The results of a new survey examining the condition of the Welsh countryside and its natural resources has been published by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Research was carried out as part of a UK-wide survey, commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), on behalf of governments, departments and agencies. The Countryside Survey, which was undertaken by the NERC's Centre of Ecology and Hydrology in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government, DEFRA and the Countryside Council for Wales, revealed an increase in the area of broad-leaved woodland in Wales and an improvement in the physical condition of streams.

Soil acidity in Wales has also decreased in line with reduced emissions of sulphur and the number of ponds has increased, although there has been a decrease in the richness of plant species across the country. Welsh rural affairs minister Elin Jones said: "The Countryside Survey provides a valuable and scientifically reliable insight into many aspects of the Welsh countryside, including the state and condition of our habitats, landscape features such as hedgerows, water systems and our soils.

"Evidence from the survey will have an important role in predicting the likely outcome of different policies and pressures such as agri-environment schemes and climate change."