Which should we chose for woodlands like Seely Copse - to be 'wild' or to be managed actively so they stay 'natural'? – Vicky Mitchell.

It would depend upon what is held dear by the individual however, there is a good argument for actively managing these woodlands such as increasing species biodiversity. Plantlife.org.uk (2011) comments that “throughout history, England’s woodlands have been used for everything from grazing livestock to harvesting timber,” they further suggest that there “is evidence that Britain’s lowland forest landscapes looked like the mosaic of habitats seen in the New Forest today.”

Plantlife.or.uk (2011) describes “coppice management as being essential for managing the botanical richness of ancient woodland.” Up until around 100 years ago, woodlands were still being regularly coppiced for poles, charcoal, bracken and leaf litter and the human activity and grazing of livestock kept the woodlands diverse (Reavey, 2012). Plantlife.org.uk (2011) describes there would have been “glades, patches of grassland, recently cut areas and some high trees. Far from harming woodland life, this form of active management kept our woodlands rich and varied, providing the opportunities for many different plants and animals to flourish.” The human activity ensured the woodlands did not develop into high forest, blocking out the crucial light needed by the majority of our woodland flora, moreover regular grazing of livestock kept dominant species such as bramble and dogs mercury under control. “Most woodland plants are not shade tolerant and prefer lighter conditions. This not only applies to woodland flowers but also to lichens, mosses and liverworts." (Plantlife.org.uk, 2011). If the diversity of plant life declines so too does the richness of insects, birds and mammals (Byfield, 2011).

The increased number of deer browsing on the ground flora and sub canopy layer of woodland vegetation has been associated to the decline of woodland birds that rely on the dense shrub for shelter and breeding furthermore the food plants of butterflies will decline (Byfield, 2011).

“Plants need light to grow, and management allows this all-important ingredient to reach the woodland floor. In the past trees were coppiced, pollarded and shredded; timber was hauled away; and, in many instances, the woodland floor grazed by domestic stock. Such activities allow in light, remove nutrients, keep coarse vegetation at bay, and create open bare ground for seedling establishment” (Byfield, 2011).

So to answer the question I would choose to manage Seely Copse to keep it ‘natural’. Or do an experiment and leave it for 500 years and see what happens??? As it’s used for education, there can be only one feasible option, and that's to continue management.

References:

Byfield, A. (2011) Forestry Recommissioned. Available at:  http://www.plantlife.org.uk/about_us/news_press/forestry_recommissioned (Accessed 13 April 2012).

The Guardian (2012) Managing English Woodlands Could Help Rare Plants. Available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jan/16/managing-england-woodlands-plants (Accessed 13 April 2012).

Plantlife. (2011) Forestry Recommissioned. Available at: http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uploads/documents/WR_web.pdf (Accessed 13 April 2012).

Reavey, D. (2012) Coppicing and Ancient Woodlands. [Lecture to BAPet Year 1]. 16 April.