Standing advice and guidance for forestry and woodland planning - Geological Conservation Review Sites and Earth Science SSSIs

Published: 2024

1. Introduction

This standing advice and guidance is for Forestry Agents, SF Woodland Officers, and NatureScot staff considering woodland and forestry plans and operations on any Geological Conservation Review (GCR) site. It explains how forestry activities could affect different types of GCR site and contains standing advice on planning and implementing works to maximise benefits and avoid impacts.  

Geological Conservation Review (GCR) sites are areas confirmed, through expert review, as having the highest conservation value, being of national or international scientific importance for their geological or geomorphological features (rocks, minerals, fossils, landforms, sediments, and the natural processes which form and alter them). GCR sites comprise the notified Earth science features of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Therefore the boundary of a GCR site defines the location of the related Earth science feature in the SSSI. Additionally, some GCR sites lie outside SSSIs and are described as ‘un-notified’.

This guidance provides standing advice covering woodland and forestry plans and operations on any Geological Conservation Review (GCR) site, whether comprising a Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) feature or currently un-notified. If the standing advice in this guidance cannot be followed, seek advice from NatureScot.

1.1 Guidance overview

Woodland and forestry operations affect GCR sites in different ways. Understanding how operations could impact a GCR site is important for all stages of planning forestry operations, from scoping, to licencing and carrying out works.  To understand how GCR sites may be affected by different forestry operations, this guidance sets out principles, which will help conserve geodiversity effectively.

It is essential to know what type of GCR site is being affected by woodland or forestry management proposals. The majority of GCR sites (around 670 sites) are rock outcrop sites, but there are also relict landform and sediment outcrop sites (around 120 sites), sediment-preserved pollen ‘environmental archive’ sites (around 30 sites), and active landform sites (around 70 sites). To find out what type each GCR site is, use the lookup table at end of this document.

Larger GCR sites are often divided into ‘crucial’ areas, which are considered to be the key areas of interest within the GCR site, and ‘context’ areas, which provide supporting, contextual information. For smaller sites, the whole GCR site is considered a ‘crucial’ area. Standing advice for crucial and context areas may differ, with stricter requirements for ‘crucial’ areas than for ‘context’ areas. Therefore, if ‘crucial’ and ‘context’ area information is not available, treating the whole GCR site as a ‘crucial’ area is the precautionary approach to applying this standing advice.

Broadly, rock outcrops, sediment outcrops, and relict landforms share similar sensitivities to certain types of forestry operations. Forestry may obscure the feature, or make access difficult to part of the feature, or excavations may directly damage (by removing) part of the feature. Environmental archive sites and active geomorphological sites may be impacted by drainage management, or by release of sediment during forestry operations.  While felling and thinning improve visibility of GCR site features, use of machinery to remove trees can be damaging to many GCR site features. Table 1 summarises the ways in which forestry and woodland management activities can affect different types of GCR site. For more detail, see section 2 ‘standing advice’ below.

The remainder of this guidance provides:

• A list of data sources for GCR sites, including where to find GCR site boundary maps, GCR site types, and information on ‘crucial’ and ‘context’ areas.
• Standing advice on ways to avoid damaging impacts on the various different types of GCR sites from forestry plans and operations.

If this standing advice cannot be followed, seek advice from NatureScot (NatureScot staff: seek advice from Geodiversity Group).

Forestry activity- (on the GCR feature)

Type of geodiversity site	Natural regeneration	Tracks and borrow pits	drainage	Planting	Clear-felling	Thinning	Fences
Rock outcrops	Obscuring	Loss of outcrop	Loss of outcrop	Obscuring	Improved visibility	Improved visibility	Limiting access and potentially obscuring
Sediment outcrops	Obscuring	Loss of outcrop	Loss of outcrop	Obscuring	Improved visibility	Improved visibility	Limiting access and potentially obscuring
Relict landforms	Obscuring	Loss of part of the landform	Loss of  part of the landform	Obscuring	Improved visibility, but possible loss of part of the landform	Improved visibility	Limiting access and potentially obscuring
Environmental archives (wetlands and peatlands)	Risk of drying out and degradation of preserved organic deposits, and release of organic carbon.	Risk of drying out and degradation of preserved organic deposits, and release of organic carbon.	Risk of drying out and degradation of preserved organic deposits, and release of organic carbon to runoff.	Risk of drying out and degradation of preserved organic deposits, and release of organic carbon to runoff.	Short term impact but overall improvement	Improvement	Limiting access
Active landforms	Benign	Changes in sediment budget, disturbance of processes	Medium  term changes to runoff and sediment yield	Obscuring	Short term changes to runoff and sediment yield	Improvement	Important to give actively forming processes sufficient space, fences likely to have adverse impact if sited too close.

