Changes in the tree and shrub layer of Wytham Woods (Southern England) 1974–2012: local and national trends compared | Zendy

K. J. Kirby | Zendy; Dawn R. Bazely | Zendy; E. A. Goldberg | Zendy; Jeanette Hall | Zendy; R. Isted | Zendy; Suzy Perry | Zendy; R.C. Thomas | Zendy

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Changes in the tree and shrub layer of Wytham Woods (Southern England) 1974–2012: local and national trends compared

Author(s) -

K. J. Kirby,

Dawn R. Bazely,

E. A. Goldberg,

Jeanette Hall,

R. Isted,

Suzy Perry,

R.C. Thomas

Publication year - 2014

Publication title -

forestry an international journal of forest research

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

eISSN - 1464-3626

pISSN - 0015-752X

DOI - 10.1093/forestry/cpu026

Subject(s) - shrub , woodland , fraxinus , ecological succession , basal area , acer pseudoplatanus , disturbance (geology) , national park , forestry , geography , canopy , quercus robur , ecology , agroforestry , environmental science , biology , paleontology

Changes in the woody composition of Wytham Woods since 1974 are described, related to national trends inbroadleaved woodland, and used to suggest the impact of future changes such as from ash dieback disease(Chalara fraxinea). Data on the tree and shrub layer from 164 permanent 10×10 m plots distributed in a gridacross the Woods are presented from 1974, 1991, 1999 and 2012, on species occurrence, regeneration, contributionto the canopy and basal area. Variations in the current and past composition and structure of the Woods arerelated to past forestrymanagement and natural succession/disturbance processes. These largelymirror changesshown by other surveys at a national level. Fraxinus excelsior has been increasing in prominence across the Woodssince 1974, but its future is uncertain because of disease. The species most likely to increase if there is a severedecline in F. excelsior at Wytham appear to be Acer pseudoplatanus, Corylus avellana and Quercus robur. Thereare benefits from linking long-term studies at one site to wider less detailed surveys in order to explore thegeneral applicability of the results.

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