Woodland Habitat Connectivity
What are the challenges?
Woodland habitats are under threat from poor management, ecological decline, and fragmentation, limiting movement for species like hazel dormice and woodland birds.
Deer and grey squirrel pressure, visitor impact, and habitat loss further degrade woodlands, reducing their ability to regenerate naturally.
Climate change, including increased heavy rainfall, prolonged droughts or wildfires threaten woodland viability and alters ecosystem stability.
Why it matters:
Ancient woodlands support more species of plants, fungi, insects, birds, and mammals than any other habitat in the UK.
Their undisturbed soils contain vast mycorrhizal fungi networks (the "wood-wide web"), which connect trees and support nutrient sharing and plant communication.
Woodlands play a vital role in carbon storage, flood prevention, air purification, and local climate regulation, making them essential for climate resilience.
When well managed and healthy, this habitat achieves the following:
Reversing Biodiversity Loss
Habitat for rare or endangered species
Cultural Heritage
Air Quality
Water Quality
Flood Mitigation & Climate Change Resilience
Carbon Sequestration
Soil Health
Connecting People to Nature
Nature Based Solutions:
Reconnect fragmented woodlands by planting native trees, buffer zones, and hedgerows to restore habitat corridors.
Sustainably manage existing woodlands through coppicing, selective thinning, conservation grazing, and natural regeneration.
Promote sustainable timber use by replacing carbon-heavy construction techniques with locally sourced, regenerative timber.
Statistics & Facts:
Ancient woodlands cover just 2.5% of the UK’s land area, yet they are the most biodiverse terrestrial habitat.
Almost 70% of woodlands in the Kent Downs are ancient, but a Woodland Trust study found that only 7% of native woodlands are in good ecological condition.
Key Species:
Hazel Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) – Dependent on well-connected woodlands for movement and survival.
