Managing the British woodland ecosystem:a case study of Nap Wood

Chesterton Community College

GCSE Geography

Where is Nap Wood?

Nap Wood is a small area of woodland approximately 4 miles south of Tunbridge Wells.

It is in a relatively densely populated area.

Access is from the main road – the A267 – are there is very little parking available so few people visit the wood.

How is the ecosystem structured?

There are 4 layers:– Upper canopy – older

trees, mainly oak, beech, chestnut and silver birch trees

– Lower canopy – younger trees

– Shrub layer – mostly holly– Ground layer – mosses,

bluebells, brambles, honeysuckle, bracken and herbs

Managing Nap Wood

The National Trust manage Nap Wood. Very little management is needed as there is little human

impact on the wood – the National Trust’s role is to protect the wood.

The National Trust operates a ‘leave-alone’ policy – when trees fall down, they are left to rot where they lie. This allows the nutrient cycle to operate naturally and fully.

Does the ‘leave-alone’ policy work?

Studies have been undertaken at Ashdown Forest, about 5 miles to the west of Nap Wood.

What does the data show?