Our Species

Natur am Byth shares the same partners as our sister species recovery programmes in England and Scotland – Back from the Brink  and  Species on the Edge, however our programme in Wales is unique, in that we’re integrating terrestrial and marine management issues, supporting vulnerable marine species as well as those on land and freshwater.

Our target species are listed below.

Quick Ref.	Species No.	Scientific Name	Common Name (Cymraeg)	Common Name (English)	Natur am Byth Project	Drivers of Decline	Action taken in Natur am Byth
Reptile	1	Vipera berus	Gwiber	Adder	Adder Action	Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, concomitant persecution and disturbance	Habitat management in NaB target areas, esp. mosaiic habitats. Training of volunteers to collect DNA samples from shed skins; work with Bangor University on a paid training placement to assess genetic fitness and distribution of the species.
Mammal	2	Barbastella barbastellus	Ystlum du	Barbastelle	Barbastelle bat	Woodland management, habitat and roost loss.	Assessment of population size and range. Regenerate woodland understorey in targeted areas. Map connectivity with foraging areas outside of roosting woodlands.
Lepidoptera	3	Fabriciana adippe	Y fritheg frown	High Brown Fritillary	High Brown Fritillary	Last colony in Wales. Declines in foodplant, increased grassiness and reduction in Bracken litter	opening up of woodland areas to increase the availability of optimal habitat.
Bee	4	Osmia xanthomelana	Saerwenynen	Large Mason Bee	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Coastal erosion, overgrazing	Site management
Beetle	5	Chlaenius tristis	Chwilen ddaear lwydaidd	Black Night-runner	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Site management; isolation	develop and implement a habitat management at Cors Geirch, a fen, to restore populations
Bird	6	Numenius arquata	Gylfinir	Eurasian Curlew	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Agricultural intensification, increasing predator populations	creation of early successional conditions via bare ground scrapes; landowner engagement for maintenance
Bird	7	Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax	Brân goesgoch	Red-billed Chough	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Abandonment of grassland management (e.g. cessation of grazing or of mowing)	heather cutting on coastal heath; creation of habitat mosaics; landowner engagement
Caddisfly	8	Limnephilus tauricus	Limnephilus tauricus (pryf pric)	Limnephilus tauricus (a caddisfly)	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Unknown	vegetation clearance and landowner liaison to ensure appropriate grazing regimes
Vascular plant	9	Juniperus communis	Merywen	Juniper	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Populations too fragmented to regenerate successfully	Ex-situ propagation and translocations; vegetation clearance and landowner liaison to ensure appropriate grazing regimes; surveillance.
Diptera	10	Stratiomys chamaeleon	Pryf milwrol	Clubbed General	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Succession, grazing management	vegetation clearance and landowner liaison to ensure appropriate grazing regimes
Diptera	11	Idiocera sexguttata	Pryf teiliwr chwe smotyn	Six-spotted Cranefly	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Succession, inappropriate grazing management	Site management, surveillance
Vascular plant	12	Juncus capitatus	Corfrwynen	Dwarf Rush	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Succession, lack of grazing and disturbance	Ex-situ propagation; followed by seed-spreading ; site management; liaise with land owners - grazing; surveillance
Vascular plant	13	Nitella tenuissima	Rhawn yr ebol bach	Dwarf Stonewort	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Succession	Pond / ditch management; surveillance.
Vascular plant	14	Rumex rupestris	Tafolen y traeth	Shore Dock	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Changes to natural geomorphological process on beachs, afforestation.	Ex-situ conservation measures followed by seed-spreading and translocations; Site management; conifer removal; surveillance
Vascular plant	15	Tuberaria guttata	Cor-rosyn rhuddfannog	Spotted Rockrose	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Adverse management (burning, scrub invasion, fertiliser drift, nutrient enrichment from overwintering livestock)	Ex-situ conservation measures followed by seed-spreading and translocations; site management; Liaise with land owners - grazing; surveillance
Mammal	16	Arvicola amphibius	Llygoden y dŵr	Water Vole	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	INNS (mink predation), Wetland drainage, watercourse canalisation, inapropriate habitat management	Assessment of upland populations, INNS (mink) Control, habitat improvement, re-assessment of past known populations.
