Woodlands are an important habitat in the UK for both biodiversity and cultural reasons.  In the past, grazing by large herbivores would have helped maintain a dynamic habitat with patchy, open glade areas.  In more recent times, woodlands require human intervention and with correct management woodlands can support a rich variety of invertebrates, fungi and bird species. 

Lowland mixed deciduous woodland
This type of habitat is usually found within enclosed landscapes and has well defined boundaries.  Evidence of past coppicing is often found.  The ground flora and canopy layer can exhibit great variety in species composition.  It may form local habitat mosaics with areas of wet and beech woodland.  Threats to this type of woodland include deer pressure, development, cessation of traditional management and non-native invasive species.  Management would focus on reducing or eliminating these threats as far as possible while maintaining structural diversity. 

UK BAP Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland information

Lowland beech and yew woodland
This type of woodland is often found as part of a mosaic with other woodland communities.  The association of beech with yew tends to occur mostly on calcareous sites although beech can also grow on acidic soil.  It provides important habitat for species associated with dead wood and fungi.  Threats include a lack of appropriate management, development and damage caused by deer and squirrel.  Management focuses on structural diversity and deadwood provision, as well as maintaining open spaces to avoid a completely closed canopy.

UK BAP Lowland Beech & Yew Woodland information

Wet woodland
Often found on floodplains and damp ground within larger areas of woodland, wet deciduous woodland has recently suffered great losses due to clearance or changes in water levels.  Other threats include pollution, scrub invasion and over-tidiness of dead wood.  Management therefore focuses on the maintenance of water levels, dead wood provision and maintaining structural diversity , open area and edge habitat.

UK BAP Wet Woodland information

Lowland wood-pasture and parkland
Large ancient or matures trees set within heathland or grazed grassland provide an important habitat for many invertebrates and fungi species.  Dead wood is a particularly important element associated with this habitat as is traditional tree management and managing the open grazed areas. It is also important to ensure new trees are allowed to established to eventually replace older ones.  Threats include over-zealous removal of dead wood due to health and safety / appearance reasons, over grazing and habitat isolation.

UK BAP Wood Pasture & Parkland information

Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS)

PAWS information

Managing woodlands for butterflies and moths

Butterfly Conservation provide advice on managing woodlands for butterflies and moths.

Woodlands are currently facing threats from:

• Fragmentation / isolation


• Depletion


• Pollution


• Too much shade


• Deer, Grey squirrel and other invasive species


• Pathogens


• Climate change

Not all of the above factors can be controlled through management, but for those that can the techniques can include / involve:

• Coppicing - with or without standards


• Pollarding


• Deadwood use


• Creating habitat mosaics - rides and glades with scrub margins

Monitoring is an important management tool for woodlands (and other habitats), as it is crucial to understand the current state of the habitat, what species are present and the effects of management work.