Information and Advisory Note Number 113 Back to menu
Forest research and the natural heritage
1. Introduction
1.1 The benefits of our forests and woodlands can be enhanced by good
management, awareness and understanding of the processes that affect their
growth and well-being. This Note describes some of the relevant work of Forest
Research, the Forestry Commission Research Agency. It also shows how the
organisation's expertise and advice can be tailored to meet the demands of
short-and long-term projects, monitoring and enquiries.
1.2 The staff of Forest Research are dedicated to improving the understanding of
threats to tree health and developing improved methods of managing woodlands for
sustainable benefits.
Forest Research can provide:
• advice on measuring and improving biodiversity in woodlands,
• maps and data on forest types and tree species,
• advice on genetic conservation or variation in native tree species,
• guidance on the monitoring of forest hydrology,
• guidance on operational techniques for small woodlands.
or help with:
• investigating the causes of damage to woodlands,
• identification of pest and beneficial insect species,
• establishing and monitoring field trials,
• experiment design and data analysis.
1.3 Please contact us for help with what's
needed now or what's likely to be needed in
the future. Our aim is to ensure that our
research capability and capacity reflect the
trends and problems made known by
customers.
2. Tree improvement
2.1 Improving planting stock and conserving native populations are both
fundamental to the work of Tree Improvement Branch. Research involves selection,
testing and breeding of forest tree species planted in Britain. Our wide-ranging
expertise includes:
• Biochemical and molecular genetics. We have the ability to look at the range
of genetic variation that may exist at both the inter- and intra-population
level in any native tree species. The use of DNA-based techniques identifies
neutral genetic variation but cannot be used to determine whether any genetic
differences found confer adaptive advantages to populations. Biochemical
techniques, predominantly analysis of terpene found in resin components, may
reflect environmental influences and thus may confer a measure of adaptive
variation.
• Field evaluation of adaptive variation. Many years' experience in field
evaluation trials at both the population level (seed origin and provenance
research) and the individual level (progeny and clonal testing), are enabling
true adaptive variation to be properly evaluated.
Genetic improvement. Standard methods can be used to produce improved material
quite quickly in amenable species. Currently we are involved in a proposal to
produce improved birch seedlots, each based on limited regional areas. This type
of work could be used in other species
Genetic improvement. Standard methods can be used to produce improved material
quite quickly in amenable species. Currently we are involved in a proposal to
produce improved birch seedlots, each based on limited regional areas. This type
of work could be used in other species.
• Genetic conservation. The Branch's
extensive experience in vegetative
propagation techniques, particularly grafting
and micropropagation techniques can be
used to conserve and archive individuals in
threatened populations. Recent work has
been undertaken on Scots pine remnants.
CONTACT: Dr C.J.A. Samuel
e-mail: c.j.a.samuel@forestry.gov.uk
3. Woodlands and timber quality
3.1 Many woodlands are being progressively managed to provide multi-purpose
objectives. Silviculture (North) Branch carries out research into all aspects of
silviculture of both plantations and native woodlands.
3.2 Current research activities include an active programme on the management of
upland native woodlands as part of the Habitat Action Plans, focusing initially
on pinewoods but now developing similar studies in western oakwoods and plans
for birchwoods and upland ashwoods. Other studies are considering the effects of
different establishment practices (e.g. cultivation, fertilisation) upon the
development of new native woodlands.
3.3 Other research activities are looking at:
• the interrelationship between silvicultural practice and the delivery of
non-market benefits in areas such as community woodlands;
• design of shelterbelts in the light of improved understanding of wind flow
through and over forests;
• establishment of trees in exposed areas such as the crofting townships and in
determining 'natural' treelines in different parts of the country;
• development of modern management tools, e.g. Geographical Information Systems
(GIS) and Decision Support Systems, to provide information on how wind, site
type and stand treatment can limit the options available to managers who are
seeking to diversify existing forest structures;
• modelling and field studies, in conjunction with other institutes, to develop
improved
understanding of the impact of forest operations upon nutrient cycling and soil
physical conditions.
