The Decline in the Ecological Quality of the woodland, Heathland and Wetland Areas in the New Forest
Note: My first essay at university, the essay had to be in the style of a new scientist article and include a lot of pictures. I have had to remove these pictures to decrease the file size, which accounts for the unusual spacing. It also teaches you how to write a bad appendix.
The Decline in the Ecological Quality of the woodland, Heathland and Wetland Areas in the New Forest
The New Forest, a landscape enjoyed by many as a wonderful break from the bustle of city life, An abundance of species rich habitats, a place of solitude, as open space to be valued and conserved for both present and future generations. To many the New forest may seem an unchanging mosaic of forest, heath and wetland interlocked with small rural settlements whose traditional character seem almost timeless. However beneath this uniquely picturesque landscape lies an environment which is both complex and forever changing, a landscape which through history, has been heavily influenced by man and his activities.
The precise role of man and the influence he is having upon the natural environment often creates a complex set of management issues. These issues embody not only concerns for the environment but often have economic implications for the wider community. The New Forest is a good example of this; it has many conflicting uses and hence requires management. Figure two displays this range of habitats.
Habitat
Area/ha
Heathland/Acid Grassland
1740
Valley Mires and Wet Heaths
238
Unenclosed Deciduous Woodland
4049
Statutory Silvicultural Enclosures
8100
Unenclosable
(open to exercise of common rights)
9028
Fig2: The proportions of different habitats
It is the largest area of unsown vegetation in lowland Britain. Each habitat is affected differently by different uses, which in the past may have caused a decline in their ecological quality, it is both these uses and the management strategies associated with them that will be the focus of this article.
History of Landuse and Management
The forest became appointed to the crown as Royal Forest nine hundred years ago, it was used as a reservation for deer and domestic stock. This grazing and browsing limited the regeneration of trees and shrubs. It is currently under the management of the Forestry Commission as detailed in the Forestry and New Forest acts. The Forestry Commission is responsible for the ancient and ornamental woodlands and their timber enclosures this is refered to as the 'Crown Land'. They are required to give priority to conservation of the forests traditional character. They practice forestry in the Silvicultural Enclosures and have a responsibility for managing the unenclosed forest. The New Forest Heritage area will be referred to as the 'New Forest'. The common land within the perambulation will be referred to as the 'Open Forest'. Privately owned and fenced lands will be refered to as 'Enclosed lands'.
Fig 1:Dockens area
Fig 3: The New Forest Heritage Area
Ten Verderers became responsible for management of communal animals depastured in open forest. They regulated the right of the common promoting the improvement of grazing for the commoners. However these days there are strict guidelines which commoners must adhere to, to try to ensure the retention and sometimes improvement of the landscape quality. In July 1994 the government recognised the New Forest as a unique area giving it similar protection as a national park. It also possesses other designations, it is a SSSI although this offers protection from development it offers little in the way of conservation. In 1996 the New Forest Committee published a management plan entitled 'A strategy for the New Forest' its individual aims and strategies will be assessed throughout this article. The Committee represents the principal central and local government organisations in the forest who include
Countryside Commission
English Nature
Forestry Commission
Hampshire County Council
The Decline in the Ecological Quality of the woodland, Heathland and Wetland Areas in the New Forest
The New Forest, a landscape enjoyed by many as a wonderful break from the bustle of city life, An abundance of species rich habitats, a place of solitude, as open space to be valued and conserved for both present and future generations. To many the New forest may seem an unchanging mosaic of forest, heath and wetland interlocked with small rural settlements whose traditional character seem almost timeless. However beneath this uniquely picturesque landscape lies an environment which is both complex and forever changing, a landscape which through history, has been heavily influenced by man and his activities.
The precise role of man and the influence he is having upon the natural environment often creates a complex set of management issues. These issues embody not only concerns for the environment but often have economic implications for the wider community. The New Forest is a good example of this; it has many conflicting uses and hence requires management. Figure two displays this range of habitats.
Habitat
Area/ha
Heathland/Acid Grassland
1740
Valley Mires and Wet Heaths
238
Unenclosed Deciduous Woodland
4049
Statutory Silvicultural Enclosures
8100
Unenclosable
(open to exercise of common rights)
9028
Fig2: The proportions of different habitats
It is the largest area of unsown vegetation in lowland Britain. Each habitat is affected differently by different uses, which in the past may have caused a decline in their ecological quality, it is both these uses and the management strategies associated with them that will be the focus of this article.
History of Landuse and Management
The forest became appointed to the crown as Royal Forest nine hundred years ago, it was used as a reservation for deer and domestic stock. This grazing and browsing limited the regeneration of trees and shrubs. It is currently under the management of the Forestry Commission as detailed in the Forestry and New Forest acts. The Forestry Commission is responsible for the ancient and ornamental woodlands and their timber enclosures this is refered to as the 'Crown Land'. They are required to give priority to conservation of the forests traditional character. They practice forestry in the Silvicultural Enclosures and have a responsibility for managing the unenclosed forest. The New Forest Heritage area will be referred to as the 'New Forest'. The common land within the perambulation will be referred to as the 'Open Forest'. Privately owned and fenced lands will be refered to as 'Enclosed lands'.
Fig 1:Dockens area
Fig 3: The New Forest Heritage Area
Ten Verderers became responsible for management of communal animals depastured in open forest. They regulated the right of the common promoting the improvement of grazing for the commoners. However these days there are strict guidelines which commoners must adhere to, to try to ensure the retention and sometimes improvement of the landscape quality. In July 1994 the government recognised the New Forest as a unique area giving it similar protection as a national park. It also possesses other designations, it is a SSSI although this offers protection from development it offers little in the way of conservation. In 1996 the New Forest Committee published a management plan entitled 'A strategy for the New Forest' its individual aims and strategies will be assessed throughout this article. The Committee represents the principal central and local government organisations in the forest who include
Countryside Commission
English Nature
Forestry Commission
Hampshire County Council