Firstly, we conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature. This relatively
new technique in environmental sciences allowed a quantitative meta-analysis of specific types of evidence, as well
as a traditional qualitative synthesis of the wider information available on UK species. Our review confirmed that, for
those species for which there is evidence, most prefer to move through landscape features similar in structure to their
breeding habitat. For example, woodland species tend to prefer to move through habitats which have some elements
of vertical structure. However, we also established that species are idiosyncratic and their responses have various
behavioural causes. For example, some landscape features that have a contrasting structure with a species’ breeding
habitat may provide better shelter from predators, while others may act as good visual cues for navigation. Secondly,
we summarise species-based landscape ecological studies carried out by Forest Research over the past few years.