The Scottish Government

Why we are willing to fund the outcome?

Many woodlands established in the 20th century are composed mainly of non-native species, and are, ecologically, still 'young' forests. The restructuring of these plantations and the use of an appropriate diversity of silvicultural systems will result in biodiversity gains.

Diversification, through restructuring, and the improvement in the biodiversity of planted woodlands are priorities in the Scottish Forestry Strategy.

What will this package achieve?

This package gives support for a range of management practices and operations that will help to maintain or enhance the biodiversity of non-native woodlands.

What you can do

You should choose which of the following Options will help deliver the outcome you have selected.

We suggest the following Options may all be appropriate.

Some Options- shown in the top list - will always deliver the desired outcomes. If you choose any of these Options, you will not be expected to provide any justification for choosing that Option.

Other Options - those in the bottom list - will only help achieve the desired outcome in specific circumstances. If you choose any of these, the application system will ask you to explain how you see this Option helping to achieve the outcome. You can select as many, or as few, Options as you think you will need. You must judge which Options will most effectively deliver the desired outcomes taking account of your circumstances.

These Options will always deliver the desired outcome:

· Sustainable management of forests - Areas designated for management under low-impact silvicultural systems

· Sustainable management of forests - Areas of high levels of public access

· Sustainable management of forests - Areas of even-aged plantation undergoing rectructuring

· Woodland creation - Productive conifer - low cost and high cost

· Woodland creation - Productive broadleaf woodland

· Woodland creation - Mixed conifer/broadleaved woodland

· Woodland improvement grant - Long-term forest planning

· Woodland improvement grant - Improving priority woodland habitats and species

· Woodland improvement grant - Reducing deer impact

· Woodland improvement grant - Improving even-aged woodland diversity

· Control of invasive non-native species - Rhododendron control

These Options will help to achieve the desired outcome in specific circumstances:

· Woodland improvement grants - improving priority non-woodland habitats

· Control of invasive non-native species - Grey Squirrel control

· Mammal and bird control - Predator control for Black Grouse and Capercaillie

· Woodland creation - Naturally regenerated native woodland

· Woodland creation - Native woodland planting