PROTECTED AREAS
Wildlife (flora and fauna) does not survive in isolation, but depends on habitat to provides the food, water, shelter and space for it to thrive. Protection and management of areas of habitat is thus the primary method of nature conservation.
Protected area systems are designed to ensure adequate representation of the key habitats for wildlife within an area. They should also incorporate linkages between isolated areas to permit movement and migration of species, either daily, seasonally or over longer time, along with mechanisms for ensuring that the ecological processes and functions of the habitat (such as hydrological processes, natural succession or cyclical or dynamic change) are properly addressed by management. Protected areas are designated and advised to landowners and authorities so that, forewarned with this information, they can take appropriate action to avoid or reduce damaging actions. They may also be involved in the positive management of areas for wildlife.
The Protected Area System in Anglesey is based on a suite of 60 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), notified under the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1980) as amended by the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000. Many of these are on private land and place obligations on landowners to conserve the special interest of the area in association with the Countryside Council for Wales. Some of these sites also carry additional recognition as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Special Protection Areas (SPA) under the European Habitats Directive and Birds Directive respectively which place additional conservation obligations on public agencies.
The protection of landscapes (including their natural beauty, aesthetic and cultural associations) is achieved through the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Special Landscape Areas.
Click here for a Map of the Protected Area System (SSSI & AONB) or scroll down for details of individual sites.
SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST (SSSI)
A
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is an area that has been
notified as being of special interest under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981 on account of the importance of its flora,
fauna, geological or physiographic features. Notification as
an SSSI is a legal mechanism to protect sites that are of particular
conservation interest because of the wildlife they support, or
because of the geological features that are found there. SSSIs are
found all over Great Britain and help to form a national network of
areas with the greatest value to wildlife or geological conservation.
The legislation was further strengthened by the Countryside
and Rights of Way Act 2000 which amends the 1981 Act provisions and
improves protection for SSSIs in England and Wales. Notification as a SSSI does not confer
any special rights of public access. However, many areas are on public land or
open access land or can be viewed from public rights of way
(footpaths and bridleways)
There are approximately 1000 SSSIs in Wales of which 60 are in Anglesey. Some of these are also designated SAC or SPA or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) under other legislation.
GLANNAU YNYS GYBI:HOLY ISLAND COAST
LLYN HAFODOL AND CORS CLEGYROG
NEWBOROUGH WARREN - YNYS LLANDDWYN
SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION (SAC)
A Special Area of Conservation is defined under the
Habitats Directive.
These are sites of European importance designated by a Member State
through a statutory, administrative and/or contractual act where the
necessary conservation measures are applied to maintain Favourable
Conservation Status.
In the UK The Conservation (Natural Habitats, & c.) Regulations 1994 implement
the European Union Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the
conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. The
Regulations introduce stringent requirements for the conservation of
Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation.
Corsydd Mon SAC
Abermenai - Aberffraw dunes SAC
SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS(SPA)
Glannau Ynys Gybi SPA
North Anglesey Tern colonies SPA
Ynys Seiriol SPA
Corsydd Mon a Llyn "Ramsar" site
AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY (AONB)
LOCAL NATURE RESERVES (LNR) Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are areas dedicated by the local government for the purpose of conserving nature for public benefit.
There is a strong emphasis on people, particularly children, having access and educational benefits.
Coed Cyrnol LNR (Menai Bridge)
Y Dingl LNR (Llangefni)
Wylfa Head LNR (Cemaes)
NATIONAL NATURE
RESERVES (NNR)
NNRs are areas established under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 in order to protect the most important areas of wildlife habitat and geological formations in Britain, and as places for scientific research.
RSPB RESERVES
South Stack
Valley Lakes
Malltraeth marsh
NORTH WALES WILDLIFE TRUST RESERVES
Cors Goch
Cemlyn
Port Diana
Coed Porthamel
Mariandyrys
See also Corsydd Môn a Llyn/ Anglesey and Llyn Fens "Ramsar" site on the JNCC website