Threats

Action Plan Objectives

OBJECTIVES 1

To maintain the existing of ancient broad-leaved woodland, including ancient coppice woodlands, ancient woodlands on undisturbed sites and those identified on Tithe maps.

TARGETS

Contribution of SERC/Biodiversity Plan to implementation

SERC, aided by the resource assessment work in this project, has identified all sites in these categories within the Deane, and includes them in County Wildlife Site Submissions to the Borough Council for various purposes

Further work required

Continue survey and monitoring

OBJECTIVE 2

The existing ancient woodland resource should be protected from further destruction and should be managed to enhance its conservation value by:

• reinstatement of traditional management techniques such as coppicing, particularly in more recently neglected coppiced woodlands
  
• the promotion of long-abandoned coppice to open canopy high forest 'wildwood'.
  
• control elimination of livestock grazing
  
• removal of non-native, invasive species, e.g. sycamore, rhododendron
  
• reinstatement of ride management and retention of dead wood in situ

TARGETS:

Contribution of SERC/Biodiversity Plan to implementation

All of these management techniques are recommended, where appropriate, by Wildlife Sites Officers of the Somerset Wildlife Trust, working from SERC data, which in turn has been strengthened by resource assessment work in this project.

Further work required

Continue to keep site records up-to-date and make them available to field advisory officers,including Somerset Wildlife Trust Wildlife Sites team and FWAG. Introduce biodiversity targets into Woodland Grant Schemes and similar incentives covered by the Forestry Authority.

OBJECTIVE 3:

To investigate and compare natural processes with management techniques, through the use of non-intervention 'control' sites.

TARGETS:

Contribution of SERC/Biodiversity Plan to implementation

No such sites identifies at present

Further work required

Small special project

OBJECTIVE 4:

The expansion of broad-leaved forests in targeted areas to form buffers and links between existing broad-leaved sites (CWS or SSSI) especially those which are ancient. Natural regeneration or planting using local stock of native species should be favoured and should be related to tree species associated with Landscape Character Areas.

TARGETS:

Contribution of SERC/Biodiversity Plan to implementation

The identification of Prime Biodiversity Areas in this report allows resources to be focused to best effect. Of the PBSs identified the Blackdowns and Quantocks are appropriate for implementing this target

Further work required

Special project to identify potential restoration sites taking care not to adversely affect other habitats in the process

OBJECTIVE 5:

TDBC, in association with relevant bodies, should identify ancient woodland sites which no longer support broadleaved woodland, where restoration to native broad-leaved woodland is possible

TARGETS:

Contribution of SERC/Biodiversity Plan to implementation

SERC aided by resource assessment work in this project, can identify such sites

Further work required

Site by site practicalities would need field investigation and landowner liaison

OBJECTIVE 6


TDBC, in association with relevant bodies, should identify recently abandoned coppice woodland where coppice can be reinstated, or should encourage the promotion of high forest.

TARGETS:

Contribution of SERC/Biodiversity Plan to implementation

SERC aided by resource assessment work in this project, can identify such sites

Further work required

Site by site practicalities would need field investigation and landowner liaison

OBJECTIVE 7:

TDBC should establish at least one LNR on ancient woodland of CWS or SSSI status

TARGETS:

Contribution of SERC/Biodiversity Plan to implementation

SWT Wildlife Sites team are currently identifying potential sites, based on SERC data, for recommendation to the Borough Council

Further work required

Site by site practicalities would need field investigation and landowner liaison

OBJECTIVE 8:

TDBC should fully explore the possibility of acquisition of a site a Community Woodland for the use of residents of Taunton Deane

OBJECTIVE 9

TDBC should continue to aid research and monitoring of tree species, such as the back poplar.

TARGETS:

Further work required

This work is ongoing at SERC and supported by the Deane Tree Warden system

OBJECTIVE 10

TDBC should explore with other appropriate bodies, the establishment of a nursery of local native tree stock.

Action Plan Targets

• see above

Current Action

no information currently available

Proposed Action

Policy and legislation

no information currently available

no information currently available

no information currently available

no information currently available

Progress

no information currently available