Caio Forest Resource Plan - approved 22 December 2025

Location

Caio Forest Resource Plan (FRP) includes 10 main woodlands, with some outliers, in Carmarthenshire covering approximately 1,877 hectares. The setting for of the majority of the woodlands is a mixture of upland common and a mosaic of improved agricultural fields and sporadic privately owned woodlands. The Caio FRP contains some very good timber producing woodlands. The woods are also well used by the local community for informal recreation in the most part but there are some well known formal mountain bike trails in the Cwm Rhaeadr Block.

Caio Forest location map

Caio Forest Resource Plan summary objectives

These will set the management objectives for the forest resource plan and wider activities for Natural Resources Wales in order to maintain and enhance the resilience of ecosystems, and the benefits they provide. These are shown in priority order.

Objective 1: Ancient woodland restoration

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is committed to restoring all ancient woodland sites to a more natural state and it is a primary objective for this Forest Resource Plan in line with the Welsh Government Woodland Strategy and South West Area Statement. There will be a gradual removal of conifers over time using a range of silvicultural systems as appropriate to the crop and site conditions. The preferred method of conifer removal will be thinning but it is recognised that in some locations clear-fell will be necessary and more appropriate. We will allow natural regeneration of native broadleaves as the preferred method of restocking. This should Improve habitat connectivity by maintaining and enhancing areas of ancient semi-natural woodland and restoring plantations on ancient woodland sites, in line with strategic prioritisation policy.

Objective 2: Riparian woodland development

The design will look to enhance all riparian zones to include minor watercourses and water sources including springs and wetland hydrological sources. This will provide improvements to habitat connectivity, water quality and quantity and reduction of pressure on the wider aquatic environment.

Objective 3: Wellbeing – recreation, access and education

Maintain the current recreation provision for walking, equestrian, mountain biking and rambling interests within the Caio FRP area in line with our Recreation Strategy.

We will work with our partners and communities where appropriate to identify how the Welsh Government Woodland Estate can provide nature based solutions for health and wellbeing, taking consideration of relevant Rights of Way Improvement plans and providing opportunities for people to connect with nature and encourage outdoor learning and education.

Objective 4: Climate emergency response

We will continue to diversify the forest species, age and structure to increase resilience to pests, diseases and the effects of climate change. Future resilience to windblow will be particularly important, as we work to clear areas blown in recent storms. Species type and planting plans will be considered when restocking to improve stability.

Areas of ancient woodland will be gradually restored to a predominantly native broadleaf species mix that will offer an increase of carbon sequestration and storage in both the timber and soils.

The preferred method of restocking will be through natural regeneration to preserve local seed sources. Enrichment planting will only be used where necessary.

Objective 5: Nature emergency response

The Welsh Government Woodland Estate offers many opportunities to help tackle the nature emergency and associated loss of biodiversity. Extending the woodland edge habitat, protecting riparian woodland and carrying out habitat restoration (Ancient Woodland & Peatland) will create additional connectivity for species which will need to disperse to adapt to the impacts associated with climate change. This will be particularly important for species such as the Red Squirrel and Pine Marten that are known to use woodlands in this FRP area.
Continue the management and restoration of deep peat areas to support carbon, water regulation and biodiversity. There are areas of deep peat within the Forest Resource Plan where there are opportunities for restoration
Several of the Caio woodlands are adjacent to the Mynydd Mallaen Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and there are issues with low level seeding in of exotic conifers. There is broad agreement that these trees should be removed and that this work should be taken forward through a standalone project with input from the Environment team, People and Places team and the Forest Ops and Land Management teams.
The same SAC designated area is also part of the Elenydd Mallaen Special Protection Area (SPA) and there may be opportunities to further enhance the silvan habitat to support the continued favourable conservation status of the avian features, namely merlin, peregrine falcon and red kite, for example increasing the edge porosity through thinning where appropriate

Objective 6: High value timber production

Continue to maintain a sustainable supply of timber through appropriate method of felling and choice of restock species. Where site conditions and crop characteristics allow, look to employ a continuous cover approach for the production of high-quality sawlogs. This will enable NRW to supply high value timber and Welsh forest products to the industry and provide associated employment opportunities. There are opportunities to diversify the forest further and explore the potential for productive broadleaves where appropriate wildlife management can be implemented.

Objective 7: Wildlife management

Pressures from herbivores continue to be an important consideration when establishment of new crops are being carried out and a move towards Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) systems will continue to require management of these pressures. Where existing or potential productive broadleaved woodlands are considered there will be a focus on the importance of wildlife management.