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7 September 2010  
   
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Action plan details - Northern Ireland Action Plans

  

Mixed Ashwoods
Plan status: Implementation underway

Vision statement
It is estimated that mixed ashwoods occupy a minimum of 3,430 ha in Northern Ireland, with an estimated 3,300 ha in private ownership and 130 ha in public ownership.

Targets
Code Text Status Assessment date Latest progress report  
4.1 Maintain the total area of all mixed ashwoods in Northern Ireland at 3,430 ha. No report No report No report More >
4.2 Maintain the current area of all ancient or long-established semi-natural mixed ashwoods. No report No report No report More >
4.3 Maintain condition, where favourable, of the existing resource. No report No report No report More >
4.4 Achieve favourable condition of 2000 ha. of mixed ashwoods by 2015. No report No report No report More >
4.5 Restore 80 ha of former mixed ashwood which has been converted to plantation on ancient or long-established woodland sites by 2010. No report No report No report More >
4.6 Restore a further 90 ha of former mixed ashwood which has been converted to plantation on ancient or long-established woodland sites by 2015. No report No report No report More >
4.7 Establish 160 ha of mixed ashwoods by 2010. No report No report No report More >
4.8 Establish a further 180 ha of mixed ashwoods by 2015. No report No report No report More >

Actions
Code Text Start/End date Contacts
(lead shown bold)		 Status  
5.1.1 Encourage the development of forestry/landscape strategies to provide a context for and to promote expansion and positive management of mixed ashwoods. 01/03/2005 - ongoing Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.1.10 By 2007, ensure that agri-environment scheme prescriptions relevant/appropriate to mixed ashwoods are contributing to maintaining and enhancing the habitat across Northern Ireland. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2007 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.1.11 By 2007, review and develop policies to ensure development activities, regulated activities and infrastructure maintenance work (including timing) is sensitive to the requirements of mixed ashwoods. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2007 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.1.12 By 2006, encourage planting of local provenance native trees and encourage their planting in the restoration and expansion of mixed ashwoods. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.1.13 By 2006, discourage planting of invasive, non-native species including sycamore, beech, cherry laurel and western hemlock Tsuga heteraophulla adjacent to, or in extant mixed ashwoods. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.1.14 By 2005, agree standards and definitions for the restoration of native mixed ashwoods and the establishment of new native mixed ashwoods. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2005 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.1.15 Seek to encourage positive environmental change through the reformed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), for example, by promoting sustainable agricultural management of mixed ashwoods. 01/03/2005 - ongoing Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.1.16 By 2007, ensure mixed ashwoods are adequately protected through the CAP. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2007 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.1.17 By 2006, ensure that all farmers receiving agri-environment scheme payments and LFA Compensatory Allowance Payments are complying with GFP. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.1.18 Ensure that the delivery of this action plan is fully compatible with relevant aspects of forest policy. 01/03/2005 - ongoing Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.1.2 By 2006, develop a framework for management of mixed ashwoods across the range of variation in Northern Ireland. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.1.3 By 2005, initiate discussions with other government departments to ensure appropriate consultation mechanisms exist for proposed changes in land-use. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2005 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.1.4 By 2006, review Planning Policy Statement 2 (PPS2) – Planning and Nature Conservation, to include policies relating to the conservation of priority habitat and species. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.1.5 By 2005, produce Planning Policy Statement (PPS14) on Sustainable Development in the Countryside which includes objectives to minimise the impact of housing development on the environmental resources of habitat, water quality and biodiversity of the rural area, thereby contributing to the conservation of biodiversity in Northern Ireland. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.1.6 Identify further examples of mixed ashwoods as SLNCIs for consideration for adoption into appropriate Development Plans. 01/03/2005 - ongoing Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.1.7 Ensure that important mixed ashwoods not already identified e.g. as SLNCIs, are recognised and, where appropriate, site protection policies are included in Development Plans and other strategic plans including Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs). 01/03/2005 - ongoing Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.1.8 In the preparation of Planning Policy Statements, the promotion of biodiversity will be taken into account where appropriate. 01/03/2005 - ongoing Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.1.9 By 2007, review the effectiveness of agri-environment schemes, Woodland Grant Scheme, MOSS, GFP and other woodland grant scheme initiatives to ensure the delivery of the targets in this plan. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2007 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.2.1 By 2008, produce conservation objectives for all statutory designated mixed ashwoods including cSACs, ASSIs and NNRs. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2008 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.2.2 By 2010, review the coverage of mixed ashwoods within both the ASSI and NNR series, and notify further sites as necessary to fill significant gaps in the range of variation throughout Northern Ireland. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2010 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.2.3 By 2006, prioritise areas, timescales and targets, based on designation status to identify appropriate areas (i.e. avoiding other priority habitats) for restoration and expansion of mixed ashwoods, for example around small sites, to connect sites, to restore altitudinal zonation of woodland. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.2.4 By 2007, target positive management through MOSS, agri-environment schemes, restoration schemes, the LBAP process and grant aid for biodiversity to secure favourable management on mixed ashwood sites (including SLNCIs) prioritised in 5.2.3 according to agreed timescales. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2007 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.2.5 By 2006, develop and promote the use of long-term management plans (20 years +) by mixed ashwood owners aimed at achieving favourable condition of all important examples of this habitat. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.2.6 By 2006, promote and implement the management and restoration of mixed ashwoods owned or part-funded by government. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.2.7 By 2006, contribute to the implementation of relevant priority species action plans, through the integration of management requirements and advice, in conjunction with relevant steering groups such as the Northern Ireland Native Woodland Group and the Northern Ireland Red Squirrel Forum. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.2.8 Identify further examples of mixed ashwoods as SLNCIs for consideration for adoption into appropriate Development Plans. 