Natur Cymru

Issue 23

Read inside...

Mid Wales’s unique red squirrels

The genetically distinctive Red Squirrels of the mid-Wales forests have a future, as long as firm political resolve is coupled with rapid action now. But time is limited, as Isabel Macho reports.

Summary

Sticklebacks: a story of hard labour, sex and cannibalism

Sometimes the 'small fry' of the wildlife scene pack a surprising punch. It would be easy to dismiss the humble stickleback as of little interest, but that would be to miss out on the dramatic lives of these bright little fish, as TRISTAN HATTON-ELLIS and ZIGGY OTTO reveal.

Save wildlife… STOP BIRDWATCHING!

It's time those who claim to be most concerned about wildlife started taking a lead says ANDREW LUCAS.

Sustainable fishing on the Llŷn Peninsula?

Industrial methods of fishing are threatening the biodiversity of our oceans, and mankind will doubtless suffer greatly in the long run. KEITH JONES describes how one small fishing community is trying to survive by operating on a sustainable level for the good of people and the fish that we eat.

This article is written in Welsh. A translation is available on request.

Natur Cymru

Bees… their future in our hands

Apart from honeybees and bumblebees, most of us are scarcely aware of the other 230-odd species of native bees, yet ecologically speaking they are a very important group of insects. MICHAEL HAMMETT gives a flavour of this varied group of insects, and the threats which they face.

Alien species – the aquatic perspective

With a convoluted coastline and numerous inland waterways, Wales is particularly vulnerable to aquatic invasions. At one time the danger was from human attacks, but these days the non-natives are less obvious. Some, like Japanese knotweed, were "invited" here, but have long since outstayed their welcome. Others have hitched rides on boats, or are responding to warmer climates. DAVE THORPE takes a look at some of the latest invaders.

Grazing in woodlands

Too much grazing in woods stops natural regeneration, so conservation management has encouraged the fencing out of livestock from wildlife-rich woodlands. But conservation prescriptions have a danger of being inflexible and adopting a blanket approach. Meticulous monitoring has shown that some grazing at the right time can be beneficial to woodland bryophytes without stopping young trees becoming established. ROD GRITTEN takes up the story.

The distribution of molannid caddisflies in Wales

The larvae of molannid caddisflies (Trichoptera: Molannidae) exhibit an unusual case construction. A dorsal lip and wing-like lateral extensions conceal the larva in its lake and slow-flowing habitats. Here TONY JENKINS and IAN WALLACE describe the distribution of both British species in Wales, which show a generally clear-cut geographical separation.