Dartmoor National Park Authority

17 January 2006

Restoring Ancient Woodland in Dartmoor National Park

A new project has been launched in the Dartmoor National Park to raise awareness, give free advice and provide support to the owners and mangers of Dartmoor’s ancient woodlands.  The Restoring Ancient Woodland Project is a partnership between Dartmoor National Park Authority, Defra, English Nature, the Forestry Commission and the Woodland Trust.

The project aims to:

•assist landowners to restore and enhance their ancient woodland;

•support the restoration of ancient woodland sites which have been planted with non-native species (Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites);

•promote the establishment of new native woodland, especially where this extends or links remaining fragments of ancient woodland.

Ancient woodland has been continuously wooded since at least the year AD1600. Such woodland has been described as the natural equivalent to our greatest churches and castles.  Dartmoor’s ancient woodland is a unique and irreplaceable habitat, rich in wildlife and cultural heritage, offering peace and tranquillity to those who visit, and adds richness and variety to the landscape of Dartmoor.

In the past, significant areas of ancient woodland were felled and re-planted with non-native conifer species.  Valuable wildlife and cultural features often survive amongst the conifers and, with care, these features can be protected and native woodland habitats encouraged to expand.  Perhaps the greatest current threat to Dartmoor’s ancient woodland is neglect and a lack of management.  Another significant threat is the invasion by rhododendron and cherry laurel, which infests over 100 ancient woodlands on Dartmoor.

Richard Knott, Restoring Ancient Woodland Project Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority, said:

‘This is an important new project which aims to protect and enhance Dartmoor’s ancient woodland by meeting landowners, finding out what they want from their woodlands, and helping them to achieve their aims.  Obtaining income from woodland under an active management regime does not have to be at the expense of wildlife value or archaeological importance.

The project is about more that just giving advice.  This winter we have funding from English Nature to help woodland owners to control invasive Rhododendron.  The Project would also like to hear from landowners who are interested in allowing new native woodland to be created on their land, where this would expand or link existing woodland.’

If you would like to find out more about the Project contact Richard Knott, Restoring Ancient Woodland Project Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority on (01626) 832093.

Ends

For Further Information

Richard Knott, Restoring Ancient Woodland Project Officer

Mike Nendick, Communications Officer, Dartmoor National Park Authority

Tel: (01626) 832093

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Notes for Editors

Ancient woodland has been continuously wooded since at least the year AD1600. These woodlands are important because they:

•are exceptionally rich in wildlife - Dartmoor’s oak woodland is important for locally distinctive species such as the buzzard, wild daffodil, beard lichens, bats, dormice;

•act as a ‘reservoir’ from which species can spread into hedgerows and new woodland;

•may contain features which survive from the original natural forests;

•are an integral part of Dartmoor’s characteristic landscape (for example the wooded valleys such as the Dart and Bovey);

•often contain well-preserved historic features (for example charcoal burning platforms and the remains of past mining activity);

•provide a renewable source of hardwood timber, woodland products and a focus for traditional woodland crafts;

•are enjoyed by Dartmoor’s residents and visitors alike.

Ancient woodland on Dartmoor is particularly concentrated in the steep valleys of rivers such as the Bovey, Teign, Dart and Walkham which radiate out from central Dartmoor.

There are approximately 11,000 ha (27,181 acres) of woodland on Dartmoor (covering 11% of the National Park). Of this, 2,750 ha (6,795 acres) of woodland (27%) are mapped as ancient woodland. Actions to maintain and enhance ancient woodland are listed in The Woodland Strategy for Dartmoor National Park and Action for Wildlife: The Dartmoor Biodiversity Action Plan.  National policy regarding ancient woodland is set out by the Forestry Commission in: Keepers of time: A statement of policy for England's ancient and native woodland (http://www.forestry.gov.uk/keepersoftime (external link, opens new window)).

The declining market for local wood and timber products, combined with the loss of traditional skills has resulted in many ancient woodlands becoming neglected and gradually declining in value, both in terms of the wildlife and the potential to produce useful woodland products.  The dense tree canopy of a long-neglected wood prevents the successful growth of new tree seedlings, which are needed to become the next generation of woodland trees.

National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England, Wales and Scotland. They are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment.  However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers.  Over 33,400 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.

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This page last updated 17 January 2006

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