The conservation of a fragmented ecosystem within a cultural landscape—The case of ancient woodland in England

摘要: Abstract Ancient woodland (land continuously wooded since ad 1600) was identified in the 1970s (and confirmed 1994 UK Biodiversity Action Plan) as most important category of for nature conservation. It predominates within special protected sites, but bulk this resource (85%) lies outside such protection. Ownership by government and non-government bodies ensures that areas site system are managed sympathetically, distribution sites sympathetic ownership is very patchy. Hence, conservation value ancient woods must also be recognised national forestry policies apply to all sites. In cultural landscapes England, not species survive fragmented semi-natural resource. Plantations introduced other, recent included strategy. This paper explores implications these factors development policy practice England over last 15 years.