An environmental agency monitored the restoration of ancient deciduous woodlands across several counties in Southern England between 2018 and 2024. Restoration efforts focused on active management techniques, including the manual clearance of invasive Rhododendron ponticum and selective thinning to restore the native understorey.
| County | Total ancient deciduous woodland area (ha) | Area restored via invasive clearance and thinning (ha) |
|---|---|---|
| Hampshire | 14,200 | 1,136 |
| Kent | 18,500 | 1,295 |
| Surrey | 9,800 | 931 |
| Sussex | 15,600 | 1,404 |
| Wiltshire | 11,500 | 897 |
Identify the county that successfully restored the largest proportion of its total ancient deciduous woodland area.
Sussex
Kent
Hampshire
Surrey
