Irregular silviculture and stand structural effects on the plant community in an ancient semi-natural woodland

Plants associated with traditional forms of coppice management are affected by changes in, or cessation of, stand which produce differences in structure, usually the direction high forest. The habitat ground flora richness, and composition an ancient woodland southern England were compared across three distinct treatments: Coppice (the cyclical cutting underwood on rotations), Limited Intervention (representing effective management), Irregular High Forest silviculture (a form continuous cover forestry using single small group selective tree harvesting). showed a more complex woody structure whereas was strongly correlated closed-canopy, single-storied structures no developing understorey. Increased bramble Rubus fruticosus silviculture, bare mostly limited intervention closed-canopy stands. Distinct plant-habitat associations identified types greatest between two active interventions. Overall vascular plant species lowest Using indicator groups, we found similar community pattern silviculture. More accommodated within comparatively heterogenous silvicultural interventions management. study indicates that introduction as practiced here can conserve most plants coppicing, practice has declined significantly UK since late 19th Century.