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Home > Research
> Information for Conservationists
> Upland landscapes >
Section 5
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Habitat changes in British upland
landscapes
and their implications for bird populations
by Rob Fuller
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5. Natural regeneration
of scrub and woodland |
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some areas of Scotland, notably upper Deeside and Speyside,
birch and pine are becoming re-established in marginal areas
through natural regeneration. Some of the
most vigorous areas of regeneration are within nature reserves
where a decision has been taken to reduce grazing pressure
by deer. However, there are also examples outside nature reserves
where grouse management has ceased on less productive moors
and where estates have taken the initiative to reduce deer
numbers. In the long-term, this regeneration is likely to
result in higher densities of breeding birds and more diverse
bird communities at the landscape scale (Gillings et al.
2000). |
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| Birch
scrub invading heather moorland in eastern Scotland. |
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| The developing scrub has been widely
colonised by Tree Pipits, Willow Warblers and Chaffinches with
the latter two species typically the most abundant. Other species
that are likely to benefit from scrub regeneration are Black Grouse,
Lesser Redpoll, Whinchat and Stonechat. As the scrub develops
into woodland, it is colonised by a wider range of species including
several hole and crevice-nesting species such as Redstart, Treecreeper
and Spotted Flycatcher. One study in Deeside found that these
hole-nesting species were more abundant in old birch than pine
(Fuller et al. 1999). |
Within the Cairngorm region, the development of this regeneration
into extensive areas of old birch and pine should, on balance,
be beneficial to birds (Fuller et al. 1999). Regeneration
is occurring mainly on the lower lying dry heather moors which
are not those of greatest importance for moorland birds in
this part of Scotland, though the Red Grouse is an exception.
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The
Redstart is one species that will benefit from natural forest
regeneration in the uplands. |
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| The development of more
extensive 'natural' stands of birch and pine should benefit Capercaillie,
Black Grouse and many songbirds. In other areas, however, there
may be a conflict of interest between natural regeneration and
maintaining important populations of moorland birds. To ensure
that especially valuable open habitats are not lost to tree growth,
a regional perspective needs to be taken in developing the appropriate
strategies for the creation of 'natural' woods in the uplands.
A large-scale mosaic of scrub, woodland and open moorland will
usually be required to achieve the maximum bird diversity, but
the exact location of regeneration will affect the composition
of bird communities that develops within any region. This principle
can probably be applied more widely than just to birds. Biodiversity
is likely to be enhanced most effectively by allowing the development
of more natural vegetation types in the uplands, but at the same
time ensuring that substantial areas of open moorland are maintained.
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BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU
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31 October, 2007
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