Celtic rainforests in Wales

They are located largely in river valleys, adjacent to the sea, on Wales' western coasts, particularly in Snowdonia (Eryri), Powys and Ceredigion.

[2][3] Great Britain contains 70,000 hectares (173,000 acres) of these rainforests, making up only 1% of its area,[4][5] and they are a habitat for ancient ash, birch, oak, pine and hazel woodlands.

[3][7] Historically, up to 10,000 years ago,[8] these rainforests were more widespread, covering a lot of the western seaboard of Britain,[5] as well as across Wales, but are now limited to largely inaccessible areas, such as steep river gorges and ungrazed hillsides.

[10] Some birds found in these rainforests may include, grey wagtails, dippers, pied flycatchers, redstarts, treecreepers and wood warblers.

[9] There is a conservation project in Snowdonia (Eryri) to protect and restore the forests,[2] as well as a wider "Celtic Rainforests Wales" (CRW) project covering north-west and west Wales, including Snowdonia (Eryri), Cwm Einion, Cwm Doethie – Mynydd Mallaen and the Elan Valley.

The project will focus on Bryn Ifan in Gwynedd (under the North Wales Wildlife Trust), as well as Creg y Cowin on the Isle of Man.

[24] Some examples include:[3][24] The Woodland Trust acquired Coed Felenrhyd in 1991, and embarked on a programme to clear the area of the invasive rhododendron and to thin its conifers, which were planted after World War II and have stifled its ancient trees.