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Described as a Stonehenge of the tree world, Hatfield Forest is among the few surviving havens of ancient woodland in Britain, with nearly 2,000 trees that are more than 600 years old. From huge oaks to pollarded hornbeams, experts say it is a vital habitat unchanged since the last Ice Age, and documents show it was declared a royal hunting forest by Henry I in the 12th century.
But nitrogen levels around the forest generated by air pollution from aircraft and vehicles is already twice that at which environ-mental damage, including tree death, is caused, says the National Trust. Ade Clarke, who manages the forest for the Trust, said: "Hatfield Forest is internationally important. It is the most complete medieval royal hunting forest. "It is irreplaceable. Ancient trees cannot react quickly to rapid rises in nitrogen levels. Even now, we are at a tipping point, so expansion, with all the extra flights, car journeys and emissions, is a huge threat to the forest's survival."
The woodland includes nearly 900 ancient trees, which have their own conservation plan. Some are estimated to be 1,200 years old.
The woodland is also home to several hundred species of rare insects, plants and lichen as well as 65 species of birds. Campaigners say Hatfield Forest highlights a contradiction in the policies of the Government, with plans including the construction of new runways at Stansted and Heathrow to cater for up to 460 million passengers using UK airports in 2020, up from 189 million in 2002. But Labour has vowed to cut carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050. Aviation accounts for 11 per cent of Britain's emissions and is the fastest-growing contributor. But globally, it produces just 1.6 per cent of all emissions.
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