All publications and research
Publications
We publish a wide range of information in support of sustainable forest management in Britain. Publications are organised by category in the filtered search below. Our catalogue includes the FC publication library and archive as well as Forest Research articles and guidance. More about our publications
Research
You will find information about topics we are currently working on as well as archived material from completed projects. Current topics are what we see as being the key scientific challenges for our sector over the next few years, and details of the types of research we are undertaking in response.
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.
Themes
Provenance variation of emerging species
Forest Research has recently examined some long-term experiments to examine provenance variation of emerging species. The table below is a summary of how the results compare with Forestry Commission Bulletin...
Themes
Forest hydrology - PhD studentships
Phd Students asociated with the Forest Hydrology research programme.
Themes
Climate change impacts
Examining the effects of climate change and air pollution on woodland and forestry.
ESCom 2020 workshop: Scotland's National Ecological Network - progress and practicalities
Summary of a workshop for researchers, policy makers and practitioners to discuss the progress and practicalities of developing a National Ecological Network in Scotland. Embedded in this approach to more sustainable land use is the need to take stock of progress towards regional and national ecological networks to increase resilience into the future.
Themes
The dendroclimatic and dendrochronological background to Acute Oak Decline
Using tree ring measurements (dendrochronology) and stable isotope analysis, the research aims to examine the stem growth and tree health histories of Acute Oak Decline (AOD)-affected trees, to look for evidence of predisposition to AOD, the impact of AOD on recent growth, and correlation with A. biguttatus attack.
Themes
Analysis and development of local authority tree strategies
A series of nine local authority case studies in England to understand the processes, drivers and barriers behind tree strategy development and implementation.
Themes
Valuing mental health benefits of forests
This research examines approaches to valuation of the mental health benefits of forests and proposes how monetary valuation of these benefits can be developed further. It examines metrics to quantify mental health impacts, methodologies to value changes in these and potential for incorporating associated values into natural capital accounting
Themes
Forest damage by deer depends on cross‐scale interactions between climate, deer density and landscape structure
This journal paper investigates the factors that drive deer damage to woodlands using the National Forest Inventory sample square data. We found that the likelihood of damage to trees depends on cross-scale interactions between climate, deer density and landscape structure. The complex interactive effects uncovered are difficult to interpret. We therefore provide an interactive Deer Damage Tool for practitioners to visualize how afforestation is likely to influence the probability of deer damage in different forests and regions across Britain.
Themes
Assessment of large-scale plant biosecurity risks to Scotland
This research aims to better understand potential large-scale threats to plant biosecurity in Scotland. In particular, we are exploring the risks posed by i) non-specialist and online horticultural sales, ii) large-scale plantings for landscaping and infrastructure projects, and iii) large-scale tree plantings for environmental benefits.