Woodland vegetation |
The Countryside Survey carried out by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, reports for a wide range of habitats, including conifer and broadleaved woodland. Results for 2007 show some declines in species richness (Table 5.2). Data for Scotland show significant declines in species richness since 1998, in both broadleaved and conifer woodlands. No other changes in species richness since 1998 are statistically significant, but Wales and GB total show significant declines in species richness for broadleaves over the longer period since 1990.
The Ellenberg N fertility score has declined significantly over the longer period since 1990 for broadleaves in Scotland. There are no other significant changes in Ellenberg fertility and light scores.
Please refer to the Countryside Survey website (see Sources) for an explanation of the vegetation richness and condition scores.
|
|
|
England |
Wales |
Scotland |
GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Species richness |
|||||
|
Broadleaved |
1990 |
20.8 |
25.8 |
25.3 |
22.6 |
|
|
1998 |
18.9 |
22.8 |
26.9 |
21.3 |
|
|
2007 |
20.1 |
21.6 |
22.1 |
20.9 |
| Conifer | 1990 | 16.0 | 12.2 | 14.2 | 14.5 |
| 1998 | 14.2 | 15.7 | 15.6 | 15.3 | |
| 2007 | 14.9 | 13.9 | 13.7 | 14.1 | |
|
Ellenberg light score |
|||||
| Broadleaved | 1990 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.2 |
| 1998 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.4 | 6.1 | |
| 2007 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.4 | 6.1 | |
| Conifer | 1990 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.4 | 6.2 |
| 1998 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.2 | |
| 2007 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.4 | 6.2 | |
|
Ellenberg N fertility score |
|||||
| Broadleaved | 1990 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.1 |
| 1998 | 5.5 | 4.6 | 4.3 | 5.1 | |
| 2007 | 5.6 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 5.1 | |
| Conifer | 1990 | 4.7 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 3.8 |
| 1998 | 4.7 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 3.9 | |
| 2007 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 3.8 |
Source: Countryside Survey data (C) NERC - Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Notes:
1. Higher scores indicate more species, and higher levels of light and fertility.
These figures are outside the scope of National Statistics