4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313039383939 English NRW_DS109916 Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en 2025-03-07T17:06:09.489Z NRW 1.0 wel British National Grid (EPSG::27700) Assessment of Heathland and Associated Habitats on the Coal Spoils of South Wales Assessment of Heathland and Associated Habitats on the Coal Spoils of South Wales Asesu Gweundiroedd a Chynefinoedd Cysylltiedig ar Domenni Glo De Cymru Coal Spoil Habitats Assessment 2007-03-01 NRW_DS109899 The coal extraction industry has had a massive impact on the natural environment at a landscape level, the most obvious legacy of the operations being the extensive coal spoil tips apparent across the region. In recent years millions of pounds have been spent on the stabilisation and eventual reclamation of these spoil areas and their redevelopment for housing, new industry or local open spaces. In the past the potential ecological value of the tips has generally been overlooked or understated. However, old coal spoil sites are now recognised as an important habitat for a range of species and the few remaining sites in the Valleys also have cultural and community value, however general awareness of the value of these sites is low. This has resulted in a loss of site value in term of heritage, ecology, landscape and amenity and there was a need to put individual sites into a context. The former Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), which is now part of Natural Resources Wales (NRW), conducted an integrated strategic assessment of the recreational use and conservation value of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of South Wales. This dataset compiles of the results of an National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey of coal spoil habitats on 15 sites in the South Wales valleys. It contains quadrat and species data for heath, grassland, mire and associated habitats and mapped habitat polygons. The purpose of this data capture was to conduct a strategic assessment of the conservation value of coal spoil in the South Wales valleys to be used to identify important sites which require protection through the planning process and as possible use for designation of sites. It has also been used to aid in identifying action by Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs). The area covered includes South Wales valley; Torfaen, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly and Merthyr County Borough Council (CBCs). The coal extraction industry has had a massive impact on the natural environment at a landscape level, the most obvious legacy of the operations being the extensive coal spoil tips apparent across the region. In recent years millions of pounds have been spent on the stabilisation and eventual reclamation of these spoil areas and their redevelopment for housing, new industry or local open spaces. In the past the potential ecological value of the tips has generally been overlooked or understated. However, old coal spoil sites are now recognised as an important habitat for a range of species and the few remaining sites in the Valleys also have cultural and community value, however general awareness of the value of these sites is low. This has resulted in a loss of site value in term of heritage, ecology, landscape and amenity and there was a need to put individual sites into a context. The former Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), which is now part of Natural Resources Wales (NRW), conducted an integrated strategic assessment of the recreational use and conservation value of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of South Wales. This dataset compiles of the results of an National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey of coal spoil habitats on 15 sites in the South Wales valleys. It contains quadrat and species data for heath, grassland, mire and associated habitats and mapped habitat polygons. The purpose of this data capture was to conduct a strategic assessment of the conservation value of coal spoil in the South Wales valleys to be used to identify important sites which require protection through the planning process and as possible use for designation of sites. It has also been used to aid in identifying action by Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs). The area covered includes South Wales valley; Torfaen, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly and Merthyr County Borough Council (CBCs). Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Middlemarch Environmental Ltd Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Not Provided Not Provided Not Provided Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Species distribution GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2008-06-01 geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme heathland (heaths) lichen-heath lichens coal coal spoils cladonia heather calluna vulgaris Torfaen Rhondda Cynon Taff (Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council) Caerphilly Merthyr Tydfil survey methods (survey techniques) (survey) (surveying) National Vegetation Classification (NVC) conservation assessment the Valleys, South Wales mines (mining) NRW Thesaurus 2023-12-31 geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2021-01-06 geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.rdf+xml Integrated Public Sector Vocabulary 2013-04-03 geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.subjects NRW SMNR Vocabulary 2023-12-27 geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-smnr-keywords The following data is considered OS derived data and is therefore jointly owned by NRW and the Ordnance Survey. There are no access restrictions on this data. However there are third party use restrictions. no limitations © CNC/NRW and © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Natural Resources Wales, AC0000849444 Data may be re-used under provision and in line with the terms of a NRW licence. Those seeking commercial re-use require a commercial licence available from the OS. English environment biota SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 Wales (WLS) -3.51067494 -3.03930557 51.62772393 51.79002672 2006-07-01 2007-03-01 140 400 A strategic conservation assessment of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of south Wales Documents [A] Report available as paper hardcopy or digital version (Word and PDF files) [B] GIS products in the form of MapInfo tables- vegetation polygons, quadrat points, target notes and photographic points. [C] Excel spreadsheets containing raw quadrat data [E] Digital photos Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services 2010-12-08 This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation. false The method of data capture used was quadrat survey using standard NVC methodology on the areas of coal waste selected for survey. Standard former Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) GIS mapping of habitats. The 15 sites were chosen from the 25 identified during the 2005 Assessment of the recreational use and conservation value of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of South Wales survey. There is some disagreement regarding NVC communities/species identification and some poor mapping and digitisation in this dataset. The method of data capture used was quadrat survey using standard NVC methodology on the areas of coal waste selected for survey. Standard former Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) GIS mapping of habitats. The 15 sites were chosen from the 25 identified during the 2005 Assessment of the recreational use and conservation value of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of South Wales survey. There is some disagreement regarding NVC communities/species identification and some poor mapping and digitisation in this dataset.