Ancient Woodland Baseline Assessment

Descriptions

Open Invitation to Tender to undertake an ancient woodland baseline assessment for Forestry Commission Wales.Forestry Commission Wales is responsible for implementing the Welsh Assembly Government Woodland Strategy for Wales. This includes the management of approximately 130,000 ha of Welsh Assembly Government owned forest estate, of which currently approximately 14,000ha is designated as defined Ancient Woodlands. This contract is designed to evaluate the current habitat baseline condition of approximately 10,000 ha of Ancient Woodlands by monitoring the relevant attributes and factors that are associated with a functioning woodland ecosystem. However, Forestry Commission Wales retains the right for an option to further increase this area depending on budget, by an additional approximate 10,000ha. This will make the overall total area surveyed to be approx 20,000ha.Following the completion of the field surveys, the contractor must provide analysis of the point data gathered at each location. This involves converting the point data into aggregate values relating to each individual sub-compartment that is surveyed. DAFOR values are to be converted to numerical values to aid this process. Each attribute is to be aggregated individually by sub-compartment and a GIS shapefile produced for each. In addition to this, historic data from South Wales (Coed y Cymoedd, Forest District) will be provided for so that an analysis for the whole of the Assembly Government Woodland Estate can be created.