Commons are playing a key role in revitalising biodiversity within the City and County of Swansea. Commons are an important feature of the landscape: from the upland heathland and grasslands of north Swansea to the lowlands and heaths of the Gower peninsula.
Grazing rights for sheep, cattle and ponies are registered on the Swansea Commons. In the lowlands, all three types of livestock are grazed whereas in the uplands there are a few ponies along with the mountain sheep. There are a number of issues facing graziers within the north Swansea commons, which include the predominance of bracken, invasive species, fly-tipping, fires and illegal off-roading. The project, ‘Building Our Biodiversity’ was set-up in 2012 to tackle these issues.
The ‘Building Our Biodiversity’ project takes place on 890ha of common land, being managed by members of West Glamorgan Commoners Association who work collectively to ensure that the common is conserved for grazing, conservation and access. The WREN Biodiversity Action Fund (BAF) is providing funding for this 5-year project with additional contributions being made by National Grid. There is a wide project partnership which includes the West Glamorgan Commoners Association, the Somerset Trust, Natural Resources Wales and the City and County of Swansea and the Gower Society.
The project aims to improve the common for grazing and biodiversity by actions that control undesirable species, in particular:
Bracken control: this is being managed using specialised rollers, which crimp the plant, reducing its vigour in the following year. This technique is used year-on-year providing a sustained reduction in Bracken and improvement in the growth of beneficial grasses and herbs.
Rhododendron control: this non-native species has come to dominate an area of 40ha within the project boundary. Manual cutting and treatment techniques are being used to gradually remove this plant. Once cleared, restoration is towards a mixture of species found within heathy grassland habitats.
Fly tipping and illegal off-road vehicles are being tackled through, community engagement, involvement and partnership working with the Dyfed Powys Police. Operations have been undertaken which have resulted in warnings being issued and scrambling bikes seized.
Gorse and scrub are also being brought under control through a programme of rotational cutting and targeted grazing.
The culmination of these on-going activities is resulting in a progressive overall improvement in biodiversity. The grazable area is expanding and invasive non-natives being eradicated.
The north Swansea Commons also provide valuable opportunities for people to enjoy air and exercise in a fantastic location with panoramic views across the Loughor Estuary towards Gower. The ‘Building Our Biodiversity’ project is providing new ways and opportunities to engage with the wider community about commons, their management, biodiversity and traditional management practices.
If you would like to find out more information about this partnership project please contact Deborah Hill deborah.hill@swansea.gov.uk 01792 636000
WREN is a not for profit business that awards grants to community, environmental and heritage projects across the UK from funds donated by FCC Environment to the Landfill Communities Fund.
For more information about WREN please visit their website: http://www.wren.org.uk/