3.4 Some research programmes involve
partners from other EU institutes. We have
access to forest experiment sites throughout
Scotland on most forest and soil types
including pinewood reserves that date back to
the 1930s. Through our colleagues in the field
station network we are capable of establishing
and maintaining complex forest experiments
over a long time period.
CONTACT: W.L. Mason
e-mail: bill.mason@forestry.gov.uk
3.5 Information and advice on aspects of tree
and timber measurement and site yield
interactions and assessment of potential
productivity of semi-natural woodlands can be
obtained from the Mensuration Branch staff,
Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge,
Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LH.
e-mail: mensuration@forestry.gov.uk
4. Ecology and wildlife
4.1 Maintaining and enhancing the natural
heritage value of woodlands and forests in
Scotland is of vital importance. Much of the
work of Woodland Ecology Branch is targeted
towards these aims, specific objectives being:
• to undertake research to provide an ecological basis for the multi-purpose
management of forests and woodlands;
• to develop sustainable management practices and encourage their adoption.
4.2 Work in partnership with other research
organisations, funding bodies and academic
institutes enables a multidisciplinary approach
to research. The wide-ranging work is divided
into four co-ordinating areas.
• Developing an Ecological Site Classification as a basis for forest planning
and sustainable management, including the creation of new native woodlands.
• Co-ordinating the Biodiversity Research Programme which aims to develop
monitoring protocols and collect baseline information on species, structural and
habitat diversity in secondary forests, identify biodiversity criteria and
indicators, and recommend management practices for enhancing biodiversity.
• Devising methods for assessing and controlling damaging wildlife, and
protecting endangered species and habitats.
• Constructing a computer-based decision support system for delivering
management recommendations.
4.3 Other important research areas include:
• protection and management of red squirrel populations.
• design and implementation of biodiversity assessment and monitoring in upland
and lowland forest types.
• ecological design planning for native woodlands.
• development of decision support systems for sustainable forest management.
• ecology, management and restoration of forested peatlands.
• studies of biology and population ecology of deer and other mammals.
• technical services relating to GIS applications in ecological research.
CONTACT: C.P. Quine
e-mail: max.gust@forestry.gov.uk
5. Tree health
5.1 Trees can suffer from a wide array of diseases and disorders. Some problems
are caused by living agents, such as fungi and bacteria, others by non-living
agents such as frost and drought. Others are of complex origin, involving the
interaction of several agents. Pathology Branch staff are expert in the
investigation of the causes of damage to trees in all settings - ancient
woodlands, commercial plantations, open countryside. They also have much
experience of developing control and management strategies.
5.2 A particular speciality lies in the combination of disease investigation and
the establishment of assessment plots to monitor changes in the condition of the
trees. For example, survey plots recently set up along the banks of rivers in
southern Britain are providing data on the severity and development of lethal
Phytophthora disease of common alder. Alder plays an important part in the
native vegetation of Scotland and many riparian trees are affected by a serious
dieback.
5.3 Research within Entomology Branch aims to protect and improve tree health in
relation to
insect attack by developing in-depth understanding of the interrelationships
between insects and their habitats. Consequently, many of the techniques used
are relevant to studying the biology and behaviour of insects in more general
situations. Main project areas include:
• Restocking pests. Integrated pest management (IPM) and biological control to
control pest insects on forest sites that are being replanted following
harvesting.
• Biodiversity. Our work on the insect biodiversity of natural and managed
forests forms part of the multidisciplinary Forestry Commission Biodiversity
Research Programme.
• Impact of insects on tree growth. The quantitative effects of insect
populations on tree growth are assessed in relation to biotic and abiotic
variables, including potential effects of climate change.
• Mechanisms of tree resistance to insect attack. Studies are looking at the
defence mechanisms of trees when subject to attack by insects with different
feeding strategies.
• Forest health. The use and development of Pest Risk Analysis techniques help
to determine the risks to British forests from non-indigenous insect species.
