Summary
The Teindland experimental reserve (ca. 50 ha in NE Scotland) in the 1980’s – experiments like these provide a valuable resource for scientists seeking to monitor the long-term development of forest ecosystems
Background
From its establishment in the early 20th century, the Forestry Commission has carried out extensive programmes of research aimed at identifying and overcoming factors limiting afforestation in various parts of Great Britain, improving management practices, and developing improved genetic material. Many experiments that were established to last the full rotation of the crop still exist, while many others with a shorter planned lifespan also survive and are sufficiently robust in terms of layout and design for longer term studies.
Recently it has become clear that long-term experiments are a valuable resource for addressing unanticipated questions that may be totally unrelated to the original reason for planting. For example, trials comparing genetic variation within and between species are particularly important for silviculture under future climate scenarios.
Increasing awareness of the potential value of these experiments has stimulated Forest Research to review its long-term experimental holding, to seek to share the information about these experiments with other researchers both in Great Britain and in other countries, and to consider the best ways to maintain this network for the benefit of future generations.
Current long-term experimental holding
Current holding as listed on the Noltfox database
We have identified around 500 experiments for long-term retention using structured searches of our experiment databases, and we are now verifying the condition of the experiments, as many of them have not been visited for several years. It is likely that the number of retained experiments will decrease as more information becomes available for assessing potential value. In particular, many experiments belong to experimental series, and further evaluation may result in retention of only the best experiments in a particular series.
Mason et al.(2008) provide an overview of the current portfolio of experiments.
As a consequence of this review, in 2006 we joined the Northern European Database of Long-Term Forest Experiments (Noltfox) consortium established by a number of northern European countries for harmonising information on long-term forest experiments and information on our experiments can now be found on the Noltfox database.
Research objectives
Based upon this, a rolling programme of work will be prioritised to ensure the integrity and structure of the experiments is maintained for the foreseeable future.
Future work will include:
- Field inspection of experiments that have not been visited in recent years
- Consideration of more recently established experiments for classification as long-term
- Screening of officially closed experiments that still exist and are of potential value
- Continue to improve our experiment database, looking to amalgamate the currently disparate Northern Research Station and Alice Holt databases and produce a unified one that is centrally held and accessible via the Forestry Commission intranet
- Ensure accurate mapping on Forest District GIS systems to avoid the possibility of unintentional losses occurring.
Current portfolio of experiments
An experiment on the free-growth of oak started in 1951 in the Crumblands Plantation, Gwent
Mason, W.L., Jinks, R.L. and Harrison, A.J. 2008. An Overview of Long-term Forest Experiments in Great Britain managed by Forest Research. In: Karlsson, Kristian (eds.). 2008. Long-Term Field Experiments in Forest Research. Metlan työraportteja / Working Papers of the Finnish Forest Research Institute 105. 47 s. ISBN 978-951-40-2144-2 (PDF).
Funders and partners
This research is funded by the Forestry Commission.
Status
This programme started in April 2006 with a planned duration of 5 years.
Contact
Bill Mason
Forest Research
Northern Research Station
Roslin
Midlothian EH25 9SY
Tel: 0131 445 2176
Fax: 0130 445 5124
Email: bill.mason@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
