Nap Wood Introductory Presentation

Nap Wood Introductory Presentation

1. Managing the British woodland ecosystem:
a case study of Nap Wood
Chesterton Community College
GCSE Geography

2. Where is Nap Wood?
Nap Wood is a small area of
woodland approximately 4
miles south of Tunbridge Wells.
It is in a relatively densely
populated area.
Access is from the main road –
the A267 – are there is very
little parking available so few
people visit the wood.

3. How is the ecosystem structured?
There are 4 layers:
–Upper canopy – older
trees, mainly oak, beech,
chestnut and silver birch
trees
–Lower canopy – younger
trees
–Shrub layer – mostly holly
–Ground layer – mosses,
bluebells, brambles,
honeysuckle, bracken
and herbs

4. Managing Nap Wood
The National Trust manage Nap Wood.
Very little management is needed as there is little human
impact on the wood – the National Trust’s role is to
protect the wood.
The National Trust operates a ‘leave-alone’ policy –
when trees fall down, they are left to rot where they lie.
This allows the nutrient cycle to operate naturally and
fully.

5. Does the ‘leave-alone’ policy work?
Studies have been undertaken at Ashdown Forest,
about 5 miles to the west of Nap Wood.
What does the data show?