environmental assessment (scotland) act 2005 · 2014. 6. 3. · quality silviculture and...

Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005

Forest Enterprise Scotland

District Strategic Plans 2014-2017

SEA Environmental Report

Appendix E - Current and Recent Research Mapped

to Strategic Themes and Key Commitments

2 | Appendix E | Current and Recent Research Mapped to Strategic Themes and Key Commitmenst |

Current and Recent Research Mapped to Strategic Themes and Key Commitments

Key Commitments Specific

Activities

Research available currently and in the near future

Healthy Theme

1. We are

committed to high

quality silviculture

and increasingly

using alternatives to

clear-felling

1. We will identify

where

alternatives to

clearfell can be

practised on the

Estate, and build

this into our Land

Management

Plans

OGB7 ‘Managing Continuous Cover Forests’ is the main guidance for forest managers. More detail

can be found in FCIN29,40,45 and 63.

If mangers wish to undertake active monitoring of stands being transformed to CCF and use the

method described in FCIN45 then FR have software that will help ‘work-up’ the data collected.

Current guidance on respacing can be found in Forestry Commission Practice Note 16 ‘Respacing

naturally regenerating Sitka spruce and other conifers’ by Bill Mason.

There are a network of Trial Areas where forest managers can visit and see transformation in action

and also various Research trials. These are co-ordinated by the FC CCF Working Group. Forest

Research have also been involved in more intensive monitoring at Wykeham, Glentress and

Clocaenog.

The chances of securing good natural regeneration of conifers can be assessed using a scoring

method described in Scottish Forestry in 2011, 65(4), although the field guide in Quarterly Journal of

Forestry may be a better reference (QJF, January 2012).

Guidance on operational aspects of CCF can be found in three Technical Development publications on

the Trial Areas, harvester head technology and respacing.

GIS tools from FR can be used to identify suitable areas for ATC on the basis of soils, wind risk (and

thinning history)

Use of Ecological Site Classification to underpin species choices ensures that choices for both restock

and afforestation are suited to soils and climate.]

Web-based woodland grazing toolbox allows staff to assess browsing pressure and minimise

browsing damage to levels where ATC is feasible??– Robin Gill previously Helen Armstrong??

Ireland, D., Nisbet, T.R. and Broadmeadow, S. (2006). Environmental best practice for continuous

cover forestry. Environment Agency Science Report: SC020051/SR, 73 pp. Environment Agency,

Bristol.




Activities


2. We are

increasing

investment in

stand

management

practices that will

improve the

silvicultural

quality of Estate

woodlands.

GIS tools allow spatial representation at landscape scale and can be used to identify areas suitable for

thinning on the basis of wind risk.

2. We are exploring

how to best steward

the carbon resources

locked up in both the

Estate’s trees and

soils

3. We will seek

the latest

research and

advice on

management

techniques to

conserve carbon

in soils and

biomass.

Understanding the carbon and greenhouse gas balance of forests in Britain (PDF-7422K). Forestry

Commission Research Report 18. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh. i–vi + 1–149 pp Morison, J.,

Matthews, R., Miller, G., Perks, M., Randle, T., Vanguelova, E., White, M. and Yamulki, S. (2012)

is the best scientific summary

Methods to assess and predict forest Carbon stocks and their changes over time underpin the

Woodland Carbon Code, and are documented there. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/carboncode

Carbon and other GHG flux measurements allow us to measure and model the impacts of weather,

management and climate change on forest growth. FR has established a peaty-gley conifer site at

Harwood, and is collaborating there with University of Edinburgh and at their Griffin site.

Measurements from present and past thinning operations in the oak stand at Alice Holt is

quantifying the immediate and subsequent effects of thinning on CO2 fluxes and Carbon

sequestration.

Carbon & GHG flux research at East Grange, Fife on willow coppice and short rotation forestry

species, and a UK-wide sampling of 29 recent Short Rotation Forestry sites (consortium led by

CEH) on mineral soils is telling us how soil and whole system carbon changes when ex-agricultural

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/FCRP018.pdf/$FILE/FCRP018.pdf




Activities


soils are afforested in different ways

Understanding the GHG implications of forestry on peat soils in Scotland (PDF-2140K). Morison, J.I.L.,

Vanguelova, E., Broadmeadow, S., Perks, M., Yamulki, S. & Randle, T. (2010). Report for Forestry

Commission Scotland, October 2010, Forest Research, 56pp. Information in this report and other

work for Climate Exchange has been used to underpin the Interim recommendations on restocking

on deep peat soils.

Methods have been developed to measure stand-scale N2O and CH4 fluxes as well as CO2 fluxes so

that we understand the overall greenhouse gas balance

The impacts of tree removal from the Flow Country and various options for bog restoration and

residue management are being monitored to assess the overall impacts on the soil and whole

system carbon.

Development of ‘peat toolkit’ to:

• Help forest managers and owners identify their afforested peatland.

• Indicate sites likely to provide greater net benefit through restoration.

• Allow forest managers to assess sites for themselves.

Long term impacts of early silvicultural operations research programme.

Early weed control can increase long-term growth, yield and carbon sequestration of Sitka spruce

stands in Britain. Stokes, V.J. and Willoughby, I.H. (2014)

http://forestry.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/cpu001?

ijkey=nUXUyo05vZvSAf7&keytype=ref

Evaluation of soil carbon stocks and deadwood based on BioSoil, Level I, Level II and national soil

surveys. Assessing soil C changes from chronosequence studies and long term monitoring. Elena

Vanguelova and Peter Crow

Evaluation of the impact of afforestation on soil carbon and nutrient potential in a chronosequence

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/FCS_forestry_peat_GHG_final_Oct13_2010.pdf/$FILE/FCS_forestry_peat_GHG_final_Oct13_2010.pdf

http://forestry.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/cpu001?ijkey=nUXUyo05vZvSAf7&keytype=ref

http://forestry.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/cpu001?ijkey=nUXUyo05vZvSAf7&keytype=ref




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study of Sitka spruce on peaty gley soils in Kielder forest. Elena Vanguelova and Peter Crow

3. We will help the

Estate to adapt to

climate change and

become more

resilient to pressure

4. We will

implement

mitigation

strategies for

current tree

disease threats

such as

Dothistroma

needle blight of

pine,

Phytophthora

disease of larch

and Chalara

disease of ash

Detailed, practical recommendations for the integrated management of all major pest, weed and

disease problems facing forest managers in the UK is given in the new publication:-

Weed, Pest and Disease Management in Forestry - minimising pesticide use in the forest.

Willoughby, I., Evans, H., Brown, A., Denman, S., Hendry, S., Jones, B., Mayle, B., Moore, R.,

Nisbet, T., Straw, N., Trout, R., Tubby, K., Webber, J. (2012). This text was completed in March

2012, and is awaiting publication by the FC but in the interim is available as an internal draft report.

Short-term mitigation through management of diseased stands

a) Ash – Gary Kerr and Ian Willoughby

b) Pines. Dothistroma Field Guide 2012 gives disease symptoms and sampling instructions – Anna

Brown

New guidance on the use of aerial spraying for the management of pests and diseases is given in

:-Aerial application of pesticides in forestry. Willoughby, I., Evans, H. and Jones, B. (2013) Forest

Research internal report. This supports current research on aerial application of copper fungicides to

control Dothistroma.

Hylobius abieits – research into alternative insecticides and physical protection methods, and

support for derogation applications and approvals.

Heterobasidion annosum – research into reducing the risk of infection when practising chemical

thinning (e.g. use of Ecoplugs).

Supporting maintenance of pesticides as a management option for pests and diseases:-

Derogation applications for pesticides on the FSC’s ‘highly hazardous’ list.

Maintenance of approvals.

Advice on the use of pesticides and pesticide reduction

Detailed practical guidance on legal and policy requirements for pesticide use on the national

forest estate are given in :- Operational Guidance Booklet 15. Using chemicals in the forest.

Forestry Commission Operational Guidance Booklet 15. Willoughby, I. (2013). Forestry

http://alpacorn.forestry.gov.uk:7777/portal/page?_pageid=33,473446&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL






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Commission internal report.

