Search Natural Areas Foreword Natural Areas & Their Role Natural Area Boundaries Marine Natural Areas Dean Plateau and Wye Valley Introduction Previous Search results Key nature conservation features of National Significance Earth heritage Lowland beech and yew woodland Lowland meadows Lowland mixed deciduous woodland Rivers and streams Upland mixed ashwoods Upland oak woodland Key nature conservation features of Local Significance Lowland calcareous grassland Lowland dry acid grassland Lowland heathland Lowland wood pasture and parkland Wet woodland

61 Dean Plateau and Wye Valley   The landscape of the Dean Plateau and Wye Valley is varied with the main features being the large plateau of the Forest of Dean, which reaches a height of about 200 metres, the valley of the River Wye which passes through a deep limestone gorge, the Woolhope Dome which supports large-scale plantations, and the Monnow Valley along the western boundary of the Natural Area. The Natural Area is dominated by woodland with the largest areas of ancient semi-natural woodland in the Wye Valley and Woolhope Dome. Remnants of heathland are still found within some forested areas. The Natural Area also includes the middle and most of the lower sections of the River Wye, plus its many tributaries and numerous streams. The River Wye is an internationally important river system and supports numerous species of conservation interest including fish, freshwater invertebrates and floating water-crowfoot vegetation.   Natural Area profile available - Size 553.3 kb     Copyright    Privacy    Freedom of information    Directgov