Contact: Dr D.B. Redfern (Pathology),
e-mail: derek.redfern@forestry.gov.uk
or
Mr S.G. Heritage (Entomology),
e-mail: stuart.heritage@forestry.gov.uk
6. Environmental Monitoring and Protection
6.1 Protection of the environment and environmental threats to woodlands have
become increasingly important. Environmental Research Branch has a national
remit to provide research and expert advice on the conservation and enhancement
of the physical environment in forests.
6.2 As part of the Forest Hydrology Programme, one important project is to
investigate the impact of afforestation on streamwater quality and the
freshwater biota in the Upper Halladale Catchment, North Scotland. In addition
to being able to undertake similar assessments elsewhere, the Branch has the
capability to study basic hydrochemical and hydrological functions of different
woodland/forest types, e.g. floodplain or riparian forests. Such work includes
improving guidance on best practice.
6.3 Other key research topics include:
• impacts of air pollution and climate change on the forest environment,
involving critical level and loads studies, interactions of C02, ozone, drought
and nutrient status on plant physiology, and catchment studies of effects of
forestry on surface water acidification;
• land reclamation to forestry, involving studies of best reclamation practice;
• environmental monitoring and change, involving mechanistic studies of key
indicators of change.
6.4 The Branch also provides a chemical analysis service for foliage, water and
soil samples, and evaluation and interpretation services.
CONTACT: Dr A.J. Moffat
e-mail: a.moffat@forestry.gov.uk
7. Technical services, advice and information
Woodland Surveys
7.1 Data on woodland distribution, size, types, condition and ownership are
essential for successful management of existing forests and for monitoring the
effectiveness of policies for increasing the woodland area. The National
Inventory of Woodland and Trees started in 1993 in Scotland with a pilot project
to test field methods in Grampian, followed by the Main (>2 ha) Survey in
Scotland in 1994-1995 and the recently completed Small Woodland and Trees (<2
ha) Survey.
7.2 The Main Survey consists of three phases:
• Woodland map preparation. A digital map identifying a range of 8 forest types
is created from 1:25 000 aerial photographs.
• Data collection. A 1% sample of woodland is selected for field assessments
using random 1 ha plots which provides key statistics on forest type, species,
age-class, management and ownership.
• Data dissemination. Results are published as Inventory Reports by Regions in
Scotland.
7.3 For the Small Woodland Survey, a 1 %
sample of land area is selected using random
1 km squares followed by photo-interpretation
and ground truthing of two 250 x 250 m field plots per km square.
7.4 The Inventory will:
• produce a digital woodland map;
• provide data on forest types and tree species by Scottish Region,
• provide basic data for timber forecasts,
• assist in the planning and expansion of woodlands,
• assist in monitoring the sustainability of woodlands.
The Inventory is to be updated on a 10-year cycle, incorporating improved
methods and new types of data as requirements change. Work is also under way to
develop the spatial map and field attribute data within a Geographical
Information System. This will provide a powerful and practical management tool.
CONTACT: S Smith
e-mail: steve.s@forestry.gov.uk
Technical Development
7.5 Forestry work study, for both the Forestry
Commission and external agencies, is carried
out by Technical Development Branch. The
examples below reflect the range and variety
of ongoing projects.
• Small woodlands working. Several current projects relate to identifying the
best practical operational techniques for the establishment and harvesting of
small woodlands. These range from the evaluation of small scale scarifiers to
equipment for extraction of timber by horse and other extraction machinery which
minimises ground damage. The Branch organises workshops to pass on this
information to the private sector.
• Harvesting of very wet sites. Work has already been done on evaluating
extraction machinery suitable for wet sites. There are particular problems in
some sensitive raised bog and other areas where residues left could cause
problems.
• Public access. With increased awareness for the need to provide more public
access, standards have been drawn up specifying the quality of paths suitable
for particular locations and requirements. The best methods of constructing
paths to these defined standards are to be evaluated and costed.
