Which should we choose for woodlands like Seeley Copse- to be ‘wild’ or to be managed actively so they stay ‘natural’?
MANAGED
Arguably woodlands
can be seen as one of the UK’s most iconic and rewarding habitats. Woodlands
provide a range of services from recreational, to sustainable natural resources.
Many of the systems which use these goods sustainably have since collapsed.
This has had damaging effects, for example, Hazel poles are much better for garden
use and desperately need removing from neglected coppice but it is cheaper to
buy bamboo poles imported from Asia.
Many of our local woodlands are no longer managed because
they have stopped providing any economic benefit. Although recently the value
of the woodland has been recognised, and the loss of land has decreased, the
biodiversity this habitat contains is still under threat. The woodland
management decline that has occurred has placed, not only rare, but many
widespread species in danger. The concern is that only a small area of woodland
will be left remaining to support a handful of the most common plants.
The key reason for these concerns is down to the decrease in
woodland management. Many woodland areas have been fenced off and are becoming
overgrown or simply overgrazed. In times where the woodland was part of the
working community the people using the forest would visit different areas thus
creating a patchwork of habitats. This caused biodiversity to blossom as the woodland
responded to this long term cyclical management. With the decline in this
management many types of woodland have sunk into neglect, and the mosaics of habitats
have been lost to dense scrub and darkness, where few species are found.
WILD
Clearly woodland management techniques are vital for
preserving the UK’s biodiversity. Nevertheless sometimes woodland management
isn’t always the most appropriate course of action. A key example of this is illustrated
when considering climate change. This can cause two problems, one being the
need for differentiation when it comes to planting and management techniques. The
other is in ensuring that management of the woodland now is appropriate to both
current and future climate change implications.
Currently woodland management can involve the planting of
local stock which is taken from seeds that come from native trees in the area,
this management method is important for maintenance of the local biodiversity.
However this approach is flawed when considering climate change. It assumes
that, although the tress will be adapted to the current climate, they will also
be adapted to the future climates, a prediction that is not an accurate one. This provides a strong argument to review the
use of woodland management in this way.
In conclusion the best option appears to be careful
management of Seeley Copse to ensure that the wide variety of biodiversity that
the woodland holds is preserved. Seeley copse in the last century has had a
variety of what are considered ‘exotic’ tree species planted however due to a
lack of management in 2009 these trees were felled to allow the woodland more
light. Therefore if management is to occur in the woods then this needs to be
maintained and a variety of different tree species need to be planted to
provide the widest chance of adaptation for future climate changes.
Lauren Harden
It's interesting that people using the forest and creating a patchwork of habitats would cause biodiversity to blossom.
ReplyDeleteHow would you measure biodiversity? (Zoe)
To measure the biodiversity of how many species are found in one habitat or ecosystem you would calculate the biodiversity index. You do this by finding out
ReplyDeleteThe total number of species in the area / The total number of individuals in the area = The biodiversity index
Lauren
Is managing the woodland by cutting down 'alien' species preventing other species adaptations and, thus their chance to evolve, or should we be providing the wide variety of trees naturally found in the area with the best chance to survive? I do completely agree with your argument Lauren that it would be best to carefully manage Seeley Copse! (Emma)
ReplyDeleteThats a very interesting question Emma. It is hard to say because it does all depend on the type of management that you decide to use. Wether you want the woodlands to develop and evolve completely naturally or with human intervention. In this instance I would leave a few 'alien' species and see how they do evolve and the impact this has on the woodland, as it isn't necessarily a negative one! However I would still give the native woodland trees the best chance to survive.
ReplyDeleteLauren
Thank you Lauren. Your answer completely agrees with what I was thinking - it would be interesting to see how 'alien' species would develop and evolve, however we need to protect the species already present and thriving in Seeley Copse!
ReplyDeleteEmma