In Cardiff there are a range of different habitats and wildlife species and many of these are of high value. Statutory and non-statutory designations have been made to reflect this value, and these include:

2 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs),

1 Special Protection Area (SPA)

1 Ramsar Site

17 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and

6 Local Nature Reserves (LNRs).

Other sites are non-statutory because they are regulated by policy rather than legislation. In Cardiff these are known as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) and details are available on our website.

Some of the more notable protected species in Cardiff include the Otter (Lutra lutra) which is present on all three main rivers right throughout Cardiff, 10 species of bat, some of which are present throughout the City, some populations of Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus), and an extensive Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) population, mostly to the north and east of the City.