The threat to UK conifer forests posed by Ips bark beetles

This Report describes the biological and environmental factors that influence attack frequency and severity from Ips bark beetles and assesses strategies for their management, with emphasis on the major threat posed by I. typographus.

Providing the evidence base to diversify Britain’s forests

Early results of species and provenance trials established in 2012.

SMARTIES

Mariella Marzano

Woodland Diversification

Nadia Barsoum

Molecular detection of Phytophthoras in forest, woodland and urban garden environments

A project entitled 'molecular detection of Phytophthoras in forest, woodland and urban garden environments' aims to; i) examine Phytophthora diversity in soil at forest, woodland and public garden sites in Scotland, ii) assess the feasibility of using Illumina metabarcoding technology combined with spore trapping for longer-term monitoring of aerial Phytophthora diseases, such as P. ramorum, and iii) to provide evidence to inform biosecurity and remediation policy aimed at limiting the introduction, spread and impact of Phytophthora diseases.

ESCom 2020 workshop: Scotland’s National Ecological Network – progress and practicalities

Summary of a workshop for researchers, policymakers 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.

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.

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.

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.

Assessment of large-scale plant biosecurity risks to Scotland

This research aims to better understand potential large-scale threats to plant biosecurity in Scotland. 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.

The social dimensions of oak processionary moth (OPM) management

Bianca Ambrose-Oji Mariella Marzano

Co-designing tree health policy options with land managers

Co-design of tree health policy options with land managers for resilient treescapes post EU-Exit as part of Future Farming and Countryside Programme (FFC).