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.

Large scale diversity and distribution of ectomycorrhizal fungi

A multi-partner Europe wide transdisciplinary project to understand the large-scale diversity and distribution of ectomycorrhizal fungi across Europe, taking into account long-term monitoring of environment, climate, soil and geographical variables.

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.

A sequential multi-level framework to improve habitat suitability modelling

We provide a sequential framework for improved multi-scale habitat suitability modelling or species distribution modelling. We apply it to the lesser horseshoe bat in Britain to demonstrate its improved accuracy and ecological inference.

Harwood Forest GHG monitoring site

Measuring forest carbon balance and effect of harvesting

Priorities for research on Emerging Species

An analysis of species diversity of the Public Forest Estate in Britain to help inform the future direction of research on species and provenance.

Valuing tree and forest ecosystem services

Our research explores the value of different tree and forest ecosystem services and uses innovative methods to identify and capture those values

Valuing and governing tree and forest ecosystem services

This research provides new insights into how to recognise and understand the value of ecosystem services provided by trees and forests.

Direct seeding of birch, rowan and alder can be a viable technique for the restoration of upland native woodland in the UK

Direct seeding of birch, rowan and alder can be a viable technique for the restoration of upland native woodland in the UK

Understanding stakeholder visions for woodland expansion in Scotland

The development of stakeholder visions for woodland expansion in Scotland from analysing organisational documents, workshops and interviews.

Exploring changes in ecosystem services under varying scenarios

Exploration of the resilience of woodlands to future change by assessing how ecosystem service values and natural capital stocks of woodlands may be affected by change through the application of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment (UK NEA) scenarios and different management approaches, e.g. forest diversification through the application of forest management alternatives