While the mining activities in Cwmystwyth have had a negative impact on the local environment in the past, there are some positives. The mine is no longer in use, but now offers a safe home for several types of plants and animals. This shows us nature’s ability to reclaim landscapes and adapt to places that have been dramatically changed by human action. For this reason, the mines have been identified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
One of the most important aspects of biodiversity at the Cwmystwyth Mines is the presence of metal-tolerant plants. Over time, certain plant species have adapted to the high levels of heavy metals in the soil that resulted from mining activities. These plants developed ways to survive and thrive in these harsh conditions. Some examples of metal-tolerant plants found here include mosses, lichens, and ferns. These metal-tolerant plants play a significant role in the ecosystem of the Cwmystwyth Mines site. An ecosystem is made up of the interaction of all living organisms, like animals, plants, and animals, in an area with non-living organisms, like water, soil, rocks, and the sum. The metal-tolerant plants also help prevent soil loss as their roots help bind the soil and prevent erosion. Collectively, these metal-tolerant plants form a unique version of an important type of grassland habitat referred to as a Calaminarian grassland habitat, which is grassland that grows on old mining tracks and slag heaps, or on river gravels and naturally exposed metal-rich soils in the mountains.