Mollusc	17	Vertigo moulinsiana	Malwoden droellog Desmoulin	Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Succession, under-grazing, overgrazing	Survey, site management, SSSI designation
Mollusc	18	Vertigo geyeri	Malwoden droellog Geyer	Geyer’s Whorl Snail	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Succession, inappropriate grazing	Survey, surveillance, site management
Stonewort	19	Chara baltica	Rhawn yr ebol y Baltig	Baltic Stonewort	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Succession	Dune slack creation / clearance; surveillance
Lichen	20	Cladonia peziziformis	Cladonia peziziformis (cen)	Cladonia peziziformis (a lichen)	Pen Llŷn ac Ynys Môn	Unknown - anecdotal evidence of establishment following heathland burning	Management to be informed by student research project on influence of costal/maritime heath burning on establishment. Potential for trial burning management of coastal/maritime heath with monitoring + test potential for Ryetec collector/flail to deliver right conditions.
Bee	21	Bombus sylvarum	Y gardwenynen feinlais	Shrill Carder Bee	Saving the Shrill Carder Bee in Wales	Habitat fragmentation, Site management	Site management; Bee habitat connectivity providing bespoke land management advice to landowners; volunteer survey training
Beetle	22	Meloe brevicollis	Chwilen olew gwddf byr	Short-necked Oil Beetle	Saving the Shrill Carder Bee in Wales	Land-use change and declines in host solitary bees.	Habitat management of coastal grassland, scrub, sand dunes, and arable.
Vascular plant	23	Aster linosyris	Gold y môr	Goldilocks Aster	Saving the Shrill Carder Bee in Wales	Succession, grazing management. Small populations.	Habitat management of coastal grassland, scrub, sand dunes.
Vascular plant	24	Viola lactea	Fioled welw	Pale Dog Violet	Saving the Shrill Carder Bee in Wales	Succession, grazing management. Small populations.	Habitat management of coastal grassland, scrub, sand dunes.
Stonefly	25	Isogenus nubecula	Pryf y cerrig Isogenus nubecula	Scarce Yellow Sally	Scarce Yellow Sally	River modification, siltation, water quality	River restoration, Autecological studies, Survey, possible captive rearing and release to historic sites.
Mammal	26	Rhinolophus hipposideros	Ystlum pedol lleiaf	Lesser Horseshoe Bat	Swansea Bay, Stars of the Night	Roost loss and Habitat degradation, light pollution. conectivity issues for isolated population	citizen science to understand how the species follow unlit corridors to address and mitigate effects of urban light spill in Swansea
Vascular plant	23	Aster linosyris	Gold y môr	Goldilocks Aster	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	Succession, grazing management. Small populations.	Control of invasive non-native species and scrub management along coastal grasslands of south Gower coast. Liaise with land owners - grazing; surveillance
Diptera	11	Idiocera sexguttata	Pryf teiliwr chwe smotyn	Six-spotted Cranefly	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	Succession, Grazing management	targeted clearance of scrub from ditches, pools and ponds; Site management; surveillance
Beetle	27	Eurynebria complanata	Chwilen y draethlin	Strandline Beetle	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	Strandline loss, Climate change; isolation	Site management, translocation
Damselfly	28	Coenagrion mercuriale	Mursen las Penfro	Southern Damselfly	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	Succession, Under-grazing, Overgrazing	Survey, surveillance, site management
Vascular plant	29	Valerianella rimosa	Gwylaeth-yr-oen llydanffrwyth	Broad-fruited Cornsalad	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	Changes in agricultural practices	Land manager engagement, potential translocation and the development of best practice guidelines
Vascular plant	30	Neotinea ustulata	Cordegeirian	Burnt-tip Orchid	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	Site management; isolation	Site management; grazing; ex-situ cultivation;re-introduction.
Vascular plant	31	Liparis loeselii	Tegeirian y fign galchog	Fen Orchid	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	stabilisation of sand dune systems	Site management;Improved grazing regime; survey, surveillance,
Vascular plant	32	Ranunculus tripartitus	Crafang-y-frân tridarn	Three-lobed Water Crowfoot	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	Succession; Lack of appropriate grazing	targeted management of ditches, pools and ponds; liaise with land-owners - grazing; surveillance.
