Guy Edwardes/2020VISION
Details of the proposed scheme can be found here - https://www.gov.im/news/2021/jan/25/views-sought-on-woodland-planting-s…
The public are asked for their views on the proposed tree planting scheme that has been designed to help the Island meet its climate change goals by the 7th March 2021, so if you have any opinions you have a week to voice them!
Preface:
MWT warmly welcomes the introduction of a new woodland grant scheme. The planting of new native and near-native woodlands will have a key role to deliver both carbon sequestration and wider ecological benefits.
Q 2
From table 1
Point 1) Definition of Native.
Manx Wildlife Trust defines native as native to the Isle of Man. (as defined by the Botanical Society of the British Isles). This is consistent with the devolved UK nations (ie new native woodland in Scotland would use trees native to Scotland not the UK). The indiscriminate use of UK native species would undermine the Manx national identity and integrity of its native ecosystems.
Therefore, MWT strongly believe that native should be defined as ‘native to the Isle of Man’ and we must clearly designate what species are on that list.
Point 2) Use of non-native species in native plantings
The ongoing threat of ash die-back and Dutch elm disease mean that the Island has lost two keystone ecological native woodland species, and these are the large, long-lived trees needed for significant carbon sequestration.
Therefore, MWT would propose that the native woodland category is redefined a ‘near-native woodland’. Here a selection of fit for purpose, non-native, large, long-lived resilient trees that can operate within the natural processes of specified NVC communities are included.
We would further propose that a cap of 25% of non-native resilience trees is imposed to maintain a native matrix.
The MWT suggests the following list for inclusion as appropriate resilience trees that will have full ecological functionality within the nominated National Vegetation Classification (NVC) habitats:
A reserves list of near-fit trees such as hornbeam (Carprinus betulus), small leaved lime (Tilia cordata) and roble (Nothofagus obliqua) could also be included.
Point 3) Use of the term ‘native broadleaf’
Juniper is a native conifer that is an important potential component of NVC W17 woodland on the Island.
Therefore, MWT would propose to replace the term ‘native broadleaf’ with the use of the terms ‘native tree/shrub’ or ‘native woodland’ to be inclusive of juniper.
From table 2
Point 4) Green barns
Small densely planted conifer areas less than 0.5 ha can be effective ‘green barns’ for outdoor lambing and stock shelter in the most inclement weather. They are a useful agroforestry and animal welfare tool. Allowing small areas of eligible conifer without timber extraction access would enable inclusion of feature in the scheme.
Therefore, MWT proposes that green barn provision is allowed for in the diverse conifer section.
Point 5) Priority woodland habitats
Table 2 refers to ‘priority woodland habitats’. These, we assume, are priority habitats as listed in the Biodiversity Action Plans of the devolved UK Governments. No such habitat priority lists have yet been prepared for the Isle of Man.
Therefore, MWT advises the deletion of the word ‘priority’, or an indication of when/how these priority sites are added.
Point 6) Mixed broadleaf woodlands
The addition of a small non-native conifer component in mixed amenity woodland (particularly Scots pine) would have neutral or positive net biodiversity effect.
Therefore, MWT proposes an allowance of 10% conifer component in the mixed broadleaf woodland category
Point 7) Native low-density broadleaves
Agro-forestry/woodland pasture could be an important component of our woodland makeup in future and the provision within the scheme for this development is welcomed. The wording of the document should make this provision clearer.
Therefore, MWT proposes the aim is amended to read ‘To create a specific woodland, woodland pasture or scrub habitat’.
Question 3
Point 8) Tree shelters
The provision is for tree shelters up to 1.1m height. For protection against low levels of sheep grazing, low levels of wallaby browse, to support against end of season pulldown by bracken, and to protect against abrasive damage by gorse regrowth the industry standard 1.2m tube is required.
Therefore, MWT recommends tree shelters up to 1.2m are allowed.
Point 9) Tree shelters in woodland pasture
Establishing broadleaves in pasture on slopes require the use of a 1.5m tree tube with a robust 50mm x 50mm stake.
Therefore, MWT recommend allowing the funding of 1.5m tree tubes with robust stakes when establishing ‘native low-density broadleaves’ in sheep pasture and around wallaby areas.
Point 10) Sod banks
One of the simplest ways to diversify biodiversity interest of a woodland is the provision of new sod banks as boundary or internal features.
Therefore, MWT recommends the discretionary provision of >50% funding of new boundary and internal boundary banks.
Point 11) Rewetting
Wet woodland has much higher carbon sequestration potential than those of drier sites. This is especially true where surface water leads to the rapid creation of wood peat (composted twigs and leaves). There are significant biodiversity benefits to wet woodland for many species such as bats, spotted flycatchers, woodcock and rare woodland molluscs.
Therefore, MWT recommends the discretionary provision to wet/rewet land prior to planting at full funding.
Point 12) Vole guards
Voles are not native to the Isle of Man neither are they found in the wild here.
Therefore, MWT recommends the deletion of the provision of vole guards
Point 13) Presumption of fencing over tree shelters
Wallabies can jump/dig under most fences.
Therefore MWT recommends there should be no presumption that fencing is the preferred method of tree protection where wallabies are established in the wild (The parishes of Ballaugh, Sulby, Lazayre, Ramsey and Maughold as of 2021).
Question 4
Point 14) Destruction of a tree
Coppicing and pollarding are important woodland and woodland pasture management techniques that involve the removal of parts of a tree.
Therefore, MWT recommends the legislation explicitly exempts sustainable coppicing and pollarding practices from the destruction criteria.
Question 5
Point 15) Maximum planting area
Larger woodlands can support more biodiversity, operate commercially in a more sustainable way and be of greater value to public amenity and recreation. The effects of planting larger woodlands should be covered by robust Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as well as being part of the statutory planning process.
Therefore, MWT recommends there should be no upper limit to application size. If Government budgets are a limiting factor, then negotiation with applicant for phased implementation of plan should be agreed
Question 6
Point 16) Provenance
Maintaining the integrity of the local genetic provenance is an aim within the Convention of Biodiversity. For example the native downy birch sub-species is not the birch that is grown commercially in the UK. While some trees such as aspen would be difficult to source as from Manx provenance, many trees could either be grown on the Isle of Man, or where larger quantities are required, could be grown from locally collected seed in commercial UK tree nurseries (the additional cost will be little extra in comparison using British provenance stock).
Therefore, MWT recommends that all reasonable efforts should be made to use local provenance stock.
Point 17) Western Hemlock and Lawson’s cypress
These two tree species aggressively colonise broadleaf woodland requiring ongoing management to control.
Therefore, MWT recommends that no grant aid support is given to the planting of these two species.
Point 18) Protecting soil carbon
Pre-planting cultivation will lead to the significant release of carbon from soils.
Therefore, MWT recommends a presumption against cultivation prior to planting trees. Sites for tree planting should be evaluated individually, with bespoke site methodologies carried out (minimising carbon loss and required work).
Point 19) Ensuring Net Biodiversity Gain
MWT are particularly keen that the Isle of Man adopt a long-term strategy that ensure we plant the right trees/woodlands in the right places.
Therefore, MWT welcomes mandatory EcIA in the proposed scheme.
