Woodland biodiversity

Conserving and enhancing the biodiversity of forest ecosystems

Summary

Woodland biodiversity is a valued component of sustainable forests, contributing to the ecological functioning and health of woodland ecosystems, and providing interest and delight for visitors. Our research on woodland biodiversity aims to support and inform management that conserves and enhances these qualities.

Research programmes

Related publications

Icon Publications about woodland biodiversity

Ecotype newsletter Ecotype - the Biodiversity Newsletter of Woodland Ecology
Regular updates on progress in woodland biodiversity available in PDF format.

Background

The UK lost much woodland - and consequently its woodland biodiversity - prior to the start of the twentieth century. Woodland cover was as low as 15% in medieval times and notable woodland fauna such as wolf, bear and beaver were lost by AD 1700. Afforestation in the UK in the latter half of the twentieth century was seen by many to be the antithesis of conservation. There was criticism of the loss of open ground habitats, as well as the exotic tree species chosen for planting.

Protection of ancient and semi-natural woodlands and open-ground habitats is now more secure and conserving biodiversity has become a vital objective of sustainable forest management, firmly embedded in the UK national forestry strategies. Research has also shown that the new conifer forests are also becoming habitats with significant biodiversity value for native flora and fauna. Nevertheless, there are still concerns over losses of special habitats and declines in priority species. Changes in management objectives and practices, and environmental change (including climate change) are creating new challenges for the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity. In addition, it is vitally important for developed countries to show their commitment to promoting biodiversity, if global aspirations for conservation are to be met.

Research objectives

The research agenda covered by Forest Research’s ecologists is broad in scope. Current challenges include:

Supporting the move to continuous cover forestry (also known as ‘low impact silvicultural systems’) with appropriate advice on the impact of these systems on biodiversity; their modification to enhance biodiversity; and the role of wildlife may play in limiting their success.
Developing integrated decision support tools to provide guidance to land managers on managing habitats and species, whether these are protected (such as those covered by Species Action Plans, or Habitat Action Plans) or commonplace.
Providing guidance on the effects on biodiversity of management at the landscape scale – encompassing a wide range of organisms and the integration of various land uses. Existing projects in this area include BEETLE and ESC-GIS.
Understanding the benefits and identifying methods of restoring habitats such: ancient woodland, heathland and woodland pasture.
Developing and recommending Biodiversity Indicators for use in monitoring the effectiveness of policy and practice in British forestry.
Undertaking tree and habitat protection in ways that are deemed acceptable to the public. Forest Research's skills in understanding and modelling population behaviour and dynamics are essential for the improved management of: deer,grey squirrels and other exotic fauna and flora which threaten Britain's native species and landscapes.

Policy framework

The British government signed several important global and pan-European agreements in the 1990s, which led to commitments concerning biodiversity of forests (e.g. UNCED Rio; Helsinki; EU Habitats and Birds Directive).

British Forest Policy has adapted to meet these commitments. Forestry Commission objectives now include requirements to ‘protect Britain’s forests and woodlands’ and ‘conserve and improve the biodiversity, landscape and cultural heritage of our forests and woodlands’. These objectives are applied to public forests through the Forestry Commission’s management policies and to private woodlands through the operation of the grants and licensing systems.

Other influential legislation and policy statements include:

National biodiversity strategies – England (2003) and Scotland (2004)
Adoption of Quality of Life Indicators
Nature and Wildlife bill (Scotland) 2004
Countryside and Rights Of Way (CROW) Act.

Foresters are urged by our national forestry strategies to consider broader ecological impacts in forest management. They must try to:

Achieve a reasonable balance of forest and open habitat within their areas
Identify and respond to plans for conservation and expansion of key species and habitats
Enhance biodiversity value by retaining areas for long rotations (or in perpetuity)
Prioritise the restoration of semi-natural woodlands
Manage populations of wildlife (deer and squirrels) to prevent detrimental effects on productive and other values of the forest
Achieve a balance between conservation and other economic and social goals.