Issue 5

Johannesburg 2002 – a future for nature, or business as usual?

MORGAN PARRY reports on the latest Earth Summit, and the environmental challeneges which the world now faces.

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In view of the wind

The hunt is on for sources of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels, and wind power is the front-runner. As giant turbines on Welsh hilltops have proved controversial, off-shore wind farms may be the answer. MALCOLM SMITH sets the scene, and looks and the merits of "blades at sea".

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The lore of plants: the royal fern

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 TWM ELIAS looks at the royal fern Osmunda regalis.

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

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Seeing black grouse through the trees

Black grouse displaying provide a spectacular but increasingly rare sight. Now help is at hand, PATRICK LINDLEY and DAVE SMITH report on a remarkable success story.

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Opening up the forest – a new prospect for Newborough

While the conservation of nature has traditionally been a rear-guard struggle, a new age of ambitious habitat restoration projects is dawning. JAMES ROBERTSON considers what it would take to transform a large plantation on Anglesey into a mosaic of trees and open duneland.

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How to house sparrows – colonial nest boxes boost house sparrow numbers

The house sparrow, a symbol of our inner cities, has been in decline for the past twenty years. Now help is at hand. Houses have been provided for house sparrows, built in terraces or tenements to encourage their colonial nesting behaviour. TONY JENKINS reports on the experiment's resounding success.

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The history, status and control of common cord-grass in Wales

Common cord-grass arose in Southampton Water from a natural hybrid and gives point to the term 'hybrid vigour'. Originally introduced to help bind mud and accumulate land, it quickly got out of control and became a conservation problem, threatening mudflats which were important for wildlife. Much time and energy has been spent controlling it over the last thirty years or more, but has this effort been worthwhile? Signs are that common cord-grass is losing its powers. PETER RHIND reports

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Re-introductions – the wider benefit

Are re-introductions a help or a hindrance to wildlife conservation? Nigel Ajax-Lewis got the debate going in the last issue. Here IAN CARTER, who has player an active part in the successful re-introduction of the red kite to England and Scotland, strikes a positive note in favour of bird re-introductions.

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Welsh islands round-up – north Wales

Compiled by GEOFF GIBBS, who has recently returned to live on the North Wales coast after 25 years of exile in Essex.

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Looking for the stoat

For centuries, the white winter fur of the ermine was considered to be extremely valuable. But will we see this colour as often as global warming takes effect? Here DUNCAN BROWN tries to find the answer

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

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