Project reveals undiscovered ancient woodlands

A recent project has revealed the existence of over 1,300 hectares of ancient woodlands that were previously unknown. These woodlands have been around since the year 1600 and are rich in diverse plant life, fungi, insects, and microorganisms. The project, which lasted two years, was conducted across three counties and was led by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire. With this new information, the total area of ancient woodlands in the region is now known to be 12,552 hectares, which is equivalent to 31,016 acres. Katharine Flach, a habitat survey officer, expressed her surprise at the discovery of ancient woodlands being present all around us in the three counties. She stated, 'There are lots of small pockets nearer to urbanization that weren't known about or weren't part of the inventory and often are publicly accessible. ' This means that many of these ancient woodlands are available for the public to explore and enjoy. To uncover these hidden ancient woodlands, Katharine began her research by examining maps that were created in the 1980s and 1990s as part of a national update. She also explored centuries-old maps held by Cambridge University and the Cambridgeshire Archives. Additionally, she utilized a technology called LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, to map the existing woodlands. After identifying potential new ancient woodland sites, Katharine and her team conducted ground assessments to verify their findings. Katharine explained that there are various indicators to look for when identifying ancient woodlands. While some of the large trees may be old, it is equally important to examine the ground flora. The great diversity of species that exists only in ancient woodlands is a key factor. These species have had hundreds of years to grow and decay, allowing them to build up over time. Some of the indicator plants that signify an ancient woodland include bluebells, wood anemones, woodruff, and ransoms. One of the most significant markers of ancient woodlands is the spring wildflowers that blanket their floors. These wildflowers are extremely slow to spread to new plantations, making them a clear sign of an ancient woodland. Once a woodland is designated as ancient, it retains that status indefinitely. Katharine remains optimistic about the future of these rare habitats. She noted, 'It used to be they earned their way by being useful valuable resources, which we don't see them as any more, but I think people realize now the importance of trees and nature and are beginning to look for ways to improve. ' Understanding where these biodiverse areas are located allows for efforts to connect these landscapes and create buffers around these important sites. The discoveries made in places like Hayley Wood highlight the diverse flora that can only be found in ancient woodlands.