Wetlands
Wetlands are vital habitats that store carbon, support wildlife and help protect communities from flooding.
The lifeblood of the landscape
Wetlands in Bannau Brycheiniog include bogs, fens, marshes, ponds and wet meadows. These watery habitats are some of the most valuable ecosystems in the Park, supporting a rich mix of plants, insects, birds and amphibians. They also play a vital role in regulating water, reducing flooding, and storing carbon — making them essential for both people and wildlife.
Wildlife and habitats
Wetlands provide breeding grounds for frogs, toads, newts and dragonflies, while wading birds such as snipe and curlew depend on them for feeding and nesting. Plants like cotton grass, sedges and sphagnum mosses dominate bogs and fens, creating unique conditions that support biodiversity found nowhere else. These habitats are also key stepping stones that link rivers, grasslands and uplands across the Park.
Benefits for people
Beyond their wildlife value, wetlands benefit communities by storing and filtering water, helping prevent floods downstream, and improving water quality. Healthy peat bogs lock away carbon, contributing to efforts to tackle climate change. For centuries, wetlands have also been part of cultural traditions, shaping local stories and providing resources such as reeds and mosses.
Caring for wetlands
Wetlands are under threat from drainage, pollution, development and climate change. Once damaged, they are difficult to restore, but projects across the Park are working to bring them back to life. The Authority partners with farmers, land managers, volunteers and conservation bodies to block old drainage channels, restore peatlands, and improve wetland habitats for wildlife. Looking after wetlands today means safeguarding the natural systems that sustain us all.
