Genetic conservation units (GCUs)

This project aims to establish a network of genetic conservation units (GCUs) across the natural range of European tree species to conserve the genetic diversity of forest genetic resources (FGR).

[Archive] Dutch elm disease in Great Britain

RIN 252 (1994) Out of print research publications from the 1980s and 1990s. Please note that since publication the products named may have been withdrawn or changed formulation, services may no longer be available, legislation superseded and addresses and contacts changed.

[Archive] Revised windiness scores for the windthrow hazard classification: the revised scoring method

RIN 230 (1993) Out of print research publications from the 1980s and 1990s. Please note that since publication the products named may have been withdrawn or changed formulation, services may no longer be available, legislation superseded and addresses and contacts changed.

The devil is in the detail: Metabarcoding of arthropods provides a sensitive measure of biodiversity response to forest stand composition compared with surrogate measures of biodiversity

We investigated whether biodiversity information obtained from DNA metabarcoding of mass-trapped arthropods and from a range of taxa-based surrogate measures of biodiversity (e.g. carabid beetles, vascular plants) provide: 1) similar estimates of alpha and beta diversity and 2) provide similar forest management related conclusions. We also explored how well habitat-based surrogate measures of biodiversity (e.g. stand structure, volume of deadwood) predict observed biodiversity patterns.

Breeding ash trees for tolerance to ash dieback

Richard Whittet

Forest habitat network for Edinburgh and the Lothians

Booklet describing the contribution of woodlands to promote sustainable development within the regional Structure Plan. By Duncan Ray and Darren Moseley.

Novel dendrochronological modelling demonstrates that decades of reduced stem growth predispose trees to Acute Oak Decline

• Novel dendrochronological modelling was developed to explore oak stem growth trends. • Trees with long-term AOD symptoms may have been predisposed many decades earlier. • Diseased trees struggle to take advantage of favourable growing conditions. • Historic episodes of stress may impact the future resilience of oaks to disturbance.

Living Ash Project phase II (LAP2)

Matt Parratt Caroline Gorton Richard Whittet

Factsheet: Climate change and biodiversity

More biodiverse woodlands are better able to resist or adapt to threats, such as climate change. This enhanced resilience supports the continuity of woodlands and the ecosystem services they provide. Biodiversity is the variation at different levels of biological organisation - the genes within a species; the species within a community; and the diversity between communities and ecosystems.

Species diversification – which species should we use?

This paper stresses that future use of ‘alternative’ species for diversification should be contingent on rigorous biological risk assessment, results from forestry scale trials, and the establishment of sustainable British seed sources.

Improving stiffness in Sitka spruce

The grading, and therefore the ultimate value of construction timber is governed by the mechanical properties of strength, density and stiffness. The majority of British spruce timber is graded as C16 but has density and strength characteristics which are usually high enough to achieve greater grades. The factor limiting a greater...

Gene flow in native tree species

In this project we have examined pollen flow in species such as oak and cherry