Management of the Natural Environment & Forestry Flashcards
(41 cards)
What are the key differences between Commercial and Amenity woodland?
Different species
Different financial gain
Different environmental gain
Different tax incentives
Different eligibility for carbon
Other than Carbon and Environmental, what are the benefits of Woodland Creation?
- Production of timber for UK suppliers
Commercial:
-Income tax and corporation tax exempt
-Profits from the sale of trees in commercial woodlands are exempt from Capital Gains Tax. This exemption applies whether the trees are standing or have been felled.
Amenity:
- Can potentially be eligible for APR if ancillary to Agricultural land (e.g. shelterbelts)
What stem density would you expect to see in Commercial and Broadleaf woodland?
Commercial: 2,500 stem/ha
Amenity: 1,100 stem/ha
What is DNB and what trees are impacted?
Dothystroma Needle Blight (predominantly lodgepole pine and scots pine)
Can cause a drop in needles, loss of yield and occasionally death of trees
Give some examples of softwood species you would expect to see on a commercial plantation?
Sitka Spruce, Norway Spruce, Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, Scots Pine, Douglas Fir
Why do we use Sitka Spruce so often?
Sitka spruce wood properties and performance has been tested by the timber industry for over 90 years.
It is a hardy, fast growing crop, and is less susceptible to disease compared to other species. If managed well, it can grow tall and with minimal branches, creating good sawlogs
Talk me through the information you need to provide when submitting an FPA?
- Need to show you have consulted with locals
- Consult with local roads department and add comment
- Consult with local tenant/owners in support
- Provide location map, restock map and felling map (grid references)
- Description of what species/area are to be felled and what species/area are to be replanted
What tree species does Phytopthora Ramorum impact? Can this impact the value of the Crop?
PR impacts Larch and can cause reduction in value due to:
1. Deterioration of timber quality (e.g. butt rot)
2. Reduced yield
3. Sawmills less attracted as they have to sterilise equipment after cutting
What is a Riparian Zone?
Riparian is the interface between land and river/stream. You can grow Riparian woodland along this area to improve water habitat and reduce water temperature
What recent changes have taken place in the UK Forestry Standard?
1st October 2024 update:
- 65% of one species is max, dropped from 75%
- Plant broadleaves right up to watercourse edge, previously 5m
- Conifer option expanded to include 40% ‘other’ confiders
- Increased grant rate no longer available for Diverse Conifer
What is the rough National Price in Scotland for Green, Pallet and Chipwood Logs?
£75-85/tn (Green)
£65-70/tn (Pallet)
£60-65/tn (Chipwood)
Why do you have an obligation to restock?
Forestry Act 1967, you are required to re-stock woodland and provide a FPA before felling. It is a permanent land use change.
Who are Scottish Forestry and what is their purpose?
SF are a Scottish Government agency and are the ‘competent authority’ for forest policy, support and regulations
What is the rough National Price in Scotland for Hardwood Logs?
Machine size - £100-110/tn
Oversize (firewood) - £80/tn
You mentioned EIA in your submission, what legislation Governs this?
The Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017
How does sensitive areas impact EIA thresholds?
Sensitive areas reduce the threshold of EIAs as shown below:
Afforestation
Sensitive - 2ha
Not - 20ha
Deforestation
Sensitive - 0.5ha
Not - 1ha
Forest Roads
Sensitive - No threshold
Not - 1 ha
Quarries
Sensitive - No threshold
Not - 1 ha
What H&S measures did you take at the felling sites you managed?
- I ensured signage was in place and site segregated
- Informed local farmer and community group of works date
- CDM Phase plan
- RAMS
- Pre-start checklist and meeting
- Contractors working in a team, could supervise each other and risk assess while operating
Who reviews EIAs and requests them?
Scottish Forestry will review and request EIAs
What documentation is required for Scottish Forestry before they can approve a Woodland Creation
Before you plant woodland, SF require an EIA determination form which details measures and investigations by the consultant to enable SF to make a decision on whether an EIA is required or not.
Why do EIAs exist?
EIAs are required to identify the potential risks and impacts of a project to the existing environment and human infrastructure.
What is Natural Capital?
Natural capital is the value of natural assets/stocks; including geology, soil, air, water, and all living organisms.
Natural capital supports the social and environmental aspects of our planet, highlighting the interconnectedness between nature and human activity.
What is the difference between a PIU and a WCU for example?
Pending Issuance Unit (PIU) - a unit which can be sold prior to delivering a project, but is a ‘promise to deliver a validated carbon unit.’ It has a lower value and can be used to help cash flow of a project.
Woodland Carbon Unit (WCU) - a verified unit which has successfully sequestered the agreed quantify of carbon. They can be used by businesses to offset their emmissions.
Please can you name some common designations you would expect to see in Scotland?
RAMSAR, SAC, SPA, NSA, National Parks, SSSI
What is a national designation?
They have the highest degree of designation and importance to conserve (e.g SSSI, SAC)
