Biodiversity in woodlands:

Transcription

1 Biodiversity in woodlands: What is the evidence, what does this tell us about the way we are managing our woods? What should we be doing differently? Stephen Trotter, CEnv, MICEEM Director for The Wildlife Trusts in England

2 Biodiversity in woodlands: 1. The Wildlife Trusts 2. What is the evidence for trends in woodland biodiversity? 3. Management and future drivers of change 4. What does this mean for resilience? 5. What should we be doing differently?

3 The Wildlife Trusts

4 What is the evidence for trends in woodland biodiversity?

5 Trends in groups of woodland species over 50 years (no of species) Source: State of Nature Report, 2013

6 UK breeding woodland birds 1970 to 2013 Source: JNCC/Defra/BTO/RSPB 2014

7 Long term change in populations of woodland bird species Strong increase Weak increase No change No of species Weak decline Strong decline Source: JNCC/Defra/BTO/RSPB 2014

8 40 Woodland bird species population trends (Percentage of species) Strong decline Weak decline No change Weak increase Strong increase Source: JNCC/Defra/BTO/RSPB 2014

9 Recent changes in woodland bird trends Short term Long term Strong decline Weak decline No change Weak increase Strong increase Source: JNCC/Defra/BTO/RSPB 2014

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11 Vascular plants

12 Changes in plant diversity Species numbers at each survey time 2009 by The Royal Society Sally A. Keith et al. Proc. R. Soc. B 2009;276:

13 Lepidoptera

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16 Other invertebrates

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18 Mammals Some species have increased over the last 60 years eg: A range of deer in southern Britain (Ward 2005) grey squirrels and badgers (Harris and Yalden, 2008); Others have declined eg: red squirrels dormice For some, such as pine martens (Martes martes), yellow-necked mice (Apodenius flavicollis) and some bats, there is insufficient evidence to be certain as to the long-term trend (Battersby 2005).

19 Extent of woodland

20 Source: Forestry Commission 2003a 1895

21 Source: Forestry Commission 2003a 1947

22 Source: Forestry Commission 2003a 1998

23 Stand age classes 0-15 years years years 100+ years Young and old stands can be of considerable value for wildlife (Warren & Key 1991 Data: Mason 2007).

24 Change in woodland habitat connectivity in the wider countryside, 1990 to 2007 Source: JNCC/Defra/BTO/RSPB 2014

25 Extent of ancient and semi-natural woodland in the UK ( 000 ha) Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites, 225 Other semi-natural woodland, 320 Ancient seminatural woodland, 326 Other UK woodland, 2195 Source: Forestry Commission (2009a) based on data from Pryor and Peterken (2001) with Northern Ireland data from Woodland Trust (2007).

26 Statutory Protection 300ha of ancient woodland lost (Woodland Trust 2011) 85% of ancient woods have no protection Around 400 ancient woods currently at risk Only % SSSIs in favourable condition Special areas of conservation National Nature Reserves Sites of Special Scientific Interest 47,000 ha 30,000 ha 129,000 ha Local wildlife sites???

27 Issues

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29 What does the evidence tell us?

30 Less woodland management or neglect Air pollution and nutrients Impacts of invasive species Missing species? Aging more shade, fewer open areas Key factors affecting woodland wildlife High grazing levels Wood loss not valued? Natural processes Space Climate change Diseases Landscape connectivity Loss of old trees and deadwood

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33 Woods need active management

34 What does this mean for resilience?

35 Key threats to semi-natural woodland

36 What should we be doing differently?

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38 Where and when did YOU get hooked on nature?

39 Current policy framework: Natural Environment White Paper / ETWS

40 Natural Environment White Paper / ETWS

41 ??? We need 21 st Century legislation to underpin the things we need to do to put the relationship back on track

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43 Nature in Neighbourhoods More space for nature, bigger, better and joined up Warwickshir e Ecologically coherent networks in local plans integrated with wellbeing needs

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45 Nature in walking distance

46 Nature in health care

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48 Nature in young people s lives No one will protect what they don t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.

49 Nature in Recovery - in a generation (25 years)

50 Nature at heart of decision making A new watch dog Office for Environmental Responsibility?

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