Ralph Harmer, BSc, PhD

Programme Manager, Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences

After graduating from the University of East Anglia with a BSc in Biological Sciences Ralph studied for his PhD at University of Manchester, investigating the ecology of reproduction in upland grasses. In 1986, following post-doctoral studies at both Manchester and Aberdeen Universities, he joined Forest Research to begin work on the improvement of native broad-leaved trees, concentrating on the development of stem and crown form in oak. For the last 10 years he has worked on the management of lowland native woodlands.

Current role

Programme Manager, Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences

Current programmes

Lowland Native Woodlands

Affiliations and achievements

• Member of editorial board for Quarterly Journal of Forestry
• Member of editorial board of Forestry
• 2004 James Cup for best article in Quarterly Journal of Forestry
• 1995 winner of ICF silviculture prize for best article in Forestry.

Research areas

• Natural regeneration of broad-leaved trees
• Restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) to native woodland
• Competition between tree seedlings and the ground flora.

Main recent publications

Harmer, R., Beauchamp, K. and Morgan, G. (2011). Natural regeneration in western hemlock plantations on ancient woodland sites ^(PDF-529K). Forestry Commission Research Note 11.

Harmer, R., Straw, N. and Williams, D. (2011). Boar, Bluebells and Beetles ^(PDF-1239K). Quarterly Journal of Forestry 105, 195-202.

Harmer, R. Morgan, G. and Beauchamp, K. (2011). Restocking with broadleaved species during the conversion of Tsuga heterophylla plantations to native woodland using natural regeneration European Journal of Forest Research 130, 161-171.

Harmer, R., Kerr, G. and Thompsom, R. (2010). Managing Native Broadleaved Woodland. Forestry Commission Handbook.

Harmer R.,  Kiewitt,  A., Morgan, G. and  Gill , R. (2010). Does the development of bramble (Rubus fruticosus L. agg.) facilitate the growth and establishment of tree seedlings in woodlands by reducing deer browsing damage? Forestry Advance Access published on January 6, 2010. doi:10.1093/forestry/cpp032

Harmer, R. and Morgan, G. (2009). Storm damage and the conversion of conifer plantations to native broadleaved woodland. Forest Ecology and Management, 258, 879-886.

Harmer, R. and Willoughby, I. (2007). Controlling bramble within an oak woodland using herbicides,  Aspects of Applied Biology 82, Vegetation Management,165 -173.

Harmer, R. and Morgan, G. (2007). Development of Quercus robur advance regeneration following canopy reduction in an oak woodland. Forestry, 80, 137 -149.

Harmer, R. and Kiewitt, A. (2007). Restoration of PAWS – testing some of the advice, Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 101, 213 – 218.

Willoughby, I., Harrison, A., Jinks, R., Gosling, P., Harmer, R. and Kerr, G. (2007). The potential for direct seeding of birch on restock sites. Forestry Commission Information Note 84, 8p.

Harmer, R., Boswell, R. and Robertson, M. (2005). Survival and growth of tree seedlings in relation to changes in the ground flora during natural regeneration of  an oak shelterwood. Forestry 78, 21-32.

Harmer, R., Thompson, R., and Humphrey, J.  (2005). Great Britain - Conifers to Broadleaves.  In: Restoration of boreal and temperate forests (Ed. J.A. Stanturf and P. Madsen), CRC Press, Boca Raton, 319-338. 

Harmer. R  (2004). Restoration of neglected hazel coppice ^(PDF-2303K). Forestry Commission Information Note 56.

Harmer, R. (2004). Coppice silviculture practiced in temperate regions. In: Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences Volume 3 (Ed J. Burley, J. Evans and J. Youngquist), Elsevier 1045-1052.

Harmer, R. (2004). Bramble for beginners. Quarterly Journal of Forestry 98, 273-279.

Harmer, R., Tucker, N. and Nickerson, R. (2004). Natural regeneration in storm damaged woods – 1987 storm sites revisited ^(PDF-221K). Quarterly Journal of Forestry, 98, 183-190.

Harmer, R. (2003). Seedling root growth of six broadleaved tree species grown in competition with grass under irrigated nursery conditions. Annals of Forest Science, 60, 601-608.

Harmer, R., and Howe, J. (2003). The silviculture and management of coppice woodlands. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh.