Woodland ecosystems are a key aspect of the countryside environment and are vital for the health of ecosystems through an array of ecosystem services through carbon sequestration, provide a range of many niches in a small area, prevent soil erosion etc. As deforestation appears to not be slowing down any time soon, it is important that adequate management is undertaken in these declining habitats.
Coppicing is a common management technique which is clearing small sections of trees so more light may reach the ground flora. Following this practice, light increased by 4 fold in Spring and 20 fold during Summer time. There is a strong correlation between the amount of light reaching the floor and the diversity and abundance of the ground flora.
The level of shade, ride width and the cutting regime are all aspects that must be carefully considered when coppicing as it has a major impact on wildlife. The width of rides (path of cleared trees) must be 1.5 times wide as the height. To optimize the period of sunlight, these rides should run from east to west were the ground flora will be exposed to light for the sunlight period.
Cutting regimes are suggested to be cut on a 3 zone system which is more suited for nature reserves. The first zone will be cut once a year where 50% of grass species will be cut. The second zone will have 25% of vegetation cut and the 3rd zone will be left to allow natural regeneration to occur.
It is recommended that cuttings occur during Autumn time when invertebrates are less active while simultaneously promoting vigorous grass growth. Small cuttings in zone 2 during July won't have negative implications on invertebrates. Removal of grass growth is best to be performed during Spring time.
To further enhance the biodiversity in these woodland habitats, incorporating shaded, well lit streams are beneficial to most invertebrates and birds as a breeding site. Leaving the dead wood from the coppicing in semi shaded areas are valuable for fungi and lichen establishment. Arboreal species such as squirrels should also be accounted for where the canopy of the trees either side of the ride should be in contact with one another in order to allow these individuas to run from tree to tree.
Strong winds in these rides will disrupt the biodiversity especially the invertebrates. Long straight rides will encourage channeling of strong winds. To prevent this from occurring, curved rides are suggested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkRuMqVuJDE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg3Ucu6wYZw
The level of shade, ride width and the cutting regime are all aspects that must be carefully considered when coppicing as it has a major impact on wildlife. The width of rides (path of cleared trees) must be 1.5 times wide as the height. To optimize the period of sunlight, these rides should run from east to west were the ground flora will be exposed to light for the sunlight period.
Cutting regimes are suggested to be cut on a 3 zone system which is more suited for nature reserves. The first zone will be cut once a year where 50% of grass species will be cut. The second zone will have 25% of vegetation cut and the 3rd zone will be left to allow natural regeneration to occur.
It is recommended that cuttings occur during Autumn time when invertebrates are less active while simultaneously promoting vigorous grass growth. Small cuttings in zone 2 during July won't have negative implications on invertebrates. Removal of grass growth is best to be performed during Spring time.
To further enhance the biodiversity in these woodland habitats, incorporating shaded, well lit streams are beneficial to most invertebrates and birds as a breeding site. Leaving the dead wood from the coppicing in semi shaded areas are valuable for fungi and lichen establishment. Arboreal species such as squirrels should also be accounted for where the canopy of the trees either side of the ride should be in contact with one another in order to allow these individuas to run from tree to tree.
Strong winds in these rides will disrupt the biodiversity especially the invertebrates. Long straight rides will encourage channeling of strong winds. To prevent this from occurring, curved rides are suggested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkRuMqVuJDE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg3Ucu6wYZw
