Coed Aber Artro
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Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine
Landscape processes: Fluvial
Description
Description A biological site selected for its oceanic bryophyte interest. The Afon Nantcol flows into a reservoir above a sheer sided gorge strewn with rocks with such species as Harpalejeunea molleri, Grimmia hartmanii and Lophocolea fragrans growing upon the rocks and trees. Several species of fern occur including hart's tongue Asplenium scolopendrium, tunbridge filmy fern Hymenophyllum tunbrigense and wilsons filmy fern H. wilsonii. The gorge is dominated by sessile oak Quercus petraea with ash Fraxinus excelsior and odd wych elms Ulmus glabra. Beech Fagus sylvatica occurs in the gorge and is predominant above in the main wood. The ground flora consists of heather Calluna vulgaris, bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa. Bryophytes carpet the ground with bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripta, wood avens Geum urbanum and cow-wheat Melampyrum pratense. Remarks: Within the Snowdonia National Park.
Species mentioned
Show the 14 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hart's-tongue fern | Asplenium scolopendrium | LC | fern | aspleniaceae |
| Tunrbidge filmy-fern | Hymenophyllum tunbrigense | VU | fern | hymenophyllaceae |
| wavy hair grass | Deschampsia flexuosa | Not listed in GB list | grass | poaceae |
| herb bennet | Geum urbanum | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| bluebell | Hyacinthoides non-scripta | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| common cowwheat | Melampyrum pratense | VU | herb | orobanchaceae |
| pointed pouncewort | Harpalejeunea molleri | LC | liverwort | jungermanniales |
| fragrant crestwort | Lophocolea fragrans | LC | liverwort | jungermanniales |
| billberry | Vaccinium myrtillus | LC | shrub | ericaceae |
| bell heather or ling | Calluna vulgaris | NT | shrub dwarf | ericaceae |
| beech | Fagus sylvatica | LC | tree | fabiaceae |
| ash | Fraxinus excelsior | LC | tree | oleaceae |
| sessile or durmast oak | Quercus petraea | LC | tree | fagaceae |
| wych elm | Ulmus glabra | LC | tree | ulmaceae |
Insects to look out for
These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Speckled footman Coscinia cribraria |
Critically Endangered | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus petraea |
| Shoulder-striped clover Heliothis maritima |
Endangered | Calluna vulgaris |
| Heath fritillary Melitaea athalia |
Endangered | Melampyrum pratense |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| White-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album |
Endangered | Ulmus glabra, Ulmus spp. |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Ulmus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris |
| True lover's knot Lycophotia porphyrea |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Ulmus glabra |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Geum urbanum |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Quercus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus petraea |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Dusky-lemon sallow Cirrhia gilvago |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| The sallow Cirrhia icteritia |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| Rosy marsh moth Coenophila subrosea |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Grey scalloped Dyscia fagaria |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp. |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| The Silurian Eriopygodes imbecilla |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris, Hyacinthoides non-scripta |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Weaver's wave Idaea contiguaria |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris |
| Clay fan-foot Paracolax tristalis |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Frosted green Polyploca ridens |
Near Threatened | Quercus petraea |
| Scotch burnet Zygaena exulans |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.