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- Deciduous woodlands: threats and the New Forest
Deciduous woodlands: threats and the New Forest
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Most of the UK's original woodland was cleared long ago. What is left must be carefully managed.
Goods and services
Goods: timber, fuel (firewood and wood chips), food such as nuts and berries.
Services: recreation, conservation of wildlife, storing carbon and reducing flood risk.
Services: recreation, conservation of wildlife, storing carbon and reducing flood risk.
Threats
Deforestation for urbanisation, roads and farmland, and for timber, driven by population growth.
Climate change: hotter, drier summers stress trees, and some species may shift further north.
Pests and diseases: for example ash dieback, a fungal disease spreading through UK ash trees since 2012.
Climate change: hotter, drier summers stress trees, and some species may shift further north.
Pests and diseases: for example ash dieback, a fungal disease spreading through UK ash trees since 2012.
A named woodland: the New Forest
The New Forest in Hampshire was made a royal hunting forest by William the Conqueror in about 1079. It became a National Park in 2005.
Commoners have the right to graze ponies, cattle and pigs, which keeps the open heath and woodland pattern.
Forestry England manages timber, and inclosures (fenced areas) protect young trees.
Visitors are steered to car parks and trails to reduce damage, and important habitats are protected for conservation.
Commoners have the right to graze ponies, cattle and pigs, which keeps the open heath and woodland pattern.
Forestry England manages timber, and inclosures (fenced areas) protect young trees.
Visitors are steered to car parks and trails to reduce damage, and important habitats are protected for conservation.
Explain one conflict in managing a woodland like the New Forest.
- Visitors want access for walking, cycling and camping.
- Conservationists want to protect wildlife and fragile habitats from trampling and disturbance.
- Managers use designated car parks and trails to balance both.
Answer: Recreation versus conservation, balanced by managing where visitors go.
Deciduous woodlands provide timber, fuel, recreation, carbon storage and wildlife habitats. They are threatened by urbanisation, farming, timber extraction, climate change and diseases such as ash dieback. The New Forest is managed by balancing grazing, timber, conservation and visitors.
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