4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313136343432
eng
dataset
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
0300 065 3000
Maes-y-Ffynnon
LL57 2DW
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
pointOfContact
2021-04-26
Gemini
2.2
urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::BNG
OGP
Ancient Woodland Inventory 2011 and 2021
Rhestr Coetiroedd Hynafol
AWI 2011
Ancient_woodland_inventory 2011.LYR
2021-02-25
publication
116442
https://naturalresources.wales
This dataset comprises of the boundaries of Ancient Woodland sites in Wales. Each site is categorised as either Ancient Semi Natural Woodland (ASNW), Restored Ancient Woodland Site (RAWS), Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS) or Ancient Woodland Site of Unknown Category (AWSU). Initially all woods greater than 2 ha shown on the Ordnance Survey (OS) 1:25 000 1st Series maps surveyed between 1880 and 1960 were considered. Evidence as to which of these were ancient was provided by presence on the earlier 19th century OS 1st Edition Maps (surveyed 1805 - 1873; scale 1:63 360). The general presumption was that woodland on 1800s maps was ancient, unless there was other evidence that the wood originated between 1600AD and 1800. Supportive indications of ancient status included the woo
d's name, its situation in the landscape, and the nature of both the surrounding pattern of enclosure and the pattern of boundaries within the wood. Where available, field survey data such as the presence of indicator species, or other historical maps and documents were also used. In mountainous areas such as Wales the first edition Ordnance Survey 1 inch maps were hard to interpret because the heavy hatching used to indicate steep slopes tended to obscure tree symbols.
The 2021 update to the ancient woodland inventory includes changes to the 2011 version resulting from the provision of additional evidence presented to NRW through public enquiries. This includes private estate maps, tithe maps, management records and photographs. The evidence has been considered by a panel of NRW experts and the inventory amended if the evidence indicates that a site has had another land use for a significant period, i.e. woodland is absent from the site in two consecutive epochs of OS historic maps, or there has been significant ground disturbance to the site, e.g. quarrying, mining or development.
Amendments include removal of sites from the inventory, adjustments to boundaries or changes to the ancient woodland category of sites.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
0300 065 3000
Maes-y-Ffynnon
LL57 2DW
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
owner
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
0300 065 3000
Maes-y-Ffynnon
LL57 2DW
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
originator
Forestry Commission Wales
0845 6040845
Forestry Commission Wales
SY23 2DQ
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
originator
Countryside Council for Wales (CCW)
0300 065 3000
Countryside Council for Wales
Maes y Ffynnon
LL57 2DW
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
originator
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
0300 065 3000
Maes-y-Ffynnon
LL57 2DW
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
custodian
asNeeded
Geographic Information System
Habitats and biotopes
GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0
2021-04-27
publication
© CNC/NRW Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and NRW's copyright. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose. Attribution statement: Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100019741. Crown Copyright and Database Right.
otherRestrictions
There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.
eng
biota
ISO3166 Countries
2021-04-27
publication
Wales (WLS)
-5.77774100
-2.60886500
51.24082900
53.51306700
2011-01-01
2021-02-25
The maps combined with new methodology have provided a more accurate inventory which has resulted in an additional 33,000 hectares being identified as Ancient Woodland of which 5,000 is on the WGWE. Categories of Ancient Woodland identified on the AWI map: Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) – broadleaf woodlands comprising of mainly native tree and shrub species which have been in existence for over 400 years.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW)
0300 065 3000
Maes-y-Ffynnon
LL57 2DW
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
distributor
http://lle.gov.wales/catalogue/item/AncientWoodlandInventory2011/?lang=en
Download Data and Web Service
http://lle.gov.wales/services/wms/nrw?
Web Mapping Service
dataset
The areas of ancient woodland with non-native trees planted on them, termed Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), and those areas of ancient semi-natural woodland (ASNW) were identified and delimited by using the latest Ordnance Survey maps and field survey records. The area of each was measured using a dot grid overlay on flat projections of the 1:25 000 1st series map. The results were presented as a series of reports and maps by administrative regions (counties). As new information has been received from surveys and ad hoc informants, the initial county inventories have been revised by adding or deleting sites, or by changing the classification of the growing stock. The Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI) identifies woodlands that have had a continuous
woodland cover for centuries. Studies show that these woodlands are typically of higher nature conservation value than those that have developed recently. In the 1980s the former Nature Conservancy Council instigated the AWI, which attempted to list all ancient woodlands in Britain. A baseline date of 1600 AD was adopted because reasonable maps were available from this time (in England, at least). 1600 AD however, was an arbitrary date, and there was no clear ecological cut-off. The AWI was always considered to be provisional and subject to refinement, and never a definitive listing of the ancient, or the 'best' woods. Between 2010 and 2011 Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) and Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) commissioned a revision of the AWI in Wales comparing the existing A
WI and National Forest Inventory with the Epoch 1: 1st County Series Ordnance Survey maps in terms of identification of ancient woodland. Epoch 1 County Series maps provide a more reliable and comprehensive baseline than the AWI. Moreover, the Epoch 1 maps incorporate numerous practical advantages over the AWI in terms of their ease of use, accuracy and level of detail.