Woodland Strategy 11.34 Mb - the Dorset AONB

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Section 7 Appendix 2 - Description of Key Issues 50 Legislation The main Acts for protection of biodiversity in England and Wales are the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS 9). However, there is another layer of legislation produced at a European level. These are European Union (EU) Directives which are produced to have effect at a national level as regulations. There are many such regulations which have an impact on environmental matters, the most important being the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994. Containing five Parts and four Schedules, the Regulations provide for the designation and protection of 'European sites', the protection of 'European Protected Species' (EPS), and the adaptation of planning and other controls for the protection of European Sites. Under the Regulations, competent authorities i.e. any Minister, government department, public body, or person holding public office, have a general duty, in the exercise of any of their functions, to have regard to the EC Habitats Directive. Climate Change Climate change and global warming occur naturally but over extremely long periods of time. The processes involved have been accelerated by the demands humans are putting on the earth’s natural resources, including oil, coal, natural gas and woodland and forest deforestation. To try to redress this balance the Government is encouraging the use of ‘biomass’ to produce heat and power along with other measures to reduce carbon emissions and better utilise renewable energy resources such as solar, hydro wind. The trees, forests and woodlands of Dorset have a role to play in reducing the impact of climate change. The challenge is to protect what we have, and ensure we can adapt to the new threats and opportunities that climate change will bring while still maintaining and expanding a sustainable forest and woodland resource. Landscape Trees and woodlands are a feature of many parts of the Dorset landscape. There has long been a social and cultural connection with trees and woodlands in the landscape with tremendous benefits in terms of influencing the general quality of life for local people, and underpinning a significant part of tourism industries Landscape is many things to many people. The landscape of Dorset as it is today has been shaped by thousands of years of human interaction with the environment. Geological formations and natural process created landforms and which have been shaped by humans into distinctive landscapes. Landscapes are valued by people for many different reasons. It provides habitats for wildlife, a cultural record of how our ancestors lived and utilised its resources and in many cases provides an economic resource, whether from farming or forestry, or by contributing to a sense of identity, well-being and enjoyment and attracting businesses and tourism. In recent years the assessment of landscape character has played an ever-increasing role in aiding decision making. Its role is to help ensure that development and change does not undermine but enhances what is valued or characteristic about any landscape, and is an important tool in planning and management for the future. Biodiversity Any land management system, or lack of one, will have an impact on tree and woodland biodiversity, whether it is intensive conifer forestry, coppice management, pollarding, continuous cover management, non/minimal intervention or left as natural reserves. The key to successful biodiversity management is identifying your objectives ad applying the appropriate management practices. With any type of management protecting wildlife value and biodiversity is a key objective. There are many factors that influence the management of trees and woodland including personal objectives of the landowner, current and previous management practices, species present and their conservation value/status, economics and funding. • Identifying the appropriate sustainable management prescriptions for trees and woodlands can be a complex task with more than one ‘right’ answer. However, without a sustainable management plan it is almost impossible to achieve objectives. Identifying primary woodland use should not be undertaken without considering links to secondary woodland use. For example the primary use may be coppicing/timber production but secondary uses could include wildlife, shooting, recreation, education or a combination of these and others. Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) PAWS are sites that have a long history (since 1600 at least) of woodland cover. They are ancient semi-natural woodlands on which the original, “native” woodland was either enriched or cleared, and replaced by a plantation of either native or exotic species. Between the 1930s and the early 1980s nearly 40% of ancient semi-natural woodlands were converted into plantations, most of which were of non-native coniferous species.