FR are investigating the genetic diversity of Dothistroma in a PhD project




Activities


5. We will

develop and

implement a

landscape scale

spatial planning

approach that

promotes

adaptation and

mitigation of

climate change in

accordance with

the FCS Climate

Change Action

Plan

GIS tools allow spatial representation at landscape scale in particular:

a) Ecological Site Classification informs species choice on the basis of climate, soil moisture and soil

fertility [and the most recent version can be run using climate change scenarios ] and is being used

to support the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group

b) Opportunity mapping at a landscape-scale for woodland to mitigate flood risk identifies the best

location for trees– Tom Nisbet, Samantha Broadmeadow, Huw Thomas and Nadeem Shah

(Broadmeadow, S., Thomas, H., Shah, N and Nisbet, T.R., 2013. Opportunity mapping for woodland

creation to improve water quality and reduce flood risk in the River Tay catchment – a pilot for

Scotland. Final Report to FC Scotland and SEPA (40 pp); Thomas, H. and Nisbet, T.R., 2013. Climate

change adaptation in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley: Opportunity mapping for woodland creation to

reduce flood risk. Final Report to the Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network. (42 pp).

c) Habitat network mapping to encourage (or discourage) the movement of plants and animals in

response to climate change – Kevin Watts

d)Urban forest vulnerability to climate change, risk analysis maps, including tolerance of street and

greenspace trees to drought and floods

e) iTree Scenario project. Projection of ecosystem service delivery by young, semi-mature and

mature urban forests, under a changing climate

Information on alternative species is summarised in http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/treespecies

covering native range, provenance, site requirements, pest and pathogens and use of 60 species –

Bill Mason and Richard Jinks

Working through ClimateXChange and others to expand information available on alternative

species e.g. Silvifuture web resource, and videos,.

FR are using a landscape genetic approach to examine whether connectivity in the landscape

promotes gene flow. Also for connectivity work FR are using radio tracking to follow squirrel

movement in the landscape and also hoping to so this with pine martens.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/treespecies




Activities


6. We will publish

a deer

management

strategy

Web-based woodland grazing toolbox allows us to assess browsing pressure and minimise

browsing damage

7. We will

implement a

programme of

work to mitigate

slope stability

risks on the

Estate

FR staff are members of FES team and support for Long Term Management on Steep Slopes

Project, including drafting of new guidance.

Reports on steep slope working in Lael Forest. Tom Nisbet, Bill Rayner and Andy Kennedy

From Ecoslopes objectives - Developing a Slopes Decision Support System (SDSS), to be used as

a tool by foresters, engineers and eco-engineers.

Assessment procedure to identify the hydrological factors contributing to high erosion risk

4. We are committed

to dealing with

invasive plants and

animals that threaten

habitats and

biodiversity

8. We will achieve

a 40% reduction

in the area of

Rhododendron

across the Estate

Detailed, practical recommendations for the integrated management of all major pest, weed and

disease problems facing forest managers in the UK is given in the new publication:- Weed, Pest and

Disease Management in Forestry - minimising pesticide use in the forest. Willoughby, I., Evans, H.,

Brown, A., Denman, S., Hendry, S., Jones, B., Mayle, B., Moore, R., Nisbet, T., Straw, N., Trout, R.,

Tubby, K., Webber, J. (2012). This text was completed in March 2012, and is awaiting publication

by the FC (CFS), but in the interim is available as an internal draft report.

Detailed practical guidance on legal and policy requirements for pesticide use on the national

forest estate are given in :- Operational Guidance Booklet 15. Using chemicals in the forest. Forestry

Commission Operational Guidance Booklet 15. Willoughby, I. (2013). Forestry Commission internal

report.

The results of recent research on mechanical and chemical clearance techniques for rhododendron,




Activities


including the use of biocontrol agents, will be published shortly.

Further experimentation to develop cost-effective, environmentally acceptable methods, e.g.

Ecoplugs for chemical thinning and rhododendron control.

Potential to use Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to identify Rhododendron and plan control measures.

Productive Theme

5. We aim to increase

the contribution of the

National Forest Estate

to the economy of

Scotland and its

regions and recognise

the potential of the

Estate to assist

transition to a low

carbon economy

9. With partners,

we will seek new

timber transport

solutions to bring

inaccessible timber

to the market,

including the

building of a

bespoke timber

pier on Mull

10. We will

implement master-

plans for key

recreation hubs to

increase their

contribution to the

local economy

11. We will look at

FR are currently working developing the evidence base for FES around cultural ecosystem services and

are currently focusing on the areas of recreation and health




Activities


the sustainable

economic potential

of the extensive

moorlands on the

Estate

6. We aim to provide

at least three million

cubic metres of

softwood timber every

year on a sustainable

basis

12. We will

identify strategies

to smooth timber

production

profiles for the

next 50 years

The Production Forecast can be used to determine time of max mean annual increment with broader