Lepidoptera	33	Idaea dilutaria	Ton sidan	Silky Wave	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	South Gower hosts one of only three popultions in UK; declines due to INNS and changes in land management	Control of invasive non-native species and scrub management along coastal grasslands of south Gower coast
Lichen	20	Cladonia peziziformis	Cladonia peziziformis (cen)	Cladonia peziziformis (a lichen)	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	Unknown - anecdotal evidence of establishment following heathland burning	Management to be informed by student research project on influence of costal/maritime heath burning on establishment. Potential for trial burning management of coastal/maritime heath with monitoring + test potential for Ryetec collector/flail to deliver right conditions.
Mollusc	34	Vertigo angustior	Malwen droellog ceg gul	Narrow-mouthed Whorl Snail	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	Succession, Under-grazing, Climate change	Improved grazing regimes; survey, surveillance, site management
Reptile	35	Lacerta agilis	Madfall y tywod	Sand Lizard	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	Habitat loss and deterioration, lack of bare sand; fragmented habitats leading to isolated populations. Human disturbance of habitat	translocation & dune re-mobilisation works to ensure dune frontals provide suitable habitat for the species to colonise
Spider	36	Dolomedes plantarius	Corryn rafftio’r ffen	Fen Raft Spider	Swansea Bay: Coast, Commons & Communities	The Fen Raft Spider population on the Tennant Canal and Crymlyn Bog is one of only 3 known populations in the UK	Habitat management to prevent scrub encroachment and to create/maintain open pools (Crymlyn Bog only). DNA analysis; volunteer traning for surveys
Vascular plant	37	Persicaria vivipara	Canwraidd y mynydd	Alpine Bistort	Tlysau Mynydd Eryri	Over-grazing; Climate change	Ex situ propagation and volunteers planting into historic or extant locations; monitoring programme; liase with land-owners - grazing; surveillance
Vascular plant	38	Cerastium alpinum	Clust-y-llygoden Alpaidd	Alpine Mouse-ear	Tlysau Mynydd Eryri	Over-grazing, climate change	Ex situ propagation and volunteers planting into historic or extant locations; monitoring programme; liase with land-owners - grazing
Vascular plant	39	Saussurea alpina	Lliflys y mynydd	Alpine Saw-wort	Tlysau Mynydd Eryri	Atmospheric N-deposition, climate change (?), grazing (incl by goats), recreation (winter climbing)	Exclosures, ex-situ growth of plants, translocation to new sites, goat control, plus further survey
Vascular plant	40	Woodsia alpina	Rhedynen-woodsia Alpaidd	Alpine Woodsia	Tlysau Mynydd Eryri	Historic plant collecting, climate change	Ex situ propagation and volunteers planting into historic or extant locations; monitoring programme
Bivalve	41	Pisidium coventus	Pisidium coventus (cragen gylchog)	Arctic pea-clam	Tlysau Mynydd Eryri	Climate change; isolation	Establish volunteer group to assist professional surveyor to assess current status of population of Arctic Pea-clam as indicator of a changing climate
Vascular plant	42	Polystichum lonchitis,	Rhedynen gelyn	Holly Fern	Tlysau Mynydd Eryri	Historic plant collecting, grazing (trampling)	Ex situ propagation and volunteers planting into historic or extant locations; monitoring programme; liase with land-owners - grazing
Vascular plant	43	Saxifraga rosacea	Tormaen Iwerddon	Irish Saxifrage	Tlysau Mynydd Eryri	Historic plant collecting, possible inbreeding depression and genetic drift	Ex situ propagation and volunteers planting into historic or extant locations; monitoring programme
Vascular plant	44	Dryas octopetala	Derig	Mountain Avens	Tlysau Mynydd Eryri	Over-grazing, climate change	Ex situ propagation and volunteers planting into historic or extant locations; monitoring programme; liase with land-owners - grazing
Vascular plant	45	Woodsia ilvensis	Rhedynen-woodsia hirgul	Oblong woodsia	Tlysau Mynydd Eryri	Historic plant collecting, possible inbreeding depression and genetic drift	Ex situ propagation and volunteers planting into historic or extant locations; monitoring programme
Vascular plant	46	Hieracium snowdoniense	Heboglys yr Wyddfa	Snowdon Hawkweed	Tlysau Mynydd Eryri	Over-grazing	Ex situ propagation and volunteers planting into historic or extant locations; monitoring programme; liase with land-owners - grazing; surveillance
Beetle	47	Chrysolina cerealis	Chwilen yr Wyddfa	Snowdon Rainbow Leaf Beetle	Tlysau Mynydd Eryri	Grazing; Climate change; isolaton	Engage and supervise contactors to create three gated exclosures; work with volunteers to monitor impact of reduced and/or regulated grazing on target species and vegetation.
