PM 7 - Enhance habitat diversity through retention of deadwood
- Code
- PM 7
- Measure
- Enhance habitat diversity through retention of deadwood
- Description
-
Deadwood is often cleared away in pursuit of ‘tidiness’ however, leaving both standing and fallen deadwood in place (where safe) creates an important resource for a great number of plants, fungi, birds, bats, and many invertebrates, not just in woodlands but in all habitats for example traditional orchards, hedgerows and parklands. It is also vital for specialist saproxylic species, which depend on dead or dying wood to survive and retaining it in all habitats provides landscape connectivity for these species.
- Wider environmental benefits
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Increasing woodland cover, Improving soil health
- Links to additional information and guidance
- Priority
- Herefordshire’s woodlands are well-managed and restored with woodland corridors created across the landscape
- Priority description
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Trees and woodlands hold significant biodiversity value and support wider benefits such as reduced flood risk, carbon sequestration and improved air quality. Herefordshire has approximately 19% woodland and tree cover, which is concentrated in areas such as the Malvern Hills or Wye Valley National Landscapes. It also has a significant number of isolated ancient woodlands, Wood-pasture and parkland, and traditional orchards, a form of wooded habitat; all are of high importance in Herefordshire and are subject to separate priorities and measures. Approximately two thirds of the county’s woodlands are managed, with the remaining woodland un-managed. Sustainable woodland management is therefore critical for the longevity of wooded habitats in good ecological condition across Herefordshire as they face threats from pests, diseases, damage by grey squirrels and overgrazing by deer. The creation of new woodlands and corridors will also further support the climate resilience of these habitats and enable species with poor powers of dispersal to commute, forage and migrate.
- Mapped
- Yes