Changes in Wales related to semi-natural/natural, cultivated/managed, urban, naturally bare and water environments. In conjunction with international partners from Australia and Europe, Living Wales has developed a new change taxonomy that provides a standardized approach to the description of the drivers, pressures and impacts of change that can be used to support historical and near…
Ecosystems are generally complex and difficult to define and, more often than not, comprise a wide range of habitats; typically combining semi-natural, agricultural and non-natural components. This part of the website describes the main habitat groups in Wales, and the more recognisable seral phases of those habitats, some of which are now confined to small…
Efforts towards ecosystem restoration can range from school projects, such as establishing small ponds, to drain blocking on peatlands or restoring native woodlands. Restored ecosystems provide opportunities for reducing flooding, increasing pollinators, reversing biodiversity declines, enhancing tourism, improving the well-being of current and future generations and providing future resources. The resources from Living Wales can…
Wales has a rich biodiversity with many icon species. However, the abundance and distribution of fauna and flora has reduced overall over past decades but this is often piecemeal and therefore not evident in many cases. The environmental descriptors and land cover maps generated by Living Wales provide a valuable and expanding resource by which…
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries are dominant land uses across Wales, which can benefit from the resources provided by Living Wales, and particularly those associated with Earth observations. Examples include informing on crop and tree health, harvesting cycles, understanding how past land use has impacted on yields and accessibility, informing and valuing ecosystem services, and ensuring…
Living Wales provides a wide range of teaching and learning resources relevant to primary school years through to universities and professional training. These contribute to the objectives of Living Wales, which are to a) provide educational material for primary and secondary schools that encourages interest in and provide the basic knowledge surrounding Earth observation and…
