NatureScot Commissioned Report 968: Herbivore Impact Assessment of Ardvar Woodlands SSSI woodland features 2017
Ardvar Woodlands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is in unfavourable condition due to the impact of browsing on tree regeneration and woodland structure. This report presents the results of a systematic survey to examine the factors that might affect regeneration.
In September 2016, a field-based assessment of 122 plots was conducted
The assessment looked at:
- density of tree and shrub seedlings and saplings
- browsing impacts on each tree and shrub species
- the effects of woodland structure on woodland regeneration
- overall herbivore impact
The report finds that a sustained reduction in browsing pressure could enable significant regeneration and expansion at Ardvar Woodlands SSSI.
Reduced browsing pressure could both:
- secure the extent and distribution of mature canopy woodland over the entire site in the long term
- restore a woodland shrub layer and a diverse ground flora, allowing a fully representative woodland biodiversity to develop
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Annex 1 Monitoring data sheets
Pages: 68
Published: 2017
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