1 Introduction.- 1 Coppices in the lowland landscape.- 2 Coppice forestry – an overview.- 2 The Physical Environment.- 3 Growth stages and microclimate in coppice and high forest.- 4 Soil-water relations in an ancient coppice woodland.- 3 Contrasting Processes in Coppice and Forest Ecosystems.- 5 Coppicing and natural disturbance in temperate woodlands – a review.- 6 Accumulation of dead wood – a missing ingredient in coppicing?.- 4 Effects of Coppicing on the Ground Flora.- 7 The effects of coppicing and neglect on the performance of the perennial ground flora.- 8 The effects of changing management on seed banks in ancient coppices.- 5 Effects of Coppicing on Birds.- 9 Effects of coppice management on woodland breeding birds.- 10 Coppice management for pheasants.- 6 Effects of Coppicing on Mammal Populations.- 11 The effects of coppice management on small mammal populations.- 12 The interaction of deer and vegetation in coppice woods.- 7 Effects of Coppicing on Invertebrate Populations.- 13 Butterfly responses to coppicing.- 14 The quality of coppice woods as habitats for invertebrates.- 8 Implications of Coppicing for Conservation Management.- 15 Coppicing for nature conservation – the practical reality.- 16 Coppicing – a conservation panacea?.- Species index.