Variety of wildlife in UK’s woodlands falling as habitats degrade, says report

The variety of wildlife in the UK’s woodlands continues to decline as the habitats deteriorate, according to a new report.

The Woodland Trust found that the progressively worsening ecological condition of woodlands is making them a less effective habitat for the wildlife living in them.

Only one in 50 native woodlands have more than one veteran tree per 200,000 square metres, the report revealed. The presence of older trees are vital for wildlife as they provide food and habitat.

Abigail Bunker, the trust’s director of conservation and external affairs, said: “The nation’s once rich, complex woodlands have become simpler and less biodiverse over time. Alarmingly, many British woodlands have very few – if any – ancient and veteran trees left.”

The report laid out a 37% fall in the number of woodland birds over the last 50 years, including a sharp 15% fall in the last five. The number of woodland-associated butterflies fell by 47% between 1990 and 2022.

An earlier report by the Woodland Trust in 2021 found that only 7% of Britain’s native woodland was in good condition. It found woodlands with low levels of deadwood, few veteran trees and poor diversity in age and species of trees.

Between 2010 and 2020, 393 veteran trees were reported to be “lost” in the ancient tree inventory, meaning they had fallen, been felled or destroyed.

A new government taskforce was set up in November 2024 to oversee the planting of new trees with the aim of hitting a target of 16.5% cover by 2050. The taskforce will bring together ministers from all four UK nations as well as several arms-length bodies.

Last year, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, allocated up to £400m over two years for tree planting and peatland restoration in England.

In the recent report, the Woodland Trust said only 45% of woodland creation targets have been met in the last four years.

Bunker said: “It’s also vital that the government start hitting its tree-planting targets, so that there is time to grow the veteran trees of the future and help shape woodlands to better withstand challenges like new diseases, or rising temperatures.”

The report highlighted the role that woodlands play in mitigating the effects of climate change, with UK forests storing 1bn tonnes of carbon and also removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.