Woodland Creation for Wildlife and People in a Changing Climate: Principles and Practice

There is a lot of interest in woodlands these days with an independent panel currently advising government on the future of forestry in England. Whatever the outcome of these deliberations, it is pretty certain that new woodland will continue to be planted in Britain in many different contexts and for many different purposes. It can visually enhance the landscape, buffer noisy roads, providefuel, offer diverse opportunities for recreation and - of course - be valuable for wildlife. However, in reality many new woods are rather dull places lacking the features that could make them attractive to many species of plants, insects and birds. With imagination these woods can be designed and subsequently managed in ways that hugely improve their wildlife interest. This excellent book offers copious advice on how this can be achieved, working from the assumption that some form of native woodland is likely to be the most beneficial.

This book offers far more than a set of prescriptions. It is divided roughly evenly between a discussion of important principles and more specific advice on how to actually go about creatingand managing woodland. The first part of the book includes a summary of how plants, birds, bats and invertebrates respond to different woodland environments. Other chapters look at the value of woods to human society, including their ecosystem service functions, the challenges raised by climate change and the landscape context of woodland creation. The second part covers a wealth of practical topics ranging from site selection, through woodland design and establishment, to the management of the established woodland. For example, there is much detailed and sound advice on choice of trees, shrubs and other plant species, as well as advice on the open habitats and edges that are so important for much woodland wildlife. The book is full of informative colour photographs, diagrams and tables. Anyone contemplating woodland creation would be well advised to secure a copy.

Book reviewed by Rob Fuller