Can continuous cover forestry in conifer systems promote butterfly biodiversity?

摘要

The Stourhead (Western) Estate, situated on the boundary between Wiltshire and Somerset, compromises a commercial, coniferous forest. Belonging to the Hoare family, the private estate has a long history of forestry, pioneering new techniques in forestry management. Current forestry management can be attributed to an influential visit to Switzerland in 1951, where the Hoare family first witnessed continuous cover forestry in practice and became determined to adopt the management technique. Under the guidance of forester, David Pengelly, the estate began converting its stand management fully to continuous cover forestry in 1997. On the estate, the stands can be found at varying stages of transition to continuous cover status and achieving the desired stand targets. Stands are comprised of a mixture of conifer species including Douglas fir and Sitka spruce alongside limited broadleaf components.