• Obscuring: long-term, covering of the feature or interruption to lines of sight between key parts of the feature
• Loss: permanent irreversible loss of some or all of the feature
• Short term: 5 years or less, medium term = 5-10 years, long term= 10 years plus

1.2 Geological Conservation Review (GCR) site data sources

1.2.1 Geological Conservation Review (GCR) site boundary maps

Geological Conservation Review (GCR) site boundary maps can be found in the following locations:

• Scotland Environment Web (SEWeb), Scotland’s environment map: (add ‘Geological Conservation Review Sites’ layer) [Unfortunately due to SEPA’s ongoing technical issues, GCR site boundaries are not currently included in SEWeb’s Land Information Search]
• NatureScot SiteLink, Map: (select ‘Geological Conservation Review’ layer on the Map Search)
• SF Woodland Officers only: internal GIS layer showing GCR sites
• NatureScot staff only: Geoview layer ‘GCR Sites’.

1.2.2 Geological Conservation Review (GCR) site types

To help identify the applicable broad GCR site types, used in this guidance, a look-up table is provided. This links GCR site name (identifiable from the GCR site boundary map sources above) to ‘Forestry and Woodland Guidance Site Type’. Note that in some cases, particularly large sites, more than one site type may be applicable to a single GCR site.

1.2.3 Geological Conservation Review (GCR) site ‘crucial’ and ‘context’ areas

For larger GCR sites, NatureScot can provide (from NatureScot ‘Earth Science Site Documentation Reports’) a map of ‘crucial’ areas (the key areas of interest within the GCR site) and ‘context’ areas (that provide supporting contextual information). For smaller GCR sites, the whole site is considered a ‘crucial’ area.

1.2.4 Further information on Geological Conservation Review (GCR) sites

For GCR sites that are notified as SSSI features, further information can be found in:

• SSSI citation. This is available online, through the relevant SSSI record in NatureScot’s SiteLink.

Information on GCR sites is also available in:

• NatureScots ‘Earth Science Site Documentation Reports’. Contact NatureScot staff for a copy (NatureScot staff: see link in GeoView ‘GCR sites layer’ ‘related records’)
• Published GCR site statements. The majority of GCR site statements are available through JNCC Open Data. Contact NatureScot staff/Geodiversity Group if you require assistance in finding a report.

2. Standing advice and guidance on forestry and woodland plans and operations on different types of GCR site

2.1 Rock outcrop sites

In general where the geological interest is exposed in a rock outcrop such as in open countryside, the banks of a watercourse, or in a restored quarry setting, increased tree cover may obscure the feature and access may become exceedingly difficult.  In time, with the accumulation of leaf litter and other plant debris, soil can form over the outcrop, particularly where it is low-lying, leading to loss of visibility and access to the feature of interest. In some cases, the feature at a geological rock outcrop site may be partly or wholly contained in loose rock material, such as scree or mine dumps/spoil heaps, or be buried underground, including in old mine workings.

2.1.1 Planting and plantation management

As well as the primary issue of planted trees and leaf letter obscuring visibility of features, other operations related to tree planting and management can impact geological rock outcrop sites. Excavation of borrow pits and drainage ditches, installing tracks and reinstating temporary tracks may obscure parts of the feature or, less commonly, remove rock outcrop or loose rock material. For planting and plantation management on geological rock outcrop sites, therefore, standing advice to avoid adverse impacts is:

• In ‘crucial’ areas of a GCR site: no planting, borrow pits, fences, drainage ditches or tracks.
• Maintain lines of sight between ‘crucial’ areas of a GCR site, to allow appreciation of the relationship between rock outcrops. 
• In ‘context ‘areas: no planting within 10 m of rock outcrop, or within 10 m of loose rock material or access points to buried material where these are part of the geological feature. 
• In ‘context’ areas: no borrow pits, drainage ditches or tracks that result in permanent removal or obscuring of rock outcrops, or of loose rock material or access points to buried material where these are part of the feature. Remove temporary tracks, as soon as possible, leaving no trace.
• No rutting or compaction of loose rock material where this is part of the geological feature.
• Maintain access routes (e.g. unplanted access corridors and stiles on fence lines) to all ‘crucial’ areas, rock outcrops, and to loose rock material and access points to buried material where these are part of the geological feature.
• In forest plans for more mature plantations, include removal of any regeneration or self-seeded trees that are obscuring, or might in future obscure, rock outcrops in non-planted areas of the GCR site.
• Remove felling waste and accumulated litter from all ‘crucial’ areas of the site, and clear away felling waste to maintain access routes to all ‘crucial’ areas of the site.
• In ‘context ‘areas: remove felling waste from within 10 m of rock outcrop, or within 10 m of loose rock material or access points to buried material where these are part of the geological feature. 

