This document explores how new native woodland and undisturbed water setbacks can be used in combination to deliver meaningful ecosystem services that protect and enhance water quality and aquatic ecosystems. This ‘Woodland for Water’ measure can be realised using the existing Native Woodland Establishment Scheme (NWS Establishment), available from the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (DAFM).
This measure can be used alongside streams, rivers and lakes to form permanent semi-natural landscape features that will protect and enhance water quality and aquatic habitats into the future. Where basic site requirements are met, the DAFM perceives widespread potential for this measure, from upper to lower catchments and in relation to various land uses.
The Woodland for Water measure operates alongside other water protection measures applied by the DAFM throughout its regulatory and promotional role, as part of its responsibilities under the second cycle of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
Ireland is one of the least forested countries in Europe with 10.5% of its area under forest cover, the majority of which represents commercial conifer plantations. This indicator tracks changes in the area of native woodland habitats over time.
Background
In the past 30 years, there have been four national surveys estimating the extent of forest cover in Ireland: the Forest Inventory Planning System 1998 (FIPS), and the National Forest Inventory (NFI) conducted in 2004-2006, 2009-2012 and 2015-2017. FIPS, a remote-sensed inventory of forest cover produced from aerial photographs and satellite imagery, estimated the national native forest cover of mixed and broadleaf woodland not dominated by beech (a non-native tree species) to be 82,321 ha or 1.2% of the state. The NFI involved a detailed survey of permanent forest sample plots (500 m2) selected randomly across a 2 x 2 km grid (17,423 points nationally), 1,742 plots were surveyed 2004-2006 (Anon., 2007), 1,827 surveyed 2009-2012 (Anon., 2013) and 1,932 surveyed 2015-2017 (Anon. 2017).
The most recent NFI estimates that the total area under native broadleaf and mixed forest to be 206,540 ha, an increase of 32,220 ha (19%) from the NFI estimate in 2012 and an increase of 124,220 ha (151%) on the FIPS estimate in 1995. However, these estimates include stands of trees of both native (>80% native tree species) and mixed (20-80% native tree species) status. The most recent estimate of area of native stands is 128,130 ha, up by 27,620 ha (27%) on the 2012 estimate, but not reported in the previous surveys (FIPS 1995 and NFI 2006).
The NFI also estimates the area of hedgerow (linear features < 20 m with tree and/or shrubs present) and this has increased slightly on 2012 estimates, but the increases lie with the margin of error of the estimate and may not represent a genuine increase. In NFI 2006 and NFI 2012, the area of scrub (areas dominated by woody vegetation 0.5 – 5 m in height) habitats was estimated, but in NFI 2017 this land-use was reclassified under a pre-existing category ‘Other Wooded Habitats’. For comparability, the area of ‘Scrub’ and ‘Other Woodland’ in previous surveys were combined to compare with NFI 2017 ‘Other Wooded Habitats’. These transitional habitats have declined by 64,550 ha (50%) since 2012.
In terms of the conservation status of our native woodlands, the National Survey of Native Woodlands funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service, surveyed 1,217 woodland sites across all 26 counties from 2003-2007 (Perrin et al., 2008). A range of criteria relating to the site area, occurrence of rare species, structural diversity and regeneration status were used to evaluate the conservation status of each site, and the impact of invasive species, non-native tree species and grazing were used to assign a threat status to each site. Overall, 29.9% of sites were of Excellent or Good conservation status, whereas 93.7% of site had a Low or Moderate threat status.
At present, the current and short-term status of this indicator is intermediate as although planting native (>80% native trees) and mixed (20-80% non-native) woodlands has increased, the net impact on biodiversity when accounting for losses to existing, but highly fragmented, old (continuously wooded since 1830-44 Ordinance Surveys) or ancient woodlands (continuously wooded since 1660) is unclear (Iremonger et al., 2006; Perrin et al., 2010).
More information on the National Forest Inventory can be found here:
Anonymous (2007) National Forest Inventory. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford.
Anonymous (2013) The Second National Forest Inventory. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford.
Anonymous (2017) Ireland’s National Forest Inventory 2017 – Main Findings. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford.
Iremonger, S., O’Halloran, J., Kelly, D.L., Wilson, M.W., Smith, G.F., Gittings, T., Giller, P.S., Mitchell, F.J.G., Oxbrough, A., Coote, L., French, L., O’Donoghue, S., McKee, A.-M., Pithon, J., O’Sullivan, A., Neville, P., O’Donnell, V., Cummins, V., Kelly, T.C. and Dowding P. (2006). Biodiversity in Irish Plantation Forests. Environmental Protection Agency and COFORD, Dublin. 82pp.
Perrin, P.M, Martin, J.R., Barron, S.J., O’Neill, F.H., McNutt, K.E. and Delaney, A. (2008) National Survey of Native Woodlands 2003-2008. Unpublished report submitted to National Parks and Wildlife Service, Dublin.
Perrin, P.M., Daly, O.H. (2010) A provisional inventory of ancient and long-established woodland in Ireland. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 46. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin.
Mapping data is available on request from the Forestry Service (part of DAFM)
DAFM require a signed data agreement to prevent publication.