01/03/2005 - ongoing Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.2.9 By 2010, designate as SACs those areas of mixed ashwood approved by the EC under the Habitats Directive. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2010 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.3.1 By 2005, review all relevant guidelines and Communication - advisory material on woodland management and restoration practices, and the establishment of new native woodland. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2005 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.3.2 By 2006, provide information to landowners and occupiers on the status and conservation importance of mixed ashwoods through the production, promotion and dissemination of literature. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.3.3 By 2005, provide advice to landowners, government agencies and NGOs on the selection of suitable provenances and seed origins for planting. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2005 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.3.4 By 2005, promote awareness of the EIA Regulations by contacting representatives of farmers, land agents, the legal profession and other relevant organisations. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2005 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.3.5 By 2005, provide advice to land managers on management regimes, including grazing regimes, appropriate to the geographical distribution and ecological variation found in mixed ashwoods. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2005 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.3.6 By 2006, encourage applications from potential partners to obtain funding to bring areas of mixed ashwoods into favourable management. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.3.7 By 2010, develop demonstration sites including Aghaleague and Marble Arch to reflect the range of ecological variation and applied management techniques throughout Northern Ireland. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2010 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.3.8 By 2008, inform all owners of land included in the Ancient Woodland Inventory of the nature conservation value of this habitat. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2008 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.3.9 By 2007, develop and promote training programmes on the conservation, management and restoration of mixed ashwoods through key organisations/individuals involved in the delivery of advice to farmers and land managers. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2007 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.4.1 Further develop links with the Republic of Ireland and other European and Action plan process / Links to other plans organisations and programmes involved in developing the marine environment and promote the awareness of, and exchange of data and information relating to experience gained in research, management techniques, education and conservation strategies for the conservation of mixed ashwoods. 01/03/2005 - ongoing Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.5.1 By 2006, set standards for assessing favourable condition of mixed ashwoods throughout Northern Ireland. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.5.10 By 2006, encourage the dissemination and the use of existing research and commission new research where necessary, to improve the understanding of mixed ashwood diversity particularly in relation to other priority habitats with which it commonly occurs (limestone pavement, upland oakwood and wet woodland) and for a range of taxa for which little information currently exists. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.5.11 By 2008, monitor mixed ashwood restoration sites so that management resources can be focused on areas most likely to show a positive response. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2008 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.5.12 Encourage access throughout Britain and Ireland to the records held at CEDaR by contributing to the National Biodiversity Network www-based catalogue of survey information. 01/03/2005 - ongoing Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.5.13 By 2005, establish surveillance and monitoring programmes for recording the health of trees and the incidences of disease such as Dutch elm disease. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2005 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.5.14 By 2015, review the requirement for further research on the effects of pollution and climate changes on mixed ashwoods, and promote research needs accordingly. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2015 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.5.15 By 2006, set in place a reporting and monitoring structure to encourage progress towards the delivery of the targets and the completion of actions identified in this plan. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.5.2 By 2008, initiate a programme to monitor the extent and condition of the mixed ashwood resource. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2008 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.5.3 By 2007, complete an Ancient Woodland Inventory which will identify and provide baseline information on long-established mixed ashwoods. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2007 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.5.4 By 2008, produce an inventory of mixed ashwood restoration and extension projects in Northern Ireland. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2008 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.5.5 By 2006, initiate monitoring programmes to establish the effectiveness of government funded schemes and management methods in achieving the targets of this plan. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.5.6 By 2005, establish surveillance and monitoring programmes to assess the condition of the mixed ashwood habitats within designated sites to aid site management. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2005 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.5.7 By 2007, review and undertake research on the effects of invasive, non-native plant species on the structure and condition of mixed ashwoods, and produce management recommendations. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2007 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.5.8 By 2006, commission applied research to help develop beneficial and practical management techniques for the enhancement, restoration and expansion of mixed ashwoods and populations of associated characteristic species. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.5.9 By 2006, commission further research on genetic variation within tree species across the island of Ireland. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.6.1 By 2005, devise a strategy for ensuring effective distribution of existing Communication - advisory material to woodland managers and if gaps are identified, produce and disseminate appropriate material to fill these. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2005 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.6.1 By 2006, promote the conservation of mixed ashwoods through the scientific press and popular media. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >
5.6.2 By 2006, facilitate production of a simple web-site, an attractive booklet and CD-ROM for the public and schools which explains the conservation importance of native woodlands in Northern Ireland. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.6.3 By 2006, aim to achieve a minimum of 200 school groups attending woodland education programmes each academic year. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Northern Ireland Environment Agency Not started More >
5.6.4 By 2006, encourage appropriate access as well as interpretative and educational provisions on key mixed ashwood sites to increase enjoyment and public awareness of the biodiversity of mixed ashwoods. 01/03/2005 - 31/12/2006 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Northern Ireland),
Northern Ireland Environment Agency		 Not started More >


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