PASTURE-WOODLAND AND ITS CONSERVATION IN BRITAIN

Pasture-woodland occurs as a wide range of types in Britain. It is par ticularly important for nature conservation in terms of its lichen, in vertebrate and bird populations, and also for bat roosts and probably fungi. Its interest tends to complement that of coppice woods, the oth er major form in which ancient semi-natural woodland has survived. Pas ture-woodland (including pollard trees) is widespread in Europe, but B ritish examples of international importance have been identified. It i s under threat from over-grazing and consequent lack of regeneration, but also some of its characteristic species may be lost if grazing is removed altogether. The lichen component of pasture-woodland is partic ularly sensitive to air pollution, while removal of fallen dead wood a nd felling of old trees may damage the invertebrate interest. There is a major need to produce site inventories and descriptions, to raise a wareness of the special value of pasture-woodland, and to implement mo re widely the site management techniques that are being used successfu lly on a number of key sites at present. The isolation of many sites c annot be reduced in the short term, but in general terms old trees in the countryside must not be allowed to diminish further. (C) 1995 The Linnean Society of London