Issue 2

Going wild in the uplands – return of nature after Foot and Mouth

In the wake of Foot and Mouth Disease, agricultural policy needs a re-think. Should we persevere with uneconomic hill farms for the supposed environmental benefits they bring? MICK GREEN suggests that other kinds of landscape, not based on intensive livestock farming, could be much more rewarding.

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Foot and Mouth Disease: a live experiment?

It has been a year of sudden change in the countryside. Footpaths have been closed and grazing patterns broken; the slaughter of livestock and restriction of their movements has had an impact on wildlife. DUNCAN BROWN thinks we should record our observations on the effects of the crisis on the environment before they fade from memory.

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Will there be nightingales? – climate change in Wales

Human-induced climate change is now an accepted fact. What effect will it have on the Welsh environment? JOHN FARRAR discusses our uncertain climatic future, and its implications for the environment and development.

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A midsummer night's nightmare – woods fall victim to climate change

As US President George W. Bush walks away from the Kyoto Protocol, a Woodland Trust report opens up a new debate on climate change and nature conservation. RORY FRANCIS reports on a worrying picture of woods in the future.

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Climate change on Snowdon – what does it mean for wildlife?

In response to the threats of climate change and pollution, an intensive long-term monitoring project has begun on Snowdon. CLIVE WALMSLEY explains the purpose of the monitoring and describes some of the apparent changes in the environment, and the wildlife that survives despite the harsh conditions on the mountain.

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A spiritual place: Bardsey and other nature reserves

PETER HOPE JONES has spent a lifetime observing and photographing nature. He is especially associated with Bardsey, and has been the driving force behind the recording of nature there. Amongst his written and photographic work are two books on Bardsey, one with his friend R S Thomas. Here he explores Bardsey's spiritual dimension, and suggests that this aspect of other nature reserves should be given more consideration.

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Conserving lawn fungi – home to a wealth of waxcaps

Surveys in Wales over the last three years have revealed internationally important populations of four rare species of fungi, which are identified in the national Biodiversity Action Plan as requiring action to conserve them. These grow in agriculturally unimproved pastures and upland rough grazings, but important populations have also been found on lawns, in churchyards and gardens. RAY WOODS explains the newly found importance of this habitat.

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Birds of prey in Wales in the year 2000

IOLO WILLIAMS, the famous bird man, discusses the luck and misfortune befalling birds of prey in Wales.

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

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The Lore of Plants: the foxglove

Llên y Llysiau – the Lore of Plants – is a project initiated by Cymdeithas Edward Llwyd to record all kinds of links between the people of Wales and plants. It aims to gather information about the species under a number of headings, including the origin of the name, literary references, place names, historical records, and the use of plants. Here IWAN EDGAR looks at the lore of the foxglove.

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

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