ENGLISH NATURE RESEARCH REPORTS  - now called Natural England

English Nature produce a range of specialist research reports, a number of which make interesting reading for wildland enthusiasts. Most of the Research Reports can be downloaded as PDF, but you can order a free printed copy from the online enquiry service www.naturalengland.org.uk

Here are a few titles in order of publication:

Places in Cumbria for wildlife and people

Research Report No 705, 2006

This study was carried out on behalf of English Nature to consider how people in Cumbria perceive local green spaces and nature reserves and their expectations of Local Nature Reserves. Its aim was also to inform consideration of increasing the provision of Local Nature Reserves in Cumbria. Many people perceive that Cumbria is well served with nature reserves through the National Parks and National Nature Reserves; however the majority of Local Nature Reserves are located away from urban areas where most people live. The ideal is for everyone to have a green space or nature reserve within 10 minutes’ walk of home as this appears to be a significant threshold. Any new Local Nature Reserves should be designated near urban areas, and particularly around Barrow-in-Furness (which is currently poorly served), taking advantage of old brownfield sites/derelict land.

England’s Ecosystem Services, a preliminary assessment of three habitat types: broad-leaved woodland, the inter-tidal zone and fresh-water wetland

Research Report No 701, 2006

The report consists of a literature review and analysis to describe the ecological processes which may provide ecosystem services for 3 habitat types in England: broadleaved woodland, terrestrialised freshwater wetlands and inter-tidal habitats. This is followed by an analysis of potential economic valuation approaches, together with some example evidence. The categories of ecosystem service are organised to be consistent with those in the recently published Millenium Ecosystem Assessment.

Ancient woodland: guidance material for local authorities

Prepared by Keith Kirby and Emma Goldberg for the External Relations Team, English Nature 2006

This report explores issues such as the definition of what is meant by ancient woodland (both ancient semi-natural stands and plantations on ancient woodland sites), its importance, particularly in nature conservation terms; how it is identified; and the background to the ancient woodland inventories produced initially by the Nature Conservancy Council and its successor English Nature. Some commonly raised issues are also dealt with, including the concept of ancient woodland indicators, whether woods below 2 ha can be ancient; the boundaries between ancient woodland and wood-pastures. English Nature’s position with respect to the protection of ancient woodland is given as Appendix 1. A comprehemsive list of ancient woodland indicator species is given in Appendix 2.

Planning for Biodiversity – opportunity mapping and habitat networks in practice: a technical guide

Research Report No 687

This work provides a starting point for the integration of landscape ecological thinking in regional and local spatial planning. Two approaches have been developed. The first approach utilised a landscape characterisation framework, consisting of landscape description units, which allowed environmental objectives to be set across entire regional land areas, not just for those areas rich in biodiversity. The second approach directly evaluated the degree of connectivity between existing patches of habitat by making an assumption about the relative cost to movement across different types of land cover. This approach was based on a functional analysis of the potential for the movement of individuals between sites.

Spatial planning for biodiversity in our changing climate

Research Report No 677, 2006

The work focused on assessing the effectiveness of policies and other mechanisms for spatial planning at international (EU), national (France, Netherlands and England), regional and local levels to provide for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity in a changing climate. It provides recommendations, including new tools and mechanisms to improve effectiveness.

Long term ecological change in British woodland (1971-2001)

Research Report No 653, 2005

This report describes the results of a resurvey of 103 woods that were first looked at in 1971. The woods are spread across Britain and from the results we have been able to identify some of the ways in which woods have responded to potential drivers of change. We suggest some likely consequences of future changes. The data will be made available for further analyses.

Large herbivores in the wildwood and in modern naturalistic grazing systems

Research Report No 648, 2005

This report stems from work commissioned by English Nature into the role of large herbivores in the post-glacial landscape of Britain and the potential for using free-ranging grazing animals to create and maintain diverse landscape mosaics in modern conditions

What might a British forest-landscape driven by large herbivores look like?

