Freshwater habitats include rivers, lakes and ponds and wet areas like marshes, swamps and fens. There are few large rivers in the Vale the main ones being the Thaw and Ely. There is a relatively small number of ponds, often associated with farming areas, while wetlands are largely restricted to river valleys and coastal margins. These are all important habitats for wildlife providing corridors and ‘stepping stones’ for them to move through the landscape.