Aber Taf facts for kids

A beautiful view of the Taf Estuary in Wales.

Aber Taf, also known as the Taf Estuary in English, is a very special natural area in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It's so important that it has been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected place because of its unique plants, animals, and natural habitats. It's also part of a bigger protected area called the Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries Special Area of Conservation.

What is Aber Taf?

Aber Taf is located in the middle of Carmarthen Bay in the southwest of Wales. It's where three rivers meet the sea: the Taf, the Tywi, and the Gwendraeth.

A Special Place for Nature

This SSSI covers the parts of these rivers where the tide comes in. On the Tywi, it goes north towards Carmarthen. On the Taf, it reaches just north of the A477 road. On the Gwendraeth, it extends east to the A484 road. The protected area also includes the wide, flat areas of mud and sand in Carmarthen Bay. These include places like Ginst Point, Cefn Sidan Sands, Laugharne Sands, East Marsh, and Pendine Sands. In total, this special area covers about 14.9 square kilometres (5.8 square miles).

Why is Aber Taf Protected?

Aber Taf is protected for several important reasons:

• Saltmarsh Plants: It has amazing saltmarsh plants that grow in salty water.
• Migratory Fish: Two types of special fish, the allis shad and the twaite shad, swim here to lay their eggs.
• Wildlife Habitat: The area's different habitats, like the muddy and sandy parts, are perfect homes for many birds, especially in winter.

The Saltmarsh Environment

The saltmarsh at Aber Taf is like a natural puzzle with different zones. The types of plants you find depend on how much the tide covers the land and if animals graze there.

• River Mouths: In the upper parts of the rivers, you'll find fine mud.
• Middle Sections: Further down, the mud mixes with sand.
• Estuary Mouth: Closer to the sea, the sand is cleaner.

Amazing Plants of Aber Taf

Near the sea, you'll see lots of common cord-grass. There are also patches of other cool plants like common saltmarsh-grass, common glasswort, sea aster, and annual sea-blite.

In the middle and upper parts of the marsh, you can find:

• Sea aster
• Common saltmarsh-grass
• Sea rush
• Red fescue
• Sea plantain
• Sea arrowgrass
• Sea-milkwort
• English scurvygrass

In areas where animals don't graze as much, like Laugharne and Ginst Point, you might spot sea-purslane. In swampy spots, look for sea club-rush or the tall common reed.

Aber Taf is also home to two very rare plant species: the rock sea-lavender and the bulbous foxtail. These plants are very special and need to be protected.