| Woodland - Dartmoor |
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| Extent/Distribution Dartmoor has 11,180 ha of woodland (11.7% of the National Park area), of which around two thirds are broad-leaved woodlands (7,260 ha or 7.6% of the total area) and around one third (3,920 ha or 4% of the total area) is coniferous forest. Ancient upland oakwood covers around 2,746 ha (37% of the broad-leaved woodland) and there are a further 773 ha of plantation woodland on ancient woodland sites. Much of the ancient upland oakwood is of international ecological importance, recognised in the designation of the South Dartmoor Woods as a candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the European Habitats Directive. Most of DartmoorÕs ancient oakwoods have been coppiced in the past to produce charcoal and tan-bark, leaving charcoal burning hearths and pack horse tracks as archaeological features. Woodlands of more recent origin are also of ecological and landscape value, and include wet woodlands of willow and alder. Although the first attempts at afforestation on Dartmoor were in the 18th century, most of the major coniferous plantations were planted on former moorland early in the 20 th century and still retain elements of this moorland habitat within them, together with streams and mires. no information currently available OBJECTIVE 1 Objective 2 Extend native woodland cover in appropriate places,
particularly through the enlargement and linking of existing semi-natural
woods, taking care to avoid afforestation of places that are already
good for wildlife. OBJECTIVE 3
B 1,000 ha of other broadleaved woodland to come under similar favourable management by 2010. OBJECTIVE 5: Objective 6 : (see the Species Action Plans for Blue Ground Beetle, Dormouse, Mosses,
Lichens and Fern Objective 7 Maintain and where possible improve air quality
across Dartmoor. Wet Woodland Objectives OBJECTIVE 8: Plantation Woodland (Broadleaved & Conifer) Objectives Objective 9: Ensure that within commercial constraints, plantations are managed to encourage wildlife, especially birds of prey, crossbills and nightjars. Dartmoor targets A All plantations over 5 ha to be actively managed under a management plan approved by the FC by 2010. B Encourage age and species diversity within plantations. C Maintain a stable and viable population of nightjars on Dartmoor (present population c. 50 pairs). Objective 10: Ensure that no further plantations are created at the expense of important semi-natural habitats such as oakwood, upland heath, species-rich grassland or scrub. Dartmoor targets: A Include guidelines for the siting of further plantations in the Dartmoor Woodland Strategy by 2001. Objective 11 Encourage the creation or retention of semi-natural habitat within plantations. Dartmoor targets: All plantations to be actively managed in accordance with the UK Forestry Standard by 2010 (which includes guidelines on the creation and maintenance of open space for wildlife). Objective 12 Encourage public understanding and appreciation of the wildlife resource of Dartmoor, where this does not conflict with its conservation. Dartmoor targets A Seek opportunities to promote good woodland management practice and public enjoyment of woods. SEE ABOVE no information currently available Policy and legislation Include protection policies for woodland in statutory plans and LEAPs. Ensure compliance with all relevant national legislation. Ensure UK Forestry Standards implemented LEAD: FC TARGET: ongoing Draw up and implement DNPA Woodland Strategy (to include BAP targets) Ensure that all wet woodlands are included in review of DNPA Section 3 Conservation Map. LEAD: DNPA TARGET: 2002 Secure funding to create 150 ha of new native woodland through planting and natural regeneration in identified locations. LEAD: FC, DNPA TARGET: 2010 Management
Ensure candidate SAC status for South Dartmoor Woodlands is confirmed Designate a new wet woodland SSSI, if necessary LEAD: EN TARGET: 2005 Continue to establish and implement woodland management agreements LEAD: EN, DNPA PARTNERS:Owners, MAFF TARGET: ongoing Draw up Site Management Statements for all influential managers of SSSIs. LEAD: EN TARGET: 2001 Ensure positive management agreements over 50% of ASNW SSSIs by 2005. LEAD: EN FC, PARTNERS: DNPA,Owners TARGET: 2005 Ensure positive management agreements over remaining ASNW SSSIs by 2010. LEAD:EN FC, PARTNERS:DNPA, Owners TARGET: 2010 Encourage positive management agreements over 50% of non-SSSI ASNW. LEAD: FC, DNPA PARTNERS: Owners TARGET: 2010 Draw up and implement priority programmes for control of invasive species (including Rhododendron) in all SSSIs. LEAD: EN FC, PARTNERS:Owners TARGET: 2010 Draw up and implement a control programme for invasive species (including Rhododendron) in 50% of non-SSSI woodland (using Dartmoor Woodland Survey data to prioritise ASNW). LEAD: DNPA, FC (FE) PARTNERS:Owners TARGET: 2010 Ensure appropriate management including minimal intervention in the best wet woods. LEAD:DNPA, FC PARTNERS: Owners TARGET: 2010
Identify 110 ha of conifer plantations on ancient sites where nature conservation is a prime objective of management and sufficient semi-natural features remain for restoration to broadleaved woodland. LEAD: DNPA,FC PARTNERS: NT, WT TARGET: 2001 Identify further conifer plantations on ancient woodland sites with good potential for restoration and prioritise 40 ha. LEAD: DNPA, FC PARTNERS: TGA TARGET: 2002
Promote restoration of further 40 ha to native tree cover. LEAD: DNPA,FC PARTNERS: TGA TARGET: 2005 Identify plantations not under active management. LEAD: DNPA, FC PARTNERS: TGA TARGET: 2001 Encourage owners to draw up and implement management plans for plantations which increase their species and structural diversity in accordance with the UK Forestry Standard. LEAD: FC Owners TARGET: 2010 Research and monitoring
Monitor extent of new native woodland cover through use of air
photos. Assess all wet woods identified in Dartmoor Woodland and Rhôs
pasture surveys. LEAD: DNPA Carry out additional survey work if necessary. Compile a register of ecological research on Dartmoor’s woodland. LEAD:DNPA PARTNERS: All TARGET: 2002 Assess the need for further research into management which encourages natural regeneration and woodland wildlife on Dartmoor. LEAD: FC, EN PARTNERS: DNPA TARGET: ongoing Education and awareness
raising
Disseminate existing advice and technical information on creation
and management of native woodlands and plantations, including their
wildlife. Promote SW Forest demonstration site at Halwill, North Devon LEAD: FC,TGA PARTNERS:DNPA, MAFF TARGET: ongoing Seek opportunities for explanatory signing of woodland management work in public areas LEAD: DNPA, EN PARTNERS: TGA,DWT TARGET: ongoing Use NNRs to promote ‘best practise’ in woodland management for wildlife and the importance of Dartmoor’s Atlantic oakwoods LEAD: EN TARGET: ongoing Promote community woodland initiatives close to towns and large villages. LEAD: DNPA PARTNERS: FC TARGET: ongoing Contribute to ‘Devon Guide to Woodlands on Your Doorstep’ being produced by WT/DWT. LEAD: DNPA PARTNERS: TGA,FC TARGET: ongoing no information |
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