Research Report No 530, 2003

The generally accepted view of the natural forests that once covered Britain has been of largely closed-canopy woodland, with many mature trees and regeneration in gaps created by the death or destruction of small groups of trees or occasional catastrophic blow-downs. An alternative view has recently been promoted (Vera, 2000) in which large herbivores grazed open areas that eventually went through scrub and woodland phases before breaking down to form open areas again. This report explores what the structure of the wildwood might have been like, using Vera's hypothesis as a starting point for a simple landscape model. The model illustrates that a number of different landscape outcomes are possible within the framework of the Vera hypothesis. This has implications for how data from pollen or invertebrate remains are interpreted, but also for attempts to apply Vera's ideas to modern conservation management.

Natural reserves in English woodlands

Research Report No 384, 2000

The Habitat Action Plans for broadleaved woodland propose that a series of minimum intervention sites be established across the ecological and geographic range of UK woods. This report explores in detail the rationale for such a series.

AND

A provisional minimum intervention woodland reserve series for England with proposals for baseline recording and long- term monitoring therein

Research Report No 385, 2000

The companion report to N0 384, it develops a provisional list of sites where minimum intervention woodland reserves may be established.

Developing new native woodland in the English uplands

Research Report No 230

FORESTRY COMMISSION

Forestry Statistics 2005 is a compendium of statistical information about woodland, forestry and primary wood processing in the UK. The statistical information is broken down to give figures for England, Scotland, Wales and, for most topics, Northern Ireland. As well as statistics on forests as a source of timber, and on the use of timber by wood processing industries, the compendium covers woodland area and planting, employment, recreation, finances and prices.

The compendium also has a breakdown of the amount of ancient woodland and semi-natural woodland in each home nation, and the proportion of woodland that is protected through a range of designations, such as NNR, SSSI, SAC and SPA.

www.forestry.gov.uk/website/foreststats.nsf/byunique/index_main.html

The FC have also produced a range of Management, Practice and Field Guides. Some are available to download as PDF, as shown below, others have to be purchased as hard copy www.forestry.gov.uk

Creating new broadleaved woodland by direct seeding

Willoughby, 2004

This Practice Guide contains detailed recommendations for the establishment of new broadleaved woodlands by direct seeding, a silvicultural system whereby tree seed is sown by hand or machine into a prepared seedbed at a site intended for woodland creation

The management of semi-natural woodlands:

1. lowland acid beech and oak woods

2. lowland beech–ash woods

3. lowland mixed broadleaved woods

4. upland mixed ash woods

5. upland oakwoods

6. upland birchwoods

7. native pinewoods

8. wet woodlands

FC, 2003

The Broadleaves Policy of 1985 aims to maintain and increase the broadleaved woodland by encouraging good management for a wide range of objectives and giving special attention to ancient semi-natural woodlands to maintain their special features. Whilst these guides are aimed primarily at ancient semi-natural woodland, much of the advice in them will also be appropriate for other semi-natural woods which are of high conservation value, and for long-established planted woods which have developed some of the characteristics of ancient semi-natural woodland, notably where native trees were planted on ancient woodland sites.

Restoration of native woodland on ancient woodland sites

JW Humphrey, 2003

Best practice advice to owners and managers on the restoration of native woodland on ancient woodland sites which have been planted with non-native species. The emphasis of the Guide is on the potential contribution of restoration to biodiversity and the practical considerations for successful development of native woodland A Site Assessment Guide accompanies the practice guide, which has been designed to assist users in rating the restoration potential of any site and rank the relative priority of a number of sites

Forest design planning: a guide to good practice

S Bell, 1998

The purpose of this Forestry Practice Guide is to help owners and managers of plantations, forests and woods that are approaching the felling stage to take advantage of the opportunities this presents to make improvements to the diversity and appearance of the area in balance with other, more functional or economic objectives. It is a straightforward, step-by-step guide as to forest design planning, within the wider framework of environmental and operational planning.

Involving communities in forestry through community participation

FC, 1996

For local people to gain real benefit from community woodlands, they need to feel part of the process. They need to be involved in developing the worth of the woodlands as an asset to the community. This Guide provides advice on successful community participation.