So instead of simply asking for the data, submit an AIE Application for the data to the Forest Service via foi@agriculture.gov.ie
These restrictive data agreements are one way that Departments keep environmental and agri environmental data out of the public domain. Plus they are likely in breach of the Open Data Directive which came into force in Ireland in July 2021
Note:
– For Forest Road upgrades there is no requirement for consent from the Forest Service
– The above applies to most if not all forestry data (and indeed many other structured datasets and maps. Generally asking (the official way to request GIS data/maps etc) takes four weeks, and there is no option to appeal a refusal. So anyways submit an AIE alongside asking, as it also takes four weeks (or eight if goes to Internal Review)
Ancient woodland refers to those woods that have had a continuous history of cover since before the period when planting and afforestation became common practice (mid‐1600s). These woodlands are important in terms of their biological and cultural value, and may even form links with prehistoric wildwoods. To date, unlike our European counterparts, no extensive study of ancient woodland has been conducted in the Republic of Ireland, leaving these irreplaceable habitats open to threats such as woodland clearance. This polygon shapefile constitutes the main output from the Ancient and long-established Woodland Inventory 2010.
A total of 481 woodland sites were digitised and the following categories were set up: – Possible ancient woodland (PAW) stands have been continuously wooded since 1660. – After additional research some PAW stands were upgraded to ancient woodland (AW) status. – Long‐established woodlands (LEW) have been continuously wooded since 1830. There are two sub‐categories, LEW (I) stands for which no evidence of antiquity could be found in older documentation, and LEW (II) stands for which there is evidence that the site is not ancient.
In addition, for each digitised polygon the stand type on the OS maps was determined. The categories used were semi‐natural broadleaf (SNB), mixed woodland (MW), conifer plantation (CP), non‐native broadleaf (NNB) and recent clearfell (RC).
This inventory is provisional in nature, investigating only a subset of Ireland’s woodland resource and available historical documents. However, it presents a working methodology to assist in the identification of these sites in Ireland. This study also promotes taking a multidisciplinary approach in the study of ancient woodlands.
The Scheme prioritises sites of high ecological significance (included ancient woodlands and designated areas such as Special Areas of Conservation) and also sites where native woodland restoration will ‘deliver’ benefits regarding the protection of watercourses and aquatic habitats.
Typical projects under the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme might include the restoration of existing native woodland (e.g. the removal of invasive species such as rhododendron, which can destroy native woodland ecosystems); the conversion of existing conifer forests to native woodland, particularly on sites beside sensitive watercourses, and the protection and management of existing ‘scrub’ to capitalise on its ecological value as emerging native woodland.
Projects under NWS Conservation will typically include the following approaches:
Existing ‘high forest’ native woodland requiring appropriate restorative management (e.g. removal of individual or groups of non-natives, removal of invasive exotics, protection against deer and/or livestock, underplanting, promotion of native species natural regeneration).
The conversion of existing conifer forest to native woodland (e.g. the removal of uniform Sitka spruce plantation adjoining a sensitive watercourse, deer fencing, and reforestation with native woodland, through planting and / or natural regeneration).
Existing scrub constituting emergent woodland which is predominantly native (e.g. protective fencing, removal of non-natives and invasive exotics, and respacing).
Grant Rates (€/ha)
Scheme category
1st grant (€/ha)
2nd grant (€/ha)
Total grant (€/ha)
High forest
3,800
1,200
5,000
Emergent woodland
2,500
n/a
2,500
Premium Rates (€/ha)
Grant/Premium Category (GPC)
Annual premium (€/ha)
Duration (years)
Private woodland owner
350
7
Public woodland owner
n/a
n/a
Native Woodland Scheme Framework
The purpose of the Native Woodland Scheme Framework (PDF) is to identify, at pre-application stage, the most appropriate native woodland type to promote onsite. The NWS Forester and the NWS Ecologist appraises the site in terms of its location, soil and main habitats and vegetation, and matches it to one of five scenarios:
Scenario 1: Podzols (Oak-Birch-Holly Woodland)
Scenario 2: Brown Podzolics (Oak-Birch-Holly with Hazel Woodland)
The framework identifies the natural woodland type (as set out above, in brackets) most suited to the site. A management plan is then prepared by a participating forester and ecologist and is submitted to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) for approval.
Eligible operations
Preparation of a site-specific Native Woodland Plan by a NWS Ecologist and NWS Forester
Purchase of suitable native planting stock
Ground preparation, where appropriate (e.g. light scarification to facilitate natural regeneration)
Forest protection (fencing, tree guards and other measures)
Clearance of invasive species such as laurel and rhododendron
Costs associated with non-commercial tree felling, where appropriate
Woodland rejuvenation (including understorey and coupe planting, regeneration works and filling-in)
Maintenance (including vegetation management)
Woodland edge management
Maintenance of open spaces, rides and glades
Re-spacing
The restoration of former coppice or coppice-with-standards woodland to active coppice management; and other related operations, where appropriate
Once Financial Approval is granted, work can commence in line with the management plan details and approval conditions. The First Grant is paid at year 1 following completion of works, submission of Form 2 and inspection by DAFM. The Second Grant is payable at year four in respect of required maintenance work and subject to further inspection.
Important notes:
Any scenario selected must reflect the location and soil and the main habitats and vegetation (as described in the NWS Framework). Mismatch will result in the applications being returned for adjustment and resubmission.
Downy birch forms part of several planting mixtures set out in the Framework. From 2019, the use of improved ‘qualified’ downy birch planting stock is required.
Due to Ash Dieback Disease, ash is excluded from the NWS Framework.
The fencing allowances available under the Afforestation Grant & Premium Scheme also apply to NWS Conservation. If applying for deer fencing, evidence is required showing unsustainable levels of deer damage within the woodland (see the NWS Conservation Form 1 below for details).
Relevant publications:
NWS Conservation Form 1 (Word). This Form 1 is designed to be completed onscreen, printed off, signed (by the Applicant, the NWS Forester and the NWS Ecologist) and submitted in hard copy. All questions under each section must be completed.
This Woodland Inventory incorporates evidence collected from a series of research contracts let to identify and survey areas of woodland of high nature conservation value.
