Key elements Open-grown mature and veteran trees Open-grown mature and veteran trees Glades and rides Full shade and high humidity Ecotones Large-scale mosaic TREES AND WOODLAND This guide covers wood pasture and parkland as well as the five woodland priority habitats. There are 256 priority species that are associated with these habitats, a large proportion of which are associated with veteran trees or woodland edge. Click on image to view landscape, and then select some species or key elements Management guides for this habitat

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Open-grown mature and veteran trees These trees have unimpeded growth; they are not surrounded by other trees that limit side-branch structure. Veteran trees tend to be large specimens with spreading crowns and thick boughs that are exposed, or semi- exposed, to sunlight. Valuable resources in these trees include bark crevices, dead bough ends, and heart rot. Many species of invertebrate require small cavities, so the trees do not necessarily have to be ancient to be of importance. Key determining factors: Disturbance – Management to maintain open conditions, usually by grazing. Time – continuity, with trees at all stages of growth. Air quality – important for lichens. Go to example species Photograph: Peter Wakely RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Open-grown mature and veteran trees – associated priority species 95% of priority species in wood pasture and parkland are associated with open-grown mature and veteran trees. Examples, with their requirements, are: RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Glades and rides These are sheltered areas of grassland, heathland and other open habitats surrounded by woodland, with well graded edges. Such areas can support both open-habitat species and woodland species that require shelter. Low-growing tree branches and scrub that overhang herb vegetation can be a very important habitat. Photograph: Peter Wakely RETURN TO START Glade conditions are also present temporarily following the coppicing or clear felling of small areas. Also, many species are associated with the structural diversity that is created when this is done on rotation. Key determining factors: Disturbance – management by grazing or cutting. Go to example species GO TO LANDSCAPE

Glades and rides – associated priority species RETURN TO START Around two thirds of priority species in woodland are associated with glades and rides. Another 12% are associated with coppice and clear fells. Examples, with their requirements, are: GO TO LANDSCAPE

Full shade and high humidity Found in closed-canopy woodland with mature trees, these conditions are particularly important for a number of lichens and bryophytes. Some species are associated with the soil, litter and short vegetation rather than the canopy or understorey. For others, tree trunks, branches, tree roots, tree bases, or standing or fallen dead wood are important. Key determining factors: Disturbance – non-intervention is often the most appropriate form of management. Air quality – important for bryophytes. Go to example species RETURN TO START Photograph: Peter Wakely GO TO LANDSCAPE

Full shade and high humidity – associated priority species RETURN TO START Over 20% of priority species in woodland are associated with full shade and high humidity. Examples, with their requirements, are: Wood warbler - even-aged closed canopy; little understorey/shrub-layer; patchy ground-cover (nesting). Boring millipede - beech litter; shaded. Long-leaved tail-moss - steep sided, vertical calcareous rock faces in woodland; ravines; shaded. Red helleborine - well-drained sloping sites; deciduous woodland; calcareous soils; open ground (no shrub cover); closed canopy. Go to Full shade and high humidity GO TO LANDSCAPE

Ecotones These are the gradation between two adjoining habitats, for example woodland and grassland. Ecotones should not be severe; there should be a gradual change from one habitat to the other. The wider and more varied the structure the better. Photograph: Tony Robinson RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE Bays and scalloped edges in woodland should be encouraged as these can provide shelter. Key determining factors: Succession Disturbance - various types of management that encourage a transition from woodland to other habitats. Go to example species

Ecotones – associated priority species Many priority species in woodland, wood pasture and parklands are associated with ecotones. Examples, with their requirements, are: Nightjar - mosaic of bare ground, low/medium vegetation, and low/scrubby trees, often in the woodland-edge ecotone (nesting); wide range of habitats (feeding). Duke of Burgundy – cowslip and primrose (foodplants) amongst tussocky vegetation; scrub edge and woodland clearings; humid condition; sheltered locations (uneven topography or within scrub). New Forest cicada – warm; south-facing; woodland-scrub-grassland ecotone. Scarce brown streak moth - mosses on large old, open-grown trees on wood edge and parkland. Go to Ecotones RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Large-scale mosaic This refers to the juxtaposition of different habitats within a landscape, such as grasslands and wetlands adjacent to woodlands. Large-scale mosaics are largely required by highly-mobile terrestrial species, and can include both priority and non-priority habitats. Photograph: Tony Robinson Key determining factors: Scale Go to example species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Large-scale mosaic – associated priority species RETURN TO STARTGO TO LANDSCAPE

Managing ancient and native woodland in England Veteran trees: a guide to good management Ancient and other veteran trees: further guidance on management Ancient tree guides Illustrated guide to trees, woodlands and scrub Woodland management for birds Woodland management for butterflies and moths: a best practice guide Promoting habitat mosaics for invertebrates - wood pasture and other veteran tree sitesPromoting habitat mosaics for invertebrates - wood pasture and other veteran tree sites (You may need to exit the slideshow to view this document) Managing priority habitats for invertebrates (Buglife) Lowland beech and yew woodlandLowland beech and yew woodland; Wet woodland; Upland mixed ashwoods; Upland oakwood; Lowland wood pastures and parklandWet woodlandUpland mixed ashwoodsUpland oakwoodLowland wood pastures and parkland RETURN TO START Management guides GO TO LANDSCAPE