The condition assessment
survey
Note, blue text on the form and below outline the FES responsibilities.
The text below this identifies the contract holders responsibilities.
General polygon details: in the office
Begin by assessing polygons in the SNW data layer of the SNW geodatabase. In cases where NWSS polygons are also to be assessed,
amalgamate these as appropriate if there are obvious similarities
using NWSS data. Next, identify the relevant polygons and generate
annotated maps. Set up a paper form for each polygon to be assessed
and fill out the boxes next to the blue text:

Use the unique object ID from the SNW layer as the polygon
reference number;

Make an initial desk based assessment of the most applicable
management model based on existing datasets (including the
forest road network, contours, YC and NWSS); and

Assess the Forester GIS Conservation Module, SSSI / SAC
designations and the Forester GIS Heritage Module to list any
significant environmental features in the ‘Known Quality Indicators’
box. Also list any specific requirements if known (such as regular
well-lit glades for butterflies, or large diameter deadwood for
saproxylic beetles).
General polygon details: in the wood
Using the field pack and your prepared forms for each polygon, record
the name of the surveyor and date of the assessment on the form.
Undertake a structured walk through the polygon, making relevant
notes on each Woodland Attribute as you walk through the area [see
table below]. Remember that the primary outcome is a simple
assessment as to whether the requirement has been met, not met or
is not applicable, followed by a description of the attribute to inform
any necessary management. It should only be necessary to make
detailed notes in different parts of the polygon where conditions are
close to or fail the minimum threshold described in the Woodland
Attribute table.
Next, summarise the Woodland Structure Class (WSC) at the polygon
level. If this varies across the polygon, select the predominant type.
Record the approximate percentage of the polygon occupied by the
predominant WSC. If there are contrasting WSCs, each occupying a
substantial part of the polygon, each with a discrete set of
management actions, the polygon should be split. Annotate the map
accordingly and make out a new form for the new polygon(s). When
these new polygons are digitised within the SNW GIS data layer, a
new object ID will be generated for future assessments.
Woodland Attributes
Using the Woodland Attribute rules below, consider each Woodland
Attribute in turn:

circle the appropriate option in the ‘Threshold met?’ column;

note any relevant observations in the ‘Description’ column;

