THREAD

The UK Government's Plan to Bulldoze the Gwent Level...

The Gwent Levels are a vast expanse of wetlands situated on the banks of the Hafren between Caerdydd and Casnewydd.
It’s an area of international significance, which boasts no fewer than 8 Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It’s a magical and otherworldly landscape.
The Levels are a sprawling network of fertile pastures & historic watercourses known as 'reens'.
These 'reens' form part of a complex drainage system, which carries run-off from fields into tidal creeks known as pills. The water is then released at intervals into the Hafren.
This manmade drainage system, which relies entirely upon gravity, constitutes a remarkable feat of hydrological engineering. Over the centuries, this complex system of channels has been managed and maintained; modified and modernised.
The Romans were the first to reclaim large tracts of land from the sea through the construction of a giant sea-wall.
The Romans were the first to reclaim large tracts of land from the sea through the construction of a giant sea-wall.
The Romans were the first to reclaim large tracts of land from the sea through the construction of a giant sea-wall.
However, it was the monks of Allteuryn, in the Middle Ages, who were responsible for creating the complex drainage system that we recognise today.
However, it was the monks of Allteuryn, in the Middle Ages, who were responsible for creating the complex drainage system that we recognise today.
However, it was the monks of Allteuryn, in the Middle Ages, who were responsible for creating the complex drainage system that we recognise today.
Over recent years, a number of highly-significant archaeological finds have been uncovered across the Levels, including flint and wooden tools; a human footprint from the Mesolithic; and a Romano-British boat from the third century.
Over recent years, a number of highly-significant archaeological finds have been uncovered across the Levels, including flint and wooden tools; a human footprint from the Mesolithic; and a Romano-British boat from the third century.
Over recent years, a number of highly-significant archaeological finds have been uncovered across the Levels, including flint and wooden tools; a human footprint from the Mesolithic; and a Romano-British boat from the third century.
Over recent years, a number of highly-significant archaeological finds have been uncovered across the Levels, including flint and wooden tools; a human footprint from the Mesolithic; and a Romano-British boat from the third century.
The Levels are also a unique habitat to an astonishing array of wildlife— hosting one of the finest collections of aquatic invertebrates anywhere in the country.
The Levels are also a unique habitat to an astonishing array of wildlife— hosting one of the finest collections of aquatic invertebrates anywhere in the country.
The Levels are also a unique habitat to an astonishing array of wildlife— hosting one of the finest collections of aquatic invertebrates anywhere in the country.
The Gwent Levels are also one of the few remaining strongholds for rare species such as the shrill carder bee, the great silver water beetle, as well as the world’s smallest flowering vascular plant.
The Gwent Levels are also one of the few remaining strongholds for rare species such as the shrill carder bee, the great silver water beetle, as well as the world’s smallest flowering vascular plant.
The Gwent Levels are also one of the few remaining strongholds for rare species such as the shrill carder bee, the great silver water beetle, as well as the world’s smallest flowering vascular plant.
This fragile ecosystem also supports rare bird species, including lapwings and bitterns, as well as supporting threatened mammals such as water voles and otters, which thrive in this watery landscape.
This fragile ecosystem also supports rare bird species, including lapwings and bitterns, as well as supporting threatened mammals such as water voles and otters, which thrive in this watery landscape.
This fragile ecosystem also supports rare bird species, including lapwings and bitterns, as well as supporting threatened mammals such as water voles and otters, which thrive in this watery landscape.
But despite their international significance, the future of the Gwent Levels is at risk...

The UK Government is threatening to pave over the wetlands in order to build a relief road for the M4 motorway— overruling the Welsh Government's decision to scrap the plans.
But despite their international significance, the future of the Gwent Levels is at risk... The UK Government is threatening to pave over the wetlands in order to build a relief road for the M4 motorway— overruling the Welsh Government's decision to scrap the plans.
But despite their international significance, the future of the Gwent Levels is at risk... The UK Government is threatening to pave over the wetlands in order to build a relief road for the M4 motorway— overruling the Welsh Government's decision to scrap the plans.
Doing so would not only destroy the area’s ecosystem but would also betray the close, sustainable relationship that has emerged between local people and the Levels in this small corner of Gwent since time immemorial.
Doing so would not only destroy the area’s ecosystem but would also betray the close, sustainable relationship that has emerged between local people and the Levels in this small corner of Gwent since time immemorial.
Doing so would not only destroy the area’s ecosystem but would also betray the close, sustainable relationship that has emerged between local people and the Levels in this small corner of Gwent since time immemorial.
If you enjoyed this thread, then please consider supporting us from just £3/month— the price of a coffee.

https://www.patreon.com/gwaliamedia 
END
Check out this thread in its original video format here ⬇️
You can follow @GwaliaMedia.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled:
There are a lot of misconceptions about the Turkish diaspora in Germany. Since i just finished writing an essay about this topic I thought it's time to give other people
Read more
Las mejores calculadoras online en 2020A thread http://totumat.com/2020/11/26/las-mejores-calculadoras-online-en-2020/ Cuando se estudian asignaturas que requieren de cálculos complicados, nada mejor que contar con una buena calculadora.
Read more
Mitigating #ClimateChange is as much about taking up new techs as about leaving others behindMost studies focus on #coal's global downfall but another #energy tech decline is loomingRead my new
Read more