Survey
Site Type From GIS and Ancient Woodland Layer
The best opportunities to enhance biodiversity should be used to fulfil the 15% requirement in UKWAS.
Biodiversity Opportunity
Other Site Information (free text)
Area
Larger sites may need to be be stratified into relatively homogeneous areas. Add additional strata as required. Sketch strata boundaries onto a map for later reference.
STRATA
The site connections to other areas of biodiversity and how the site sits in the wider habitat is important
Fully Surrounded - the area is fully surrounded by other areas key to biodiversity.
Multiple Connections - the area forms a key link between several other areas key to biodiversity.
Connected Through - the site forms a link between two otherwise disconnected areas of biodiversity.
Single Connection - the site is adjacent to another area of biodiversity but does not form a link.
Locally Disconnected - there are other sites important to biodiversity locally but the site is not directly connected to them.
Isolated - there are no other biodiversity sites locally.
- Fully Surrounded
- Multiple Connections
- Through Connection
- Single Connection
- Locally Disconnected
- Isolated
Consider the Site and Crop Stability
Site Stability
Crop Stage
Windblow
Brief Stratum description
Veteran Trees. In PAWS these are those trees that probably significantly pre-date the crop.
Abundant >25 trees per ha
Frequent >5 trees per ha
Infrequent <5 trees per ha
Rare <1 tree per ha
Absent no trees present on site
Veteran Trees
In PAWS these would be Native trees that probably grew up with the current crop or since it was planted.
Abundant >25 trees per ha
Frequent >5 trees per ha
Infrequent <5 trees per ha
Rare <1 tree per ha
Absent no trees present on site
Non Veteran Native Trees
Abundant - regeneration spread widely throughout area
Frequent - patches of regeneration throughout area
Infrequent - occasional scattered patches of regeneration or individual small trees
Rare - occasional regenerating tree
Absent - no regeneration
Existing Regeneration of Native Trees
If regeneration is absent add reason
- Shading by Planted Crop
- Non-native Invasive Species
- Bracken, Strong Grasses etc
- Deer Browsing
- Regeneration of Conifer Trees
- Other (specify in comments below)
- Windblow in Overstory Crop
Comments
Significant standing and fallen deadwood would be larger than 20cm in diameter
Abundant >25 dead trees or significant limbs
Frequent >5 dead trees or significant limbs per ha
Infrequent <5 dead trees or significant limbs per ha
Rare - very occasional limb or dead tree
Absent - no deadwood present
Deadwood
Thinking in particular about native woodland indicator species
Abundant - native woodland indicator species are found throughout the area on crags and in gaps in the canopy.
Frequent - less common but still well spread throughout the area.
Infrequent - there are few crags or gaps in the canopy but those that exist do hold native woodland indicator species.
Rare - there are very occasional examples of native woodland indicator species.
Absent - there is no evidence of native woodland indicator species anywhere within the area.
Vegetation on Rock Outcrops and in Gaps
Thinking in particular about native woodland indicator species
Abundant - native woodland indicator species are found throughout the riparian zones
Frequent - less common but still well spread throughout the riparian zones
Infrequent - there are few riparian zones but those that exist do hold native woodland indicator species.
Rare - there are very occasional examples of native woodland indicator species in riparian zones.
Absent - there is no evidence of native woodland indicator species anywhere within the riparian zones.
Vegetation in Riparian Zones
Thinking in particular about native woodland indicator species
Abundant - native woodland indicator species are found throughout the area under the canopy
Frequent - less common but still well spread throughout the area.
Infrequent - there are a few patches under the canopy that hold examples of native woodland indicator species.
Rare - there are very occasional examples of native woodland indicator species under the canopy
Absent - there is no evidence of native woodland indicator species anywhere within the area.
Vegetation Under the Canopy
Include both Flora and Fauna. Also consider nesting and breeding sites for rare species.
Key site - known breeding or refuge site for particularly rare or endangered species. Eg white tailed eagle, capercaillie. Include all designated sites here.
Important Site - site with 'second level' protected species. Eg red squirrel, otter, badger
Local interest Site - site with local interest or rarity
Expansion site - site with the potential to allow the expansion of local populations from adjacent areas or potential habitat link.
Absent - no rare species present or in the locality
Rare Species
Archaeology and Cultural Significance
Consider the area in terms of its overall Amenity, Landscape and Public Access Importance.
Amenity, Landscape and Public Access Significance
Conclusions
Summary Comments and Information
- Natural Reserve
- Long Term Retention
- Low Impact Silviculture
- Thinning
- Haloing of Veterans and Larger Native Trees
- Widen Riparian Zones
- Control Invasive Non-natives
- Control Regeneration of Current Crop Trees
- Improve Deer Control
- Deer Fence
- Clearfell at Onset of Windthrow
- Restock with Native Bl or SP
- Restock with Conifer
- Restock with Mixed Con/Bl Species