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<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>Information on the distribution and fundamental properties of soils was collected on a national basis by the soil survey organisations based at Macaulay Institute,Aberdeen (Scotland) and at Silsoe College, Bedfordshire (England and Wales). With the addition of data on climate and characteristics of topography this information can be interpreted to provide an evaluation of the potential of land for a variety of uses. The Land Capability Classification for Agriculture (Bibby et al. 1982) is an example; the Land Capability Classification for Forestry, described here, is an attempt to provide a similar classification in terms of forestry. It is based on an assessment of the increasing degree of limitation imposed by the physical factors of soil, topography and climate on the growth of trees and on silvicultural practices. The system described is designed for use at several levels depending on the amount and accuracy of the available data and on the purpose for which the information is required. Strategic and regional planning needs can be satisfied by generalised maps at scales of 1:250 000 and 1:50 000. Sufficient information is currently available for this to be attempted in Britain, and has been done for the island of Islay (Bibby and Heslop 1986). Requirements of a more detailed nature, for example planning within the forest enterprise or by estate managers dealing with integration of agriculture and forestry, will require larger scale maps (1:25 000 and 1:10 000) and more accurate base data. The main use of the Land Capability Classification for Forestry is as an aid to decision-making at broad planning levels, as a guide for land managers and as a statement of the natural resources of the land of Britain in terms of forestry potential for educational and general interest purposes. The system is an interpretation derived from several sources and, as with all such approaches, will be subject to some degree of arbitrary decision. A careful study of the assumptions and explanations underlying the classification is advised so that the scheme is properly understood and its benefits and limitations appreciated.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV> |