Enhancing the biodiversity of Scotland's forest resource through the development of a network of forest habitats
Scottish Natural Heritage, the statutory conservation agency, is considering the desirability and feasibility of developing a network of woodland habitats to redress the long term trend of fragmentation and isolation. Woodland conservation has long been based on site protection, but recent changes in policy, attitude and practice have opened up the possibility of recreating native forest cover on a much larger scale. The ECONET approach appears to have much to offer as the basis for enhancing the biodiversity of Scotland's forest resource. A network could be developed from existing woods to form a Scotland-wide network of Core Forest Areas and major landscape links, largely associated with major valleys. To achieve this, existing concentrations of woodland would be extended into poorly wooded districts. Many vulnerable wildlife species are likely to benefit, and there would be other benefits for recreation, landscape and timber production.