Ancient woodland soil seedbank translocation can assist with new woodland habitat creation

Abstract

A 10‐year monitoring study aimed to assess the benefit of using translocated ancient woodland soil in the development of a new woodland ground flora in Kent (SE England). New woodland (based on National Vegetation Classification [NVC] W8) was planted at two sites: Cossington Fields and a field adjacent to Great Crabbles Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest. Both sites comprised former arable farmland adjacent to existing ancient woodland. At Cossington Fields, the arable topsoil was stripped and replaced with ancient woodland topsoil. At Great Crabbles, whips were planted directly into existing topsoil and subsoil. Both new woodlands successfully developed into an NVC W8 community. At Cossington Fields, at least 16 ancient woodland indicator (AWI) ground flora species established and thrived within the 10‐year monitoring period. In contrast, no woodland ground flora species colonized the Great Crabbles area within the same period. Reasons, including poor AWI seed dispersal and a long woodland habitat development time, are presented to support a longer monitoring period (25 years plus). There remains no evidence to suggest that the loss of ancient woodland can be successfully mitigated. However, the translocation of soil at Cossington Fields has been beneficial in accelerating target habitat development.