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Wildlife Advice: Protected or important species and habitats
Powys is home to a huge variety of wildlife. Many plants, mammals, birds, fish, insects and fungi in Powys are protected by law and/or classed as nationally or locally important. There are also some areas of land and water that are protected because of the wildlife that live there.
There are several types of legally-protected sites in Powys, including:
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
SSSIs give legal protection for the best examples of the UK's plants, animals or landscapes. These sites are also used to support other national and international nature conservation designations, such as Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). Most SSSIs are privately-owned or managed. There are over 200 SSSIs in Powys.
Special Areas of conservation
SACs are designated under the European Commission's Habitats Directive. They are areas which best represent the range and variety of habitats and (non-bird) species within the European Union. SACs, together with Special Protection Areas, form the Natura 2000 network. There are several SACs in Powys, including the Wye and Usk rivers.
Special Protection Areas
SPAs are classified by the UK Government under the EC Birds Directive. They are the most important habitats for rare and migratory birds within the European Union.
Ramsar sites
Ramsar sites are designated under legislation agreed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. Originally intended to protect important waterfowl habitats, they now cover all aspects of wetland conservation. Ramsar sites celebrate wetlands as extremely important places for biodiversity, conservation and human well-being. A small part of the Ramsar site on the Dyfi estuary is in Powys.
National Parks
National parks have conserved and enhanced rural landscapes since 1949. They also promote public enjoyment of the countryside and must have regard for the social and economic well being of those living within them. More information about the Brecon Beacons National Park can be found on their website.
National Nature Reserves
NNRs are some of Britain's most important natural and semi-natural sites. They are managed to conserve habitats and to allow the scientific study of the species living there.
Local Nature Reserves
Local Nature Reserves are designated and managed by the council for nature conservation. They provide opportunities for research and education, and for people to enjoy nature. Lake Park in Llandrindod Wells became a LNR in 2010.
Country Parks
These are managed by local authorities to provide recreation and leisure opportunities, but many are also areas of semi-natural habitat and so enable recreation and the natural environment to coexist. Craig-y-nos Country Park is located within the Brecon Beacons.
Information and advice about legally protected species, SSSIs, SACs, SPAs, NNRs and Ramsar sites can be obtained from the Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
Not all areas that are important for wildlife are legally protected. Local authorities and/or wildlife trusts across Wales have developed criteria to select sites that are important for local biodiversity. Once sites are identified, information and advice is provided to landowners to help with wildlife-friendly management.
In Powys, a network of Wildlife Sites (WS) has been set up to preserve remaining semi-natural habitats. The three Powys Wildlife Trusts survey the sites and provide management advice to landowners. The County Council manages a network of over a hundred Road Verge Nature Reserves, selected and managed to conserve their botanical interest. More information about the RVNR network can be found on the Powys Nature Partnership pages.
