The Effect of Burning and Grazing on Dwarf Birch (Betula nana)

In 2002, Carina Wood, a student at the Department of Environmental Science at Stirling University, carried out research on the relative effects of burning and grazing on dwarf birch at a site on the Balnacarn Estate in Glen Moriston where Trees for Life has been working to faciliate the natural regeneration of this scarce montane scrub species.

Here is the abstract of Carina's work, from her dissertation document:

Abstract

The effects of burning and grazing on dwarf birch (Betula nana) were studied. This comprised the sampling of plots at a site in Glen Moriston, where four different treatment types had been utilised to encourage regeneration of dwarf birch. The four different treatment areas were: burned and grazed; burned and ungrazed; not burned and grazed; and not burned and ungrazed.

A series of ANOVA general linear model analyses were carried out using Minitab, and box and whisker plots were also created.

It was found that the most productive site, according to the physiognomic measurements taken, was the burnt and ungrazed site.

The exclosures were successful in allowing better regeneration within them, and also in promoting vertical height of the dwarf birch, rather than horizontal spread.

The findings of this study have implications for management practices in the future, highlighting the methods that can be used in order to enhance the regeneration of dwarf birch communities.

Top of page

For further information about dwarf birch, please go to our Dwarf Birch Information Resource.

Return to Scientific Research in the Caledonian Forest