Ecology of upland native woodlands

 

This programme is concerned with the ecology of native woodland types in upland areas of Britain - upland oakwoods, upland mixed ashwoods pinewoods, birchwoods, and upland wet woods.  The main aims are:

• to investigate the natural succession of trees and broader habitats;
• to explore ecological effects of management for habitat improvement, including removal of inappropriate species and consideration of use of appropriate grazing regimes;
• explore the ecological consequences of past woodland management on habitats;
• to understand and monitor the ecological processes and long-term dynamics of native woodlands.

Involvement with grazing regimes will involve working closely with the Impacts of herbivore programme and monitoring of ecological processes will require strong linkage with the Landscape ecology programme.

Long-term monitoring will be undertaken in co-operation with other key interests as part of a strategy.  Other partners will also be sought for research into ecological processes and into the relationship between native woodland characteristics and priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.  (See also Species Action Plans.)

Commissioned reports

No reports available at this time