and local partners to make informed, taking place on previously Wales. PONT have been advising on evidence‐based decisions which will inaccessible areas and dredged ponds conservation grazing and sourcing meet the objectives of our Nature and ditches will help water voles in livestock for sites in Carmarthenshire. Recovery Plan in safeguarding the Millennium Wetlands. Volunteers Sites include the Wildfowl and biodiversity and improving ecosystem are vital to the Trust’s work and Wetland Trust Llanelli, Morfa Berwig resilience. This is done by making public and schools engagement. Local Nature Reserve, Carmel biodiversity information available to

National Nature Reserve, marsh people at all levels and to a wide

fritillary sites around Cross Hands and audience through online tools and

private land throughout the county. the wildlife recording phone App.

Appropriate grazing will ensure that

the habitats are more resilient, The Wildlife Trust of South and West present less of a fire risk, improve Wales manages 10 reserves within the access and increase biodiversity. county, six of which are designated for

their importance for nature The West Wales Rivers Trust was conservation. They also manage one formed to restore and safeguard the upland farm in partnership with the rivers, lakes and wetlands of landowner. The Trust’s reserves make , Carmarthenshire and up a range of habitats and regular work . The objectives of the parties with volunteers allow essential RSPB manage the 600 Ha Trust are to promote awareness of management work to be undertaken as Gwenffrwd–Dinas reserve in north‐ environmental issues and best well as survey and monitoring. A east Carmarthenshire made of practice; promote recreational significant part of their remit is to Atlantic oak woodland on steep‐sided enjoyment of rivers, lakes and engage with people in Carmarthenshire valleys and wet alder woodland wetlands and undertake research and and they have worked with schools and bisected by fast‐flowing rivers. There development to help restore led on landowner engagement is a good diversity of lower plants and damaged habitats. In projects. important populations of woodland Carmarthenshire an area of focus is a

birds, many of them migrants, e,g., catchment‐scale project within the

pied flycatcher, wood warbler and Tywi to improve the access for

redstart. The RSPB is part of the LIFE migratory fish to important spawning

Celtic Rainforests project and will be tributaries in this once great fishing

undertaking clearance of the invasive river. The Woodland Trust protect and rhododendron and looking at the campaign on behalf of this country’s woodland management to improve woods, helping local communities resliance. CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 22

and land owners to plant trees and Partnership to influence policy and purpose. Whilst they might work to restoring ancient woodland for the legislation within Wales. Also, address specific issues concerning the benefit of wildlife and people. In although not directly bound by WG’s natural environment in Carmarthenshire the Trust manages Environment Act ‘Biodiversity Duty’, Carmarthenshire their underlying 13 woodland reserves, including Coed the principle of maintaining and values are the same as a range of Ffos Las. This was bought by the Trust enhancing biodiversity and promoting other organizations that are working in 2014 to create a Centenary Wood ecosystem resilience is at the heart of to make Carmarthenshire more a to honour the special part Wales what they do. more ‘resilient’ place to live and played in the First World War. This work. Whilst the Partnership wants to former colliery land and farmland Local Nature Partnerships are in a conserve biodiversity for its intrinsic (almost 50 ha) site near will good position to work at a smaller value, it recognises that, whether it is eventually have been planted with scale, to take local action as individual to address climate change, improve 90,000 trees. Over time the site will organisations or to inform/participate citizens’ health and well‐being or develop into woodland habitat with in large‐scale partner projects within create a more sustainable economy, a access for all ‐ wildlife and people. their area. In addition they can assess healthy, resilient natural environment local priorities for action and is linked to all these desired Most partner organisations have provide/promote information to the outcomes. nature conservation at their core and public. many manage sites, undertake survey Partners (and others) are currently and research, collect data and engage Local Nature Partnerships are (2019 onwards) working on a range of with the public. Nationally they also ‘knowledge networks’ with extensive larger projects, which include a focus have an important role in working know‐how, experience, connections, in the county ‐ See Appendix 3. with the Wales Biodiversity capacity, continuity and common

“organisations and others undertake conservation work not because it is easy, but because the challenges are worth the hard work involved” Wyn Parry Wyn 23 CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

1.8 The previous Biodiversity Note: Covid‐19 has inevitably meant realistically achieved within an Action Plan that this conference will not now take environment where resources This plan replaces the Local place till 2021. (human and financial) were limited Biodiversity Action Plan for and it was not promoted to full effect. Carmarthenshire, which was Whilst here has been a range of Action was often opportunistic as launched in 2000. The original plan policy, strategies and frameworks resources/time allowed and the plan contained over 50 individual habitat over the years in Wales, the was reviewed and revised during its and species action plans! The original continuous effort, enthusiasm and lifetime as guidance was updated. impetus for these plans arose from passion at many levels has not the 1992 Convention on Biological faltered. However, the worrying However, much has been achieved by Diversity (CBD) [33], which had an situation for biodiversity described in partners during the plan’s lifetime, overall objective to 'the conservation the CBD is also reflected in Wales. both by individual organisations and of biological diversity, the sustainable in partnership, and often heavily use of its components and the fair Welsh Government produced lists of supported by volunteers (see annual and equitable sharing of the benefits priority species and habitats in Wales reports since 2012 on the Council’s arising out of the utilisation of genetic ‐ see section 1.1 and Appendix 2 biodiversity pages). resources'. This objective was then [these are referred to as Section 7 (of reflected national strategies and was the Environment Act) priority species The Action Plan informed grant seen as a way to deliver effective and habitats]. These are lists of applications to undertake core and action at a local level for key habitats species and habitats ‘of principal project work by partners in the and species. importance for the purpose of county. It helped raised the profile of maintaining and enhancing our diverse natural environment and Suffice it to say targets for a biodiversity in relation to Wales’. the issues affecting it to the public significant reduction in the rate of Action has focused on those species and within individual organisations. biodiversity loss by 2010 were not and habitats in these lists that are met and nor will the revised 2020 recorded in the county. In addition, The Nature Recovery Plan for targets be met. In 2020, the 15th other local species not on the list Carmarthenshire moves this process Convention of the Parties to were identified that the Partnership forward in the light of recent policy Convention on Biological Diversity thought needed special attention. and legislation in Wales. (CBD) will adopt a post‐2020 global biodiversity framework as a stepping This original Carmarthenshire stone towards the 2050 Vision of Biodiversity Action Plan was probably "Living in harmony with nature" [34]. over ambitious in what it could be L. Mansel CARMARTHENSHIRE’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 24

“Whilst here has been a range of policy, strategies and frameworks over the years in Wales, the continuous effort, enthusiasm and passion at many levels has not faltered.”