Metadata detail: Ecological Survey of Cadw Guardianship Sites (2009)

Title

Ecological Survey of Cadw Guardianship Sites (2009)

Abstract

Locations of protected species identified within 1km of Cadw sites.

Ecological Survey conducted in 2009 by RSK Carter Ecological Ltd

1.1 Methods

A desk-based data trawl of ecological information for each of the 123 Cadw Welsh Historic Monuments was undertaken. This involved gathering data from appropriate local groups and organisations and from freely available sources on the internet. The results of this data search were entered into a standard computerised reporting form (in Microsoft Word) and then integrated into a digital Access Database.

This ecological data trawl identifies protected or priority species and habitats at each site, as well as identifying any gaps in knowledge. This information has been used to determine the focus of future survey work and will provide a basis for future site management where works are required in protecting important archaeological and historic sites. In addition, this comprehensive data trawl will also help to put each site into context within the wider area and identify interactions between the site and surrounding countryside.

1.1.1 Habitats

The main habitat or habitats on each site were identified by using the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) 1997 Phase 1 Habitat Survey for Wales’s survey data (which was freely available in MapInfo format from CCW), as well as recent aerial photography using Google Earth Professional. The 1997 CCW Phase 1 Habitat Survey gave a useful indication of those habitats present on and immediately adjacent to the site and was used to confirm the presence of Welsh Biodiversity Action Plan Broad habitats and Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) habitat types. Details of the LBAP habitat types were sourced from each county or area LBAP webpage. A summary of the Welsh and Local Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) are given in Annex 2 for reference with each site summary report.

1.1.2 Priority and Protected Species

Records of priority and protected species were requested from Local Biological Records Centres and other relevant groups and organisations. In addition, freely available species records were downloaded from the National Biodiversity Network (NBN). Priority and protected species are defined as;

species that are protected by international law;
species listed in European directives and legislation;
nationally protected species under The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, Badgers Act 1992;
all species listed on the RSPB Conservation Status of Birds in Wales 2000-2005 as Red or Amber;
species listed on Section 42 of the Natural Environment & Rural Communities Act 2006.
plant species that are Nationally Rare or Nationally Scarce; and
species that have Action Plans under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) or are Priority Species under the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) for that area.

Records with 2-digit or 4-digit grid references (e.g. SJ24 or SJ2345) were considered to be too imprecise and were omitted from the results. Species records with six-digit grid references (e.g. AB123 456) that fall within a 1 km search area were included.

Copyright:

Not applicable

Publication date

19 January 2009

Type

Spatial data

Regions

Global

Approved

Yes

Published

Yes