Ash action plan welcome
Friday 9th November 2012
ash canopy
The five point plan for addressing ash die back in the short-term, issued today by Secretary of State Owen Paterson, is warmly welcomed by The Wildlife Trusts.
Paul Wilkinson, The Wildlife Trusts’ Head of Living Landscapes, said:
“We are reassured by this statement and the specific reference to the importance of preserving mature trees in the short-term. This needs to be a longer-term commitment. We need to allow and encourage nature to heal itself. Genetically resistant trees should be identified and protected. A rich environment is more likely to support trees that are genetically diverse, and so able to breed natural resistance.
We need to allow and encourage nature to heal itself
Tree diseases, which come from fungal, bacterial or viral sources, are part of the natural cycle in woodland. They are a form of natural disturbance that can create diversity.
Ahead of a more detailed control plan, due to be issued at the end of this month, The Wildlife Trusts’ Paul Wilkinson, commented:
"We will play our part in spotting the disease and help Government develop further measures for the long-term. Central to this should be strengthening the resilience of our natural environment to cope with these and other stresses. Government must invest in creating habitats that can survive and adapt in the face of an increasing range of pressures. Developing an ecologically robust landscape will be the best insurance policy against disturbances like tree diseases."
You can read the five point action plan here.
Tagged with: Living Landscapes