4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313136343432 eng dataset Natural Resources Wales (NRW) 0300 065 3000 Maes-y-Ffynnon LL57 2DW enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk pointOfContact 2023-12-13 Gemini 2.2 urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::BNG OGP Ancient Woodland Inventory Rhestr Coetiroedd Hynafol AWI 2011 Ancient_woodland_inventory 2011.LYR 2023-12-12 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. The 2011 version remained static until it was replaced by the 2021 version The 2021 version is being updated at least annually as new evicence becomes available. An older 2004 version of the dataset also exists - please see metadata for dataset number NRW_DS125363 - Ancient Woodland Inventory for Wales 2004 (AWI2004) https://libcat.naturalresources.wales/folio/?oid=125363 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 Land use GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2023-12-14 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. otherRestrictions There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely. eng biota ISO3166 Countries 2023-12-14 publication Wales (WLS) -5.77774100 -2.60886500 51.24082900 53.51306700 2011-01-01 2023-12-12 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 https://datamap.gov.wales/layers/inspire-nrw:NRW_ANCIENT_WOODLAND_INVENTORY_2021 Download Data and Web Service https://datamap.gov.wales/capabilities/layer/1105/?ows_service=wms 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.