Section 7 51 PAWS restoration is a high priority within Dorset (and England) and with the realisation that many PAWS retain species and composition of previous ‘natural’ woodlands. A key economic driver is the England Woodland Grant Scheme. The main aim of PAWS restoration is to encourage and create suitable conditions for the regeneration and extension of native woodland cover. Restoring PAWS to native woodland, using appropriate management systems, will increase and enhance biodiversity. Guidance suggests that restoration should be undertaken in slow stages, preferably using continuous cover to achieve woodland conditions and ecosystems. However, there are exceptions to this where invasive species are present or existing tree species do not reflect the natural woodland type. In these situations Species there is a case for removing these species in one operation to eliminate or reduce their impact. Sustainable Management In some situations, it is important to leave woodlands unmanaged to increase their biodiversity value, such as in the case of wet alder woodlands. In other situations, a lack of management or inappropriate management is a particular problem such as increasing in shade from lack of management, competition with introduced invasive or exotic species such as rhododendron and over-grazing by deer all have an adverse effect upon important woodland flora and fauna. Many of Dorset’s woodlands suffer from inappropriate management, whether intentional or otherwise, and is the most significant issue facing the health and condition of many of the county’s woodlands. Almost all woodland benefits from management of some kind, even if the management is minimal or non intervention. If left some woodland types become subject to detrimental changes, with loss of desirable benefits to wildlife, timber value, recreation and landscape. Generally a holistic, integrated approach works best, unless there is an overriding objective to manage for timber, recreation or biodiversity. • There are varying degrees of neglect, and there are instances where ‘managed’ neglect or minimum-intervention can be beneficial, in particular for lower plants, lichens and bryophytes, bats and hole nesting birds Size Woodland size can be related to the economic value and ecological value. Small woodlands are not of a size to be self-sustaining ecological units and lack economic value. Small loads are difficult to sell, haulage costs are increasing and sensitive and sympathetic use of modern machinery makes working costs higher, and in many cases in Dorset access to the woodlands is very difficult. These and other factors such as lack of a ready, local market combine to generate a proportionally high cost of operations with little return, which in most cases only leaves the option of non-management of the woodland. Management, Evaluation and Perception In the past Dorset’s woodlands have been intensively managed and were a financial asset to their owners, and because they had a financial value they were managed for greatest gain. Today, many woodlands are no longer deemed economic in terms of wood and timber, therefore the perception is that they have no value. However, woodlands can be valued other than financially such as for biodiversity, recreation, sporting and contribution to the character of the landscape. The actual value of woodland is closely linked with the owner, and their personal aspirations from it, whether sporting, timber, conservation or recreation (or a mixture of uses). Timber, recreation, sporting, education and woodfuel all have a part to play in today’s woodland management. Managing for each objective would not necessarily increase the economic value of woodland to a point where it becomes cost-effective. Combining different activities without compromising their objectives is achievable if well planned and managed. Woodlands with a clear objective are productive, whether it be woodfuel, timber, sporting etc, and become more valuable financially, for wildlife and more enjoyable. Archaeology Trees, woods, forests, wood pastures, parklands, orchards and commons have a long association with human activity and many types of archaeological feature are directrly related to the management of tree covered landscapes. Features ad sites forming part of the historic environment provide the tools with which we can understand our past. They are a finite, non-renewable resource and once lost can never be replaced. To allow the interpretation nd study of the historic environment by future generations, management to ensure its preservation is required whenever possible. Many people have a strong affinity towards the human past and archaeological trails are very popular as walkers try to imagine the lifestyle of their ancestors. Any archaeological evidence within a woodland directly associated with its history requires sensitive management to allow it to be conserved appropriately. Such features provide a link to the wood's history and potentially that of surrounding settlements thus increasing the woods cultural and social value. Examples of historical woodland features include: • Wood banks, deer leaps and Park Pales • Charcoal platforms • Saw pits • Ancient coppice stools • Ancient Pollards • Veteran trees.
Page 1 and 2: The Dorset Trees, Woods and Forest
Page 3 and 4: Contents Section 1 Key Themes 28 Ex
Page 5: Executive Summary Section 1 5 The v
Page 8 and 9: Maple Leaves © David Rees
Page 10 and 11: Section 2 Aims of Strategy 10 Outdo
Page 12 and 13: Cardinal Beetle © Forestry Commiss
Page 15 and 16: Section 3 History The character of
Page 19 and 20: Section 3 Woodland Ownership 19 (Al
Page 21 and 22: Section 3 Oak 13.3% Woodland Area b
Page 24: Section 3 24 Accessible woodlands O
Page 29 and 30: Key Strategic Links Section 4 29 So
Page 32 and 33: Section 4 32 There is now an overwh
Page 34 and 35: Section 5 The Future 34 This strate
Page 36 and 37: Woodland Anemome © Forestry Commis
Page 38 and 39: Section 6 38 Environmental cont’d
Page 40 and 41: Section 6 40 Economic Issue Recomme
Page 42 and 43: Section 7 References/ Bibliography
Page 44 and 45: Section 7 Further Sources of Inform
Page 46 and 47: Section 7 Appendix 1- Key Strategic
Page 48 and 49: Section 7 48 • Identify gaps and
Page 52 and 53: Section 7 Appendix 2 - Description
Page 58 and 59: Leaves © David Rees
Page 60: Oak Trunk © David Rees

Woodland Strategy 11.34 Mb - the Dorset AONB

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