Hareshaw Linn : Woodland Conservation and Monitoring

Hareshaw WoodsNorthumberland National Park Authority commissioned a report by Janet Simkin in July 2003 on the lichen and bryophytes as part of the conservation work at Hareshaw Linn. The report states:

Conservation:

The current management of the main areas of woodland, with little intervention other than the maintenance of paths and the removal of dangerous timber, is appropriate to the habitat and no immediate changes are suggested to benefit the lichen and bryophyte flora.

In the longer term it may be beneficial to create some woodland glades on the higher slopes by the removal of some of the planted oaks and conifers. As the old hazel stools continue to grow, a resumption of coppicing would help maintain the diversity of habitats needed by the lichens of the Graphidion community. Both these activities should be restricted to small areas,  and care should be taken to avoid those areas that already have an interesting lichen or bryophyte flora.

The valley woodland along the Hareshaw Burn should not be thinned as the lower plant flora here is dependent on continuity of habitat, with deep shade and high humidity. In particular any activity in the area around tree 404 should be avoided if at all possible.

Monitoring:

Monitoring every 10 years against the baseline data of this survey is recommended to detect any detrimental changes to the habitat that might require a change to the management of the woodland.

You can download and read the complete report Hareshaw Linn : Lichen and Bryophytes Survey (PDF Format, 532mb).

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