Scotland forest habitat network

A national map showing forest habitat networks (classified by network size) for moderately mobile (1km dispersal) woodland generalists

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A national map showing forest habitat networks (classified by network size) for moderately mobile (1km dispersal) woodland generalists

Background

The Scottish Forestry Strategy has outlined a major aspiration to develop forest habitat networks (FHNs) through the restoration and improvement of existing woodland and the incorporation of targeted new planting. It is expected that in the longer term such measures will reverse the effects of fragmentation on woodland biodiversity.

The Forest Research spatial decision support system model, from the BEETLE (Biological and Environmental Evaluation Tools for Landscape Ecology) suites of tools, uses a focal species approach to assess the functional connectivity of habitat for specific and generic focal species.

The Scotland FHN project expands on the Scottish Borders and West Lothian pilot studies, and will indicate the presence and spatial extent of FHNs at the national and regional scale. The outputs will assist in targeting grants and incentives for woodland expansion.

Aims

The project will develop a plan to support the strategic development and integration of FHNs and open habitat networks in Scotland.

The project will produce scenario maps, to help the Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage advise on the expansion and restoration of habitats to protect, and enhance, functional connectivity for woodland and open ground species.

Buchan

Extent of habitat networks for mobile woodland generalists in the fragmented woodlands of North Aberdeenshire, Banff and Buchan

Map (left) shows the extent of habitat networks for mobile woodland generalists in the fragmented woodlands of North Aberdeenshire, Banff and Buchan.

Compare the Buchan map with the size and extent of the functionally connected forest habitat network for mobile woodland generalists in the Spey Valley (below).

Spey Valley

Objectives

Develop the theoretical basis, based on BEETLE, for a modelling tool to demonstrate habitat networks based on focal species connectivity
Produce a national map for Scotland showing existing woodland and open habitat networks
Produce a range of scenario maps for the different regions of Scotland indicating: expansion opportunities and constraints for focal species.