Managing an AW

Question 1

How to manage and assess

Answer 1

• Thinning
• Natural regeneration
• Assessing for biodiversity
• Deadwood
• Replant
• Managing open areas
• Encouraging species

Question 2

Thinning

Answer 2

• Opens up areas to allow light in

- Remove non native species, dying or damaged trees

Question 3

Natural regeneration

Answer 3

Allow regeneration of natural AW species

Question 4

Assessing biodiversity

Answer 4

• The woodland biodiversity group and forest research have developed the woodland condition survey to help woodland managers in England rapidly assess the ecological condition of their woodland
• This involves a walk through survey of the whole woodland collecting information from temporary survey plots of a 10 metre radius at fixed stopping points
• the information collected can be compared directly against the favorable condition threshold for woodland condition and biodiversity indicators available online

Question 5

Deadwood

Answer 5

• Leaving deadwood or dying trees either standing (if there is no risk of falling) or on the woodland floor can provide a good source of food for many types of fauna, fungus, lichen and moss
• It can also be an important habitat for bats, woodpeckers and many invertebrates (e.g beetles)

Question 6

Replant

Answer 6

-Replanting more native species can improve biodiversity and encourage more species into the woodland

Question 7

Manage open areas

Answer 7

RIDES = linear trackway (such as a path) designated for access

• Where possible, these should be managed so they run east to west, to receive the optimum amount of sunlight helping flowering plants, insects and reptiles
• Wind direction should also be considered as creating a wind tunnel could cause damage to trees over time

GLADES = openings within a woodland (e.g a recently coppiced area)
-Allows wild flowers and insects to flourish due to exposure to light and heat
-Even better when fringed with trees to provide some shelter
-All grass should be removed when managing to reduce nutrient enrichment
SCALLOPS = semi-circle or D-shaped area along the edge of ride or path that has been cleared of trees, allowing scrubs and grasses to grow
-Best placed on south facing woodland

Question 8

Encouraging species

Answer 8

• Avoid undertaking any works during nesting and breeding season
• Install bat, bird and bug boxes