2.1.2 Natural regeneration of native woodland

Where native woodland regenerates naturally due to removal of pressures such as grazing, some woodland management may be required to avoid rock outcrop features becoming obscured. For managing natural regeneration of native woodland on geological rock outcrop sites, therefore, standing advice to avoid adverse impacts is:

• Remove regeneration from all ‘crucial’ areas, from within 10 m of rock outcrops, and from within 10 m of loose rock material and access to buried material where these are part of the geological feature.
• Maintain access routes (e.g. unplanted access corridors and stiles on fence lines), to ‘crucial’ areas and rock outcrops, and to loose rock material and buried material where these are part of the geological feature.
• Maintain lines of sight between ‘crucial’ areas to allow appreciation of the relationship between rock outcrops. 
• In ‘crucial’ areas: no borrow pits, fences, drainage ditches or tracks.
• In ‘context’ areas: no borrow pits, drainage ditches or tracks that result in permanent removal or obscuring of rock outcrops, or of loose rock material or access points to buried material where these are part of the feature. Remove temporary tracks, as soon as possible, leaving no trace.

2.2 Relict landform and sediment outcrop sites

Relict landform geomorphological sites (where the landscape itself and underlying sediments or rock outcrops are of interest as evidence for past environmental conditions) may be obscured by dense woodland or forestry. Visual connections between individual landforms may be interrupted. Surfaces may be damaged by inappropriately sited and constructed furrows, drainage, track building and borrow pits, and by felling machinery. Occasionally borrow pits may be considered beneficial where they reveal deposits. Seek NatureScot advice if you think this may be the case.

2.2.1 Planting and plantation management

Different methods of ground preparation and planting have different degrees of impact on relict landforms and sediment outcrops. Drainage and ground preparation, orientation of furrowing, and planting density are all issues that should be carefully considered. In general the less invasive methods of planting, or woodland restoration through regeneration, are preferable for preserving the surface materials of landforms and deposits. Care in deciding methods of ground preparation, drainage, orientation of furrowing and planting, and the species used, can limit adverse impacts on the interests of the GCR site. Many relict landform sites are extensive, and sensitive planning can reduce adverse effects of planted forestry. For planting and plantation management on relict landform geomorphological and sediment outcrop sites, standing advice to avoid adverse impacts is:

• In ‘crucial’ areas of a GCR site: no planting, borrow pits, fences, drainage ditches or tracks. Leave at least a 10 m buffer around ‘crucial’ areas.
• Deflect drainage away from distinct landforms and from ‘crucial’ areas.
• Maintain access routes to ‘crucial’ areas through neighbouring planted areas (e.g. unplanted access corridors and stiles on fence lines).
• Maintain visual connections between groups of landforms in separated ‘crucial’ areas, by leaving open areas, or maintaining a lower planting density.
• Do not disrupt visual connections between landforms when siting fences and designing forest edges.
• In ‘context’ areas: choose the least invasive planting method in order to preserve the landform surface, and use temporary tracks where possible. Tracks must comply with upland track design guidance
• In ‘crucial’ areas: use manual felling methods and remove all felling waste and accumulated litter.
• In forest plans for both new and existing plantations, ensure that there is regular review of drainage. Take action if gullying starts to occur.

2.2.2 Natural regeneration of native woodland

Natural regeneration of woodland, which has adapted to the changes in moisture and soil fertility will often continue to reflect the landforms underneath and can be benign where it does not obscure sediment outcrops. These types of woodlands can be compatible with the conservation of large scale landforms, such as glaciated landscapes, and extensive slope failures. For managing natural regeneration of native woodland on relict landform and sediment outcrop sites, therefore, standing advice to avoid adverse impacts is:

• Remove regeneration from within 10 m of sediment outcrops.
• Maintain low density natural regeneration of trees to allow access to landforms and to retain landform visibility.
• Do not disrupt visual connections between landforms when siting fences and designing woodland edges.
• In ‘crucial’ areas: no borrow pits, fences, drainage ditches or tracks.
• In ‘context’ areas: use temporary tracks where possible. Tracks must comply with upland track design guidance

