Natural Resources Wales has notified, subject to a four month consultation period, a large SSSI (408.95 ha) (incorporation a much smaller existing SSSI) on the borders of Gwynedd and Powys between Machynlleth and Dolgellau in valleys around Dyfi Forest. Among the primary interests of the SSSI notified lichens are prominent and are an assemblage of southern oceanic woodland lichens, an assemblage of upland rainforest lichens and includes 13 individual rare lichen species: Fuscopannaria mediterranea, Graphina pauciloculata, Leptogium brebissonii, Ricasolia (Lobaria) amplissima, Lobaria pulmonaria, Ricasolia (Lobaria) virens, Menegazzia terebrata, Micarea hypoviolascens, Parmelinopsis horrescens, Parmeliella testacea, Porina hibernica, Pyrenula occidentalis and Rinodina isidioides.
The citation probably mentions many more lichen species than any previous SSSI citation in Britain and demonstrates that Natural Resources Wales is taking lichen conservation very seriously. The BLS welcomes the notification of this exceptional important lichen rich site.