Client: National Parks & Wildlife Service
Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) at Clonlost Wood, Co. Westmeath, photo by Edwina Cole
BEC Consultants organised this large, multidisciplinary project from February 2003 through to March 2008. The project involved field ecology, GIS technology, soil analysis and statistical data analysis. During the field survey the ecological teams recorded data on trees, shrubs, herbs, ferns, mosses, liverworts and lichens along with important structural and regeneration data. 1,320 woodland sites were surveyed and over 70,000 tree stems were measured. In addition, a desk study augmented the Forestry Inventory and Planning System (FIPS) to produce a national inventory of native woodlands in Microsoft Access and ArcGIS. The final report has been completed and is available to download below.
Project Background
Ireland is one of the least wooded countries in Europe, with about 9% of the State covered with trees, the majority of which are commercial plantations of exotic species. None of the woodland present in Ireland today may be considered as wholly ‘natural’ as even the oldest woodlands show evidence of human activity and modification. The term ‘native’ woodland is therefore generally accepted to refer to broadleaved woodlands, comprised of native species that are not intensively managed.
Irish woodlands have been classified according to various systems e.g. EU Habitat types, Coillte stand classifications and phytosociological communities, but no systematic nationwide survey and classification of native Irish woodland had previously been carried out.
This project involved a detailed and comprehensive investigation of the diversity of Irish woodlands and aimed to:
- Create a database of Irish Native Woodlands in Microsoft Access and ArcGIS
- Provide an appraisal of the applicability of current woodland classification systems
- Facilitate a systematic evaluation of the conservation value and the regeneration status of Irish woodlands
Primrose (Primula vulgaris), photo by Jenni Roche
Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), photo by Maria Long
Hazel catkins (Corylus avellana), photo by Simon Barron
Methods
Information gathered during the field surveys included:
- floristic data (including bryophytes and lichens)
- tree structural data
- timber quality data
- soil samples for classification and analyses
- data on alien invasive species such as Rhododendron ponticum
- site management data
Downloads
Click to download the two volumes of the final report:
- Perrin, P.M, Martin, J.R., Barron, S.J., O’Neill, F.H., McNutt, K.E. & Delaney, A.M. (2008) National Survey of Native Woodlands 2003-2008: Volume I: Main report. Report submitted to National Parks & Wildlife Service, Dublin.
- Perrin, P.M, Martin, J.R., Barron, S.J., O’Neill, F.H., McNutt, K.E. & Delaney, A.M. (2008) National Survey of Native Woodlands 2003-2008: Volume II: Woodland classification. Report submitted to National Parks & Wildlife Service, Dublin.