FORESTRY RESEARCH

A branch of the Forestry Commission, displaying the topics and background information on the various research interests they pursue.  www.forestresearch.gov.uk

Continuous cover silviculture 

Continuous cover silviculture is based upon a presumption against clearfelling, the use of natural regeneration and the creation of a varied forest structure containing a range of species. Details of research and technical developments under the following sections:

• Stand manipulation

• Regeneration

• Operational Aspects

• Risks of Windthrow

• Growth and Yield Modelling

• Decision Support Software

• What is a silvicultural system?

• Principles of continuous cover approach

Each has good detail on the background of the topic, and current work areas. Links to relevent publications are also provided for further reading.

www.forestresearch.gov.uk/ccf

Towards a woodland habitat network for Wales

Report No 686 - A collaborative project between CCW and Forestry Commission Wales, March 2005

The overall research aim is to design and build a spatial framework and supporting analysis to advise the CCW and FCW, and partners, on the potential for the development woodland habitat networks in Wales. The research is intended to inform a strategic plan for the maintenance, improvement and restoration of woodland and associated habitats with the aim of combating the effects of habitat fragmentation

This report describes the project’s first stage of commissioned research. This was to refine the theoretical basis and to explore existing woodland habitat networks in Wales using computer models. The work showed the potential for applying a focal species approach to an area the size of Wales and provided new insights into how the woodlands of Wales could be potentially formed into discrete networks.

Ancient Woodland on the Assembly’s Estate

Forestry Commission Wales, March 2004

This report is the culmination of a Wales-wide investigation into the state of ancient woodland managed by Forestry Commission Wales (FC Wales). It covers all the ancient woodland under the Assembly’s management.

JOINT NATURE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

The JNCC is the UK Government's wildlife adviser, undertaking national and international conservation work on behalf of the three country nature conservation agencies English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales. The JNCC publishes reports arising from its scientific work on a wide range of topics under the series title JNCC Reports. These can be downloaded from www.jncc.gov.uk

National Vegetation Classification: Field guide to woodland

JNCC, 2004

The NVC woodland classification is based on 2,648 samples from ancient and recent woods throughout Britain. There are 18 main woodland types and seven scrubs or underscrubs, most of which are divided further to give a total of 73 sub-communities. he NVC breaks down woodland into communities, designated by a number and name (e.g. W8 Fraxinus excelsior – Acer campestre – Mercurialis perennis woodland). Many (but not all) of these communities contain several sub-communities, designated by a letter (e.g. W8a Fraxinus excelsior – Acer campestre – Mercurialis perennis woodland Primula vulgaris – Glechoma hederacea sub-community).

The nature conservation value of scrub in Britain

JNCC Report 308, 2000

This report represents a synthesis of the existing knowledge of scrub ecology and conservation, and identifies priorities for future conservation and research. This information has been accessed through published and unpublished literature, questionnaires, an expert workshop, and through consultation with national and international experts.

LAND USE POLICY GROUP

The Land Use Policy Group (LUPG) comprises the statutory British conservation, countryside and environment agencies. The LUPG aims to advise on policy matters of common concern related to agriculture, woodlands and other rural land uses. Publications can be downloaded as PDF from the LUPG website www.lupg.org.uk

Maximising the Provision of Public Goods from Future Agri-Environment Schemes  NEW

Ian Hodge and Mark Reader. University of Cambridge, Dept. of Land Economy, LUPG March 2007

Agri-environment schemes are facing a period of uncertainty, both in the context of recent agricultural policy and agri-environmental policy changes and with regard to the possibility of much higher commodity prices in the future. This presents a potential challenge for agri-environment policy and may threaten the conservation gains that have been delivered by agri-environment schemes over the past twenty years. It suggests that, whilst there is still support and funding from the CAP, it may be prudent to attempt to ‘lock-in’ some of the gains made from agri-environment schemes.

