Natural features in the management of upland conifer forests

Synopsis Upland conifer afforestation has been a major factor in environmental change, and there is every prospect that further afforestation will take place. How can we best develop the existing forests as wildlife habitats? And, if afforestation is to continue, where should further plantations be placed? This paper considers some general aspects of forest habitat design, using the structure and dynamics of natural boreal-temperate conifer forests as its primary reference point.