Multipurpose forest and woodland

There is a wealth of information available on the management of forests and woodlands, and some key sources are given as links on this page. However, before any forest owner or manager can start to use this advice, or even the skills of professional advisers, an essential first step is to decide what the woodland is for.

In a small country like Scotland, there simply isn't room for woodland that is only managed for one thing to the exclusion of all other objectives. Thus, it has long been the view of Scottish Natural Heritage, as well as our colleagues in the Forestry Commission, that woodland needs to be designed and managed to be multipurpose. With this in mind the Forestry Commission has produced a UK Forestry Standard that sets down minimum requirements for multipurpose management in our woods and forests. Broadly, any management needs to consider:

• timber production
• biodiversity
• landscape
• public access, safety and recreation
• water quality and flooding
• carbon management, both in the soil and in standing timber
• cultural values including archaeology, history and community interest

Key to bringing all these elements together is a management plan which can describe and map the nature of the forest, and what needs to be done to meet its full potential. Because forest and woodland management can provide benefits for the public as well as for the woodland owner, the government supports this multipurpose management with a range of grants administered through the SRDP, including grants for the preparation of Forest plans. Forestry Commission Scotland has a useful series of guides    for different types of forest plan, supported by the SRDP's Woodland Improvement Grants.