Issue 42 Spring 2012

Llangorse Lake

Neither science nor words can adequately describe Llangorse Lake. GARETH ELLIS does so very eloquently but urges you to see, hear and feel it for yourself.

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Gas pipeline through the Brecon Beacons

When planning permission was granted to locate the Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) terminals on the shores of Milford Haven it was inevitable that the gas would need to be piped somehow to the rest of the UK. Not before in Britain had a project to plan, consent and construct over 100km of 1200mm diameter steel gas pipeline been completed in the three year time limit. GRAHAM COWDEN describes the challenges of planning the pipeline for the National Grid and his subsequent role for the National Park overseeing construction and restoration. 

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Limpets in Pembrokeshire

Limpets, limpets everywhere but……… How many? Are they changing? Is this normal? How do we know? JOHN ARCHER-THOMSON emphasises the importance of long running data sets to get a true measure of the impact of disasters such as the Sea Empress oil spill in 1996.

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Fires and high-tech surveys

Heavy snow and arctic temperatures in early 2011 gave way to the driest spring for 30 years with frost-killed vegetation adding to the fire load. Most scientific organisations expect such weather conditions to occur more frequently. JUDITH HARVEY urges nature conservation organisations to consider fire load management as a priority: if allowed to build up, catastrophic impacts will result. Shaun Lewis explains how remote sensing technology is being used to map out a comprehensive baseline from which to monitor restoration progress

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Waun Fignen Felen

Over the years the management of Waun Fignen Felen, which lies above the caves of Dan yr Ogof in the Tawe Valley, has been a cause for concern. ARWEL MICHAEL traces the history of the site from prehistoric times to the present and reports on the work that has been undertaken recently to ensure the future of the site.

This article is written in Welsh. You can read a translation here.

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Y Gyrn - Farming in the Brecon Beacons

JOE DAGGETT explains the work that has gone into improving the landscape of Y Gyrn, including the replacement of Belgy Blues by Blue Greys crossed with a Blonde!

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Wales Coast Path

In the past tracks appeared whenever enough tramping feet wore away the vegetation, but organizing new paths – literally ‘fast-tracking’ them – requires a bit more forethought and effort. SUE RICE examines the complexities of creating a long-distance path around Wales’s coast, while DENIS McATEER looks at the exciting new opportunities the path could bring.

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The Brecon Beacons National Park – biodiversity challenges

The whole point of being designated a National Park is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage found there. There should be little need, then, to justify the importance of biodiversity conservation in these areas. PAUL SINNADURAI looks at some new (and old) challenges facing the Brecon Beacons.

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