range of management options for our principal commercial species but there is less information for

broader range of species – Robert Matthews and Tom Jenkins

7. We intend to

manage at least a

quarter of our

expanding

broadleaved

woodlands to

produce quality

hardwoods and

fuelwood

13. We will

identify existing

woodland and

new planting sites

where we will

commit to

management for

future hardwood

timber

Managing Native Broadleaved Woodland by Harmer, Kerr and Thompson

FR developed GIS tools can be used to identify suitable new planting sites

Silvicultural summary web pages developed by FR for broadleaved species in Scotland

Growing birch in Scotland for quality timber Report produced for FC Scotland (Timber

Development Programme), November 2012. (Price and Macdonald)

Shake in oak: an evidence report. FC commissioned research report – at late draft stage.

Active FR involvement with the ‘Future Trees Trust’ (Steve Lee and Rob Sykes)

8. We will market

[timber] in ways

that encourage

value adding and

14. We will use

value adding and

additional jobs as

criteria in the

Acoustic tools developed by FR can be used for the testing/grading of logs and sawn timber at a

small scale, suitable for low volume producers – might benefit specialist markets.




Activities


additional jobs in

manufacturing and

processing,

recognising the

benefits of

contributing to local

economic activity,

especially in the

more fragile rural

areas

award of long-

term timber

contracts

15. We will

further develop

the use of ‘log-

shops’ for local

sale of specialist

timbers to

support small-

scale wood

processing.

9. We will use our

work programmes to

promote the

development of the

forestry and land

management sectors

16. We will

establish a basis

for monitoring

the contribution

of the Estate to

jobs and the

economy of

Scotland and its

regions

A piece of work, jointly commissioned with FCS will undertake an up-to-date economic analysis of

forestry in Scotland and also specifically the National Forest Estate contribution.

10. We plan to

increase agricultural

use of the Estate

17. We will

establish starter

farms linked to

Use of woodlands on farms to reduce sediment run-off and diffuse pollution – Tom Nisbet (Nisbet,

T., Silgram, M., Shah, N., Morrow, K. and Broadmeadow, S. (2011). Woodland for water: woodland

measures for meeting WFD objectives. Forest Research Monograph, 4, Forest Research, Surrey (156

pp).




Activities


where this is

consistent with

environmental

objectives

woodland

creation

proposals, and

identify

opportunities to

develop

exemplars of

forestry and

farming

integration

Use of woodlands around intensive units to reduce atmospheric pollution – Elena Vanguelova

Use of woodlands on farm woodland Carbon stock – FC sponsored PhD student ay Cranfield.

FR experiments and information on farm forestry and shelter woods.

FR tool developed to advise farmers about shelterbelt placement and management

Cost and benefits of ammonia reduction by shelter belts (Gregory Valatin)

11. We aim to realise

the Estate’s

renewable energy

potential whilst

achieving a

reasonable balance

with other objectives

18. We will work

with energy

businesses to

increase

renewable energy

generation on the

Estate in line with

the SG 2GW 2020

target, securing

leading-edge

community

benefits

19. We will seek

Calculator has been developed with Scottish Government funding to allow overall carbon balance

to be estimated. These will be refined to take better account of crop details.

Ways of quickly estimating the impacts of forest on wind speed and resultant energy generation

are nearly completed.

FR data on the impact of forests on turbulence and potential energy generation

Monitoring the impact of Short Rotation Forestry on water quality and quantity at Sibster, Alyth

and Squerreyes Estate in Kent.

Production Forecast can be used to estimate current and future availability of supply, including

woodfuel, from the NFE. GIS can be used to map the most promising opportunities, e.g. based on




Activities


to increase the

availability of

woody material

suitable for use

as a biofuel

scale, physical accessibility and nearby markets.

Short rotation forestry trials inform species choice and expected biomass yields.

Short rotation coppice trials inform species choice and expected biomass yields

New EU project (SIMWOOD) has the objective of increasing mobilisation of wood from existing

woodlands. The Scottish case study (Lochaber) will focus on SP woodlands on the NFE and in

community management.

