WIRRAL
BIODIVERSITY
ACTION PLAN
ACTION PLAN
|
WIRRAL
BIODIVERSITY
ACTION PLAN |
| Current Status | Current Factors causing loss or decline | Current Action | Key habitats | Objectives and Targets |
| Proposed Actions | Resources | Links to other Action Plans | Contact Points | References |
1.1 National
1.1.1 Typically, lowland mixed broad-leaf woodland is associated with a wide range of fertile, moist loams and clays. Lowland mixed broad-leaf woodland overlaps with several other woodland types, and has a maximum of 10% conifers in the tree canopy.
1.1.2 On moderately base-poor soils oak and birch predominate in the canopy, with ash, wych elm and alder present in damper or nutrient-rich areas. On more calcareous soils, ash predominates with locally frequent wych elm and small-leaved lime.
1.1.3 The UK has an estimated 130,000-160,000 ha of ancient semi-natural mixed broad-leaf woodland, (woodland composed predominantly of native species, which as been in existence since before 1600 AD) representing 1% of total land cover.
1.1.4 There are five main types of lowland mixed broad-leaf woodland as identified by the National Vegetation Classification. In brief, these are: W8 and W9 Ash woodlands; W10 and W11 Oak woodlands; W13 Yew woodlands.
1.2 Local
1.2.1 Phase 1 survey of Wirral in 1986 estimated total woodland cover at 3% against a national average then of 8%. There has been little change since then: possibly a slight increase due to Upton Meadow and other planting.
1.2.2 Wirral has (unknown ha) ancient semi-natural woodlands, most of which can be classed as W8-W11 woodlands.
1.2.3 W10 type woodland is likely to be the most common woodland type, although this requires confirmation.
1.3 Legal
1.3.1 Two types of lowland mixed broad-leaf woodland (lime-maple ravine forests and yew woodlands) are afforded priority habitat status on Annex 1 of the EC Habitats Directive.
2. CURRENT
FACTORS CAUSING LOSS OR DECLINE
2.1 National
2.1.1 Inappropriate management including management where none is required. Areas of concern include: removal of large old trees. Removal of dead wood; abandonment of traditional management systems (including coppice); excessive disruption caused by large scale harvesting and other insensitive changes in management regimes.
2.1.2 Inappropriate grazing regimes promote grasses over woodland herbs and can reduce or prevent natural regeneration of trees and shrubs.
2.1.3 Replacement of native trees with non-native trees, particularly conifers, beech, sycamore and rhododendron.
2.1.4 Habitat loss due to development, including roads and mineral extraction, or conversion of woodland to pasture and arable.
2.1.5 Undesirable recreational activities such as motorcycle scrambling, and mountain biking can damage woodland ground flora and disturb breeding birds.
2.1.6 Reduction of hardwood based industries and demand for hardwood products through product substitution and loss of traditional markets, resulting in loss of species through neglect or unsympathetic management of woodlands.
2.1.7 Dutch elm disease has devastated the elm population over a wide area.
3.2 Local
2.2.1 All national factors are relevant.
2.2.2 Most woods do not have long-term management plans.2.2.3 The majority of non-ancient lowland mixed broad-leaf woodland is planted and contains non-native species of introduced genetic origin. Such woods are too young to have developed the robust ecological processes associated with ancient woodlands.
2.2.4 Many woodlands are small and isolated from each other. This constrains natural processes and raises management costs to uneconomic levels for woodland owners if they are managed as separate sites.
2.2.5 New woodlands require appropriate long-term management to assist the development of robust ecological process.
2.2.6 Vandalism and dumping of waste occurs in most woodlands.
2.2.7 Funding for long-term management of new and existing woodland is inadequate.
2.2.8 Lack of reliable data on area, location, condition and status of mixed broad-leaf woodland and number of sites with statutory and non-statutory protection.
2.2.9 Woodland quality is dependent on its management. Woodland management must seek to secure a) diverse age structure, b) presence of standing and fallen dead wood, c) range of ground flora and d) presence of native shrubs as a minimum.
3.1 National
3.1.1 The Forestry Commission's national Inventory of Woodland and Trees for England will provide national information on extent, distribution and composition of woodland.
3.1.2 There is a presumption against clearance of broad-leaf woodland and conversion to other land uses. Control is exercised through felling licence or Woodland Grant Scheme.
