Colliery Spoil, Heathland, Ffridd, Crags

Heathland, Crags and Scree, Ffridd and Colliery Spoil Actions

Prevent Inappropriate Tree Planting

Discourage tree planting schemes that may inadvertently damage valuable habitats and species. Encourage site specific surveys prior to the implementation of such schemes to ensure informed decisions can be made.

Agri-Environment Scheme Support for these habitats

Promote protection and management of these habitats through agri-environment schemes. Review the 'Glastir Woodland Creation: Opportunities Map' to ensure they are fit for purpose.

Forest Design Plans

Emphasise the importance of the management and protection of these habitats within the Welsh Government Woodland Estate.

Heathland Assessment

Undertake an assessment of the ecosystem resilience of Heathland in RCT.

Support the Coal and Mineral Spoil Working Group

Ensure that members of the LNP are representative in this group to promote the importance of coal and mineral spoil for biodiversity.

Land Reclamation for Nature

Continue to influence land reclamation schemes to maximise the benefits for nature. Encourage land reclamation schemes to incorporate natural regeneration at their core, embracing what is now known of the ecology of colliery spoil.

Designate the first Colliery Spoil Local Nature Reserve

Designate Clydach Vale colliery spoil site as a Local Nature Reserve to protect the habitat and raise awareness of the importance of colliery spoil habitat for biodiversity.

Survey coal and mineral spoil sites

Continue to undertake surveys on coal and mineral spoil sites to further our understanding of their importance for nature. Ensure any reclamation or management proposals consider their ecological value.

Protect the extent of ffridd in RCT

Raise awareness of and protect the important ffridd hillsides of RCT through appropriate management e.g. through projects like Healthy Hillsides.

10.

Local Development Plan (LDP)

Raise awareness of the ecological value of colliery and mineral spoil sites during evidence gathering to inform the LDP, to safeguard coal and mineral spoil sites within the LDP.

Heathland, Crags and Scree, Ffridd and Colliery Spoil Habitats in RCT

This groups of habitats often form complex mosaics on the Valley sides and upland edge, providing a biodiversity rich expanse of semi-natural habitats which is the epitome of habitat connectivity and diversity. Together they a fundamental part of the landscape and biodiversity character of Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Putting Colliery Spoil on the Conservation Agenda

In 2015 Liam Olds began ground-breaking research with Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales to investigate the invertebrate fauna found on colliery spoil sites in south Wales. This research developed and expanded with additional funding from RCT Council and Neath Port Talbot Council, culminating in a total of 15 sites across RCT and NPT being surveyed between 2015 and 2018. Although a mere baseline and a snapshot of just a small number of south Walian colliery spoil sites, a total 901 invertebrate species were recorded, of which 197 (or 22%) were species of ‘conservation priority’ in the UK. Amongst these species were some which had not been previously recorded in Wales or the UK and, in one case, an entirely ‘new’ species (Maerdy Monster millipede). This extraordinary research is an indication of the diversity of valuable wildlife habitats that can found on colliery spoil sites and their capacity to support threatened species that are uncommon or rare in the wider countryside. In April 2019, with funding from the Wildlife Trust for South and West Wales, Liam produced the ‘Invertebrate Conservation Value of Colliery Spoil’ which summarises the findings of this research.

As part of this and later research, Liam identified 7 invertebrate species with a strong association with colliery spoil sites. This includes 3 butterflies, 1 beetle, 1 bee, 1 moth and 1 grasshopper species. Such ‘iconic’ species can be expected to present on most colliery spoil sites in south Wales and could represent indicator species for identifying sites of high ecological value. Among these species, Grayling, Dingy skipper, Small pearl-bordered fritillary, Tormentil mining-bee and Scarce grass-veneer moth are all considered to be of ‘conservation priority’ in Wales and the UK.

1. Grayling (Hipparchia semele)

2. Dingy skipper (Erynnis tages)

3. Small pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene)

4. Green tiger beetle (Cicindela campestris)

5. Tormentil mining-bee (Andrena tarsata)

6. Scarce grass-veneer (Crambus pratella)

7. Mottled grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus)

This ground-breaking research has highlighted the habitat and biodiversity importance of colliery spoil sites for invertebrates, but we have barely scratched the surface of what the colliery spoil sites of RCT are supporting which is extremely exciting – what other new species like the Maerdy Monster await discovery. During a time of unprecedented biodiversity loss and great concern for declines in invertebrate species, colliery spoil sites have been found to support an amazing reservoir of invertebrate friendly habitat, acting as important refugee for species that are declining in the wider countryside. Liam’s work has also highlighted the importance of open habitat mosaics on these sites and the need to maintain a range of environmental conditions, and that colliery spoil sites deserve to be appreciated, managed, and protected for the benefit of people and wildlife.

Naturalists from across south Wales joined in a bio-blitz at the former Maerdy Colliery on 29th July 2017, described by SEWBREC as ‘our best ever’. A new group of fungi enthusiasts is focusing on coal spoil and the ‘dragons of the tips’ project is investigating the reptiles and amphibians they support.

RHONDDA CYNON TAF ACTION FOR NATURE PLAN