Managing open habitats in upland forests

The proportion of open space in many forests and woodlands is increasing as forest management plans are implemented and forests are restructured. Landowners and forest managers are increasingly being encouraged to manage this ground for biodiversity objectives but in some situations the management of open ground may be more complex and challenging than the management of the forests themselves. This Practice Guide provides information and guidance to forest managers on managing open ground in upland forests. The guidance covers planning open habitats in new forests, creating open habitats in existing forests and maintaining open habitat networks. The Guide sets out both general principles and guidance for specific habitats together with advice on monitoring.