Some management plans require specialist assessment, for example if a site is of high ecological importance or if an owner wants to use specialist management techniques such as Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF). In these cases a specialist assessor will work with the management planner to produce a report that is incorporated into the management plan. The decision to employ the services of approved specialist assessors is taken jointly by the management planner and FCW.
Specialist assessors must:
- Have a thorough knowledge of their area of expertise including laws and regulations that must be applied.
- Understand Welsh Assembly Government and FCW policies relevant to their area of expertise and the way such policies are implemented within BWW management plans.
- Possess a wider understanding of initiatives such as Biodiversity Action Plans and Habitat Networks.
The following areas of expertise have been identified as requiring the services of a specialist assessor.
| SPECIALIST AREA |
DESCRIPTION | MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF SITE |
| Continuous Cover Forestry Specialist | Prepares a CCF assessment for a plantation where there is potential for CCF transformation and the woodland owner is interested. | Minimum area for a CCF assessment is 5ha. |
| Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) Specialist | Assesses & evaluates PAWS and recommends appropriate management | Minimum assessment area is 3ha |
| Woodland Ecology Specialist | Undertakes ecological assessments on all native woodlands over 10ha that appear on the Provisional Inventory of Ancient Woodlands. | |
| Community Specialist | Organizes and co-ordinates dialogue between communities or interest groups whose involvement is an appropriate part of woodland management. |
