In her last column, Patricia, our Trustee, wrote about how climate change can have a knock-on e ect on nature’s seasonal events. In this article, she looks at roots and how visitors can help protect this wonderful ancient Forest. This
The precious and unique soils of the Forest have developed since the retreat of the ice sheets some 10,000 years ago. These soils store water and vary in composition as their mineral content is derived from the weathering of the underlying geological material, some being acidic, others less so. The upper layers contain masses of roots as well as a wide range of living organisms that play an important role in the decomposition of organic matter, such as fallen leaves, branches, deceased creatures and dung. These living organisms make up the microbiome of the soil which includes slugs, woodlice, beetle and fly larvae, spring tails and many species of fungi and bacteria. Earthworms and the moles which eat them are more common in areas where the clay soils are less acidic. Chemicals vital for plant growth are released for uptake by vegetation and carbon accumulates within dark coloured humus, with greater amounts in undisturbed acidic woodland soils when protected by a thick protective layer of organic debris.
Queen Victoria’s Oak at High Beach is now surrounded by a low fence, marking a root protection zone to help reduce compaction to its roots
Tree roots spread outwards in a wide circle for as much as fifty meters and are easily damaged if the ground is compacted by excessive trampling which squashes the mineral particles together, reducing the space between them for essential water and air. If roots are injured trees become more vulnerable to wind.
Trees and other plants rely on a widespread supporting network of fragile microscopic fungal threads or mycelium which pass water and minerals to them. The fungal mycelium helps to bind the minerals in a healthy soil so it can hold more water and is less likely to be washed away during heavy rain.
Queen Victoria’s Oak at High Beach is now surrounded by a low fence, marking a root protection zone to help reduce compaction to its roots.
With 284 kilometres (176 miles) of shared surfaced paths visitors are encouraged to use these to explore the Forest and in doing so they will minimise the damage to its precious soils. Maintaining these paths is expensive and agreed payments on new developments are being levied within a 6.2km Zone from the boundary of the SAC of the Forest to help defray the increased costs involved thus ensuring that the Forest can continue as a welcoming place for visitors while protecting the overall ecological and cultural heritage.