CONTACT: Mr W.M. Jones
e-mail: tdb.ae@forestry.gov.uk
Technical Support
7.6 Technical Support to Forest Research and other parts of the Forestry
Commission is provided by Technical Support Unit (North). The Branch also
provides a service to other organisations, e.g. Universities. The Unit has 6
main Field Stations covering all regions of Scotland (see map), each manned by a
team of professional foresters and skilled research workers with administrative
and IT support. It also manages a research workshop involved in the development
and maintenance of specialist research equipment.
7.7 All teams possess a wide range of field skills and can effectively carry out
work in many areas of environmental science, including:
• establishment and monitoring of field experiments and trials,
• data collection (including the use of advanced data capture systems),
• biological sampling and crop inventory.
• site surveying,
• nursery research,
• plant production for specialised purposes.
CONTACT: KATE FIELDING
e-mail: k.fielding@forestry.gov.uk
Advice
7.8 Advisory services are provided by
specialist staff and/or project leaders in all
Branches. Research staff can be contacted
for information and advice on specialist topics.
Library and Information Service
7.9 Forest Research's Northern Research
Station houses a forestry library. Visitors can
use the library by 'phoning in advance to make
arrangements with the Library Administrator.
7.10 A list of currently available Forestry Commission publications can be found
on the Commission's home page on the Internet at
http://www.forestry.gov.uk.
These publications can be obtained by:
'phone on 01329 331345
fax on 01329 330034
e-mail reception@telelink.co.uk
post Forestry Commission
PO Box 100
FAREHAM
Hampshire
P014 2SX
8. Forestry Commission key publications
Guidelines:
Forest nature conservation guidelines (1990). Community woodland design
guidelines (1991).
Forest recreation guidelines (1992).
Lowland landscape design guidelines (1992).
Forests and water guidelines (1993).
Forest Landscape design, 2nd edition
(1994). HMSO, London.
Forests and soil conservation guidelines (1998). Forestry Commission, Edinburgh.
Forests and archaeology guidelines (1995). Forestry Commission, Edinburgh.
Handbook 6: Forestry practice. HMSO, London,1991.
Bulletin 102: Forest fencing. HMSO, London, 1992.
Bulletin 108: Monitoring vegetation changes in conservation management of
forests. HMSO, London, 1992.
Bulletin 109. The value of birch in upland forests for wildlife conservation.
HMSO, London, 1993.
Bulletin 112: Creating new native woodlands. HMSO, London, 1994.
Bulletin 113: Management of forests for capercaillie in Scotland. HMSO, London,
1994.
Bulletin 114: Forests and wind: management to minimise damage. HMSO, London,
1995.
Bulletin 118; Ecology and conservation of raptors in forests. HMSO, London,
1998.
Field Book 13: Invertebrate animals as indicators of acidity in upland streams.
HMSO, London, 1993.
Field Book 16: Diseases and disorders of forest trees. The Stationery
Office, London, 1998.
Field Book 18: How many deer? A field guide to estimating deer population size.
Forestry Commission, Edinburgh, 1999.
Technical Paper 12: The native woodland resource in The Scottish Highlands.
Forestry Commission, Edinburgh, 1995.
Technical Paper 14: The boreal forests of Scotland. Forestry Commission,
Edinburgh, 1996.
Technical Paper 17: The native woodland resource in the Scottish Lowlands.
Forestry Commission, Edinburgh, 1996.
Technical Paper 30: The native woodland resource of Scotland. A review 1993
-1998. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh, 1999.
9. Other key publications
Bending, N.A.D. and Moffat, A.J. (1997). Tree establishment on landfill sites.
Forestry Commission, Edinburgh.
Ferris-Kaan, R.t ed. (1995). The ecology of woodland creation. Wiley,
Chichester.
Strouts, R.G. and Winter, T.G. (1994) Diagnosis of ill-health in trees. HMSO,
London.
10. Authors
Dr John Parker and Jenny Claridge
Forest Research
Northern Research Station
ROSLIN
Midlothian
EH25 9SY
11. SNH contact for further advice
Roland Stiven
Advisory Services
Scottish Natural Heritage
2 Anderson Place
EDINBURGH
EH6 5NP
Tel: 0131-447 4784
Fax: 0131-446 2405
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