In the UK our woodlands are no longer
"natural" - many centuries of exploitation for
fuelwood, charcoal and building materials have created
the "semi-natural" managed woodland which form
a high proportion of the woods we see today in East
Sussex. Characterised by indigenous species, these woods
are ecologically well adapted to the cycle of harvesting
and regeneration, particularly the coppice
woods which have been cut down and allowed to
resprout from the roots which are sometimes centuries
old.
As a result of this continuity of land use ancient
woods have become home to many threatened plant and
insect species, and the restoration of traditional
management has become a conservation priority. As well as
ecological interest there are
many other reasons to visit a wood from spotting archaeological remains to enjoying
the tranquility.
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