Resources

myForest YouTube

Click to vist the myForest YouTube Channel for video tutorials

myForest Tips

Producing a suite of maps

How to create a suite of maps in myForest

A Beginner's Guide to Forest Inventory

Understanding Your Woodland with myForest

Importing RP&S Land Parcels (Scotland)

How to map your woodland using land parcel boundaries

Importing Land Parcels from Rural Payments Wales

How to map your woodland using land parcel boundaries

myForest Inventory

In-depth guide to using the inventory functions in myForest

Forest Yield (Forestry Commission)

A handbook on forest growth and yield tables for British Forestry

Inventory

Tree Diameter Measurement (National Forest Inventory Manual)

Learn how to correctly measure tree diameter at breast height (DBH)
Includes guidance on irregularly shaped and leaning trees, and how to measure on sloping ground

Tree Height Measurement (National Forest Inventory Manual)

Learn how to measure the height of trees
Includes guidance on the assessment of timber height and how to measure on sloping ground

Contents

Contents of the UK Forestry Standard, Fifth Edition

1. Introduction

"The UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) is the technical standard for sustainable forest management in the UK. It sets out the approach of the four governments of the UK, and defines the requirements and provides guidance for foresters on how to practise sustainable forest management in the UK. In this way, it provides a basis for operating grant schemes and ofcial controls and support for regulatory processes. It also provides the foundation for a number of voluntary certifcation and quality assurance schemes used in the UK, and for assessing compliance with environmental management standards."

UK Forestry Standard

2. General Forestry Practice

"This section sets out aspects of forestry practice that apply to most forest situations, and
that are common to the elements of sustainable forest management within the UKFS."

3. Forests and Biodiversity

"The conservation of biodiversity is an essential part of sustainable forest management. Forests
cover nearly one-third of the world’s total land area and are vital in ensuring that environmental
functions such as climate regulation and soil conservation are maintained, as well as
biodiversity. They provide habitats for a large array of plants and animals, many of which are
rare or threatened. By providing these important ecosystem services, biologically diverse forests
contribute to the sustainability of the wider landscape."

4. Forests and Climate Change

"Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today and there is mounting
evidence that it could create substantial, abrupt and irreversible impacts on our environment.
The UKFS response to climate change is through both mitigation (establishing new forests and
managing existing forests and wood products in a way that enhances their potential as a sink
of greenhouse gases) and adaptation (reducing the vulnerability of forests and using forests to
increase society’s resilience to climate change). In other words, long-term climate change mitigation
is not possible without short-term adaptation. Forest managers must plan and implement
changes as a matter of urgency to adapt their forests in the context of rapid climate change."

5. Forests and Historic Environment

"Several thousand years of human activity have contributed to the variety of landscapes found
across the UK today. Surviving elements of the historic environment take many forms, and include
ancient woodland, veteran trees, earthworks, ruined structures and archaeological sites, soils
and paleoenvironmental sequences. Together, these heritage features contribute to the essential
character of our landscape and inform both our sense of place and our knowledge of the past."

6. Forests and Landscape

"Landscape is a uniquely broad and overarching element that provides the setting for forestry
and contributes a range of design principles, techniques and processes that facilitate efective
forest planning, design and management. The UKFS approach is to assess landscape character
and refect it in forestry practice through an appreciation of the landscape context and the
application of forest design principles. Other guidance and information may need to be used
in conjunction with the UKFS."

7. Forests and People

"Forests provide wide-ranging and diverse benefts to people in the UK. In addition to
supporting livelihoods and employment, either directly or indirectly, sustainably managed
forests provide opportunities for recreation and learning, and health and well-being activities.
Forests are a part of our historical and contemporary culture, an integral part of the landscape
around us, and an essential element of our cities, towns and villages."

8. Forests and Soils

"Soil is a fundamental component of the forest ecosystem. It is a complex and variable medium
comprising mineral particles, organic matter, water, air and living organisms. The characteristics
of the forest’s soil largely determine the nature of the fora and fauna that live in it, sustaining its
biodiversity and its productive potential. It is a vital but fragile resource that must be used in a
sustainable way by knowing and working to soil type and condition."

9. Forests and Water

"Sustainable forest management is essential to ensure the supply of good quality fresh
water, provide protection from natural hazards such as fooding or soil erosion,
and protect aquatic species."

Glossary

From Access Management Plan to Woodland Management Unit, an alphabetical glossary of terms used in the UK Forestry Standard.

Carbon Assessment Protocol (Forestry Commission)

How to undertake a comprehensive carbon assessment of the living tree biomass within an area of woodland

UKFS Checker Questions

Printable copy of UKFS Checker questions

Miscellaneous