3.1.3 Management of mixed broad-leaf woodland should follow FC and other agency guidelines. Guidance is available from FC, MF, MAFF, EN, FWAG.
3.2 Local
3.2.1 The Mersey Forest aims to increase the area of woodland cover in North Merseyside. No specific target is set for mixed broad-leaf woodland.
3.2.2 The Unitary Development Plan include policies for protection of woodland and many woodlands are designated as SBI. Dibbinsdale SSSI contains examples of ancient semi-natural woodland.
4.1 Key species include: all bats, badger, bluebell. Many birds of conservation concern, including chiffchaff, great tit, tree creeper, nuthatch, sparrowhawk, tawny owl, great spotted woodpecker, and jay. Invertebrates, including white letter hairstreak and purple hairstreak, also including dead wood invertebrates. Possibly fungi.
5.1 Maintain the current extent of semi-natural lowland mixed broad-leaf woodland.
5.2 Encourage appropriate management of existing woodland.
5.4 Encourage the expansion of small mixed broad-leaf woodlands to a minimum area of 5 ha where appropriate.
5.5 Seek to expand smaller woodlands by natural colonisation and use of site-native trees and trees with local genetic provenance.
5.6 Undertake review of quality, location and condition of mixed broad-leaf woodlands.
6.1 Site safeguard
6.1.1 Ensure all ancient semi-natural mixed broad-leaf woodlands are protected through Unitary Development Plan designation as sites for nature conservation. (Action: LA).
6.1.2 Oppose loss of habitat through development. (Action: High Priority - ALL-Except DEFRA)
6.2 Policy
6.2.1 Policies - woodlands? (LA)
6.3 Land management
6.3.1 Ensure that species choice for new and existing mixed broad-leaf woodland is appropriate by preparing list of appropriate species including suitable ground flora. (Action: FC/ MF/ DEFRA)
6.3.2 All ancient woodlands to have long-term management plans by 2005.
6.3.3 Agree guidelines for selection of appropriate sites for mixed broad-leaf woodland creation and expansion.
6.3.4 Amend inappropriate management in all mixed broad-leaf woodland. (Action: FC/ ALL)
6.3.5 Promote and require through grant schemes the preparation and implementation of long-term management plans with integrated management for biodiversity. (Action: FC/ MF/ DEFRA/ LA
6.3.6 Require the planting of species of local provenance if appropriate to the site in grant funded schemes. (Action: FRCA/ LA)
6.3.7 Control colonisation of invasive species such as Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam. (Action: LA/ land owners).
6.4 Advice
6.4.1 Promote targets in Wirral BAP to FC/ DEFRA for inclusion in their targets and grant schemes.
6.4.2 Develop the marketing and sustainable use of products from mixed broad-leaf woodland as a means of supporting management.
6.4.3 Encourage land managers to undertake appropriate management, expansion and creation of mixed broad-leaf woodlands through the provision of advice and dissemination of national advice.
6.5 Future research and Monitoring
6.5.1 Collect and collate information on the distribution, area, status, NVC class and quality of mixed broad-leaf woodland and prepare digital database by 2001 and review in 2011. (Action: ALL Except DEFRA).
6.5.2 Collect and collate information on mixed broad-leaf woodlands in protected sites, add to existing database. (Action: ALL - Except DEFRA)
6.5.3 Identify and/or encourage establishment of nurseries able to supply native provenance of local genetic origin stock.
6.6 Communications and Publicity
6.6.1 Distribute national advisory publications to all woodland managers. (Action: All).
6.6.2 Highlight importance of habitat in interpretative material. (Action: All)
6.6.3 Continue to involve communities in managing mixed broad-leaf woodland. (Action: LA, Wirral Wildlife, Woodland Trust).
7.1 National
A UK BAP broad habitat statement Broad-leaf and yew woodlands, including mixed broad-leaf woodlands, was published in 1994. This statement was uncosted.
7.2 Local
Most additional funding available for management of existing woodlands and creation of new woodlands is through FC Woodland Grant Scheme.
8. LINKS TO
OTHER ACTION PLANS
UK BAP includes: a broad-leaved and yew woodland habitat statement and wet woodland HAP.
Cheshire region Countdown BAP
Wirral BAP Bats SAP
8.1 Conflicts
Not identified
Ian Aldred, Cheshire County Council
Telephone: 01244 603 125, Cheshire Woodland HAP Co-ordinator.