Improving silvicultural and operational solutions for achieving sustainable management.
The need to rethink existing forestry practices to meet changing objectives lies at the heart of our research into sustainable forest management.
We are exploring new approaches to woodland establishment and tending to support policies aiming to increase the species and structural variability of forests. This research also seeks to reduce management costs, and add value to British timber and non-timber products. This includes technical support for wood energy and biomass initiatives.
About this research, its background and objectives, and underlying Forestry Commission policy
Research
- Continuous cover silviculture
- Development of storm resistant landscapes (STORMRISK)
- Eco-engineering and conservation of slopes (ECOSLOPES)
- Ecosystem management
- Establishment and maintenance operations
- European network for vegetation management
- Forest management decision support systems (FORSYS)
- Forest models for research and decision support in sustainable forest management
- Harvesting and transport
- Integrated establishment systems for the uplands
- Integrated forest vegetation management
- Management of long-term experiments
- Management of upland native woodlands
- Safety and ergonomics for forestry operations
- Seed and seedling biology
- Silviculture and timber properties
- Sustainability impact assessment of the forestry-wood chain (EFORWOOD)
- Tree stability and climate
- Woodfuel
Research programmes are led from the Centre for Forest Resources and Management.
Forthcoming conferences, seminars and events
- Assessing the sustainability impacts of forest management in Northern Europe – a Scottish perspective
- Growing broadleaves for quality hardwood timber
- Woodfuel production outdoor workshop
Publications
Related products and services
- Alice Holt Research Forest - Conduct studies with access to 50 years’ scientific data
- Chemicals Regulation Directorate efficacy testing - Quality assured field trials of new and existing pesticides under strictly controlled environmental conditions
- ForestGALES - Decision support tool to estimate probability of wind damage to conifer stands
- Herbicide Advisor - Expert system to advise on relative efficacy of different herbicides
- Plant quality testing service - Obtain information on quality of stock before planting
- Software to support transformation to Continuous Cover Forestry
- Technical development services - Evaluation and development of forestry methods and machinery
- Technical services - Surveying, experiment and nursery services
Contact
For further information contact:
Dr Helen McKay
Forest Research
Northern Research Station
Roslin
Midlothian GU10 4LH
Tel: 0131 445 6955
Fax: 0131 445 5124 23653
Email: helen.mckay@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Other research themes
Science & technical disciplines
Research
EU and OECD research