Vascular plant	48	Saxifraga cespitosa	Tormaen siobynnog	Tufted Saxifrage	Tlysau Mynydd Eryri	Over-grazing; Climate change	Ex situ propagation and volunteers planting into historic or extant locations; monitoring programme; liase with land-owners - grazing; surveillance
Beetle	49	Schizotus pectinicornis	Chwilen ysgarlad	Scarce Cardinal Beetle	Welsh Marches	Loss of veteran/ancient trees and/or associated deadwood niches (including fallen deadwood) related to site, tree management, deadwood removal. Lack of replacement trees in unbroken continuum.	Engage and upskill volunteers and landowners to identify and record ancient and veteran trees. Upskill volunteers to survey historic sites using expert entomologist. Follow-up management advice. Local authority planning dept training on veteran/ancient trees. Planting trees to provide continuum of niches. Veteranisation
Lichen	50	Caloplaca lucifuga	Caloplaca lucifuga (cen)	Caloplaca lucifuga (a Firedot lichen)	Welsh Marches	Habitat loss (veteran/ancient trees), site management (grazing)	Upskilling volunteers to survey historic sites using expert lichenologist. Follow-up management advice e.g. halo thinning. Work on veteran/ancient tree habitat management. Include ash dieback mitigation. Local authority planning dept training.
Lichen	51	Scutula circumspecta	Scutula circumspecta (cen)	Circumspect Dotted Lichen	Welsh Marches	Habitat loss (veteran/ancient trees), Ash Dieback, site management.	Upskilling volunteers to survey historic sites using expert lichenologist. Follow-up management advice e.g. halo thinning. Work on veteran/ancient tree habitat management. Include ash dieback mitigation. Local authority planning dept training. Ammonia (and wider N-pollutants) monitoring at Gilfach to inform further work.
Lichen	52	Anaptychia ciliaris subsp. ciliaris	Anaptychia ciliaris isrywogaeth ciliaris (cen)	Eagle’s Claw	Welsh Marches	Habitat loss (veteran/ancient trees), Ash Dieback, site management.	Upskilling volunteers to survey historic sites using expert lichenologist. Follow-up management advice e.g. halo thinning. Work on veteran/ancient tree habitat management. Include ash dieback mitigation. Local authority planning dept training.
Lichen	53	Caloplaca herbidella	Caloplaca herbidella (cen)	Geranium Firedot Lichen	Welsh Marches	Habitat loss (veteran/ancient trees), Ash Dieback, site management.	Upskilling volunteers to survey historic sites using expert lichenologist. Follow-up management advice e.g. halo thinning. Work on veteran/ancient tree habitat management. Include ash dieback mitigation. Local authority planning dept training.
Lichen	54	Lecanographa amylacea	Lecanographa amylacea (cen)	Lecanographa amylacea (a lichen)	Welsh Marches	Habitat loss (veteran/ancient trees), site management.	Upskilling volunteers to survey historic sites using expert lichenologist. Follow-up management advice e.g. halo thinning. Work on veteran/ancient tree habitat management. Include ash dieback mitigation. Local authority planning dept training.
Lichen	55	Buellia violaceofusca	Buellia violaceofusca	Buellia violaceofusca	Welsh Marches	Habitat loss (veteran/ancient trees), site management.	Upskilling volunteers to survey historic sites using expert lichenologist. Follow-up management advice e.g. halo thinning. Work on veteran/ancient tree habitat management. Include ash dieback mitigation. Local authority planning dept training.
Lichen	56	Bellicidia incompta	Bellicidia incompta (cen)	Sap-groove Lichen	Welsh Marches	Habitat loss (veteran/ancient trees), Ash Dieback, site management.	Upskilling volunteers to survey historic sites using expert lichenologist. Follow-up management advice e.g. halo thinning. Work on veteran/ancient tree habitat management. Include ash dieback mitigation. Local authority planning dept training.
