Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodlands

Importance for wildlife

Woodlands support a great variety of species and are a rich food source. Plants such as native Bluebell, Early Purple Orchid, Wood Anemone, Herb-Paris and Unspotted Lungwort can be found, and nectar attracts many insects. The Hazel Dormouse often uses tree cavities to hibernate. Deadwood is a food source for stag beetle larvae. Woodlands are an important habitat for fungi, with c.420 species recorded in just one woodland.

Important associated species

Birds
Dunnock, Tree Sparrow, Starling, Song Thrush, Cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler, Hawfinch, Bullfinch, Lesser Redpoll, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Tree Pipit, Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Yellowhammer, Nightjar, Woodlark, Turtle Dove

Mammals
Barbastelle, Brandt's Bat*, Brown Long-eared Bat, Common Pipistrelle*, Soprano Pipistrelle, Daubenton's Bat*, Nathusius' Pipistrelle*, Natterer's Bat*, Noctule, Serotine, Whiskered Bat*, Hazel Dormouse

Beetles
Poplar Leaf-rolling Weevil, Alder Flea Weevil, Stag Beetle (woodland edges)

Butterflies
White Admiral, Purple Emperor

Moths
Olive Crescent, False Mocha (oak trees), White-spotted Pinion, Grey Dagger**, Knot Grass**, Flounced Chestnut**, Brown-spot Pinion**, Mouse Moth**, Large Nutmeg**, Dusky Brocade**, Sprawler**, Centre-barred Sallow**, Dark Brocade**, Mottled Rustic**, Streak**, Latticed Heath**, Oak Lutestring (oak trees)**, Figure of Eight**, Small Phoenix**, September Thorn**, Dusky Thorn**, August Thorn**, Spinach**, Garden Dart**, White-line Dart**, Double Dart**, Small Emerald**, Ghost Moth (woodland rides)**, Rustic**, Rosy Rustic**, Brindled Beauty**, V-moth**, Lackey**, Dot Moth**, Pretty Chalk Carpet (chalky soils)**, Rosy Minor**, Shoulder-striped Wainscot**, Dark Spinach**, Shaded Broad-bar**, White Ermine**, Buff Ermine**, Hedge Rustic**, Feathered Gothic**, Blood-vein**, Pale Eggar**, Cinnabar (woodland rides)**, Oak Hook-tip (oak trees)**, Sallow**, Dark-barred Twin-Spot Carpet**

Spiders
Serrated Tongue Spider

Fungi
Bearded Tooth, Coral Tooth, Orange Chanterelle

Lichens
Lecania chlorotiza

Plants
Crested Cow-Wheat, Fly Orchid, Suffolk Lungwort*

*Suffolk Priority species
**Priority - Research Only. Common and widespread, but rapidly declining

Factors affecting habitat in Suffolk

• Excessive deer browsing leading to change in woodland structure, impoverishment of ground flora and low rates of coppice growth.
• Habitat fragmentation and isolation from other woodlands.
• Poor management leading to changes in woodland structure and composition; lack of coppicing.
• Disease e.g. Chalara Ash Dieback, Acute Oak Decline, Dutch Elm Disease.
• Removal of dead wood destroys the food source for stag beetle larvae and other saproxylic insects.
• Changes in agricultural practice e.g. cultivation hard up to woodland boundaries.
• Clearance of woodlands for development (e.g. trunk roads) and agriculture.

Habitat management advice

• Manage woodlands according to the UK Forestry Standard
• Maintain structural diversity with mature trees and scrub of varying age to provide a wide range of habitats. Ensure continuity of woodland by regeneration or replanting when necessary.
• Maintain ‘naturalness’ of woods where possible, avoiding sudden and drastic modification of woods
• Maintain woodland ‘edge habitat’ to encourage a wide variety of flora and fauna.
• Maintain open spaces such as ridges and clearings to provide sheltered sunny areas. This encourages the growth of flowering plants which provide nectar and pollen for insects. If possible, the open areas should include bare ground and low and high vegetation.
• Leave any wet areas such as streams and ponds undisturbed.
• Maintain a range of dead wood, particularly for saproxlyic invertebrates, in both shady and sunny situations. This will also encourage fungi which provide food for invertebrates and birds.
• Maintain the undisturbed
• soil structure.
• Allow natural regeneration of woodlands wherever possible.

Vision for Suffolk

1. Improve knowledge of extent and quality of lowland mixed deciduous woodlands, especially those under 2 ha.
2. Maintain the existing extent of llowland mixed deciduous woodlands to ensure no net loss.
3. Re-create lowland mixed deciduous woodlands as opportunities arise.
4. Encourage the restoration and improvement of degraded lowland mixed deciduous woodlands.

Where to find further information

• Forest Research – Publications
• JNCC – Habitat Description (pdf)
• MAGIC website – interactive mapping information including designations
• Magnificent Meadows – Recovery (pdf), technical information and management guides
• Making Space for Nature, a Review of England’s Wildlife Sites and Ecological Network 16 Sep 2010. Chaired by Professor Sir John Lawton CBE FRS. Defra website (pdf)
• Natural Environment White Paper June 2011 – The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature (pdf)
• Peterken, G.F., 1981 Woodland Conservation and Management. London: Chapman and Hall.
• Rackham, O. 1980 Ancient Woodland. London: Arnold
• Suffolk Wildlife Trust – Habitats Explorer

* all the links marked (pdf) have been gathered into an Issuu stack

Images: 

• Rides provide important edge areas by Gary Battell
• Fly Orchid by Stuart Read (Flickr)
• White Admiral by Stuart Read (Flickr)
• Hawfinch by Neil Rolph (Flickr)