The main conclusions of this study are as follows:

• Payment-by-results schemes may represent a potentially valuable alternative to current payment systems
• There are a number of innovations and alternative approaches in other countries that offer pointers to the ways in which policy might be developed in the UK.
• The entry level scheme could be further developed to address a number of government policy objectives.
• Potential also exists for the development of further local rural conservation initiatives through a process that draws interested parties together to identify priorities and then uses land purchase, covenants, and existing agri-environment scheme mechanisms to achieve local objectives

Securing the Requirements of the Habitats, Birds and Water Framework Directives through Existing European Funding Measures 

LUPG June 2006

The study assesses which funding mechanisms are best suited to meeting the Birds, Habitats and Water Framework Directives. The report provides evidence to support the rationale for EU and member state investment in biodiversity conservation. It identifies the benefits and costs involved, and where funding is inadequate or unsuitable to meet the demands of the Directives. Recommendations are made on where further funding requirements are necessary to meet Directive goals

Using Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) cross compliance to protect semi-natural habitats on farmland & unused agricultural land

LUPG, November 2004

The latest reform of the CAP agreed by EU Farm Ministers in June 2003 fundamentally alters the nature of agricultural support in Europe. The current system of intervention through price support and production controls will be replaced by a Single Payment (SP), although the basis upon which the level of payment is set for a particular farm will differ between the four regions of the UK. In all cases, receipt of the SP will be conditional on farmers complying with requirements imposed by certain environmental, food safety and welfare EU Directives and on them maintaining Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) on their land. The EU Regulation sets a framework for definition of GAEC but within this Member States must define their own standards.

The purpose of this discussion paper is to define potential GAEC standards for minimum levels of maintenance of semi-natural grazed habitats and unused agricultural land.

New Wildwoods: Removing barriers to development and implementation

LUPG, April 2003

The report provides a series of recommendations to the Woodland Policy Group, one of two sub-groups of the Land Use Policy Group, on actions that will facilitate the development and implementation of New Wildwoods projects, particularly focussing on England and Wales.

The two main aspects of the report are:
i) Exploring the barriers to moving from concept towards implementation of New Wildwoods, through assessment of the policy and incentive mechanisms necessary to facilitate project initiation, and
ii) Investigating the options for establishing an information network for New Wildwoods and similar ‘wildland’ projects.

New Wildwoods in Britain: The potential for developing new landscape-scale native woodlands

LUPG, June 2002

This report explores the potential for establishing extensive areas of native forest in those parts of upland Britain currently most lacking in native woodland cover. It evaluates the potential of native woodlands and forests to contribute to both integrated rural development and conservation.

The term ‘New Wildwoods’ is used to indicate areas of extensive woodland of predominantly native species in which management inputs are minimised and where benefits are largely environmental. This project involves a study of the reasons for and implications of the trend towards greater use of native species in woodland creation schemes in the UK. It explores the incentives of the various stakeholders in woodland creation and the consequent opportunities and constraints with respect to agriculture, nature conservation policy, forestry policy & the timber industry, carbon sequestration, soil & water conservation, ecological factors, landscape & cultural heritage, recreation & tourism, rural development and community participation. Strategies for the creation of Wildwoods are examined, including an analysis of past and current woodland creation schemes and the role of the LUPG agencies in promoting native woodland creation and appropriate policy recommendations.

SMALL WOODS ASSOCIATION

The Small Woods Association is a UK wide charity which aims to stimulate best practice in woodland management by organising conferences and events, by networking and promoting initiatives www.smallwoods.org.uk

Woodland Initiatives Handbook

Small Woods Association, March 2005

Groups and organisation working on woodland projects need a guiding hand when they begin sorting out the legal and financial processes, raising funds and keeping it all under control.  This Handbook is designed to help them establish a firm base, help guide them in the right direction and enable them to ask the right questions.

