Ash dieback (or ‘Chalara’), is the fungal tree disease which is increasingly affecting ash (Fraxinus excelsior) trees in the UK. Ash trees are important for biodiversity and ash dieback could affect biodiversity with consequences for species conservation through to impacts on woodland ecosystem health. Deciding how to manage woodlands infected by ash dieback that also conserves biodiversity is an important issue.
This report assesses the potential ecological impact of ash dieback on UK woodlands and species and investigates possible woodland management options which might ameliorate the problems caused by ash dieback. This is the second phase of the work. Phase 1 is published by JNCC see The potential ecological impact of ash dieback in the UK .
The work has been jointly funded by Defra, Department of the Environment Northern Ireland, Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage and Natural Resources Wales.