One of the most valuable habitats we have in Derbyshire is our ancient woodland. With complex local soils and highly specialised species, woodlands are classed as ancient if they have endured since the 1600s. Think of dappled light shining through the canopy onto a woodland floor full of ferns, flowers, mosses and lichen that have grown together over hundreds of years. Often woodlands have been managed for production and supplying local people with timber, but care can be taken to cause minimal damage so that woodlands are safeguarded for the years to come.

However, gradually over the centuries we’ve chosen to replace these woodlands with farmland and housing, or replanted them with ‘more productive’ non-native species to meet our growing demand. Since World War I, this has escalated dramatically, and we’ve lost almost half of our ancient woodland that had been saved until that point. What remains are isolated fragments scattered across the country, havens of rich soil and rare local woodland species. Now that we have woken up to the biodiversity crisis, we’ve recognised that these sites are key to natures recovery.

To ensure ancient woodlands are protected from destruction, Natural England have launched an update of the Ancient Woodland Inventory. This national campaign aims to identify sites as small as 0.25 hectares, where previously we have only recognised woodlands 2 hectares or larger. To ensure these are true ancient woodland, researchers are collecting old maps and records as evidence that sites have existed in their full capacity since 1600, and haven’t been planted since. Combined with contemporary field data of local indicator species, each site will have a record of its history and local value.

Once a site is recognised as ancient woodland, not only is it protected by law, but plans can be made to relink nearby fragments. By creating the connecting pathway, isolated species are given the opportunity to spread to more of the rare habitats they need, bolstering both species and habitat resilience. A wilder future for Derbyshire needs to include the enhancement of these special ecosystems, and we will benefit locally from outcomes such as cleaner air and natural flood management, as well as contributing to international carbon capture goals.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust are currently updating the Ancient Woodland Inventory for our county, and we need your help! We are assessing over 3000 potential sites, but to have the best chance of identifying true ancient woodland, we need all of the old maps and records we can find. We are currently approaching historical societies and other organisations who are coming forward with ancient documents, but we have gaps. Local landowners could be sitting on estate maps, transport maps, pit records or any number of documents dating between 1600-1900, and marking woodlands and hedgerows in Derbyshire. 

Can you help by sharing evidence to help protect Derbyshire’s Ancient Woodland? Get in contact with us via enquiries@derbyshirewt.co.uk