ES1S55 - Woodland Management 01 Sep 2018 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES1S55
Module Title: Woodland Management
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Chemical and Environmental Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environmental Science
Module Leader:
Module Team: Jeffrey Roberts, Alexander Godfrey
First Intended Intake: SEP 2013 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100520 - forestry and arboriculture
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2018
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

  • To understand the development of UK woodlands since the Pleicostene and to provide the student with an in depth understanding of the main factors that have affected the development of British woodlands.
  • To investigate the ecology of British woodlands.
  • To investigate the main threats and management techniques.
  • To provide students with an in-depth understanding of the conservation value of UK woodlands.

Content Summary

  • Historical development: Climate, human interactions, woodland clearances, types of woodlands, national vegetation classification (NVC), indicative flora and fauna.
  • Ecology: Types of woodlands, structure and function, evergreen, deciduous, mycorrhiza, allelopathy, nitrogen fixation, adaptions, nutrient flow, decomposition.
  • Abiotic factors, biotic factors.
  • Management and conservation: Deforestation, agriculture, habitat fragmentation, management objectives, coppicing, wood pasture, pollarding, dead wood, veteran trees, woodland landscapes and parklands, high forest, primary woodland, secondary woodland, ancient semi natural woodlands (ASNW), commercial forestry, planting techniques, harvesting, natural regeneration, rides, glades, ecotones, grazing, new woodlands, amenity woodlands, legislation, woodland grant schemes, management plans.
  • Conservation, amenity, economic value: Assessing conservation value, rarity, size, case studies, woodland grant schemes, recreational forests, national forests.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 40
Fieldwork 8
Independent Study 40
Directed Study 40
Formative Assessment - Independent 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Analyse and evaluate the Post Glacial development of British woodlands to the present day.
LO2 Employ a range of specialist skills to identify the ecology of British woodlands and evaluate the conservation and amenity values of woodlands.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Written Assignment (CW) Practical Written Work 1 Discuss potential survey options and use an appropriate technique to carry out a woodland survey. Using your findings evaluate the conservation and amenity value of the site surveyed. 0 2000 50 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Report (CW) 1 Analyse and evaluate the Post Glacial development of British woodlands to the present day. 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Written Work 1
Report (CW) 1

Reading List

Johnson, O. (2004) Collins Tree Guide. London: Harper Collins

Proctor, M. (2013) Vegetation of Britain and Ireland. London: Harper Collins

Rackham, O. (2006) Woodlands. London: Harper Collins

Rodwell, J. (1991) Brirtish Plant Communities Volume 1: Woodlands and Scrub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Starr, C. (2013) Woodland Management: A Practical Guide, Second Edition. Marlborough: The Crowood Press Ltd.

Selected journals to include:

Journal of Ecology

Ecology

Behavioural Ecology

Ecologist

BBC Wildlife

Birds

Forest Life