This national survey began in 2003 and was completed in April 2008. It has mapped all stands of native woodland >1 ha. A stratified sampling procedure was used to survey 1,320 sites in detail. At each site the details of the plant species, vegetation, forest structure and physical parameters were recorded, including 1,667 relevés. Existing published and unpublished information on stands has also being collated, and a large database has been developed.
There are c.133,000 ha of native woodland covering 1.9% of the land area. 50% of stands are <6 ha and only 3.3% are > 50 ha. The greatest density of native woodlands is found in Waterford, Offaly and Wicklow and the lowest in Dublin, Louth and Carlow.
4 major woodland types have been identified: sessile oak – woodrush (Quercus petraea – Luzula sylvatica), ash- ivy (Fraxinus excelsior – Hedera helix), alder – meadowsweet (Alnus glutinosa – Filipendula ulmaria) and birch – Molinia grass (Betula pubescens – Molinia caerulea). 22 subtypes have been recognised. A conservation score has been calculated for each of the woodlands surveyed. This score allows the relative conservation value of each site to be assessed, and provides baseline data which can be used for monitoring sites in the future. A threat score was also produced to give an indication of the threats posed to woodlands.
A Summary of findings of NSNW 
[60KB] main findings of the research is available, or you can download the two volume report below:
[2.98MB]. Unpublished Report to the National Parks & Wildlife Service. [5.44MB]. Unpublished Report to the National Parks & Wildlife Service. |
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Comparison of the mean number of vascular plant species found in woodlands, relative to woodland age. |
Members of Research Branch can be contacted by e-mailing: natureconservation@environ.ie