circle the appropriate ‘Threat’ level; and

make any relevant recommendations in the ‘Management Action’
column. If you are not clear what actions are required, this column
can be filled out subsequently by the survey manager as long as
your description of current conditions is sufficiently informative.
Woodland Attribute Rules
Woodland Attribute
General Rule
Threat Rule
Regeneration density (native
This rule is not applicable in
Critical: threshold not met, in
trees and shrubs)
WSC 3 and 4 where canopy
WSCs 8 or 10.
cover is >20%. Seedlings are
<1m tall (described as Visible
Regeneration in the NWSS).
Saplings are >1m tall and
<7cm dbh (described as
Established Regeneration in
Threatened: threshold not
met, other WSCs
Secure: threshold met / not
applicable
the NWSS). For multistemmed stools such as hazel
and unbrowsed alder, ash
and birch, count each stool
as a single VR or ER to avoid
over-estimating abundance.
Regeneration niches
Not applicable where there is
Critical: threshold not met,
sufficient regeneration
WSC 8 or 10
already (i.e. where the
‘Regeneration Density’ rule is
Threatened: threshold not
met) or where WSC = 3 or 4
and canopy cover is >20%.
Make notes in the description
column of any vegetation
met, other WSCs
Secure: threshold met / not
applicable
that could be managed to
create regeneration niches if
this attribute is not met
Regeneration composition
(native trees and shrubs)
Not applicable in WSC 3 and
Threatened: Woodland flora
4 where canopy cover is
suggests scope for a wide
>20%. This Woodland
range of tree species and
Attribute is not met where
regeneration is restricted to
species diversity is very
birch / grey willow/ rowan.
limited for the woodland type
in question (e.g. just birch
regeneration on an upland
mixed ashwood site). Make
notes in the description
Secure: regeneration is
composed of a suitably
diverse range of tree species
given the woodland type.
column on species present.
Deadwood
Not applicable in WSC 2, 3 or
Critical: where all deadwood
4 unless these are on a felled
is removed
site.
Threatened: where the
management of deadwood is
sub-optimal but not critical
Secure: threshold met / not
applicable
Invasive non-native species
Applicable for any INNS.
Critical: Where any INNS are
State species and locations
actively expanding
(e.g. grid references) in
description column. Note that
if there is a presence of INNS
<5% of the polygon, notes
should still be made in the
description and action
Threatened: where INNS are
present but not rapidly
expanding
Secure: threshold met.
columns to ensure that those
INNS present are controlled.
Herbivore impacts
Assessed through an
Critical: threshold not met, in
abbreviated version of the
WSCs 8 or 10.
‘Woodland Grazing Toolbox
Threatened: threshold not
Herbivore Impacts
met, other WSCs
Assessment’. A full evaluation
of the indicators should not
Secure: threshold met
be necessary where impacts
are obviously above or below
Medium. Include a
description of the large
herbivore species present in
the description column. In
some circumstances, the
surveyor may feel that a
Medium rating is too high to
meet objectives (e.g. in an
upland mixed ashwood or
oakwood where palatable
seedlings are being heavily
browsed). In this case, rate
this criterion as ‘not met’ and
make it clear in the
description column that
Medium is too high to meet
objectives.
Landscape connectivity
Evaluate maps and make a
Threatened: Threshold not
visual assessment in the
met
field. Linkage refers to other
semi-natural woodland or
planted / restocked native
woodland, not planted nonnative forest.
(In the office, check existing
LMP. If there are plans for
woodland expansion, change
to Secure).
Secure: Threshold met
Non-native tree regeneration
In the description column,
Critical: non-native
(<3m)
make a note on the species
regeneration reaching
and density (and location if
seeding age and / or
this is restricted to a discrete
abundant
part of the polygon)
Threatened: Not abundant
and not old enough to
produce seed
Secure: Threshold met
Public usage
In the description column,
Critical: Urgent action
make a note of the nature of
needed to address negative
any negative public usage
use of wood
(with grid reference where
relevant) and identify any
opportunities for the public to
make positive use of the
woodland.
Operational impacts
Threatened: Negative use is
having longer term impact
Secure: Threshold met
In the description column,
Critical: Urgent action
make brief notes on any
needed to address harmful
recent forest operations and
impacts from operations
highlight any remedial
actions required.
Threatened: Improvement in
working methods is needed
to achieve better results
Secure: Threshold met
Disease and pests
Take photographs / samples
Critical: Wide-spread canopy
of any significant disease,
decline or occurrence of
fungus or insect damage to
serious, epidemic pest /
trees and shrubs. Give these
disease.
to the contract manager.
Make notes in the description
column of the location and
suspected cause of any
Tree canopy composition
(>3m)
Threatened: localised
occurrence of endemic pest /
disease
outbreaks.
Secure: Threshold met
In the description column,
Critical: Abundant trees of
note the proportion of any
unacceptable species
non-native trees in the
canopy and whether you
consider they are causing (or
are likely to cause) any
negative impact to the
woodland ecosystem.
Threatened: Minor
component of unacceptable
species (but >10%)
Secure: Threshold met
Quality Indicators
Fill out the ‘Quality Indicators’ table where there are known quality
indicators included in the box at the top of the form or where rare
species / significant features (including archaeological remains) are
encountered during the structured walk.

In the ‘Specific Requirement’ column, copy the relevant text from
the ‘Known quality indicators’ box at the top of the form, adding
further information where appropriate and recording whether this
requirement is met (yes / no / not applicable).

In the ‘Description’ column, briefly describe the current condition
and the likely medium-term condition based on woodland structure
and any proposed ‘Management Actions’ in the Woodland Attributes
table.

Under the ‘Action’ column, make recommendations about
management to improve the condition of the Quality Indicator. If
this is not clear, leave this column blank as it can be filled out
subsequently by the survey manager as long as your description of
conditions is sufficiently informative.
Trends
Fill out the ‘Trend’ table based on changes since the last round of
monitoring or obvious signs of improvement (e.g. recent felling to
waste of abundant Sitka spruce regeneration, creation of glades for
Quality Indicators) or decline (e.g. clear evidence of colonising INNS,
dense regeneration increasing shade on light demanding rare plant).
If some Quality Indicators are improving whilst others are declining,
give the trend for the most significant QI. For Woodland Attributes,
the trend is intended to reflect the general direction that woodland
conditions are moving in.
Management Models
Fill in the ‘Management Model’ table, assessing whether the
‘Suggested management model’ supplied at the beginning of the form
is appropriate given conditions on the ground and the quality of the
woodland habitat. For example, active silvicultural management for
timber production may have been suggested (Management Model 4),
but the surveyor may consider that there are too many species
vulnerable to disturbance for this to be appropriate.
Conflicting Objectives
Identify any ‘Conflicting Objectives’. These can occur between
Woodland Attributes and Quality Indicators or between different
Quality Indicators. Where a conflict occurs, briefly describe it and
make any relevant recommendations. Where it is not clear what the
solution is, enter ‘seek further advice’.
General Comments
In the ‘General Comments’ box, provide a general description of the
area of woodland concerned and highlight any features not picked up
by the Woodland Attributes or Quality Indicators sections, providing
grid references for target notes. Remember that the NWSS records
species composition, so don’t waste time recording lists of tree species.
Supporting guidance
Additional information on Management Models and Woodland Structure
Classes will be provided to successful bidders.