Deforestation at Sefton

Part of the Sefton Coast management scheme is to remove plantings of alien pine species along the dune front (the frontal woodlands). Following lengthy consultation the plan involves the removal of the woodlands in 4 phases, together with associated scrub (see figure opposite).

Caption: Figure showing the extent of the phased removal of the 'frontal woodlands' within the Ainsdale National Nature Reserve.

Methodology:

• Pricing of the timber and felling license obtained;
• Initial publicity, local residents and elected representatives;
• Timber and scrub removal tendered and awarded;
• Identification of access tracks, excavation routes and stacking areas identified and warning signs erected;
• Sensitive nature conservation areas identified.

The phased approach was deliberate and the gradual removal of trees would have less dramatic impact of the dune. I was also felt that lessons learnt could be applied to subsequent work and this is the case. These lessons include the following:

• The importance of having appropriate expertise and machinery. It was assumed that one contractor could deal with both forestry and scrub work. It is now considered advantageous to employ separate specialist contractors for the two elements of the work;
• Remove the scrub a year prior to felling the pines. This has several advantages, reducing the intensity and impact of the work, closer supervision and allows any marketable timber from the scrub to be salvaged;
• Effectiveness of the treatment of cut stumps and regrowth using a selective herbicide (Triclopyr);
• An early September start to felling; completed in the spring caused less disturbance and freed wardening staff during the summer months when their time was occupied with other tasks.

Revenues from the sale of the timber facilitated research and monitoring work as well as offsetting the cost of scrub removal. It also helped pay for the fencing needed to control the grazing stock which were introduced as the final element in the restoration management scheme. This has proved to be highly successful restoration project. It has met its goal of restoring open dune habitat without significant problems associated with large scale destabilisation. Many of the important dune land species (including wetland plants such as Parentucellia viscosa and animals of dune slack such as Bufo calamita and dry dunes Lacerta agilis have returned to a part of their former historical range (Simpson et al. 2001a).

References

Simpson, D.E., Houston, J.A. & Rooney, P.J. 2001a. Towards best practice in the sustainable management of sand dune habitats: 2 Management of the Ainsdale dunes on the Sefton Coast. In: Coastal Dune Management: Shared Experience of European Conservation Practice, eds.Houston, J.A., Edmondson, S.E. & Rooney, P.J.Liverpool University Press, 262-270.