Mawddach and Wnion Forest Resource Plan – Approved 20 May 2024

Location and setting

The Mawddach and Wnion Forest blocks (total area 751ha) are situated predominantly along the Mawddach estuary, to the north of the village of Llanelltyd and scattered along and around the Afon Wnion around the town of Dolgellau and the villages of Llanfachreth and Brithdir. The largest and most visible block is above Llanelltyd but other important areas are Bont Ddu and Coed y Garth. All the areas are within the Eryri National Park. These areas together make up the Mawddach and Wnion Forest Resource Plan:

All the Mawddach and Wnion Forest blocks are situated within Eryri, Snowdonia National Park which is also the relevant Planning Authority. Visually, several of them are quite dominant and important in the landscape, Llanelltyd block is by far the most important visually but also Bont Ddu and Coed y Garth are in quite prominent positions in the Mawddach estuary. All the smaller blocks also have some visual importance.

Regarding the local setting, all of the forest is within the Afon Mawddach water catchment, mostly to the north and south of the Mawddach estuary but also close to the Afon Wnion close to the villages of Brithdir and Llanfachreth. The Llanelltyd woodland is behind the village of Llanelltyd and rises up to near the summits of Y Garn and Foel Ispri, and is highly visible from the town of Dolgellau, the main A470 trunk road, Cadair Idris and many other locally important walks and viewpoints within the estuary area.

Location map

Mawddach and Wnion location map

Summary of objectives

The following management objectives have been agreed in order to maintain and enhance the resilience of ecosystems, and the benefits they provide:

Increase diversification of the forest tree species, composition and age structure from what was predominantly conifer to predominately native tree species and also mixed conifer where appropriate. This will increase resilience to pests and disease, whilst improving resilience to climate change. Tree species used, should be suitable to the climate now and to predicted future changes to the climate.
Where clear-felling is to be carried out and replacement planting is to be with native species, natural regeneration should be considered as first choice. If planting is required, local provenances should be used to ensure site suitability and future health of the forest.
Maximise thinning of current crops where possible. This will improve ecological diversity and increase options for future management including possible use of Low Impact Silvicultural Systems (LISS). This will also maximise timber production and allow for use of natural regeneration of young trees.
Look at all opportunities to increase structural diversity within stands through utilising a variety LISS where appropriate to site conditions and the species used.
When clear-felling, the forest should continue to improve in age class diversity both within catchments and across the wider forest area. Where practical and appropriate smaller clear-fell coupes will be used.
Create a diverse permanent forest structure and ecosystem that includes riparian and new native woodland, Natural Reserves, Long-term Retentions , Successional Woodland, and a mosaic of open habitats including forest roads and rides.
Continue monitoring of deer populations (and culling of deer if necessary) to ensure protection of developing new native and ancient woodland regeneration and planting.
The area of productive conifers will reduce in importance within the woodlands in this plan due to other high priority issues including, Ancient woodland restoration, improved habitat connectivity and addressing landscape issues. Where appropriate timber production will continue.
Continue to explore the potential for any renewable energy projects within the forest area.
Look for opportunities for supporting local businesses, local marketing of timber and other products/activities.
Ensure the forest is a source of local employment and this is maintained. Look for increased employment opportunities, directly or indirectly in both timber production and other activities within the forest.
Several significant areas currently have no access for harvesting operations. Investment is required in a permanent infrastructure of new roading and tracks to inaccessible areas.
Utilise the existing ancient woodland areas, new native woodland, watercourses and adjoining native woodlands (Adjoining private native/ancient woodland habitats) as the basis of a permanent forest structure, creating larger habitat networks with improved linkages with ancient woodland.
Protect and enhance microclimatic conditions for lichens; management and improvement of lichen habitat should be linked to the improvements in the habitat networks which include riparian, ancient woodland management, and new native woodland, prioritising these areas for improvement.
Develop a prioritised programme of removal of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) from riparian zones, native woodland habitats and all other parts of Mawddach and Wnion Forest. The Celtic Rainforest project is currently being proposed as funding to aid the removal of Rhododendron from several areas of ancient woodland.
Manage the extent of clear-fells within catchments. Maximising the use of LISS will minimise the impact on water fluxes (peak flows) and critical loads within an acid sensitive catchment. There will be significant practical limitations to this but the use of LISS will be applied where possible.
Create or enhance open space, successional or native woodland, adjoining the Cadair Idris SAC. Ensure all management within the planned area has a positive benefit to all adjoining designated sites.
Protect and enhance the condition of all ancient woodland sites and improve their connectivity to the wider native woodland habitats within and surrounding Mawddach and Wnion Forest with particular attention to the Meirionnydd Oak Woodlands and Bats SAC. Coed Dolgamedd is within the SAC. Where NRW woodlands adjoin the SAC ensure management of NRW woodlands enhances and protects the features of the SAC and in time provides valuable additional habitat and improved linkages in the habitat networks
Minimise the potential adverse effects of acidification through maintaining good and improved water quality through improved riparian habitat and linkages, de culverting where appropriate (Removal, blocking of unnecessary drainage), increased area of native woodland and improved habitat networks based on the riparian infrastructure.
Other species that are of note that should be considered in future management are Dormice, Bats, Water Vole, Merlin, Otters, Adders and Hawfinch; conditions for these species should in all cases be enhanced and protected during any operation.
Activities to reduce flood risk include riparian habitat improvement, increased use of LISS where suitable, minimising size of clear-fell areas where possible within catchments, increased thinning, maintaining woodland cover and expansion of the native woodland area.
These woodlands are highly visible in their locality and to local communities and they are within the Eryri National Park. The plan will improve the visual diversity of the forest by increasing the structural diversity and species diversity within and between stands, remove trees where they form unsightly shapes and edges and increased native woodland and riparian habitats.
There are numerous historical features, most importantly relating to historic mining for metals, features relating to the Nannau Estate which include old farmsteads, stone walls etc. All features need both protecting and, if possible, enhancing with either open space or native woodland expansion.
Maintain existing recreational facilities to a high standard, which also include unofficial walking routes in Coed y Garth and Llanelltyd. Look to develop appropriate recreational opportunities in the forest where appropriate.
Maintain the numerous official and unofficial Public Rights of Way and ensure they are considered during operational activities and make sure any blockages are reinstated as necessary.
Maintain and improve current links with local communities to ensure current levels of access and usage are in line with local needs.
There are several unofficial walking and horse-riding routes used through the forest. It is important that any access is least restrictive, using appropriate furniture such as gates rather than stiles wherever possible.

Maps

Comments or feedback

If you have any comments or feedback, you can contact the Forest Resource Planning team at frp@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk.

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