Woodland types and their characteristics

Woodland types and their characteristics

Woodland Types

Ancient Woodland - This type of woodland has been consistently forested for at least 400 years. It is home to many unique and endangered species.

Secondary Woodland - These woodlands develop in fields or other open areas where trees start to naturally grow back after some form of clearance has taken place.

Plantation Woodland - A type of woodland where trees are planted and managed for timber production, often with non-native species like conifers.

Coppice Woodland - A woodland management system. Trees are cut to ground level to encourage multiple stems to grow from the stump, known as the coppice stool. Notable for the variety of species accommodated due to the cycle of light and shade.

Wet Woodland - Characterised by its wet or waterlogged soils, it’s typically composed of willow, alder, or birch. Not to be confused with riparian woodland, which is found alongside water courses.

Woodland Characteristics

Canopy Layers - Different layers of vegetation in a woodland, including the tree canopy, understorey, shrub layer, and ground layer.

Flora - Woodland areas house a variety of plants and flowers, the types of which can often indicate the type of woodland you’re observing (for example, the presence of bluebells often points to ancient woodland).

Fauna - Woodland supports a wide array of wildlife, from insects to mammals. The presence of certain species is used as an indication of woodland health.

Microclimate - The localised climate within a woodland, influenced by factors such as canopy cover and woodland management.

Soil Conditions - Differing types of woodland will have differing soil characteristics. For example, wet woodland will have waterlogged, oxygen-poor soils most of the year.

Woodland Management Practices - The methods and techniques used to maintain or improve woodland areas. This could include activities like coppicing, selective felling, or encouraging natural regeneration.

Succession and Climax Community - The process of change in a species structure of an ecological community over time. The final stage of succession is a plateau or steady state known as the climax community.