| Oak Woodland - North Devon |
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| Extent/Distribution Oak woodland is defined as broadleaf woodland, which is dominated by either English Oak, Sessile Oak or hybrids between the two. Most broadleaf or deciduous woodland in Devon is made up of tree species and the degree to which oak dominates varies. However, oak woodland is predominantly found North Devon on high ground or on steep valley slopes Oak woodlands are often long established and have been a source of timber for fuel and building for many years. They represent the climax vegetation in the South West before large scale clearances by man would have dominated the vegetation types in Britain. Those that remain were managed until about a hundred years ago and are frequently referred to as ancient semi natural woodlands (Woodland that was in existence about 1600 AD). According to the 1994 Devon Wildlife Trust survey there was approximately 1177 ha of Ancient semi Natural Woodland in North Devon, excluding the Exmoor National Park of which the largest element is oak woodland. It is found predominantly on the steep valley sides along Bradiford waters, the rivers Yeo, Taw, Bray and Little Dart where they have escaped the fate of clear felling in the past. The notable concentrations can be found on the fringes of Exmoor National park, along the Bray and Brandiford Valleys north of Barnstaple, along the coastal combes of the high North Devon coast, along the river valleys of the Taw near Kingsnympton and along the Little Dart from Chumleigh to East Worlington Key locations: Bradiford Valley and Tutshill woods near Barnstaple Knapp Woods near Atherington Bridge Woods near Burrington Twitchen Woods near Arlington Since the earliest times the area of woodland cover in Britain has declined as the forests were cleared by man, By Norman times (11th Century) it is estimated that there was about 15% woodland cover in England, which was predominantly oak by 1900 this figure was about 10%. This is sustainably managed through coppicing until the beginning of the 1900's when many woodlands fell into disuse as man found other substitute materials. Further clearances and substitution by non-native conifer plantations in the last century has led to a coverage of only 2.2% of semi natural ancient woodland in Devon. Whilst these woodlands are often protected from clearance many are no longer managed and are neglected. OBJECTIVE 1 Ensure that the existing areas of oak woodland is not lost
to other land uses No absolute loss of semi natural sites. No net loss of more recent sites
OBJECTIVE 3 OBJECTIVE 4 Foster greater public understanding, involvement and enjoyment
of oak woodland, wildlife and its management [ see above] Much of the coastal woodland on Exmoor, as well the woodlands around Arlington Court, are in the ownership of the National Trust and frequently under active management. The Woodland Grant Scheme, run by the Forestry Commission, is available to landowners to provide financial incentives to create and manage woodlands. Some grant support for the management of small woodlands can be obtained through Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) Scheme which applies to large areas of Exmoor Additional help and advice can be obtained through Countryside Management
Services, such as the South West Forest project, Exmoor National Park
and the Northern Devon coast & countryside Service.
Policy and legislation Ensure planning policies protect oak woodland sites from inappropriate
development requiring planning permission, by linking to Ancient Woodland
Inventory, CWS data and other sources of information Ensure the requirements for felling licenses is maintained and enforced. LEAD: FC PARTNERS: NDDC planning authority Maximise use of Section 106 agreements to create new oak woodland through planning gain LEAD: NDDC, Planning Authority Favour appropriate, sensitively sited new woodland planting and natural regeneration, with priority to linking, buffering and building upon existing oak woodland sites LEAD: NDDC Encourage establishment of further Community Woodlands. LEAD: NDDC PARTNERS: DWT, EN, FC Management
Continue or investigate management programmes to control invasive
species which inhabit native oak regeneration or which are detrimental
to oak woodland wildlife. Continue or instigate management to diversify
woodland canopies and age structures. Use planting mixes, predominantly of local provenance oak, where woods are too small or otherwise unable to regenerate naturally. LEAD: FC Identify and seek to acquire or establish new accessible
woodland nature reserves in areas currently without them (such as South
Hams and mid Devon) Advisory Offer advisory services
to woodland owners on management techniques which promote regeneration
and which benefit characteristic oak woodland wildlife Research and monitoring
Identify all oak woodland sites through survey and evaluate to identify County Wildlife sites LEAD: DWT, ENPA PARTNER: Woodland Trust, NDDC, ENPA, EN Education
and awareness raising
Encourage effective local co-operatives and rural industries making
and utilising oak woodland produce, e.g. charcoal, firewood, furniture
and timber. no information currently available |
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