Biodiversity Assessment of Afforestation Sites (Project 3.1.1)

This project is a component of a three-part project with the umbrella name BIOFOREST, funded by the National Development Plan through COFORD and the EPA. The three organisations conducting the work were University College, Cork, Trinity College, Dublin and Coillte Teoranta. The objectives of this project were to assess biodiversity in a range of important habitat types which are frequently afforested, to develop methodologies and indicator species for the assessment of biodiversity and to assess the efficacy of the Forest Biodiversity Guidelines (Forest Service 2000c) and make recommendations for their improvement. The project involved a review of assessment practices in other countries (Gittings et al. 2004), a review of literature published on the relevant habitats and field surveys of habitats likely to be used for afforestation and of these habitats five years after afforestation with Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis). A major database was developed during the project and all data from the project, including geographical information, are stored in that.