Using Ancient Woodland Vascular Plants in Scotland
Wednesday 14 April 2010
Location: Scottish Agricultural College, Auchincruive, Ayr
Tutor: Carol Crawford MIEEM
Level: Beginner – Intermediate
The workshop will begin indoors with a brief overview of Carol Crawford’s 2009 paper on Ancient Woodland Vascular Plants (AWVPs), including definitions of ancient woodland, uses of AWVPs, how the Scottish list was derived and other evidence required to confirm longevity. The rest of the day will be spent in the woodlands of Auchincruive Estate identifying vernal AWVPs and looking at other evidence. A concluding indoor session will discuss field techniques and their limitations and sources of further information.
IEEM Members: £80 (£70 if booked before 14 February 2010).
Non-members: £160 (£140 if booked before 14 February 2010).
Further details about the workshop
Research by Carol Crawford in 2006 and 2009 was the first attempt to collate a Scottish list of Ancient Woodland Vascular Plants (AWVPs). Prior to this, surveyors often used English lists which may not be suitable north of the border. The workshop will cover the use of AWVPs as one of a suite of tools for further investigation of a) sites on the SNH Ancient Woodland Inventory and b) other old semi-natural woodlands and plantations which are not on the Inventory but are suspected of being ancient.
We will begin indoors with a brief overview of Carol’s 2009 paper on AWVPs, including definitions, uses, how Scottish list was derived and other evidence to confirm longevity (including old documents and how to source them). The aim is to ensure old woodlands are properly studied before their future is determined.
Most of the rest of the day will be spent in the woodlands of Auchincruive Estate identifying vernal AWVPs and looking at other evidence. The estate has long-established plantations and, beside the River Ayr, more semi-natural woodlands. Many common vernal indicator species can be seen here in April. Other evidence includes ancient trees.
The concluding indoor session will cover field survey techniques, threshold AWVP scores and limitations. More research is required and regional lists would be more definitive but attendants will go away better equipped to study old woodlands. The main ecological characteristics of AWVPs will be summarised which should increase understanding of dynamics. We will also touch on sources of further information and other biological indicators.
Auchincruive is a campus and the workshop will take place when students are on holiday. Inexpensive accommodation is available in the Wilson Hall at this time – http://www.sac.ac.uk/saccorporate/conferences/holidays/ayr. Participants may wish to stay there and take evening and early morning walks in the woods as well. A leaflet of walks is available or see http://www.ayrshirepaths.org.uk/walkauchincruive.htm
Who should attend this workshop?
- Ecologists and foresters who regularly survey and evaluate old woodlands and plantations in Scotland.
- Managers of such woodlands and others who wish to increase knowledge of ancient woodland indicators.
Anything participants need to know/read before coming on the training event, or need to have with them?
Bring:
- Waterproof walking boots/ wellingtons (will be mostly on public paths but they will have muddy patches/puddles).
- Waterproof clothing.
- A X10 hand lens.
- A packed lunch (or carry out food available from refectory from 9am).
- A camera to photograph identified plants.
- A wildflower book such as Fitter, Fitter and Blamey (2003) or Francis Rose.
Read:
- Carol Crawford’s paper ‘Ancient woodland indicator plants in Scotland’ in Spring 2009 ‘Scottish Forestry’ , downloadable from publications page of www.tnrc.co.uk.
What will participants learn from the workshop (learning outcomes)?
- Which vascular plants can be used collectively as clues to long term woodland continuity (and to help evaluate biodiversity) in different parts of Scotland.
- Types of other evidence required to confirm that a woodland is ancient and how to obtain it.
- ID of a range of vernal ancient woodland indicator plants and knowledge of their ecological characteristics.
- Techniques for using the ancient woodland vascular plant lists in the field and limitations.