More information Carmarthenshire Nature Partnership (gov.wales)
Contact Isabel Macho Biodiversity@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Carmarthenshire supports a variety of semi-natural habitats from the uplands in the north and east, through the lowland grasslands, rivers, woodlands and wetlands, to the coastline in the south. Our agricultural areas still support ecological networks which can, if well managed, improve ecological resilience and support biodiversity. This mosaic of habitats across the county did, and still has the potential to support a rich diversity of species. We have much to be proud of.
Key Messages
- Carmarthenshire – our land
• Carmarthenshire supports a variety of semi-natural habitats from the uplands in the north and east, through the
lowland grasslands, rivers, woodlands and wetlands, to the coastline in the south. Our agricultural areas still support
ecological networks which can, if well managed, improve ecological resilience and support biodiversity. This mosaic of
habitats across the county did, and still has the potential to support a rich diversity of species. We have much to be
proud of.
• As well as its inherent value, wildlife and habitats provide important ‘ecosystem services’ that benefit us all, e.g., flood
prevention, food provision, carbon storage, recreation.
• Carmarthenshire’s protected site network (Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, Special
Protection Areas, National Nature Reserves and Ramsar site) should be managed to achieve favourable conservation
status. Key wildlife sites managed by partners should have up-to-date management plans and the means to manage
them. Staff resources are critical. - A resilient Carmarthenshire
• Protected, or designated sites alone will not conserve Carmarthenshire’s rich biodiversity. It is essential that these
sites are linked by Resilient Ecological Networks (RENs) which will enable movement of biodiversity across/ throughout
our landscapes.
We can summarise the essence of what needs to be done in four words: more, bigger, better and joined.
Resilient Ecological Networks are networks of habitats in good ecological condition linking protected sites and other
biodiversity hotspots across the wider landscape, providing maximum benefit for wildlife and wellbeing. These
networks need to be diverse, of sufficient scale and extent, in good functional condition and part of connected mosaics,
if they are to enable species and habitats to successfully adapt to pressure and change.’
• We need to consider how the Welsh Government target of protecting at least 30% of the land and 30% of the sea by
2030 (supporting the Convention of Biological Diversity goal) would look in Carmarthenshire and how we can best take
effective action. In addition, we need to consider ‘Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs)’, i.e.,
areas that are achieving the long-term and effective in-situ conservation of biodiversity outside of protected areas.
• We must work together to identify priority areas for action to build ecosystem resilience that can be delivered in
partnership. Positive work is taking place by a range of organisations and individuals, including more nature-friendly
farming, peatland restoration, grassland management, new woodland planting and the identification of Important
Plant and Invertebrate Areas in the county. - Threats and pressures
• The Climate and Nature emergencies are interlinked. Climate change policies need to be integrated with policies for
biodiversity. You cannot solve one without solving the other. The ecosystem services that semi-natural habitats
provide, and which can help to mitigate climate change, e.g. wetlands which mitigate flooding and peatland habitats
which sequester carbon – will also be lost unless we provide for nature recovery. We need to be aware of proposals for
climate change which exacerbate the Nature Emergency such as tree planting on habitats which support biodiversity,
and which are already sequestering carbon. Any solution needs to address both emergencies, and not worsen
either.• Local threats to Carmarthenshire’s wildlife mirror many national trends, such as habitat loss and fragmentation,
pressure from development, inappropriate management, non-native species introductions and the impact of climate
change. Such threats are all too real with the disappearance/near-disappearance of priority species from the county,
including breeding Curlew over the last 20 years (reflecting a rapid decline in Wales by more than 60% in the last 20
years) and Lesser Butterfly Orchid linked to the reduction in the in the number in species-rich hay meadows. The latter
has been recorded at only four ‘hectads’ (10x 10 km square) in Carmarthenshire between 2000-19 (County Plant
Recorder, pers comm.).
• We need to keep the common species common. We have a creeping baseline where successive generations are
seeing less nature but are not aware – once common species such as Swifts and Hedgehogs are now far less often seen.
• Despite having a wealth of data about some species, there are still many gaps in our knowledge of some species or a
lack of consistency in data collection that make it difficult for us to identify and report with confidence the changes in
biodiversity over time. - Taking positive actionPositive action requires a whole-society approach, not just the environmental and public sector. Everyone can take
positive action – from individuals to landowners and managers, business sector to decision makers. Action is informed
by and depends on a number of factors.
• Complexity – the habitats and species making up Carmarthenshire’s natural environment are complex and
interrelated. We must keep our minds open to multiple solutions and ingenious ideas to improve the resilience of the
habitats we manage.
• We work better together – Carmarthenshire’s environmental sector must continue to collaborate and establish
shared priorities for nature recovery, co-ordinating action, priorities and resourcing to achieve agreed goals., We need
to work together, sharing skills, knowledge and expertise, and highlight the multiple benefits of our conservation
projects e.g. Caeau Mynydd Mawr Marsh Fritillary Project. The Carmarthenshire Nature Partnership is in a good place
to do this.
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• Sustainable agriculture – agriculture has the greatest potential to create resilient networks within the landscape.
Influencing the development and delivery of the Sustainable Farming Scheme to reflect local priorities for nature
recovery and nature-based solutions is a priority.
• Even in times of economic uncertainty, spending on the environment must remain high on the political agenda, it
is an “invest to save” option, preventing further losses that cannot be reversed and which will ultimately not just impact
ecosystems but us as well.
• We must build awareness and engagement with the natural environment – from individuals to landowners and
managers, business sector to decision makers. Easily accessible, practical advice is needed for communities and
landowners to undertake positive action; the Carmarthenshire Meadows Group is a good example of this.
• Increase community engagement and volunteering opportunities. There is a wealth of expertise and people power
in our volunteer networks; volunteering in nature-based projects is now associated with delivering well-being benefits,
as well as increasing understanding and value of the natural world among volunteers.
• Public bodies must prioritise planning for blue and green infrastructure that will both help to create Resilient
Ecological Networks, and benefitting people, putting sustainable development that invests in nature at the heart of
local decision-making. Their Environment (Wales) Act 2016 duty must be delivered on par with the Well-being of
Future Generation Act 2015 duty and Net Zero Carbon targets.
• The resilience of ecosystems relies upon the adequate regulation of activities that act as pressures on the
environment. Controls are in place to regulate these activities, but there is a need to ensure that they are implemented
and enforced consistently with the objective of sustainable management of natural resources. Regulating authorities
must be adequately resourced.
Read About Carmarthenshire's Priority Habitats
CARMARTHENSHIRE’S STATE OF NATURE – SPECIES ACCOUNTS