Herbivore Impact Assessment training with Woodland Trust Scotland

Last week we held some Herbivore Impact Assessment training with Woodland Trust Scotland.

This was all about getting staff and volunteers trained up to carry out this important survey work across the reserve. The aim is to gather more of an insight into browsing patterns and levels of impact on the ground by herbivores to better understand the land and ecosystem dynamics, inform management and to help monitor progress.

The survey was called Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment Lite (WHIALite) which is focussed on monitoring impact in wood pasture, existing woodland and regenerating woodland habitats. It is designed to be a straightforward tool for land managers, stalkers, volunteers, communities, basically anyone with an interest to be able to carry out. It looks at what is being browsed, and to what level, all to help give an indication about whether the system is in balance or not and inform adaptive management approaches.

We are planning on holding a follow up session which focusses on training for open ground like peatlands over the summer.

Herbivore grazing is such an important tool in helping to creating a diverse and dynamic mosaic of habitats where nature can thrive. This sort of survey is one of the ways to help determine how to get the balance right between animal disturbance and vegetation succession which, if achieved, helps to generate a rich habitat complexity and boosts biodiversity.

We are hoping to be holding more training in the future for both woodland and open habitats, if you would like to get involved please do get in touch!

You don’t have to be an expert, and we will provide all the information needed including ID sheets.