COUNTRYSIDE COUNCIL FOR WALES
SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST: CITATION
GWYNEDD LLYN LLYWENAN
National Grid Reference: SH348811
Site Area: 41.5 ha
FONT FACE="Times New Roman">Description
Llyn Llywenan is selected as an example of a moderately base-rich lowland lake in West Gwynedd; it is primarily of biological interest.
The flora of the lake includes a range of submerged, floating and emergent macrophyte species. A number of rare and uncommon species are present, e.g. eight-stamened waterwort Elatine hydropiper, spring quill.wort lsoetes echinospora, and needle spike-rush Eleocharis acicularis which grow on parts of the more exposed stony shoreline. Floating-leaved aquatic species include the two water-lilies Nuphar lutea and Nymphaea alba and water bistort Polygonum amphibium. There is extensive development of reedswamp with stands of common reed Phragmites communis and lesser bullrush Typha angustifolia; associated species include common club-rush Scirpus lacustris, branched bur-reed Sparganium erectum and greater spearwort Ranunculus lingua.
A variety of overwintering wildfowl species frequent Llyn Llywenan, including mallard, teal, wigeon, shoveler, tufted duck and pochard; it also supports an interesting breeding bird community.