Protected Area System

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 represent the key habitats for wildlife and important geological features within a region They should also incorporate linkages between isolated areas to permit movement and migration of species, 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) or the processes maintaining a geological feature, are permitted or 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 62 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), collectively known as the Nartura 2000 network under the European Habitats Directive and Birds Directive respectively which place additional conservation obligations on public agencies. In the UK The Conservation (Habitats & Species) Regulations 2010 implement the European Union Directives. The Regulations introduce stringent requirements for the conservation of Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation.

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 for 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 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.

ARFORDIR GOGLEDDOL PENMON

COED Y GELL AND MORFA DULAS

CRAIG WEN/CORS CASTELL

FFERAM UCHAF

GLANNAU PENMON-BIWMARIS

GLANNAU PORTHAETHWY

GLANNAU RHOSCOLYN

GLANNAU YNYS GYBI:HOLY ISLAND COAST

GLAN-TRAETH

GWENFRO AND RHOS Y GAD

HENBORTH

LLANBADRIG - DINAS GYNFOR

LLYN ALAW

LLYN BODGYLCHED

LLYN GARREG-LWYD

LLYN HAFODOL AND CORS CLEGYROG

LLYNNAU Y FALI - VALLEY LAKES

MALLTRAETH MARSH/CORS DDYGA

MARIANDYRYS

MYNYDD PARYS

NANTANOG

NEWBOROUGH WARREN - YNYS LLANDDWYN

PENRHOS LLIGWY

PENRHYNOEDD LLANGADWALADR

PORTH DIANA

PUFFIN ISLAND - YNYS SEIRIOL

RHOSCOLYN REEDBED

RHOSNEIGR

RHOSNEIGR REEFS

RHOSYDD LLANDDONA (page under construction)

SALBRI

SGISTIAU GLAS YNYS MON (ANGLESEY BLUESCHIST)

NATURA 2000

These sites are part of the European Natura 2000 Network, designated because they host some of Europe's most threatened species and habitats. All 27 countries of the EU are working together through the Natura 2000 network to safeguard Europe's rich and diverse natural heritage for the benefit of all'.

Natura 2000

Natura 2000 (N2K) sites comprise Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.

SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION (SAC)

A Special Area of Conservation is defined under the EU Habitats Directive. These are sites of European importance designated by a Member State where the necessary conservation measures must be applied to maintain or restore the site to Favourable Conservation Status. There are seven terrestrial SACs in Anglesey and one marine SAC.

Cemlyn Bay SAC

Menai Strait Conwy Bay SAC

Corsydd Mon SAC
See also Corsydd Môn a Llyn/ Anglesey and Llyn Fens "Ramsar" site on the JNCC website

Llyn Dinam SAC

Abermenai - Aberffraw dunes SAC

Anglesey Coast saltmarsh SAC

Glantraeth SAC

Glannau Ynys Gybi SAC

SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS (SPA)

Glannau Ynys Gybi SPA

North Anglesey Tern colonies SPA

Ynys Seiriol SPA

Liverpool Bay SPA (pdf map)

Core Management Plans detailing the Conservation Objectives for the whole suite of Natura 2000 sites can be found on the CCW website.

RAMSAR SITES

The International Convention on the Conservation of Wetlands, signed in the city of Ramsar, Iran in 1972 comits signatory states to the conservation of important saline and freshwater wetland areas. Originally motivated to protect wetlands for migratory birds, the convention also covers other ecologically important wetlands. On Anglesey, the fens of Cors Erddreiniog, Cors goch, Cors Bodeilio and Cors y Farl, along with similar areas at Cors Geirch and Cors Hirdre on the Llyn Peninsula, form the Anglesey and Lleyn Fens Ramsar site.

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

NORTH WALES WILDLIFE TRUST RESERVES

Caeau Pen y clip

Port Diana

LOCAL NATURE RESERVES (LNR)

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are areas dedicated by the local government under S23 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside act 1949 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)

Llandegfan LNR

Llangoed LNR

Llanddona LNR

Wylfa Head LNR (Cemaes)

ANGLESEY AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY (AONB)