Aversley Wood - Sawtry

Long term intentions

The overall objective is to sustain the various plants, animals and other features that make Aversley Wood of special interest through the maintenance and where possible the enhancement of the structural and species diversity of the site.

- To manage the majority of the wood as broadleaved high forest, with ash as the dominant species but maintaining the present diversity of other species in the canopy and understorey

- To ensure that the above areas are stocked with a proportion of overmature, dying and dead trees (both standing and fallen)

- To maintain and enhance the species rich and diverse rides by appropriate ride widening, mowing and rideside coppicing

- To preserve features of archaeological interest

- To preserve open public access on foot

Although coppice has played a role in the previous management of Aversley, the period since the wood was last actively coppiced is so great that areas with recognisable coppice are restricted. It is not proposed to attempt to re-establish large scale coppice within the wood. Coppicing will be maintained on a limited scale where this is beneficial for ride maintenance or habitat enhancement for particular important species. Pinnacle, Ridge and Furrow ride, Wayfaring ride, Buttercup ride and Main Rides are areas of particular interest for their ground flora and invertebrate communites (2.4Ha in area ). Along these rides a ride edge coppicing programme will be instigated with the intention of maintaining a variety of ecological niches throughout the wood. Coppicing will occur on a rotation of up to 15 years, mowing of ride edges will take place on a biennial regime Annual mowing will still occur on the central strip of the entire ride network.

The majority of the wood will be managed on a continuous cover system where possible utilising natural regeneration on a group basis. Assuming a 'rotation' length of 250 years in order to maintain regeneration of the wood as a whole (61.5 ha) an annual regeneration requirement would be 0.25 ha. This equals a regeneration target of 2.5 ha per decade. This figure of 2.5Ha per decade would be as a result of natural regeneration as a result of opportunities created by tree windthrow, disease and natural glade creation in the limited intervention area.The size of the deer population and its effects on the regeneration of the wood will contunue to be monitored and action will be taken to control excessive browsing.

The importance of monitoring and survey must be recognised and information on the woodland community must be brought up to date within the life of this management plan. Further survey and monitoring must be continued over the next few decades to built up an accurate picture of the wood fauna and flora.

As up to date information becomes available changes in the management of specific areas of wood may be required.

The Trusts corporate objective of no loss of ancient woodland will be achieved by attempting to buffer the existing woodland, continuing the coppicing programme along the ride margins and through the management of the site as continuos cover high forest.

The Trusts corporate objective of Improving woodland biodiversity will be achieved by continuing the coppicing programme along the ride margins and by designating compartments 5 b, 1c, 2a and 3a limited intervention zones.

The Trusts corporate objective of increasing enjoyment of woodland will be achieved by maintaining the ride system, ensuring safe access and providing on site interpretation