Conservation in Cardiff Conservation in Cardiff By Ian Giblett

Who are CCV? Started in 1978 Started in 1978 Operate every Sunday Operate every Sunday Also run conservation weekends Also run conservation weekends We are a diverse range of volunteers We are a diverse range of volunteers We love Tea and Biscuits! We love Tea and Biscuits!

Brief List of what we do Manage Woodlands Manage Woodlands Dry-Stone Walling Dry-Stone Walling Fencing Fencing Make and Maintain Footpaths Make and Maintain Footpaths Dig and Clear Ponds Dig and Clear Ponds Lay dead and living hedges Lay dead and living hedges

Coppicing and Scrub Removal

Coppicing Chopping a tree down can be good for its health!! Chopping a tree down can be good for its health!! Traditionally coppicing was done for a theoretically infinite supply of fuel Traditionally coppicing was done for a theoretically infinite supply of fuel With this technique a tree could live for a very long time! With this technique a tree could live for a very long time! Many reasons why conservations clear trees Many reasons why conservations clear trees

Reasons for Coppicing Encourages Growth Encourages Growth Provides a different type of Habitat Provides a different type of Habitat Trees will grow in long straight poles Trees will grow in long straight poles

Flowers Common in Coppiced Woodland When more light is let into a wood…. …lots of flowers begin to grow….. ….which attracts butterflies….. ….Insects and Birds! This Butterfly is called the Duke of Burgundy

Birds in a Coppiced wood This is a Chiff Chaff. He prefers recently coppiced woodland This is a Willow Warbler. He looks for older coppiced woodland

Scrub Clearance Butterflies Love Scrub Butterflies Love Scrub Some prefer young growth, other species like old scrub and the rest like something in the middle. Some prefer young growth, other species like old scrub and the rest like something in the middle. Scrub is a collective term for Brambles and small trees.

Clearance on Sand Dunes Sand Dunes are fairly rare ecosystems in the UK Sand Dunes are fairly rare ecosystems in the UK Easily Choked with Grass, Sea Buckthorn and other invasive species Easily Choked with Grass, Sea Buckthorn and other invasive species This sand dune has become clogged with grass…. …without attention it would turn to woodland. Rabbits dont like long grass…. …so after we cut the grass, they will keep it short.

The biggest living organism on the planet is a fungus! The biggest living organism on the planet is a fungus! Mushrooms have been and still are a source of mystery to humans Mushrooms have been and still are a source of mystery to humans Fungus thrive on dead wood and plants Fungus thrive on dead wood and plants Deadwood for Mushrooms This is a Puff Ball This is a shaggy ink cap. It used to be boiled down to make ink. This is Velvet Shank. Easy to spot because it comes out at Winter This is yellow Brain Fungus!

Habitat Piles Are big piles of wood Are big piles of wood Make a wonderful home to many plants and animals Make a wonderful home to many plants and animals

Walls, Fences and Hedges

Dry Stone Walling Outlasts any other type of boundary Outlasts any other type of boundary Offers Shelter to live stock Offers Shelter to live stock Houses lichens, plants and small animals Houses lichens, plants and small animals Aesthetically pleasing Aesthetically pleasing Prevents land erosion Prevents land erosion

Fencing Keeps Things In Keeps Things In Keeps Things Out Keeps Things Out Cheaper and quicker to make than a wall Cheaper and quicker to make than a wall

Hedge Laying Can only be done before Spring Can only be done before Spring Involves laying trees down to create a thick hedge Involves laying trees down to create a thick hedge A hedge has many benefits A hedge has many benefits First you get a line of trees… …then you split the trunk…. …and you weave them in to the next part of the hedge! The finished product!

Why Lay a Hedge? Offers protection to vast amounts of wildlife: Dormice, Rabbits, insects etc. Offers protection to vast amounts of wildlife: Dormice, Rabbits, insects etc. Immune to vandalism Immune to vandalism Provide shelter for livestock and crops Provide shelter for livestock and crops

Dormice Can build nests up to 5 meters off the floor Can build nests up to 5 meters off the floor Will hibernate for up to 6 months of the year Will hibernate for up to 6 months of the year Are extinct in many counties around Britain and are a protected species Are extinct in many counties around Britain and are a protected species

Footpaths and Steps

Foot Paths Allows safe passage Allows safe passage Minimises Erosion Minimises Erosion

Ponds and Aquatic Life

After a while the water will choke up with dead matter and the water will go somewhere else. After a while the water will choke up with dead matter and the water will go somewhere else. Ponds Provide habitats for many plants and animals Provide habitats for many plants and animals Natural ponds are not stationary! Natural ponds are not stationary! As its not practical for ponds to go some where else we clean them out by hand. As its not practical for ponds to go some where else we clean them out by hand.

Areas on Conservation around Cardiff Worth seeing

Where can you see all this around Cardiff? Grangemoor Park Coed Yr Felin Wood Cefn mably Lavernock Point The Garth Cwm Nofydd Howardian Nature Reserve Cath Cobb Wood Coryton Roundabout! Forest Farm

Summary The main aims of Conservation are: The main aims of Conservation are: a) To Encourage Biodiversity. b) Preserve what habitats we already have. c) Minimise the impact of humans in areas of natural beauty. d) To work with nature, not against it.

Any Questions? Thanks for Listening!