Spatial targeting of woodland creation can reduce the colonisation credit of woodland plants

Abstract Colonisation credit refers to the temporal lag between positive conservation actions and species' responses may be one of reasons we fail meet short‐term targets. This is particularly evident in woodlands which take decades develop harbour slow colonising species. Given global objectives increase woodland cover, it important know timeframe within colonisation will fulfilled. The plants was examined recent woodlands, created 15 80 years ago, located adjacent or isolated from existing ancient woodlands. calculated as proportion understory plant species nearest had not colonised Looking at individual traits also allowed us tease apart their impact on establishment ability. Spatial adjacency reduced by an average 28%, more mature (50–80 old) fulfilled 24% than younger (15–21 old). However, still only been 72% available pool. Plants reached were dispersed a range mechanisms, where those that sites largely birds mammals. Low community weighted mean shade tolerance, high nutrient affiliation, dominance Hedera helix suggest competition dominant natives preventing certain establishing new research demonstrates need account for appropriate time‐lags when setting biodiversity targets, with most displaying after they created. results indicate spatially targeting creation species‐rich should prioritised. Still, poor local habitat conditions lead specific competitors prevent other establishing. Local management interventions such translocations tree thinning ameliorate this but further needed.