Lichen	57	Bryoria fuscescens	Bryoria fuscescens (cen)	Horsehair lichen	Welsh Marches	Climate change, habitat loss, N-pollution	Citizen-science search for new records, engagement/awareness raising of nitrogen impacts.
Liverwort	58	Riccia nigrella	Grisial-lys du	Black Crystalwort	Welsh Marches	Scrub encroachment	Scrub/tree control to prevent shading at Stanner Rocks, one of 3 remaining GB sites. Improve understanding of nitrogen impacts on site. Local authority planning dept training.
Moss	59	Tortula canescens	Mwsogl troellog	Dog Screw-moss	Welsh Marches	Scrub encroachment. Last population in Wales at Roundton Hill Montgomeryshire	Scrub management at Roundton Hill, where gorse growth enhanced by N deposition threatens colony. Ammonia (and wider N-pollutants?) monitoring on site to inform further nitrogen work. Potential reintroduction
Moss	60	Bartramia aprica	Afal-fwsogl	Upright Apple-moss	Welsh Marches	Scrub encroachment, habitat loss from quarrying. Only British site at Stanner Rock Radnorshire.	Scrub/tree management at Stanner Rocks to reduce shading. Improve understanding of nitrogen impacts on site. Reintroduction to Breidden Hill from last remaining GB population (Stanner Rocks). Will address S7 action.
Fungi	61	Buglossoporus quercinus	Ysgwydd y derw	Oak Polypore	Welsh Marches	Loss of veteran/ancient trees related to site and tree management. Lack of replacement trees in unbroken continuum. Inbreeding as a result?	Engage and upskill volunteers and landowners to identify and record ancient and veteran trees. Upskill volunteers to survey historic sites using expert on fungi. Trail inocculation of veterin trees to bolster population. Follow-up management advice. Local authority planning dept training on veteran/ancient trees. Planting trees to provide continuum of niches. Veteranisation of trees.
Fly	62	Ctenophora flaveolata	Ctenophora flaveolata (pryf teiliwr)	Wasp-banded Comb-horn Cranefly	Welsh Marches	Loss of veteran/ancient trees and/or associated deadwood niches (including fallen deadwood) related to site, tree management, deadwood removal, and Ash Dieback. Lack of replacement trees in unbroken continuum.	Engage and upskill volunteers and landowners to identify and record ancient and veteran trees. Upskill volunteers to survey historic sites using expert entomologist. Follow-up management advice. Ash dieback advice. Local authority planning dept training on veteran/ancient trees. Planting trees to provide continuum of niches.Veteranisation of trees.
Beetle	63	Hypulus quercinus	Chwilen saprosylig	A false darkling beetle	Welsh Marches	Loss of veteran/ancient trees and/or associated deadwood niches (including fallen deadwood) related to site, tree management, deadwood removal. Lack of replacement trees in unbroken continuum.	Engage and upskill volunteers and landowners to identify and record ancient and veteran trees. Upskill volunteers to survey historic sites using expert entomologist. Follow-up management advice. Local authority planning dept training on veteran/ancient trees. Planting trees to provide continuum of niches. Veteranisation of trees.
Cold water coral	64	Eunicella verrucosa	Môr-wyntyll binc	Pink Sea-fan	Môr	Seabed interacting activities, water quality (suspended sediments)	Site management, adaptive mangement of population around Skomer to determine empirically what activity is causing decline. Potential trail of translocation
Vascular plant	65	Zostera marina	Morwellt	Common eelgrass	Môr	Historical decline due to wasting disease, water quality, moorings and anchoring, dredging and smothering	Site management - improved water quality, restoration, use of ecomoorings
Vascular plant	66	Zostera noltei	Morwellt	Dwarf eelgrass	Môr	Historical decline due to wasting disease, water quality, moorings and anchoring, dredging and smothering	Site management - improved water quality, restoration, use of ecomoorings
Vascular plant	67	Ostrea edulis	Wystrysen frodorol	Native Oyster	Môr	Historical overfishing, water quality, parasites, competition with INNS - Crepidula fornicata.	Site management - improvement in water quality, restoration via oyster lay deployment, raising awareness of ecosystem benefits

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