Management of upland native woodlands

 

Summary

To determine the best methods for managing and expanding the major native woodland types in upland Britain in support of the relevant Habitat Action Plans.
 
This programme covers the upland native pinewoods, oakwoods, birchwoods and mixed ashwoods as described in the respective Forestry Practice Guides (see below).

Research objectives

• To study the structure, composition and dynamics of upland native woodland ecosystems in order to evaluate the potential for utilising natural woodland processes, and mimicking natural woodland structure
• To develop models which aid the ecological design of new native woodlands including methods of establishment, planting patterns, design and site variability
• To investigate the reproductive biology of Scots pine, birch and oak in order to improve our ability to manipulate the process of natural regeneration
• To develop environmentally benign methods of controlling unwanted vegetation in native woodlands - principally Rhododendron ponticum.

Funders and partners

This research is funded by the Forestry Commission Silvicultural systems programme.

Forestry Commission policy

The aims of Government forestry policy attach particular importance to the conservation of existing semi-natural woodlands and the creation of new native woodlands (Sustainable Forestry: The UK Programme). Specific research needs relating to native woodlands have also been identified under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and are addressed within this programme. These relate mainly to the need to expand the range of long-term monitoring sites and to understand the process and rate of colonisation through natural regeneration.

Programme description

Major elements of research are:

• Stand Structure
  Description of the structure and composition of existing native woodland remnants. Evaluation of their value in terms of models for future woodland management.
   
• Establishment Practice
  Studies of planting patterns, species composition and site suitability for component species and the interaction with conventional techniques such as cultivation and fertilisation.
   
• Natural Regeneration
  Investigations of seed production patterns, seed dispersal and viability.
   
• Long Term Monitoring Sites
  Establishment of permanent monitoring systems in representative areas of managed and unmanaged native woodland.
   
• Ecological Site Classification (ESC)
  Evaluation of ESC as an aid to planning new native woodlands.
   
• Rhododendron Control
  Efficacy trials of alternative methods for controlling the establishment and growth of Rhododendron in native woodlands.
  Details

Forestry Practice Guides

Management of semi-natural woodlands - Upland mixed ashwoods
Forestry Commission Practice Guide 4
Download ^(PDF-1001K)

Management of semi-natural woodlands - Upland oakwoods
Forestry Commission Practice Guide 5
Download ^(PDF-847K)

Management of semi-natural woodlands - Upland birchwoods
Forestry Commission Practice Guide 6
Download ^(PDF-1035K)

Management of semi-natural woodlands - Native pinewoods
Forestry Commission Practice Guide 7
Download ^(PDF-1144K)

Other publications

Managing the Pinewoods of Scotland
Handbook

Contact

Colin Edwards
Forest Research
Northern Research Station
Roslin
Midlothian EH25 9SY

Tel: 0131 445 2176
Fax: 0131 445 5124
Email: colin.edwards@forestry.gsi.gov.uk