|
SWLG Home
|
Wild Land News no 64, Autumn 2005
| Wildwood Management | Article |
Marina Llewellyn argues for the expansion of our scattered remnants
11% of Britain is tree covered, yet most of this is Spruce. 10% of our forests are natural1, yet, only 1% is remnant wildwood2. The Forestry Commission states that there is no "virgin" forest left3, the closest we have being classed as "ancient semi-natural" - our slightly coppiced wildwood remnants. In their guidelines, the F.C. respects that "Many woodland species depend entirely for their survival on the continued existence of theses habitats." Despite this acknowledgment, the F.C. sees such woods as having "value as an economic resource" and "takes appropriate opportunities for wood production for a range of markets."4 Wildwood remnants are loosely referred to as "old stored coppice" which the landowner is encouraged to convert to "high forest" - a timber production factory.
There is no excuse to fell native trees in a wildwood remnant. I quote George Peterkin on non-intervention - "By doing nothing the result should by definition, be natural. By starting with a remnant of the original forest cover still containing all the original species, the naturalness should be close to the original."5 Surely George Peterkin supports the conservation of such woods judging by his statement "The need for wilderness originated in cities as a counterpoint to the artificial contrivances of modern living and a release from the claustrophobia of urban crowds. This need is particularly acute in Britain?.."6
The Habitats Directive resulting from the Rio Summit has been treated by the British government as irrelevant, despite the fact that Britain agreed to enforce it. Importantly, the Habitats Directive recognises that certain forests have "spiritual value". This sentiment was expressed by John Muir in 1931 when he wrote. "I went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in."
Many including the F.C. consider George Peterkin among the top national conservation experts, so again I quote him: "I believe that maintaining an element of wilderness for the psychological health of the nation is important. Perhaps more so than anyone can prove." 7
The diverse ecosystems in our original wildwood must be conserved. We need non-intervention in our ancient semi-natural woods. We also need their expansion; most are very small and a forest becomes stable at 20 hectares. Only management to counteract negative human influences should be applied, eg controlling rhododendron and sycamores.
Legislation similar to the Habitats Directive which came straight out of the Rio Summit should be enforced. The British draft did not make mandatory the management of ancient semi-natural woods for conservation only.
The protection and expansion of wildwood remnants is imperative.
Footnotes