Coppicing
Coppicing is a traditional woodland management technique that was commonly used until about 70 years ago. Coppicing involves repeatedly cutting trees near their base and allowing them to regrow. This provides a sustainable supply of timber. Coppicing has several benefits compared with replanting. Coppiced trees already have developed root systems, making regrowth quicker. They are also less likely to be eaten by species such as deer. Coppicing also reduces shading.
Tree to be coppiced
Cut close to base in winter
Shoots rapidly regrow from base the following spring
Coppice ready for harvest between 7-20 years
The demand for coppiced timber is beginning to increase again, as timber prices rise and other uses of coppiced timber develop. These uses include wood for biofuel. Much of this wood is used for heating schemes for homes and small factories. One exception is the huge Drax power station in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom, which has been using coppiced wood to generate electricity since 2004.
Coppicing is still a popular conservation practice because of the benefits it provides to trees and wildlife. Trees naturally lose their branches, which extends their lifespan. Coppicing is an artificial way of removing branches and increasing the lifespan of the tree.
Coppicing also increases woodland biodiversity, as greater amounts of light can reach the ground, allowing other plant species to grow. Many of these species are food sources for butterflies and other insects, providing food for birds and mammals such as bats.
In managed coppiced woodland the varied age structure of the vegetation also provides good habitat and shelter for different bird species.
Coppicing is a good way to ensure that there is a range of different light levels in a woodland, which leads to an increase in plant biodiversity.
(e) Coppicing increases biodiversity in woodland ecosystems (line 17).
Describe a method to investigate the effect of coppicing on the biodiversity of plants in a woodland.