Trees and woods are essential to the health and wellbeing of people in Wales, but a new report from The Woodland Trust provides evidence of multiple threats that pose catastrophic consequences for woods and trees across the UK.
The Woodland Trust’s State of Woods and Trees (SOWT) Report 2021 – launched today (14th April 2021) – is the first of its kind to focus on native woods and trees. It shows that five major threats are compounding to result in negative impacts that could spell disaster for the UK’s wildlife, including plants, mammals, birds and insects.
The major threats include poor woodland condition; climate change; fragmentation; pests, diseases and pollution; and a slow rate of new woodland creation / expansion.
Key findings of the UK report
- Only 2.5% of the UK’s land area is ancient woodland, and many ancient woods are now isolated. 50% of ancient woodland is damaged by commercial forestry or rhododendron invasion, and a large proportion of woodland SSSIs are in an “unfavourable condition”.
- Only 7% of the UK’s native woodland is in good condition. A lack of dead wood, veteran trees and open space are causing declining habitat variety.
- Only 290,000ha of new woodland has been created over the last 20 years, and in the last five years, only 45% of new woodland consisted of broadleaf, native trees.
- 19 new damaging tree pests and diseases have established in the UK since 1990; there were only four in the previous 40 years. For every £1 earned from importing plants, it costs £50 to manage the resultant pests and disease.
- Groups of indicator species for all UK woods are showing steep declines; on average, a 47% decline in woodland specialist birds, 41% decline in butterflies and an 18% decline in woodland flowering plants. For example, the Willow Tit is the fastest declining woodland bird due to poor woodland condition, climate impacts and habitat fragmentation. The Marsh Tit has also experienced a 70% decline in numbers since 1970, as it depends on well-connected woods for breeding success, and woodland butterflies such as White Admiral, Pearl-Bordered Fritillaries and Heath are all in steep decline.
What’s the picture in Wales?
- Ancient woodland is rare in Wales, covering only 4.5% of the land surface. The ancient woods of Wales also include Celtic rainforest, an ecosystem of national and international importance as a home to rare plants and wildlife.
- Since 1999, Coed Cadw has recorded a total of 584 ancient woodlands potentially threatened by development in Wales. Of those 584 cases, 337 have been ‘saved’, 98 have been lost or damaged, and 149 are currently under threat.
- Only 2% of non-native woodland in Wales is in good ecological condition, and only 9% of native woodland. Those in poor ecological condition are characterised by low levels of deadwood, low levels of a diversity of age of trees and of species, with few open woodland habitats.
- Between 2006 to 2013 some 7,000 large trees were lost in Wales, and between 2009 and 2013, 159 out of our 220 towns showed an overall decline in tree cover.
- Just over 99% of all woods in Wales exceed nitrogen pollution levels; this has damaging effects for woodland plants and wildlife.
- A quarter of all hedgerows in Wales were removed between 1984 and 1990; 78% of remaining Welsh hedgerows are in an ‘unfavourable condition’.
- Two thirds of the woods in SSSIs in Wales are in unfavourable condition.
The most recent Natural Resources Wales SoNARR Report highlights a similar picture, concluding that Wales is not yet meeting the four long-term aims of Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (as outlined in The Environment Act Wales) and is not maintaining stocks of natural resources – meaning that iconic species like curlews are predicted to become extinct in Wales within a couple of decades.
It’s Time to Stand Up For Welsh Woods & Trees
The findings of both reports have been highlighted by Natalie Buttriss, Director of Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust in Wales). She said:
“Though truly sobering to read, the evidence within these reports reinforces why planting and protecting woods and trees here in Wales is essential. The picture of decline in many species of plant, insect and animal may be a reflection of a UK-wide trend, but the evidence is strong enough to indicate that urgent action is needed here in Wales. Our manifesto details how and why future representatives must make this a priority to boost the green recovery that Wales urgently needs.”
Coed Cadw’s Manifesto for the 2021 Senedd sets out how in Wales, we can reverse the trend of decline and get trees and woodland to work for nature, people and the economy. It sets out proposals for politicians to easily support and be taken forward by the next Welsh Government. Natalie continued:
“The findings of the 2021 UK SOWT Report show that Coed Cadw’s proposed approaches – which include protecting the mature trees we already have, and the creation of a new ‘Hedges and Edges Scheme’ supporting climate-smart, nature friendly farming – could have a real positive impact here in Wales, helping to protect many of the species that are currently under threat.”
Coed Cadw is urging the Welsh public to ask their candidates to support the actions advocated in its Manifesto. To add your voice, visit: https://campaigns.woodlandtrust.org.uk/page/78960/action/1
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,200 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. These include over 100 sites in Wales, with a total area of 2,897 hectares (7,155 acres). Access to its woods is free, so everyone can benefit from woods and trees. Find out more at: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/wales.
