Scientific Research in the Caledonian Forest

Michele Crowell carrying out research on Scots pines planted by Trees for Life volunteers in Glen Affric

Trees for Life has had an ongoing programme of scientific research associated with our conservation work since 1990. Students from several universities, including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Stirling, Cambridge, Leeds and Bangor have undertaken a series of studies for us, covering a range of subjects.

Because only 1% of the original Caledonian Forest survives, it has been little studied until relatively recently, and consequently much research is needed to provide a greater understanding of the ecosystem. Research is also vital to provide a proper basis for the work of restoring the forest, and we invite any students who are interested in carrying out research to contact us.

The importance of research in the Caledonian Forest remnants has been highlighted by the discovery of a previously unknown species of beetle in the RSPB's Abernethy Reserve, and by the discovery in 1997 of a globally threatened lichen species, forked-hair lichen (Bryoria furcellata) in a research plot just outside the exclosure at Coille Ruigh na Cuileige in Glen Affric - this species in known from only five other sites in the UK.

Possible Research Projects

For students who are interested in carrying out research in conjunction with our project, we maintain a list of possible research projects which is updated regularly.

Details of Previous Research Projects

The links below go to other pages on our site which contains reports about previous research projects carried out by students in conjunction with our conservation work:

• Clonal Diversity of Aspen (Populus tremula) in Glen Affric

• A Dead Wood Survey of Glen Affric

• The Ecology of Hazel (Corylus avellana L.) in Glen Affric

• Ecological processes which influence the performance of planted Scots pine seedlings

• Factors affecting the spatial distribution of rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) regeneration in the Caledonian Pine Forest

• A Literature Review and Study of the Clonal Composition and Stand Structure of Native Aspen (Populus tremula L.) in Glen Affric

• Reintroduction of the European Beaver (Castor fiber) into Scotland

• Ecology and Regeneration of Oak (Quercus L.) in Glen Affric, Scotland

• An Investigation into the Continued Effects of Fencing in Glen Affric

• Use of a Geographical Information System to evaluate Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) habitat within the Glen Affric Caledonian Forest Reserve

• The Use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to Predict Potential Suitable Habitat for Wood Ant Colonies in Glen Affric, Scotland

• Ectomycorrhizas of Scots Pine ­ Glen Affric

• An Investigation into the Factors Affecting the Growth and Condition of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L) in Glen Affric

• A Comparison of Soils and Vegetation for Areas where Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Regeneration is Dominant with those where Birch (Betula sp) Regeneration is Dominant

• A Survey of the Regeneration within a Native Pinewood, Coille Ruigh na Cuileige, with Particular Reference to Ground Vegetation

• The Effects of Fencing on Natural Regeneration of Native Pinewood after Six Years in Coille Ruigh na Cuileige, Glen Affric

• Composition of Regenerating Woodland in Coille Ruigh, Autumn 2001

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

• Regeneration Ecology of Broadleaved Trees in Caledonian Forest

Other Research in the Caledonian Forest

The links below go to pages on our site with information about other research projects being carried out in the Caledonian Forest:

• Hidden Fungi – Who, Where and When?