Ancient woodland restoration - recovery of the wider ecosystem

This guide is the fourth module in a series on the restoration of ancient woodland sites.  This practical guide focuses on the second phase of restoration management.

It provides an overview of the actions that will help to restore the wider woodland ecosystem. Phase two is about starting to rebuild ecological integrity and progressing woodlands from a threatened to a secure condition. This can take a long time and can involve: 

• Restoration thinning. 
• Thinning for regeneration and complexity. 
• Vegetative regeneration. 
• Understorey management. 
• Gradual restoration and longer-term retention of non-native trees.