Carmel National Nature Reserve: Difference between revisions
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'''Carmel National Nature Reserve''' lies close to the village of [[Carmel, Carmarthenshire|Carmel]] in [[Carmarthenshire]]. It lies south of [[Llandeilo]] not far from the main road to [[Llanelli]]. There is a small car park and picnic site for visitors, and footpaths for access. There is an explanatory notice board at the car park. The site is managed by the [[Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales]] and [[Natural Resources Wales]] (NRW). |
'''Carmel National Nature Reserve''' lies close to the village of [[Carmel, Carmarthenshire|Carmel]] in [[Carmarthenshire]]. It lies south of [[Llandeilo]] not far from the main road to [[Llanelli]]. There is a small car park and picnic site for visitors, and footpaths for access. There is an explanatory notice board at the car park. The site is managed by the [[Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales]] and [[Natural Resources Wales]] (NRW). |
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==Turlough== |
==Turlough== |
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Its remarkable [[Geology of Wales|geology]] is mainly [[carboniferous limestone]], and is the location of a [[turlough (lake)]] or disappearing lake. They are more frequent in [[Eire]]. The lake fills up in the autumn and winter, being fed only by [[groundwater]]. The lake disappears by the summer, and is the only known example in [[Great Britain|Britain]]. |
Its remarkable [[Geology of Wales|geology]] is mainly [[carboniferous limestone]], and is the location of a [[turlough (lake)]] or disappearing lake. They are more frequent in [[Eire]]. The lake fills up in the autumn and winter, being fed only by [[groundwater]]. The lake disappears by the summer, and is the only known example in [[Great Britain|Britain]]. |
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Pant-y-Llyn turlough occupies a small depression on the northern perimeter of the [[South Wales Coalfield]] at Cernydd Carmel. This depression represents a [[glacial]] channel formed along the Betws Fault where displacement has brought carboniferous limestone into contact with older impervious Devonian rock. The [[hydrological]] regime of the waterbody is linked to local groundwater behaviour within the limestone. The basin fills to a depth of about 3 m during late autumn and remains full until the following summer when it empties completely, thus reflecting the characteristic behaviour of turloughs. There are no surface drainage channels and a [[swallow hole]] is located at the northern end of the basin |
Pant-y-Llyn turlough occupies a small depression on the northern perimeter of the [[South Wales Coalfield]] at Cernydd Carmel. This depression represents a [[glacial]] channel formed along the Betws Fault where displacement has brought carboniferous limestone into contact with older impervious Devonian rock. The [[hydrological]] regime of the waterbody is linked to local groundwater behaviour within the limestone. The basin fills to a depth of about 3 m during late autumn and remains full until the following summer when it empties completely, thus reflecting the characteristic behaviour of turloughs. There are no surface drainage channels and a [[swallow hole]] is located at the northern end of the basin.<ref name=FirstNature>{{cite web |url=http://www.first-nature.com/waleswildlife/sw-nnr-carmel.php |title=Carmel Woods National Nature Reserve, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, South Wales |publisher=First Nature |accessdate=10 April 2016}}</ref> |
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All of the turloughs are found in limestone areas. This is because limestone can be dissolved away by [[rainwater]], which becomes mildly [[acid]]ic by picking up [[carbon dioxide]] as it passes through the atmosphere. The cracks or joints in the rock become widened to such an extent that eventually all of the rain falling on the limestone disappears underground and the water moves through the rock openings ranging from cracks a few millimetres wide to large [[cave]] passages. The limestone is then said to be [[karst]]ified with many characteristic landscape features. |
All of the turloughs are found in limestone areas. This is because limestone can be dissolved away by [[rainwater]], which becomes mildly [[acid]]ic by picking up [[carbon dioxide]] as it passes through the atmosphere. The cracks or joints in the rock become widened to such an extent that eventually all of the rain falling on the limestone disappears underground and the water moves through the rock openings ranging from cracks a few millimetres wide to large [[cave]] passages. The limestone is then said to be [[karst]]ified with many characteristic landscape features.<ref>{{cite book|author1=N. S. Robins|author2=B. D. R. Misstear|title=Groundwater in the Celtic Regions: Studies in Hard Rock and Quaternary Hydrogeology|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=NdABwKEu9c4C&pg=PA86|year=2000|publisher=Geological Society of London|isbn=978-1-86239-077-5|page=86}}</ref><ref>[http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/protectedsites/sacselection/habitat.asp?FeatureIntCode=H3180 Turloughs] JNCC.</ref> |
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==Flora== |
==Flora== |
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Over one hundred species of indigenous woodland plants have been recorded on the site, and a similar number of mosses and other non-vascular plants live there. Some parts of the woodland, which has been in existence since the Middle Ages, are [[coppice]]d in order to encourage the growth of wildflowers that need more light, but other parts are managed on a 'minimal intervention' basis and left largely alone. Some rare species found here include [[mezereon]] (''Daphne mezereum''), [[toothwort]] (''Lathraea squamaria''), [[lily-of-the-valley]] (''Convallaria majalis'') and [[herb paris]] (''Paris quadrifolia'').<ref name=FirstNature/> |
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==Fauna== |