12. We will work with

partners to find new

ways to harness our

natural and cultural

heritage and develop

the Estate’s potential

for tourism

20. We are

making

significant

investments in

our visitor centre

facilities to

increase their

contribution to

local economic

growth

21. We will

develop a

network of high

quality wildlife

viewing

destinations

across Scotland

Review of Visitor Experience Planning

Social Forestry Toolbox: A toolbox for public engagement in forest and woodland planning

www.forestry.gov.uk/toolbox

FES Wildlife Tourism Project Business Case inc. cost / benefits analysis

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/toolbox




Activities


22. We will work

in partnerships

like the 7stanes

Mountain Biking

Community

Interest Company

(CiC), and the

Galloway Dark

Skies initiative to

promote the

tourism potential

of the Estate

EKOS Economic Impact Assessment Report and Recommendations for 7stanes

Scottish Enterprise / FES report – Tourism Development in Galloway Forest Park

13. We will support

the Scottish

Government's

woodland expansion

policy

23. We will

implement an

annual woodland

creation

programme in

line with the

recommendations

of the Woodland

Expansion

Advisory Group

FR GIS tools allow spatial representation at landscape scale to help planning of woodland creation:

a) Ecological Site Classification informs species choice on the basis of climate, soil moisture and soil

fertility [and the most recent version can be run using climate change scenarios ]. ESC is being used

in partnership with JHI and others to support work of WEAG and following on, and is being linked to

model estimates of Carbon stock in trees, vegetation and soils.

b) Habitat networks tool (BEETLE - Biological and Environmental Evaluation Tools for Landscape

Ecology) can be used so that existing woodlands can be linked to best effect

c) Establishment Management Information System (EMIS) can be used to advise on plant type,

planting times.

d) FR work on conversion of conifer plantations to broadleaves and the effect on biodiversity.

e) Opportunity mapping for woodland for water (Broadmeadow, S., Thomas, H., Shah, N and Nisbet,

T.R., 2013. Opportunity mapping for woodland creation to improve water quality and reduce flood

risk in the River Tay catchment – a pilot for Scotland. Final Report to FC Scotland and SEPA (40

pp); Thomas, H. and Nisbet, T.R., 2013. Climate change adaptation in the Glasgow and Clyde




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Valley: Opportunity mapping for woodland creation to reduce flood risk. Final Report to the Glasgow

& Clyde Valley Green Network. (42 pp).

f) Ongoing application of opportunity mapping work to another 13 priority catchments in Scotland.

g) Benefits of woodland for water: (Nisbet, T., Silgram, M., Shah, N., Morrow, K. and Broadmeadow, S.

(2011). Woodland for water: woodland measures for meeting WFD objectives. Forest Research

Monograph, 4, Forest Research, Surrey (156 pp).

Biomass, productivity and carbon stocks for the NFE using a new Woodland Carbon Code method

Treasured Theme

14. We want to

encourage local

people to get

involved with using

and managing local

Estate woodlands so

we will actively

engage with local

communities and be

open to work in

partnership

24. There is strong

support for our

approach to

delivering

community

benefits,

recognising that we

have achieved

much, for example

through

appointment of

local Community

Rangers, the Woods

In and Around

FR has skills to help assess effectiveness of FES engagement with communities and are used to

support and advise local FES teams.








Activities


Towns programme,

the National Forest

Land Scheme, and

Community Led

Renewable

Developments, but

also recognising

that our capacity is

under pressure.

Looking ahead, we

will commission an

external "health

check" of our

performance to help

us sustain and

develop our delivery

of community

benefits.

25. Working with

developers we

will provide the

opportunity for

communities to




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benefit from or

invest in

renewable energy

developments on

the Estate

15. We will continue

to use the Estate as

a place for

volunteering and

gaining employment

skills

26. We will provide

opportunities for

over 100

employment skills

placements, 30

apprenticeships

and 8 internships

per year.






16. We are

committed to

creating more

uniquely special

places across the

Estate and to

delivering benefits to

an increasingly

diverse range of

Scotland’s people

27. We will define

and invest in

management of

visitor zones to

make them

attractive and

welcoming

29. We will work

with partners in

the Cairngorms






Joint collaborative projects on Cairngorm rare plants (e.g. twinflower) and animals (e.g. red

squirrel and pine martens) are ongoing.






Activities


and Loch Lomond

and the

Trossachs

National Parks to

implement the

National Park

Partnership Plans

Work on landscape connectivity for geneflow in important and rare insect forest species e.g. wood

ants wood crickets.

