Willow coppice5/29/2023 ![]() ![]() Young plantation attracts birds and animals associated with open fields, where over time as the willow ages and increases in height, it attracts forest associated animals. Establishing smaller plantations with longer stand edges facilitates species from the surrounding landscape more than larger plantations.īird and mammal species found in SRC willow plantation are typical of open field and woodlands. The more diverse the surrounding landscape, the more species can establish in the plantation. Other studies have shown interactions of the SRC willow plantation with other surrounding landscapes influences plant biodiversity. Wider stand edges of six metres or more will be less shaded and support more plant species. Biodiversity in the willows can also be enhanced by planting and managing a diverse mixture of herbaceous plants in the stand edge and pathways that immediately surround and allow access to the willow crops. ![]() Studies report higher plant population and species richness density at the edge of the SRC willow plantation than in arable stand edges. SRC Willow stand edges have high plant diversity and species richness when the stand edge is allowed to develop with naturally occurring vegetation, or when purposefully sown with grasses or herbaceous seeds. The stand edge and pathways in SRC willow plantation used as open spaces to facilitate use of farm machinery and to serve as physical barrier on largescale plantation, provide a habitat for diverse plant species. Coppicing rotation length as well affects the canopy structure, thus, evolving from a bare field initially colonized by herbaceous plants initially after coppicing and as the canopy closes, more shade loving forest types of plants colonize the plantation. As the canopy further closes with increasing age of the SRC willow, more shade tolerant perennial plants typical of forest grow on the field. In the initial years of establishment of SRC willow plantation, more light demanding plant species, usually annual species with shrub-like herbaceous structure, grow on the field. This creates niches for diverse plant and animal habitats.įurthermore, the plant density of the SRC willow influences the dynamics of the canopy closure which influences the plant species richness and abundance. Different genotypes of the willow plant differ in the morphology of shoot, branches, and leaves. A study showed that plant species richness increased with increasing size of a SRC plantation but only until a size of 0.1–0.3 ha was reached. Studies suggest having small multi-genotype SRC willow plots within a plantation with different coppice rotation times to enhance biodiversity. Effective site preparation in the establishment of SRC willow plantation requires well laid-out planting design and staging area to facilitate the use of farm machinery. The layout and size of the SRC willow plantation and its interaction with surrounding landscapes affect plant biodiversity. In the initial years of establishment, the plant diversity is like that of arable agricultural land, and as the SRC willow plantation ages, the plant diversity evolves to deciduous forest, if the willow plants are not regularly coppiced. Plant species colonization on the SRC willow plantation takes place from the surrounding plantation, seed bed bank, and through living vegetation tissues like rhizomes, tillers, or living roots in the soil. Plant species obtain all their habitat needs from the place where they establish on the SRC willow plantation. The low input use and low soil disturbance after establishment of SRC willow plantations provides a conducive environment for many plant species to survive. For example, a study found 27% greater plant species richness (133 flora species) and greater weed cover on SRC willow plantation when compared to the neighbouring arable agricultural land. Studies have shown that SRC willow plantation supports high plant species richness and abundance in comparison with arable lands. SRC willow contributes to plant diversity when integrated into existing landscapes and farming systems. ![]()
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