UKWAS UK Woodland Assurance Standard
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UKWAS Interpretation Note 1 - Species diversity in poplar plantations

PLEASE NOTE: THIS INFORMATION NOTE RELATES TO THE SUPERSEDED FIRST EDITION OF THE UK WOODLAND ASSURANCE STANDARD

Key Words: species percentages, poplar, varieties, objectives.

Relevant requirement references: 3.3.2; 1.1.4; 6.3

Date: Discussed and agreed at Interpretation Panel meeting on 28th February 2000.

Question:

Can an enterprise, which has the growing of poplar as its main objective, grow up to 75% poplar (possibly of different varieties), since 'only one species is suited to the site and matched to the objectives' (Req. 3.3.2)?

Discussion:

a) Objectives limiting species choice: Justifying a high proportion of one species on the grounds that growing this species was a primary objective set by the owner is invalid. Objectives must be compatible with the commitment to comply with all requirements of the standard (Requirement 1.1.4). To qualify for 75% of one species, the owner would have to demonstrate that only one species was suited to the site and matched to the management objectives. In this case many other species were suited to the site, and therefore there should only be a maximum of 65% of the primary species.

b) Achieving diversity through use of different varieties: Requirement 3.3.2 is intended to introduce species diversity, and although different varieties introduce genetic diversity, this does not achieve the other advantages of species diversity (for example for biodiversity, timber markets and landscape).

The fact that the primary species comprises two or more different clones, varieties, provenances or origins does not alter the requirement for there to be no more than 65% (or 75%) of that species. A possible exception would be where the owner wanted to use a closely related native species as a secondary species - for example, in the case of poplar, the use of aspen as a secondary species or as part of the 10% of the native broadleaves.

Conclusions:

a) Management objectives must be compatible with the whole standard, and cannot be used to justify increasing the proportion of one species above 65%.

b) The use of two or more different clones, varieties, provenances or origins does not alter the requirement for there to be no more than 65% of one species, or 75% where only that species is suited to the site and matched to the objectives.