Work on the effect of woodland management on Lepidoptera assemblages.

Work on assessing how to measure Forest Condition for Biodiversity.

17. We recognise the

value of the Estate as

a place for research

and development of

best practice

30. We will work

with Forest

Research and

other specialists

to demonstrate

best practice and

provide long-term

monitoring sites,

for example in

relation to

ecosystem

management,

climate change

adaptation and

energy forestry

Queen Elizabeth Research Forest is building its capacity to demonstrate

a) adaptation of management for climate change

b) remote sensing to update and refine sub-compartment database

c) choice of species and management to improve water quality and quantity

Reserve and database of long-term experiments provides information relevant to management on

species, provenance and family choice; cultivation and drainage; weed control; spacing; thinning;

residue management

The Level 2 Monitoring plots provide detailed information on growth, function, and biodiversity of

managed stands of SS, SP and oak stands as affected by environmental factors such as acid rain,

atmospheric inputs, and climate

Long-term monitoring of water quality and quantity flowing from forests informs all aspects of forest

management (including assessing impacts of conifer affoestation at Halladale, impacts of clearfelling

on phosphate and carbon release to water at Flanders Moss, and effects of riparian woodland

planting and large woody debris dams on flood flows at Eddleston and Craik.

Assessment of catchments with freshwater pearl mussel populations potentially vulnerable to

impacts of clearfelling on peatlands

Forthcoming FC Practice Guide and Research Note on managing forestry and acidification.

Long-term monitoring of Hylobius through felling and restocking to inform choice of fallow period

and need to spray – Roger Moore

Work at East Grange under ELUM project on Carbon & Green House Gas balance of new Short

Rotation Forestry may be continued long-term to provide model site - funding permitted.




Activities


iTree Eco and iTree Eco UK studies provides only source of information on ecosystem services

delivered by the urban forest, including carbon sequestration rates and carbon storage

Treezilla provides opportunity incorporate citizen science into the quantification and valuation of the

urban forest and ecosystem services it provides

Growth curves for urban trees will enable modelling of carbon stocks in urban trees with forest

management and succession planning

Accessible Theme


to invest available

resources into high

quality facilities that

encourage and help

visitors experience

and enjoy the

outdoor environment

31. We will work

with partners like

the Fieldfare

Trust and invest

in increasing the

accessibility of

key locations to a

wider cross-

section of society

through

thoughtful

design,

appropriate on

site provision

such as toilets

and high-quality










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interpretation

32. We will

review our

policies on

provision of

recreation

facilities (laid out

in our framework

for access,

recreation and

tourism on the

National Forest

Estate)

33. We will renew

our visitor-facing

web site to

improve the

quality and

relevance of the

information we

provide to help

visitors find the

best locations for

them




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to encourage use of

the Estate for health

benefits and outdoor

learning

34. We will

continue to work

with education

and health

initiatives like

Forest School and

Branching Out.

WIAT health research studies www.forestry.gov.uk/wiat

Forest Education Initiative (FEI) evidence base






20. Through our

Woods In and Around

Towns (WIAT)

programme we aim

to provide more

opportunities for

more of Scotland’s

people to enjoy high-

quality countryside

and find health,

education, skills and

community

involvement benefits

35. We will create

significant new

woodland and out-

door access

facilities in the

Clyde Gateway

area on previously

derelict and vacant

land

Development of cost-effective methods to remediate degraded land so that it can support viable

woodlands and greenspace

Studies understanding social impacts of WIAT provides evidence for expansion and investment

FRs Best Practice Guidance Notes for Land Regeneration, and related FC publications including a

Practice Note on the Land Regeneration process

Research into the biological health of regenerated soils and the consequential affects on

ecosystem service delivery

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/wiat





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36. We will consult

on the potential to

develop our

Kilpatrick Hills

acquisitions as an

important new

countryside

recreation

opportunity on the

northern edge of

Glasgow

37. We will work

closely with the

Central Scotland

Green Network

initiative to align

our contribution

with the larger

vision

38. We will make

suitable parts of

the Estate

available for

education,




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volunteering, skills

training and

health-

improvement

projects and

programmes

Cared For Theme

21. We are restoring

around 85% of areas

on ancient woodland

sites to largely native

species.

