A Review of Classification Methods for the Conservation of Uk Woodlands.
Introduction:
There are many different classification systems within the UK the first notable one being Tansley (1939) who used dominant tree species to classify woodlands, however it is not always easy to determine the dominant species in mixed woodlands and much of the UK was missing. This was later improved by Peterken (1981 and 1993) who used the basis of Tansleys’ system, but concentrated more on the management and stand mixes, coming up with 89 ‘semi-natural ancient woodland’ stand types and sub- types (Peterken 1993). This was replaced by National Vegetation Classification (NVC) in 1991 which rather than just looking at the main stands incorporates all the woodland layers classifying them into communities. The NVC was commissioned by the Nature Conservancy Council in 1975 and divides woodland and scrub into 73 communities and sub-communities (Hall et al 2001). This system was developed to try and make classifications in the UK similar to those being used in Europe as well as to update the Tansley classification system. The NCV is more in-depth than both Tansley and Peterkins classifications as it covers the whole of the UK systematically (Rodwell 1991). The forestry commission have also come up with a classification system, this is mainly targeted at foresters, using climatic and soil property factors that influence tree growth to determine favourable woodland/ tree types for individual sites (Pyatt et al 2001).
In 1992 the United Nations conference’ Earth Summit’ met in Rio Janeiro and came up with Agenda 21 on the environment and sustainable development, climate change and biological diversity. A result of this was the European Union Habitats and Species Directive and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, these require that habitats and species which are threatened or likely to become threatened are protected and preserved. Habitats that are listed in Annex 1 of the Habitats and Species Directive have to be classified in all member states. The
There are many different classification systems within the UK the first notable one being Tansley (1939) who used dominant tree species to classify woodlands, however it is not always easy to determine the dominant species in mixed woodlands and much of the UK was missing. This was later improved by Peterken (1981 and 1993) who used the basis of Tansleys’ system, but concentrated more on the management and stand mixes, coming up with 89 ‘semi-natural ancient woodland’ stand types and sub- types (Peterken 1993). This was replaced by National Vegetation Classification (NVC) in 1991 which rather than just looking at the main stands incorporates all the woodland layers classifying them into communities. The NVC was commissioned by the Nature Conservancy Council in 1975 and divides woodland and scrub into 73 communities and sub-communities (Hall et al 2001). This system was developed to try and make classifications in the UK similar to those being used in Europe as well as to update the Tansley classification system. The NCV is more in-depth than both Tansley and Peterkins classifications as it covers the whole of the UK systematically (Rodwell 1991). The forestry commission have also come up with a classification system, this is mainly targeted at foresters, using climatic and soil property factors that influence tree growth to determine favourable woodland/ tree types for individual sites (Pyatt et al 2001).
In 1992 the United Nations conference’ Earth Summit’ met in Rio Janeiro and came up with Agenda 21 on the environment and sustainable development, climate change and biological diversity. A result of this was the European Union Habitats and Species Directive and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, these require that habitats and species which are threatened or likely to become threatened are protected and preserved. Habitats that are listed in Annex 1 of the Habitats and Species Directive have to be classified in all member states. The
References: European Commission (2003) Interpretation Manual of European Union habitats, EUR 25, DG Environment Nature & Biodiversity. Grime J P (1998) Benefits of plant diversity to ecosystems: immediate, filter and founder effects. Journal of Ecology. 86, 902-910. Hall J E & Kirby (1998) The relationship between biodiversity action plan priority and broad habitat types and other woodland classifications. JNCC report 288, UK. Hall J E, Kirby K J and Whitbread A M (2001) National Vegetation Classification field guide to woodland. Joint Nature conservation committee, UK Peterken G (1993) Woodland Conservation and Management, second edition, Chapman & Hall, UK Pyatt G, Ray D and Flecher J (2001) An ecological site classification for Forestry in Great Britain. Forestry Commission Bullenin 124. UK. Ray D (2001) Ecological Site Classification – A PC based decision support system for British forests – users guide. Forestry Commission, UK. Rodwell J S; Pigott CD; Ratcliffe DA; Malloch AJC; Birks HJB; Proctor MCF; Shimwell DW; Huntley JP; Radford E; Wigginton MJ and Wilkins P. (1991) British Plant Communities Vol. 1. Woodlands and scrub. Cambridge University Press, UK. Rodwell J & Dring J (2001) European Significance of British woodland types. English Nature, No. 460, UK. Tansley A G (1939), The British Islands and their Vegetation, Cambridge University Press