Ecology

Coniferous Woodlands

About Coniferous Woodlands

Coniferous woodlands were mostly introduced to areas of low-grade land and poor soil quality after the first world war to supply timber. Many coniferous woodlands across Wales are still used as active plantations today. The evergreen species’ can be identified by their green needles throughout the year. Plantation woodlands are commonly made up of introduced non-native species such as Douglas fir, Corsican pine and Sitka spruce due to their beneficial lumbar properties. Native Scots pine can also be found in UK conifer plantations.

Often coniferous woodlands are planted as a monoculture, meaning that they are made up of one species of tree. When a woodland consists of trees of the same age the woodland will lack structure. This means that there is one continuous canopy with no sub layers or understorey which are highly valuable habitats for biodiversity. Some conifers are purposely planted close together to create a dense canopy and dark understorey, which shades out other species and reduces competition. This reduces the suitability of the habitat for invertebrates and foraging birds.

Clearings, rides and glades

Clearings, glades and rides are areas of greater light availability within conifer plantations which provide important edge habitats for native scrub and vegetation. Edge habitats are most beneficial when there is a gradual change from mature trees, to young trees, to scrub and vegetation, to grassland. This provides a mosaic of habitat with shaded and lighter areas, which offers itself to a diversity of flora and fauna.

Many invertebrates are unable to live within the dark conditions of conifer woodlands however, successful woodland edges provide suitable warm and sheltered habitat. For example, oak, willow, blackthorn and holly provide suitable habitat for many moths and butterflies. You may be able to observe Brimstones, White-letter Hairstreaks and Speckled Woods, amongst other species.

The wet meadows formed at woodland edges often provide habitat for reptiles and amphibians, including lizards, snakes, slow worms, frogs, toads and newts. The warm sunny areas, near sheltered conditions, provide suitable basking opportunities.

Woodland Birds

Depending on the time of year and the age of the woodland, it can provide habitat for a number of different woodland birds. Some birds, such as tree pipits, meadow pipits and whinchats breed in clear-felled areas of managed conifer woodlands. Other species including dunnocks, willow warblers and lesser redpolls are found within the growth stages before the woodland canopy closes.

Here are some species to look out for in mature conifer plantations: