Case Study: Early Outcomes and Lessons Learnt From a Recently Translocated Woodland Ecosystem

Abstract

The translocation of wildlife habitats remains controversial in the UK and as a last resort where prime ecosystems are involved. None is more contentious as those for woodland designated as 'ancient semi-natural woodland' (i.e., have been in situ for some 400 years or more). There are very few accessible and informative first-hand reports of woodland translocation schemes from which to learn. In this paper we discuss the outcomes of the monitoring of vascular plants and invertebrates one year after translocation of part of an ancient semi-natural woodland, following the granting of planning consent to extend a nationally important aggregate resource. The monitoring in the first year following translocation has been of particular importance as it identified that the representative species, which are needed to re-establish and develop into similar woodland communities to those of the donor, are present. It demonstrates that the physical translocation of the 'whole woodland' vascular plant assemblage is more feasible than previously canvassed, and something that is equivalent to familiar woodland practices of clear-felling operations or coppice rotations. It also determined the need and focus for the proactive control of invasive species that will be needed to achieve the longer-term objective in the vicinity of both the donor woodland and the receptor site, prior to, during and after translocation. The findings are timely and of relevance, beyond the mineral extraction industry, to infrastructure and other built developments involving important woodland ecosystems.