The Ecology of Woodland Creation

Opportunities exist for tree planting on better quality land, often arable land taken out of agricultural production, and areas on the urban fringe in many industrialised countries, where the proportion of wooded land is small and of a fragmented nature. With concerns about worldwide loss of biodiversity, planners and practitioners are increasingly required to design, establish and manage more diverse woodlands for multiple objectives. Although much has been written about techniques for successful tree establishment, little attention has been paid to the many ecological factors which influence the development of new woodland. The Ecology of Woodland Creation is a comprehensive book which tackles important ecological issues including the ethics of woodland creation, the types of woodland, species considerations, the influence of new woodlands on the diversity and distribution of plant and animal species, and how ecological principles can be integrated with the planning process. Following on from a highly successful Symposium of the British Ecological Society s Forest Ecology Group, this book is an invaluable source of practical information for professionals and students of ecology, conservation, land-use planning and forestry.