OR/14/043 Recommendations and knowledge gaps

Farr, G, Graham, J, and Stratford, C. 2014. Survey, characterisation and condition assessment of Palustriella dominated springs 'H7220 Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion)' in Wales. British Geological Survey Internal Report, OR/14/043.

The following are recommendations that are aimed to improve the knowledge of the extent and functioning of petrifying springs H7220 in Wales.

• It is likely that the total area covered by H7220 habitat is under recorded. Further survey is likely to increase the known area of H7220 in Wales and could incorporate sites that were not covered in this study such as Dinefwr, Pont ar Wysg, Craig y Fro, Cwm Sere, Trefil, Cwm Cadlan, Craig yr Hafod, Pont Melin Fechan, Nant Whitton, Cwm Nofydd in South Wales, Waun Eurad and Cors y Farl in Anglesey.
• Long term ecohydrolgoical monitoring should be established for at least one site from both Group 1 and Group 2 and if resources allow further division into the four subgroups. Monitoring should incorporate annual repeated bryophyte surveys, seasonal water quality analysis and if possible gauging of the duration and volume of water discharge across sites.

Potential sites could include:

Group 1A: Tarren y Esgob
Gropu 1B: Nant Peris

Group 2A: Fedw Fawr Beach
Group 2B: Cors Erddreiniog 7b–e

• Improvement of the conceptual ecohydrolgoical conceptual models for key sites within the H7220 habitat to allow classification of key water supply mechanisms and improve our understanding on the functioning of this habitat. Improved conceptual understanding of the habitats also allows the identification of potential pressures and risks likely to cause unfavourable ecological condition or poor hydrgeological status in the future.
• Further characterization of the wider ecology of the sites, although not essential could yield interesting information to further the knowledge and characterization of H7220 in Wales. Future surveys could build on existing invertebrates surveys (e.g. Godfrey, 2009) and include new algal surveys.