WOODLAND TRUST

The Woodland Trust is a woodland conservation organisation that achieves its aims through a combination of acquiring woodland and sites for planting and through advocacy of the importance of protecting ancient woodland, enhancing its biodiversity, expanding native woodland cover and increasing public enjoyment of woodland. It has a range of downloadable publications at www.woodland-trust.org.uk/publications/index.htm

Urban Woodland Management Guides – 2002/03  NEW

A series of five guides (PDF) produced as a resource for managers creating or managing urban woods:

• Damage and misuse

• Litter and fly-tipping

• Complaints and queries

• Tree planting and woodland creation

• Thinning and felling

Space for nature: Landscape-scale action for woodland biodiversity

Woodland Trust, April 2002

This document sets out the Woodland Trust’s thoughts on the development of landscape-scale action for woodland biodiversity. The Trust has developed an approach based on a number of widely held ecological principles and surrogate measures, which can be monitored over time. Its formulation highlighted the need for habitat creation to buffer and extend semi-natural habitats to increase their core area and thus their ecological resilience, rather than to simply link them. It also suggested that woodland biodiversity has greatest potential to be put on a more sustainable footing in areas where there is a high density of ancient woodland.

New woods for people: The Woodland Trust’s experience of woodland creation

Woodland Trust, November 2001

New woods for people summarises the work of the Woodland Trust in creating new native woods. It covers their experience, the theory behind the task and the practical lessons drawn from managing new woods and working closely with people.

WWF-UK RESEARCH CENTRE FOREST REPORTS

WWF seek the establishment and maintenance of viable, representative networks of protected areas in the world's threatened and most biologically significant forest regions. Some of the reports they commission cover essential information gaps – hence their partners.
www.wwf.org.uk/researcher/issues/forests/index.asp

Deadwood - living forests

WWF, Oct 2004

The report reveals that a third of forest-dwelling species rely on dead or dying trees, logs, and branches for their survival. The removal of decaying timber and old trees from Europe's forests has led to a drastic decline in species relying on deadwood for food and/or shelter. These species make up the single biggest group of threatened species in Europe.

Are protected areas working? An analysis of forest protected areas by WWF

WWF, June 2004

WWF has surveyed management effectiveness in more than 200 forest protected areas in 37 countries - the widest sampling of countries yet undertaken of protected area effectiveness.

State of Europe's Forest Protection

2003

The lack of protection for Europe's forests is alarming. Dramatic loss of biodiversity continues daily. Many countries in Europe have inadequate knowledge about how much and what forest types need to be protected in their countries in order to sustain biodiversity on national or European level.

Reversing the habitat fragmentation of British woodlands

George Peterken January 2002

This report is about habitat fragmentation, the damaging effects it has had on wildlife, and the measures that can mitigate its effects. It refers particularly to British woodland - the habitat that once covered the land, but which has been fragmented for millennia.

This report comprises four main parts. It:

• describes forest fragmentation, the natural forest and woodland species;

• assesses the impacts of fragmentation on woodland species;

• considers how fragmentation might be reversed by building a forest habitat network;

• asks "how well have we been doing?"

Development Threats to Ancient Woodlands

Land Use Consultants December 2001

This research, commissioned by WWF and the Woodland Trust, shows that the present system is inadequate to protect ancient woods against the relentless tide of development. The study is the first attempt to assess the real impact of built development on ancient woodland nationwide.

Protected Forest Areas in the UK

Simon N Pryer and George F Peterken January 2001

This report, commissioned jointly by the Forestry Commission and WWF, aims to analyse the potential implications for the UK of adopting WWF's international campaigning target - for countries to classify at least 10 per cent of their forests as protected areas.

IUCN - World Conservation Union

The World Conservation Union has a range of databases, assessments, guidelines and case studies, prepared by its global membership, Commissions and Secretariat.

Guidelines For Re-Introductions

Re-introduction Specialist Group, IUCN Species Survival Commission 1995

These guidelines are intended to act as a guide for procedures useful to re-introduction programmes and do not represent an inflexible code of conduct. Many of the points are more relevant to re-introductions using captive-bred individuals than to translocations of wild species. Others are especially relevant to globally endangered species with limited numbers of founders.

www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/publications/policy/reinte.htm

A PDF version of the Guidelines is available to download (251kb)

http://iucnsscrsg.org/images/English.pdf

Guidelines for Protected Areas Management Categories

IUCN 1994

The purpose of these guidelines, therefore, is to establish greater understanding among all concerned about the different categories of protected areas. A central principle upon which the guidelines are based is that categories should be defined by the objectives of management, not by the title of the area nor by the effectiveness of management in meeting those objectives.