22. The remaining

areas will be

enhanced through

our management

39. We will review

progress in the

enhancement of

ancient woodland

remnants and

restoration of

planted ancient

woodland sites to

native woodland

40. We will produce

internal guidance

for the

management of

semi-natural

woodlands to

Managing Broadleaved Native Woodland provides sound guidance

FR work on conversion of conifer plantations to broadleaves and the effect on biodiversity.

Three different measures of biodiversity currently in progress: NFI based method, detailed

Niches4Species method, coarse N4S method




Activities


ensure that our

existing ancient and

semi-natural

woodlands are well

cared for

23. We aim to

increase in

broadleaved tree

cover from the

current 8% of

woodland cover to

around 20%

41. We will use data

from the Native

Woodland Survey of

Scotland to identify

where expansion of

broadleaved

woodland will

improve the habitat

network and buffer

ancient woodland

fragments.

FR GIS tools allow spatial representation at landscape scale:

a)Ecological Site Classification informs species choice on the basis of climate, soil moisture and soil

fertility [and the most recent version can be run using climate change scenarios ]

b) Habitat networks models

Choice of broadleaved species and provenance - Bill Mason, Steve Lee, Richard Jinks, Joan Cottrell

Managing Broadleaved Native Woodland gives sound guidance – Gary Kerr and Alan Harrison

FR Report on trials on the use of direct seeding for low cost conversion of less productive conifer

plantations to native species.

FR / SEPA opportunity mapping to identify where woodland creation can best deliver water quality

benefits and reduce flood risk ((Broadmeadow, S., Thomas, H., Shah, N and Nisbet, T.R., 2013.

Opportunity mapping for woodland creation to improve water quality and reduce flood risk in the

River Tay catchment – a pilot for Scotland. Final Report to FC Scotland and SEPA (40 pp); Thomas,

H. and Nisbet, T.R., 2013. Climate change adaptation in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley: Opportunity

mapping for woodland creation to reduce flood risk. Final Report to the Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Green Network. (42 pp).

24. We are 42. We will keep FR Technical Development Branch - potential to use Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to survey open

habitats




Activities


committed to

maintaining the best

open habitats in good

ecological condition

our the open

habitat surveys

on track for

completion by

2019

43. We will

implement the

‘Strategic Guide

for Conservation

Management of

Open Priority

Habitats on the

National Forest

Estate’

25. We will identify

particularly

vulnerable species

for which the

National Forest

Estate is important

and take specific

conservation action

44. We will

strengthen our

monitoring and

status reporting

for key species

and habitats

FR HARPPS Decision support tool and Information system for managing Habitats and Rare Priority

and Protected Species – Alice Broome and Duncan Ray

26. We safeguard

archaeological sites


to undertake

FR developed techniques using remote sensing to ‘strip away’ woodland cover to reveal detailed

land form below woodland is a powerful tool in finding and recording archaeological remains.




Activities


through our

planning and

management and

recognise special

places and features

with local cultural

meaning

conservation

management,

condition

monitoring and

archaeological

recording at

significant historic

assets

46. We will

continue to work

with stakeholders

to develop, share

and promote

best-practice

historic

environment

conservation

management




Activities


Good Value Theme

27. We will seek a

diverse range of

income sources to

underpin the cost of

managing the Estate,

and we will continually

look for ways to

achieve best value in

delivery of public

benefits

47. FC Guide to Economic Appraisal & Evaluation – FC Economics and Statistics Unit

Economic Analysis Reports for the National Forest Estate

28. We will make

progressive

reductions in the

emissions from our

Estate management

activities

48. We will

reduce our

carbon emission

in administrative

travel by 5% over

this plan period

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from forest civil engineering , Technical Note , Alan

Dickerson, Bruce Nicoll, Mike Perks

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/PDF/FCTN020.pdf/$FILE/FCTN020.pdf

Understanding the carbon and greenhouse gas balance of forests in Britain (PDF-7422K). Forestry

Commission Research Report 18. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh. i–vi + 1–149 pp Morison, J.,

Matthews, R., Miller, G., Perks, M., Randle, T., Vanguelova, E., White, M. and Yamulki, S. (2012)

has information on GHG emissions from forestry operations.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/PDF/FCTN020.pdf/$FILE/FCTN020.pdf

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/FCRP018.pdf/$FILE/FCRP018.pdf

environmental assessment (scotland) act 2005 · 2014. 6. 3. · quality silviculture and...

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