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Why are woodlands important?

Here are some of the main reasons as to why trees are so important: trees provide a fantastic home for an amazing diversity of wildlife tree roots stabilise soil and protect against soil erosion and flash floods trees purify the air we breathe, locking up CO2 in wood (one of the main 'greenhouse gases') trees are an economic resource - providing both fuel and timber

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Landscape Value of Woodlands and Veteran Trees

In the Peak District, pockets of woodland cling to the moorland cloughs and valley sides, providing a refuge for wildlife in what might otherwise be an inhospitable landscape.  Can you imagine a landscape with no trees?

Many of our woodlands have been used by people in the past and are of archaeological and historical significance e.g. charcoal pits.

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Wildlife Value of Woodlands and Veteran Trees

The wildlife value of a woodland is partly determined by its history.

Native woodlands contain an enormous biodiversity with berrying shrubs, wildflowers, insects, animals, birds including African migrants, bats, mosses, liverworts and lichens.  And don't forget the ants!

Ancient semi-natural woodlands are an intricate mix of trees, shrubs, woodland plants and wild flowers with insects, birds and animals.  All blended by nature with that magic ingredient called time.  And lots of it.  It is said that people may be able to plant trees, but only nature can create woods.  Our ancient woodlands are not only of national and European importance but globally too, because of the immense biodiversity within them that is not found in woodlands of other countries.

The wildlife value of a woodland is also determined by its soil type and climate.  Across the Peak District there are 4 different woodland habitat types of particular importance for wildlife:

• Ashwoods restricted to the steep calcareous limestone dale sides of the White Peak and home to species such as lily-of-the-valley.
• Oak/Birchwoods found in the gritstone cloughs of the Dark Peak and South West Peak and once home to the black grouse.
• Wet woodland are mainly confined to the Dark Peak and South West Peak and support a wide variety of wildlife, including the otter.
• Parkland is found mostly in the Dark Peak and is inextricably linked with veteran trees.  A veteran tree is of great wildlife value due to its impressive age or size, favouring species such as fungi, insects and birds that require deadwood to feed on.

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