Upper Nithsdale Long Term Plan

Concept

Continue to create a sustainably managed forest with a variety of conifer and broadleaf species of mixed ages.  Support regional timber production through targeted felling and restocking, creating a more balanced age structure and diverse species composition that enhance's the forest's long term productivity for future generations.  Increasing resilience to climate change.  

Analysis

Upper Nithsdale has been a productive forest for over 50 years.  We will continue to manage this forest sustainably in accordance with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS).

Concept

Natural capital is the habitats and ecosystems that provide social, environmental and economic benefits.  

Natural capital will be increased through habitat restoration in areas where the ecological benefit will be greatest, delivering enhancements for biodiversity, water management, carbon storage and ecological resilience.  

Analysis

Several areas are being assessed as having potential to increase their Natural Capital.  In Cairnhead an area of open grassland has been surveyed and found to have good potential as a wet woodland creation site.  In Polskeoch an area of degraded blanket bog has potential for partial restoration creating a mosaic habiat of peatland edge woodland.