Species diversity has reduced by 22% in Britain’s broadleaf woodland diversity, a 50-year survey commissioned by the Woodland Trust has found. 

The Bunce Report has collected data in three surveys across 97 woods in 1971, 2001 and 2021 and to keep the results as comparable as possible, the plots were as close to the original and the original recording methods used.  . 

Significant reductions were observed among elm species because of Dutch elm disease, as well as the spread of ash dieback, with signs of the disease in 21% of plots observed in 2021.  

Elsewhere, the report showed prevalence of older, but fewer trees, which has led to shade-tolerant plants doing a lot better, with Bluebells having increased by 15%. 

Meanwhile, minimum winter temperatures have increased by over a degree across the 50 years, which led to a 16% increase in Holly, with the increase stronger in places that started out warmer.   

Dr Simon Smart, ecologist for the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, led the report and highlighted the likely implications of the results.

Smart says: “The results strikingly suggest that many woodlands are now strongly impacted by factors such as herbivore grazing, climate change, extreme weather and tree disease against a backdrop of long-term reductions in deliberate management.” 

The report is named in honour of Professor Bob Bunce, who founded the Countryside Survey which formed the basis of the 1971 study. 

Among other smaller contributions, the report received additional funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery, the David Family Foundation, Welsh Government, Defra and Natural England. 

The full 110-page report is available online and while climate change will cause worry, Andy Sturgeon has recently provided cause for optimism on that particular front.