www.unep-wcmc.org/protected_areas/categories/eng/index.html

PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

POST is the UK Parliament’s in-house source of independent analysis of public policy issues related to science and technology. The aim of its publications is to inform parliamentary debate. Here are a few of the POSTnote four page overviews (in PDF format) from their Environment and Energy publications.
www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_offices/post/environment.cfm

Ecosystem services

POSTnote 281, March 2007

The natural environment provides people with goods and services that are fundamental to human wellbeing. Damage to the environment is seriously degrading these services and this will have economic implications. This POSTnote outlines what ecosystem services are, and how provisions for maintaining them in the UK could be incorporated into policy frameworks.

UK Trees and forests

POSTnote 275, January 2007

Trees and forests can provide a range of benefits that are often complementary. Some of these benefits derive from green space in general, but forests may also offer unique opportunities. The social and environmental value of woodland and forest in Great Britain has been estimated to be worth up to £1 billion a year. This POSTnote explores the issues surrounding the sustainable management of existing and new forest in the UK.

UK Soil degradation

POSTnote 265, June 2006

Soil degradation involves both the physical loss (erosion) and the reduction in quality of topsoil associated with nutrient decline and contamination. It affects soil quality for agriculture and has implications for the urban environment, pollution and flooding. Currently, 2.2 million tonnes of topsoil is eroded annually in the UK and over 17% of arable land shows signs of erosion. This POSTnote examines the nature and extent of soil degradation in the UK and the challenges and opportunities for soils in a changing climate. These include the potential for using degraded and polluted soils in the built environment for brownfield redevelopment as well as the possibility of using soils to mitigate carbon emissions.

Farmland Wildlife

POSTnote 254, December 2005

Farmland covers approximately three quarters of the United Kingdom and has historically provided a wide range of habitats for wildlife. Many British species are adapted to living in a farmed landscape, so efforts to conserve wildlife are often concentrated within managed ecosystems. Much of the wildlife that inhabits farmland has declined over recent decades. The reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy has presented an opportunity for farmers to be rewarded for protecting wildlife. This POSTnote examines the current status of wildlife on farms. It reviews the options available to farmers for wildlife conservation and explores the implications of future changes to the countryside.

Marine nature conservation

POSTnote 234, December 2004

Nearly half of the UK’s species are found in its seas. Despite this, it is widely accepted that protection of the marine environment has lagged behind that of the land. The Government has recently completed a review of marine nature conservation and has announced its intention to publish a marine bill to better manage and protect the marine environment. This POSTnote examines the current state of knowledge about UK marine wildlife, the methods available for its conservation, and issues surrounding effective conservation.

Biodiversity and Conservation

POSTnote 144, 8pg. July 2000

The passage of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Bill, and two recent select committee inquiries have focussed parliamentary interest on protecting wildlife. Concerns have been raised over the role that science plays in defining the goals of nature conservation. This briefing note examines the basis for nature conservation and the role and application of science, and discusses the issues raised.

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

Publishes material about all areas of their work, from public-facing campaign leaflets to in-depth scientific reports on http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/

Climate proofing rural resource protection policies and strategies in Wales

Science Report: SC030298/SR, April 2007

This project assessed the capacity and resilience of six natural resource policies, strategies and plans to function in changed climates in 2020 and 2050. The schemes chosen for analysis were:

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

• Welsh agri-environment schemes (Tir Gofal)

• Woodlands Strategy

• Biomass Action Plan

• Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS)

• Catchment Flood Management Plans (CFMP

The project used the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) risk assessment methodology, developing risk assessment matrices which demonstrate how generic policy analysis can be used to assess vulnerability to climate change and guide adaptation at a scale useful to resource managers and policy makers. The study created the first database of climate change impacts on socio-economic indicators for Wales. Future climate and socio-economic scenarios were considered for 2020 and 2050 and applied to a case study in the River Usk Catchment, South Wales. Results are presented for each policy area.

SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE

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