An online tool that offers an overview of Scotland’s Native woodlands is now available on Scotland’s Environment web pages.
The interactive tool summarises complex data derived from Forestry Commission Scotland’s 8-year Native Woodland Survey of Scotland and presents it in user-friendly output. Several months in the making, the tool was developed in partnership with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, with support from the European LIFE+ Programme.
The Commission’s Dr John Tullis, who advises and assists clients looking to use the new tool, said;
“The new tool is perfect for building and customising complex summaries from the results of what is thought to be the most comprehensive habitat survey project ever carried out in the UK – and possibly the first example of its kind in Europe.
“Primarily it’s a tool for policy makers and forest planners who can assess key stats and figures for native woods at a range of scales, including national and local authority, as well as for Forestry Commission management areas. Users can access details on the location, type, extent, composition and condition of all native woodlands, and plantations on ancient woodland sites, over 0.5ha in size and get the information they’re looking for in a clear and easy to understand format.
“It is already proving to be invaluable in assisting local authorities, NGOs, land owners and managers to work independently – and together – to more effectively focus resources on managing, maintaining, enhancing and expanding native woodlands across Scotland.”
This unique, free-to-access dataset can be used for a wide range of purposes – from informing national policy to more local, strategic uses, including:
• strategic planning for areas such as national parks, local authorities, river catchments or habitat networks;
• development planning and control;
• environmental assessments;
• targeting incentives for management;
• management planning for individual woodlands;
• assessing potential exposure to tree pests and disease threats
The new tool can be found at http://www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/get-interactive/discover-data/
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