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60 Black Mountains & Golden Valley
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This Natural Area is the north-eastern end of an extensive dissected plateau which extends into Wales. To the west, the landscape is dominated by the bulk of the Black Mountains which support upland grassland, heathland and some blanket bog as well as springline flushes. There are numerous rock outcrops and screes. In the eastern part of the Natural Area the more fertile valley bottoms of the Golden Valley have a long history of cultivation and large arable fields are found here. Woodlands are a prominent feature of the landscape in the north and east of the Natural Area, particularly on the low ridge between the Golden Valley and the adjoining lowlands. The rivers and streams of this Natural Area are fast flowing, of high water quality and are important wildlife corridors.
Old Red Sandstone forms the bedrock throughout the area and gives rise to distinctive red brown soils. Alluvial deposits have created fertile soils in the valley floors whilst in the upland areas the soils tend to be thin and acidic.
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Natural Area profile available - Size 425.9 kb
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