Ecological Effects of Afforestation at a Second Rotation Plantation: A Case Study of Fernworthy, Dartmoor

Ecological and aesthetic criticisms of commercial coniferous plantings in the earth 20th century, together with growing environmental awareness of issues such as multiple-use, sustainability and biodiversity, have prompted new policies and approaches to forest management. This paper examines the management and development of Fernworthy Plantation, Devon to illustrate the extent to which the management strategies have changed through time in response to experience, public pressure and policy review. The results of an ecological survey of the vegetation of adjacent moorland and plantation habitats are discussed to establish ecological change in relation to the forest management cycle at the site.