Implications of lowland broadleaved woodland management for the conservation of target bird species

This research consisted of a literature review and field study which investigated woodland management for birds withinlowland broadleaved woodlands in Britain. The research considered the effect of woodland management (silviculturalintervention and control of deer browsing) on vegetation structure, and the relationships between vegetation structureand woodland birds. Based on habitat–bird relationships, a classification of six woodland stand structures (A–F) relatedto their value to birds, and a framework to help understand and manage woodland development to deliver thesestructures were created. The field study, which was conducted in England and Wales, showed that woodlands arepredominantly mature or late thicket stands, with low structural heterogeneity (type E – closed canopy, few strata),and silvicultural interventions are primarily mid to late rotational thinning. Such interventions lead to a uniform standstructure and reduced stem and understorey density. High deer browsing pressure also reduces understorey density.Study results showed these vegetation structures to be less favourable to the target bird species who were insteadfound to be associating with the structures predicted from the literature as being favourable. This suggests thatvegetation structures for birds can be described, and if provided, bird populations could be enhanced. The frequentlyoccurring woodland structure type E is of least value to woodland birds. Woodland managers are encouraged to movetype E stands towards other types to help meet bird conservation objectives

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Climate change vulnerability for species—Assessing the assessments

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