What Makes The Black Mountains So Special?

The Black Mountains are of considerable importance nationally and internationally for its size, altitude and the flora and fauna it supports and approximately a third of the area has Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This site is designated to protect several natural upland features, including blanket bog, calcareous grassland, dry heath, flush and spring, natural inland rock exposures, screes and upland ledges, semi-natural scrub and woodland, vascular plants, the Silurian moth and a diverse breeding assemblage of upland bird species such as Red grouse and Golden plover. Though not listed as a designation feature, wet heath plays an important role in supporting the other habitats and species of concern. Emerging waters from associated upland habitats, particularly blanket bogs, supply a vital resource to several regionally important rivers and streams supporting salmonid fisheries and numerous, other species and habitats. These systems become a part of the Rivers Usk and Wye which are designated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) because of their important riparian features.

Because of centuries of traditional common land management, this man -made habitat contains large amounts of heather and wimberry (bilberry) along with other important plants such as crowberry and cowberry. The Black Mountains, and other areas of the UK, hold some of the most important upland heath anywhere in the world – which means we have a responsibility to look after it! Its loss would result in reduced areas for grazing and ever decreasing numbers of hares, red grouse and lapwing along with many rare plants.

The Black Mountains are composed almost exclusively of old red sandstone rocks dating from the Devonian period. The evidence for a long term relationship between people and the Black Mountains environment can still be seen in the many archaeological sites of local, regional and national importance. Many of these are exceptionally well preserved, surviving as visible and upstanding features in the landscape, and are designated as Scheduled Ancient Monuments. The wealth of archaeological heritage left by our ancestors makes an important contribution to the special qualities and sense of place of the area.

The Black Mountains are a diverse landscape with rich cultural elements including many active family farms, a strong local food culture and vibrant market towns. The area also benefits from an active art scene and tourism that relies heavily on the landscape features, farming and other business activities as well as the associated ecology. Pastoral farming and grazing, and reliance on natural resources such as stone, wood and water, and rural living, have influenced the biodiversity that has resulted over millennia. More than 10,500 hectares are still part of an active Welsh common land agricultural system. Upland grazing and common land management are not only critical conservation tools for sustainable natural resources management in the Black Mountains, they are also sources of economic and social well-being for 250 local farming families and their communities. Raising awareness of, protecting and celebrating traditional grazing practices and associated grazing culture, history and traditions is also of growing importance.

Find out more about the Partnership