Unit 1 - 1.1 - Explain the vertical and horizontal ecological structures of Woodland

Welcome our Forest School Blog

We are all very excited to be embarking on this new school venture and we can't wait to introduce the Forest School ethos into our outdoor learning programme. We will be documenting our Level 3 Forest School Leadership training programme here, as well as sharing our outdoor learning experiences. We hope you enjoy it.

 

Newbold College Grounds

Newbold College campus occupies approximately 90 acres of land. This includes The Newbold Seventh Day Adventist Church as well as Moor Close, a listed mansion, built in 1865. Not only do we have this beautiful listed building next door to our school but we are also allowed use of it's gardens and the surrounding woodland. What an amazing place to start our Forest School adventure.

If you would like to get involved with the renovation of this lovely listed site please visit The Sylvia's Garden Foundation

 

     

 

So, what first? 

Our first job is to learn about the structure of our British woodlands. This then helps us identify what type of woodland we will be conducting our forest school in.

Broadleaf and Coniferous Woodland

Here we will explain the different layers and zones of a broadleaf and coniferous woodland, highlighting their similarities and differences.

Woodland areas can be seen as both vertical structures and horizontal structures.By dividing a woodland in this way we can observe the different levels found from the ground level to the canopy level. We are also able to observe it's density, health, moisture and  geographical structure.

Broadleaf Woodland

Ground layer
The Ground Layer is where we find many plants like mosses, herbs, fungi and lichens.

Field Layer
The Field Layer is where we find ferns, grasses and many wild flowers.

Understorey
This layer comprises of younger trees, shrubs and plants that can usually tolerate lower light conditions.

Canopy
The canopy is where we can find the tallest trees. These trees absorb the most amount of light in the woodland.

 

Below is a diagram of coniferous woodland. The broadleaf woodland incorporates an extra layer, which is the understorey tree layer.

Coniferous Woodland

 

A broadleaf woodland usually has trees which do not have needles. Most of the trees in this woodland are deciduous (they shed leaves at a similar point each year). The leaves that fall in the autumn allow the woodland floor to support a variety of plants, fungi and insects.

The horizontal structure of a woodland relates to the tree density within it.This can be determined by the geographical layout of the area, disease within the woodland, the amount of moisture in the area and whether the trees and plants have been productive.

Coniferous woodlands became popular after the First World War in an effort to replace the timber reserve. In many plantations, trees are often the same age and are planted very close to each other. This means that little light reaches the woodland floor. Pine needles fall regularly throughout the year. They do not all shed from the tree at the same time.

The low light levels, coupled with the acidic soil (caused by the constant supply of pine needles), can reduce varieties of plant species. This in turn can also reduce the variety of animals that inhabit that woodland. 

The Forestry Commission now plans clearings in the wooded areas. They also introduce different aged trees to the plantations. This has encouraged the growth of a wider variety of plants and fungi. These new species then bring new insects and animals into the woodland.

For more information please visit www.woodlands.co.uk