Moray & Aberdeenshire
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Strategic Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District Strategic Plan 2009-2013 Click here to begin Strategic plan 2009-2013 Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 3 About Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District ....................................................................................6 Section one: strategic context .....................................................................................................17 Context ............................................................................................................................................................18 Strategic priorities for Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District ....................................................21 Forest policy context...................................................................................................................................23 Section two: how Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District contributes to the delivery of the Scottish Forestry Strategy ..................................................................................24 Key theme one: climate change ..............................................................................................................26 Key theme two: timber ..............................................................................................................................33 Key theme three: business development .............................................................................................38 Key theme four: community development .........................................................................................42 Key theme five: access and health..........................................................................................................48 Key theme six: environmental quality ..................................................................................................53 Key theme seven: biodiversity .................................................................................................................58 Section three: delivery and monitoring.....................................................................................64 Appendices: ................................................................................................................................ 70 Appendix one: supporting maps ............................................................................................................71 Appendix two: evaluation of achievements (1999-2006) under previous strategic plan ....77 Appendix three: glossary for forest policy context diagram ....................................................... 103 Appendix four: local thematic plans, management plans and guidance notes ................... 105 Appendix five: portfolio analysis scoring on the national forest estate .................................. 110 Using the document This document is principally intended to be read as an online publication and there are several hyperlinks linking readers to the Forestry Commission Scotland website for relevant publications. Please use the Microsoft Word ‘edit: find’ facility to search for specific words. 2 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Strategic plan 2009-2013 - Introduction Introduction Woodlands can improve healthier lifestyles and bring a boost of urban development across Scotland 3 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Introduction Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District Introduction The Scottish Forestry Strategy was launched in October 2006 as the Scottish Government’s framework for taking forestry forward through the first half of this century and beyond. This strategic plan defines how Forestry Commission Scotland, through its operating arm, Forest Enterprise Scotland, will implement the Scottish Forestry Strategy on that part of the national forest estate in Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District. This is a five-year plan starting in 2009 and finishing in 2013. This strategic plan will also provide This plan has been amended to reflect the direction for implementing a repositioning feedback from a formal consultation process policy that will ensure that the nature and during 2008. The summarised consultation distribution of the national forest estate responses and the Forest Enterprise Scotland better reflects its role and purpose. response are both available on the Forestry Commission Scotland website. 4 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Introduction The strategic plan is divided into three sections: Section one: strategic context Section three: delivery and monitoring This section explains how this strategic plan This section gives an overview of how Moray & relates to other Forestry Commission Scotland Aberdeenshire Forest District will effectively and policies and strategies, taking a lead from the efficiently deliver the strategic plan. It includes Scottish Forestry Strategy and the strategic plan sections on: for the national forest estate. • the operating principles that underpin all Forest Enterprise Scotland policies Section two: how Moray • operations and activities & Aberdeenshire Forest District contributes to delivery of the Scottish • delivery mechanisms, including Forestry Strategy repositioning the national forest estate • the monitoring and implementation process This section describes the context and specific actions that will be undertaken on the national forest estate in the district under each of the seven Impact on environment and equality themes of the Scottish Forestry Strategy: The results of environment and equality and • climate change diversity impact assessments of the strategic plan are available on the Forestry Commission • business development Scotland website. • timber • community development Review • access and health A review will take place towards the end of the • environmental quality period of delivery of the plan. If significant changes • biodiversity are made to the Scottish Forestry Strategy we will, if necessary, prepare a new strategic plan. The baseline figures detailed in the monitoring section of the strategic plan for the national forest estate will be updated and reported on annually, with contributions from each forest district. 5 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Introduction About Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District The district is diverse, extending from the Natural environment pioneering pine forests of the Moray coast and the riparian woodlands of Speyside and Climate Deeside to the extensive spruce-dominated forests of Buchan, Strathdon and Kincardine. The climate of North East Scotland is significantly This transition incorporates a very significant influenced by the surrounding landform. Weather variation of altitude, climate, species composition systems from the west are buffered by the and soil type providing silvicultural variety Cairngorms, creating a rain shadow effect over and opportunity. Maps of the district and the much of the region. Weather from the north-east forest blocks are given in Appendix one. has no such barrier to overcome, which can lead to coastal haar and drizzle throughout the year. River catchments are a prominent feature, with some of the countries iconic salmon fishing rivers, The variety of local climates has a direct impact on such as the Findhorn, Spey, Dee and Don, all forestry operations: spring droughts on the coast, influencing forest management. The pine forests but warmer soils and an extended planting season are an important ecological resource maintaining compared to the colder uplands. Winter weather habitats for priority species including particularly has a more profound impact on harvesting and capercaillie and red squirrel. Timber production haulage in the uplands, while the coast can be from Sitka spruce and Scots pine makes a relatively snow free. significant contribution to the region’s economy Climate change implications may increase localised sustaining employment for contractors, hauliers summer drought conditions, affecting Sitka spruce and processors in the numerous local sawmills. particularly, but also milder wetter winters with up The forests are no less important as a recreational to 20% increase in precipitation by 2080 and the and social resource providing opportunities for potential for a greater incidence of damaging both active pursuits and quiet enjoyment. They wind events. cater for a high volume of public access and contribute positively to the physical and mental well being of residents and visitors. The woodlands in and around towns are especially important as an educational and recreational asset for the larger urban populations, particularly those close to Aberdeen. 6 | Strategic plan 2009 - 2013 Introduction About Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District Water Geology and landform Rivers are a major defining feature of the landscape The geology of the region is varied with igneous and are famous for their recreational fishing and and metamorphic rocks underlying glacial-derived water sports, as well as landscape value. Major till and moraine, with fluvio glacial deposits along rivers flowing through the district include the riversides. The Highland boundary fault forms the Findhorn, Lossie, Spey, Isla, Deveron, Ythan, Dee, border between the upland and coastal areas. Don and North Esk. Many smaller tributaries South of the fault is dominated by red sandstone. feeding these key watercourses are significant for The coastal forests of Culbin, Roseisle and Lossie their fishing, their link with