2.3 Environmental archive sites

Peat and wetland sediments that contain environmental evidence from the past, are vulnerable to drying out and eroding. There are relative few known environmental archive sites (around 30 GCR sites include environmental archives), and the key areas are usually of very limited extent, making them particularly sensitive and vulnerable to destruction. Trees and drainage on peatland and wetlands lead to drying out of the peat, which then degrades releasing carbon stores, and permanently damage the preservation of environmental archives stored in the deposits. It is important that these sites are water-saturated, and maintain their high water table and ground moisture regime. Care also needs to be taken even where the GCR site is adjacent to land with forestry operations, because there is potential for hydrological changes caused by neighbouring forestry drainage to impact adjacent peatland sites by locally lowering the water table. Most forestry operations are incompatible with successfully preserving environmental archives in peatlands and wetlands.

2.3.1 Planting and plantation management

To minimise adverse impacts from planting and plantation management on or adjacent to environmental archive sites, standing advice is:

• No planting, tracks, borrow pits, fences, ditches or other forestry drainage within 20 m of, environmental archive GCR site areas.
• No planting, tracks, borrow pits, fences, ditches or other forestry drainage on any ground hydrologically connected to environmental archive GCR site areas.
• Deflect drainage away from environmental archive GCR site areas.
• Maintain access routes to environmental archive GCR site areas through any neighbouring planted areas (e.g. unplanted access corridors and stiles on fence lines).
• In forest plans for more mature plantations, include removal of regeneration and self-seeded trees on ground hydrologically connected to environmental archive GCR site areas, and ground within 20 m of environmental archive GCR site areas.
• Use manual felling methods and remove all felling waste and accumulated litter.

2.3.2 Natural regeneration of native woodland

To minimise adverse impacts from natural regeneration of native woodland to environmental archive sites, standing advice is:

• Remove natural regeneration on ground within 20 m of environmental archive GCR site areas.
• Retain access routes to environmental archive GCR site areas.
• No tracks, borrow pits, fences, ditches or other drainage on ground hydrologically connected to environmental archive GCR site areas, or within 20 m of, environmental archive GCR site areas, whichever is the greater.

2.4 Active landform sites

Active landform geomorphological systems (such as migrating river channels, and beach and dune systems), are sensitive to forestry for a number of different reasons, depending on the location and forestry type.

2.4.1 Planting and plantation management

Land preparation, drainage, methods of planting and felling, access tracks, and borrow pits all have potential to damage active landform sites, such as coastal dune systems, and river flood plains. For example, forestry on coastal dune systems renders the dune system relict, modifying the sediment transport processes and shape and form of the dunes themselves.

For planted forestry, damaging changes to active landform sites can be minimised by allowing space for natural processes to operate. To avoid damage to active landforms from planting and plantation management, standing advice is:

• No planting, borrow pits, drainage ditches or permanent tracks within active landforms GCR sites.
• Remove temporary tracks as soon as possible, leaving no trace.
• No permanent fences on beach or dune systems, or within 10m of active river beds and channels.
• No removal of beach, dune, or river bed sediment (including sand, gravel and boulders) for any purpose.
• No dumping of spoil, or aggregates.
• Use manual felling methods.
• Leave naturally dead and fallen trees in the active floodplain, but remove felling waste. 
• Consult NatureScot if felling, clearing or extracting timber from dune systems.

2.4.2 Natural regeneration of native woodland

Native woodland regeneration is beneficial to the scientific interest of active geomorphological sites, including any riparian re-establishment of native species. On rivers and coastal sites, excluding natural wetland and peatland areas, we would expect to see native woodland as part of the re-establishment of more natural vegetation cover. Informal footpaths are benign. For managing natural regeneration of woodland on active landform sites, standing advice to avoid adverse impacts is:

• No borrow pits, drainage ditches or permanent tracks within active landforms GCR sites.
• Remove temporary tracks as soon as possible, leaving no trace.
• No permanent fences on beach or dune systems, or within 10m of active river beds and channels.
• No removal of beach, dune, or river bed sediment (including sand, gravel and boulders) for any purpose.
• No dumping of spoil, or aggregates.
• Leave naturally dead and fallen trees in the active floodplain, but remove felling waste.
• Consult NatureScot if felling, clearing, or extracting timber from dune systems.

Further guidance

Upland tracks

The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011

Managing forest operations to protect the water environment

Geological conservation: a guide to good practice (prepared by Natural England)

Geoconservation: principles and practice. Natural England, 2023

More information on the Geological Conservation Review and geodiversity conservation:

Geological Conservation Review Sites

Landforms and Geology 

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