Woodland Restoration – It’s in the Bank
The trees and woodland plants making up Fingle Woods today may not truly resemble an ancient woodland but there are remnants of Ancient Semi Natural Woodland (ASNW) scattered between large swathes of planted forestry. Recent restoration work has made a good start and the balance between these habitats will, in time, be reversed but, the future diversity of Fingle Woods lies beneath our feet. When it comes right down to it, woodland restoration is all about the soil.
For many years; centuries, in fact, woodlands were a place where daily life went on. Living and working within the woods was a regular routine. Whether people were caring for livestock, making charcoal or coppicing wooden products for construction and furniture, the woodland environment was undergoing constant sequences of cutting, grazing and replenishment and people played a part in this rhythm of life. In this way the wildflowers were always regenerating and the trees re-growing; the vegetation was vibrant.
For many years; centuries, in fact, woodlands were a place where daily life went on. Living and working within the woods was a regular routine. Whether people were caring for livestock, making charcoal or coppicing wooden products for construction and furniture, the woodland environment was undergoing constant sequences of cutting, grazing and replenishment and people played a part in this rhythm of life. In this way the wildflowers were always regenerating and the trees re-growing; the vegetation was vibrant.
While you are enjoying a stroll through Fingle Woods it is possible to watch this restoration process in action. Though it moves in super-slow motion, the emergence of veteran seeds can be observed. One example is the area along the riverside track known as ‘Rickwood’s Bank’. Since this area was felled of conifers five years ago, the recovery process has been fascinating to watch. The first, most notable wildflower to appear on the bare soil was a swathe of foxgloves as they so often do on disturbed ground. This species is a generalist and signalled a new start. After that, the seed bank has proved its longevity and some of the ancient woodland specialists, the AWIs, have begun to reappear on the bare soil after decades of lying in wait. These seeds could be 50 or more years old, sitting in the soil for their day in the sun. A few of these species are wood sorrel, wood sage and wood rush. There are the bright yellow pimpernel, yellow archangel and tormentil. To add to the colour palette, the dog violet and wild strawberry are also beginning to bloom. They are now being followed by some trees; downy birch is creeping in like a pioneer of the woodland world and others will follow, including the oak. With its seeds in the bank, Nature will give us a helping hand. It’s an uplifting process to see and it’s our job to let the light in, to oil the wheels and enjoy the ride.by Matt ParkinsThis blog was inspired by a published scientific paper, “Factors determining species richness of soil seed banks in lowland ancient woodlands” by Hilary E. Erenler et al. The ‘lowland’ woodlands used in this study were in Northamptonshire, standing between 140m and 150m in altitude. Though Fingle Woods may be more of an ‘upland’ site, it is comparable, as the steep ground of the Teign valley ranges between 100m and 300m in altitude.
