Skógræktarritið - 15.05.2001, Page 138

Provisional output has been
obtained from the model for the
twelve Highland NHZs (2, 4-8,
10-15). Radically different poten-
tial woodland patterns are being
predicted, therefore the native
woodland predictions provide
some evidence that the original
NHZ delineations are relatively
robust. This information will
assist SNH and others such as
the Forestry Commission to pri-
oritise their commitments to
native woodland expansion. It
will also identify parts of
Scotland where native woodland
expansion perhaps should not be
a priority and where other natur-
al heritage interests will take
precedence.
4. Forest Habitat Networks
Scottish Natural Heritage seeks
to influence the state-supported
programme of afforestation to
meet its own objectives. Forest
Habitat Networks have been
identified as a priority within the
Scottish Forestry Strategy
(Scottish Executive 2000) and the
maps produced by the NWM are
seen as key tools to guide the
strategic development of Forest
Habitat Networks. Furthermore
they provide guidance to the
Forestry Commission to target
resources effectively in fulfilling
the UK BAP commitments. In
this respect, HAPs and FHNs
should not be seen in isolation
and SNH are keen that they
should be closely co-ordinated.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The predicted pattern of wood-
lands appears intrinsically 'cor-
rect' to a large range of stake-
holders including foresters, ecol-
ogists, landowners and planners.
Limited validation also suggests
that the model predictions are
relatively robust at tfie broad plan-
ning level for wfiich il has been
designed. The model is continually
evolving and has been periodi-
cally refined and enhanced since
its inception. This process will
continue as new information and
feedback become available.
Nevertheless, because of the
nature of what they are seeking
to represent, there are uncertain-
ties about the quality of the
underpinning soils and land
cover data, and it is important
that the user is fully aware of
these.
REFERENCES
Bennett, K. D. (1996) Late
Quaternary vegetation dynamics
of the Cairngorms. Botanical
lournal ofScotland, 48, 51-64.
Cairngorms Partnership (19991
Cairngorms Forest and Woodland
Frameworft. Cairngorms
Partnership, Grantown
Department of the Environment
(1994) Biodiversity-. the UK Action
Plan HMSO London.
Macaulay Land Use Research
Institute (1993) The Land Coverof
Scotland 1988 (LCS 88). The
Macaulay Land Use Research
Institute, Aberdeen.
Macaulay Institute forSoil
Research (1984) Organization and
methods of the 1:250000 soil survey of
Scotland. The Macaulay Institute
forSoil Research, Aberdeen.
Peterken, G.F., Baldcock, D &
Hampson, A. (1995): A Forest
Habitat Network for Scotland.
Scottish Natural Heritage
Research, Survey and Monitoring
Report No 44.
Rodwell.) S (Ed.) (1991) British Plant
Communities, Vol 1: Woodlands and
scrub. Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge.
Rodwell) S and Paterson G (1994)
Creating New Native Woodlands.
Forestry Commission Bulletin 112.
HMSO, London.
Scottish Executive (2000) Forests
for Scotland. The Scottish
Forestry Strategy. The Scottish
Executive, Edinburgh.
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SKÓGRÆKTARRÍTIÐ 2001 l.tbl.