In order to model and test the above kind of information network a start has been made with woodland habitats.  The objective is to establish a web-based selection management plans for UK woodland.  The aim is to enable comparisons to be made of local ideas, operational know how and achievements and provide an update to the woodlands described the Nature Conservation Review that was published by the Nature Conservancy Council in 1977. 

The procedure is to contact organisations managing woodlands sites inviting them to participate in the establishment of the network by making selected woodland management plans available in a text format.

These plans will be presented on the web as a set of hypermedia nested topic pages structured for ease of navigation.  They will be available as downloads and there will be an on- line forum related to the plans and their development.

This 1977 NCC review marked the beginning of establishing a national inventory of outstanding ecosystems.  Since then, there has been a widespread evaluation of other sites that are have a local importance.  Many of these additional sites were briefly described in Peter Marren's 'The Wild Woods'.  This is a regional guide to Britain's woodlands with an ancient history, published in 1992 in association with the NCC, drawing upon research carried out by the NCC between 1973 and 1991.  Further information may be obtained from the web sites of wildlife trusts, particularly the Woodland Trust at www.woodland-trust.org.uk

Ratcliffe, D Ed. (1977) A Nature Conservation Review  Cambridge University Press

Marren, P. (1992)  The Wild Woods: A regional guide to Britains ancient woodland  David & Charles