Survey Reveals 50% More Ancient Woodland in Hertfordshire Than Previously Recorded

New digital mapping reveals 50% more ancient woodland in Hertfordshire, aiding conservation efforts and protecting rare species like bluebells and herb Paris.

Significant Increase in Recorded Ancient Woodland

Balls Wood in Hertford is a large, varied woodland boasting wide sunny rides, the trust said.

New data confirms there is "significantly more" ancient woodland in Hertfordshire than was previously documented.

The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT) reported that advancements in digital mapping and identification techniques have revealed 50% more ancient woodland sites than those originally listed in an inventory compiled between 1981 and 1992.

This updated information has been submitted to Natural England to aid in protecting these areas from future development and to enhance the management of these sites for forestry and recreational purposes.

Efforts to Combat Woodland Loss

The trust's records centre manager, Alex Waechter, emphasized the opportunity this data provides to address the losses and fragmentation of ancient woodlands experienced over the past two centuries.

"We have a chance to combat the losses and fragmentation of the past two centuries through the creation of new linking habitats and wildlife corridors."

The newly recorded ancient woodland areas are a result of improved digital mapping, inclusion of smaller woodlands, and the introduction of a new category for ancient pasture and parkland, which was not previously recognized, according to the wildlife trust.

Waechter further explained that the project benefited from decades of botanical surveys conducted by professional ecologists and skilled volunteers, local knowledge from residents, and extensive historical insight provided by a contributing historian.

Ecological Importance of Ancient Woodlands

Astonbury Wood, showing a large number of big trees, with green foliage on them, and a blanket of bluebells beneath them.

Image caption, Astonbury Wood is an ancient woodland that is known to have bluebells

" alt="Astonbury Wood with bluebells" />Astonbury Wood is an ancient woodland that is known to have bluebells.

Fiona Mahon, director of nature recovery at HMWT, described ancient woodlands as a "special type of woodland that have developed for centuries and have had continuous woodland cover since 1600."

These woodlands provide habitat for rare and threatened species such as the bluebell, herb Paris, barbastelle bat, and the red-listed, locally declining marsh tit.

Herb-Paris, a plant with very large green leaves, and a stem with a flower at the top, that looks spiky. There are trees in the distance with lots of leaves on.

Image caption, Herb Paris is "locally rare, declining and very distinctive", the trust said

" alt="Herb Paris plant" />The trust noted that herb Paris is "locally rare, declining and very distinctive."

"They have the potential to support the highest diversity of species of any woodland type and play a vital role in the fight against climate change by capturing and storing carbon," Mahon added.

Gobions Wood, showing lots of trees with green leaves, on large tree trunks, one laying on the ground and brown soil on the ground.

Image caption, Gobions Wood in Potters Bar is a woodland with bluebells and wood anemones, the trust said

" alt="Gobions Wood with bluebells and wood anemones" />Gobions Wood in Potters Bar is a woodland with bluebells and wood anemones, the trust said.

Conservation and Future Plans

HMWT stated that mapping from the Ancient Woodland Inventory will inform its emerging nature recovery strategy and action plan, supporting the charity's efforts to protect, connect, and expand woodlands across Hertfordshire.

The trust aims to contribute to national and global targets to protect and restore at least 30% of land for nature by 2030.

Herb-Paris plant, showing green leaves and white flowers, with yellow stems, in a woodland.

Image caption, The wildlife trust said the locally rare, declining and distinctive herb Paris could be seen in Hertfordshire woods

" alt="Herb Paris in Hertfordshire woods" />The wildlife trust said the locally rare, declining and distinctive herb Paris could be seen in Hertfordshire woods.