Dowrog Common along with other localities on the St David’s peninsula are hyperoceanic heaths. This area is characterised by a pastoral agricultural history, dating back until at least the twelfth century, when the land was granted to the church.

The sites history is also one marked by small scale extractions – clay which was mixed with culm (a form of coal dust) as a slow burning fuel; and sand and gravels dug to be mixed with lime for mortar. Today these pits have created a series of shallow ponds across these heaths.

The site is known support Priority species Yellow Centaury Cicendia filiformis, Three-lobed Water-crowfoot Ranunculus tripartitus, Pillwort Pilularia globulifera, Lesser Water-plantain Baldellia ranunculoides and Floating Water-plantain Luronium natans.