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The soils provide an unusual combination of [[habitat]]s to exist side by side, including [[ash wood]]s, species-rich [[grassland]], [[heathland]] and open water. The spring flowers include the [[primrose]] or [[Primula vulgaris]] and the [[lesser celandine]]. |
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Frogs, toads and newts breed in the turlough lake and nearby caves are home to bats, including the rare [[greater horseshoe bat]] (''Rhinolophus ferrumequinium''). Dormice are present in the coppiced woodland. There are several species of butterfly here as well as a great variety of insect life.<ref name=FirstNature/> |
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The local landscape is a mix of traditional agriculture and [[quarry]]ing activity, with [[ancient woodland]]s, and [[field system]]s. [[Forestry]] is also practised. |
The soils provide an unusual combination of [[habitat]]s to exist side by side, including [[ash wood]]s, species-rich [[grassland]], [[heathland]] and open water. The spring flowers include the [[primrose]] or [[Primula vulgaris]] and the [[lesser celandine]].<ref name=FirstNature/> The local landscape is a mix of traditional agriculture and [[quarry]]ing activity, with [[ancient woodland]]s, and [[field system]]s. [[Forestry]] is also practised.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitwales.com/attraction-search/attraction-search-results/attraction-search-details?id=1843207&latitude=1&longitude=1 |title=Carmel Nature Reserve |publisher=Visit Wales |accessdate=10 April 2016}}</ref> |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Karst landscape]] |
*[[Karst landscape]] |
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==External links== |
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*[http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/protectedsites/sacselection/habitat.asp?FeatureIntCode=H3180 Habitat descriptions] |
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*[http://www.first-nature.com/waleswildlife/sw-nnr-carmel.php The site described in detail] |
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{{coord|51.830|-4.029|scale:20000_region:GB|display=title}} |
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[[Category:Nature reserves in Carmarthenshire]] |
[[Category:Nature reserves in Carmarthenshire]] |
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[[Category:National nature reserves in Wales]] |
[[Category:National nature reserves in Wales]] |
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{{Wales-geo-stub}} |
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Revision as of 17:51, 10 April 2016
Carmel National Nature Reserve lies close to the village of Carmel in Carmarthenshire. It lies south of Llandeilo not far from the main road to Llanelli. There is a small car park and picnic site for visitors, and footpaths for access. There is an explanatory notice board at the car park. The site is managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
Turlough
Its remarkable geology is mainly carboniferous limestone, and is the location of a turlough (lake) or disappearing lake. They are more frequent in Eire. The lake fills up in the autumn and winter, being fed only by groundwater. The lake disappears by the summer, and is the only known example in Britain. Pant-y-Llyn turlough occupies a small depression on the northern perimeter of the South Wales Coalfield at Cernydd Carmel. This depression represents a glacial channel formed along the Betws Fault where displacement has brought carboniferous limestone into contact with older impervious Devonian rock. The hydrological regime of the waterbody is linked to local groundwater behaviour within the limestone. The basin fills to a depth of about 3 m during late autumn and remains full until the following summer when it empties completely, thus reflecting the characteristic behaviour of turloughs. There are no surface drainage channels and a swallow hole is located at the northern end of the basin.[1]
All of the turloughs are found in limestone areas. This is because limestone can be dissolved away by rainwater, which becomes mildly acidic by picking up carbon dioxide as it passes through the atmosphere. The cracks or joints in the rock become widened to such an extent that eventually all of the rain falling on the limestone disappears underground and the water moves through the rock openings ranging from cracks a few millimetres wide to large cave passages. The limestone is then said to be karstified with many characteristic landscape features.[2][3]
Flora
Over one hundred species of indigenous woodland plants have been recorded on the site, and a similar number of mosses and other non-vascular plants live there. Some parts of the woodland, which has been in existence since the Middle Ages, are coppiced in order to encourage the growth of wildflowers that need more light, but other parts are managed on a 'minimal intervention' basis and left largely alone. Some rare species found here include mezereon (Daphne mezereum), toothwort (Lathraea squamaria), lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) and herb paris (Paris quadrifolia).[1]
Fauna
Frogs, toads and newts breed in the turlough lake and nearby caves are home to bats, including the rare greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinium). Dormice are present in the coppiced woodland. There are several species of butterfly here as well as a great variety of insect life.[1]
The soils provide an unusual combination of habitats to exist side by side, including ash woods, species-rich grassland, heathland and open water. The spring flowers include the primrose or Primula vulgaris and the lesser celandine.[1] The local landscape is a mix of traditional agriculture and quarrying activity, with ancient woodlands, and field systems. Forestry is also practised.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d "Carmel Woods National Nature Reserve, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, South Wales". First Nature. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- ^ N. S. Robins; B. D. R. Misstear (2000). Groundwater in the Celtic Regions: Studies in Hard Rock and Quaternary Hydrogeology. Geological Society of London. p. 86. ISBN 978-1-86239-077-5.
- ^ Turloughs JNCC.
- ^ "Carmel Nature Reserve". Visit Wales. Retrieved 10 April 2016.