Helen Elizabeth Kuumbi |Artist| Cornwall  

When woodland shows centuries of continuity on largely undisturbed soils it is considered ancient. This woodland type can encompass natural type woodland and plantation. At least 50% of ancient woodlands have been cleared and replanted, they are called PAWs (plantation of ancient woodland). Woodland is ancient if it has existed since 1600, as wood existing at this time is assumed to be a remnant of the last of the ‘wild woods’, or primary forest.

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The woodland trust outlines the following principles in the management of ANSW:

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1.  Ancient woods are complex and irreplaceable ecosystems. Where damaged they require positive management for biodiversity.

 

The ecosystem of ancient woodlands has developed over centuries, and this includes the underlying soil structure and communities of bacteria, invertebrates and mycorrhizae as well as plants, birds and mammals. Human factors have changed the composition and abundance of species present, and the current conditions may not be suitable for the woodland to recover without intervention. For example, due to the often fragmented nature of these habitats, missing components cannot recolonize or over-grazing may prevent regeneration.

 

 

2.  Without restoration management, ancient woods planted with non-native species may become irreversibly degraded over time.

 

 

For example, the invasive species rhododendron pontica can dominate the shrub layer and prevent the regeneration of native trees and supress the field layer. Rhododendron is also allelopathic so will alter the chemical composition of soils preventing other species from seeding. Plantations of none native conifers produce a leaf litter alters the soil PH, repeated removal through clear-fell removes woody biomass and disturbs soil structures.

 

3.   Restoration starts from the basic premise that all PAWS are likely to retain remnants of the ecological and archaeological value that previously existed in ancient woodland.

 

Examples of remnant features include relic native trees and standing deadwood. Management decisions should ensure that these are made secure and threats to them managed.

 

 

4.Surviving biological remnants are adapted to woodland conditions and the seasonal shade patterns of broadleaved woodland. These remnants respond positively to management of light levels.

 

The existing seed bank in the ancient soils on these sites can respond well to altered light levels, so management may include thinning where there is a dense canopy. Managing regeneration or planting can increase canopy cover where high light levels have resulted in the field layer becoming smothered by course vegetation such as bracken and bramble.

 

5.  Restoration management is a long term process, but there is an urgency to start in many situations where remnant features are under threat to ensure no further degradation

 

For this reason, there are three phases in managing ANSW for restoration. The first phase is assessment and planning, where there is a focus on identifying remnant features and assessing the level of threat to these. Relic features of ancient woodland are most vulnerable when isolated or existing in fragmented habitats. Features are classified as critical, threatened or stable and this guides priority in management decisions. The second phase is halting further decline where features may be critical or threatened and may include action such as haloing veteran trees. The third phase is maximising the ecological integrity of the woodlands, for example in altering the stand composition by thinning for age and species diversity.

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Woodland Trust (2015) Practical Guidance Module no.1 Ancient woodland restoration An introductory guide to the principles of restoration management

 

Ancient Woodland Restoration Continuing Professional Development - Version 3, course material by Cumbria Woodlands 2023