Forests of the Inner Hebrides—status and habitat

Abstract

SynopsisForestry development in the Inner Hebrides is largely confined to Islay, Jura, Mull, Skye, Raasay and Scalpay. Tue value of the forest industry is highlighted in producing a raw material for industry, providing employment and supporting the island infrastructure. Factors such as exposure, degraded soils and problems of marketing which force the forester to limit the choice of species to a few hardy saleable species are also described. Established consultation procedures are preserving the essential interests of competing land users by the rational apportionment of land to various uses and by good forest design. Creation of diversity in commercial plantations which is essential for habitat improvement by both natural means and modern management practices is described.A checklist of vertebrate fauna which frequent these new forests is provided together with an assessment of their status.