Ancient woodland indicator plants in Scotland.

摘要

Lists of ancient woodland vascular plants (AWVPs) are one clue to identifying ancient woodland. The number of AWVPs is the indicator rather than individual species and should only be used with archive and other field evidence to infer antiquity. Relevant English, Welsh, Northern Irish, Scottish and European research is summarised and their AWVP lists compiled. A new Scottish list of 74 AWVPs, derived from expert observations, is tabled. British and European AWVPs occupy soils of average pH and fertility and are more shade tolerant than other woodland plants. Most are stress-tolerant and poor colonisers. Methods for using the new AWVP list are given and attention drawn to factors other than continuity/longevity which can heighten AWVP numbers in a wood. Finally research to generate AWVP lists for Scottish regions is proposed.