Possible Caledonian Forest Research Projects

At Trees for Life we strive to use up-to-date scientific research to inform our forest restoration work, to promote greater understanding of the Caledonian Forest ecosystem, and to further the science of ecological restoration. We have been working with a number of universities since 1989. We greatly appreciate the work that has been carried out for us over the years (see Scientific Research in the Caledonian Forest), and also feel that we suggest interesting and rewarding dissertation topics.

These projects are primarily aimed at BSc and MSc students, and the more in-depth ones are geared towards PhD candidates. If you are interested in carrying out any of the projects below, we would be happy to hear from you. We will refer you to the Forestry Commission Scotland where the proposal concerns land which they manage. Many of the projects have a degree of flexibility, so if you have particular areas of interest, there may be an opportunity to tailor the project accordingly. Also, we would be interested to hear from you if you have any original proposals for dissertations related to the Caledonian Forest. How to contact us.

We rely on students having a high degree of self-reliance and initiative for developing and carrying out these projects. Trees for Life will usually be able to organise a field meeting with a member of staff, and in some cases we may be able to help with accommodation.

Possible Subjects for Research Projects:

Ecology and regeneration of holly in Glen Affric
Holly (Ilex aquifolium) is a rare tree in Glen Affric, although it is recognised as a component of the native pinewood ecosystem. Research is needed to investigate the site characteristics where holly trees occur, the effects of grazing pressure, the viability of reproduction through pollination, and to determine what action is necessary to ensure the regeneration of this species.

Ecology and regeneration of oak in Glen Affric
Following on from research on oak (Quercus petraea) carried out by an undergraduate from Leeds University in 2000-1, we are seeking to have further research carried out, to locate and map out suitable areas for the re-establishment of oak in Glen Affric.

Ecology and regeneration of juniper in Glen Affric/Moriston
Juniper (Juniperus communis) is often thought of as being on the edge of its range in Glen Affric, as the relatively high rainfall and wet soil conditions do not suit it. However, juniper is spontaneously regenerating inside a number of fenced exclosures in the glen. Research to study this, and the production of distribution maps for juniper in the glen would be very useful. The relevant parameters that could be analysed in such a study include soil types and conditions where the regeneration is occurring; growth rates and age of the junipers; distance from seed source/parent trees; and the presence of mycorrhizal fungi associated with juniper. Comparisons could be made with its distribution in Glen Moriston, to the south.

Ecology of pine snags in Glen Affric
In the pinewood remnants of Glen Affric there are quite a number of standing dead trees, or snags. We would welcome research into the ecology of these, along with dating of snags using dendrochronology techniques. An extension of this research could involve making predictions on the future abundance of snags. Suggestions could be made for the management of Scots pine plantations in the glen to artificially create snags.

Mycorrhizal research in the pinewoods of Glen Affric/Moriston
In healthy forests, mycorrhizal fungi play an important role in the ecosystem. We would welcome substantial research (eg for a doctorate) on mycorrhizal fungi associated with the various tree species in Glen Affric or on the Dundreggan Estate. Research could focus on one or a number of aspects that would provide valuable information for us in planning forest restoration work. Possible subjects for this include mapping out the distribution of mycorrhizal fungi, particularly in locations where the forest has declined or disappeared recently (how long do mycorrhizal fungi persist after the tree cover has been removed?); researching which mycorrhizal fungi are associated with which tree species in the glen, particularly focussing on the scarcer and little-studied tree species there (eg oak, aspen, hazel etc.); comparing the presence of mycorrhizal fungal in mature pinewood with newly planted areas, naturally regenerating areas, and commercial Scots pine plantations in the glen. The study could also explore the potential role of mycorrhizal inoculation in regeneration schemes; establishing and evaluating trial plots where differing techniques of mycorrhizal inoculation are used in areas where trees have been planted.

The application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in planning for ecological restoration of the Caledonian Forest as part of the Forest Habitat Network.
The Native Woodland Model (NWM), created by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Macaulay Institute, helps to predict the forest types that could grow on denuded areas of the Highlands in current climatic conditions. This is a very useful tool in planning woodland restoration. A valuable project would involve using GIS and the NWM to assist with the long-term planning of woodland expansion in the TFL Target Area. Using the principles of landscape ecology, areas would be prioritised for the expansion of different vegetation/NVC woodland types (eg native pinewood, montane scrub etc) in a way that will most effectively restore connectivity in a variety of habitats. This could be a valuable contribution to the wider Forest Habitat Network strategy.

Research into possible financial benefits to the Highlands & local employment prospects of the return of a wild forest on a large scale
We believe that for a truly sustainable future in Scotland, the country needs large areas of natural, wild ecosystems along with employment for local people, and that these two are linked. There is a need for research into the possible economic impact of our proposals and opportunities for job creation associated with large-scale ecological restoration of the Caledonian Forest.

Investigating the feasibility of restoring native ground flora to upland oak/birchwood (NVC types W11 & 17) and native pinewoods (W18).
Forest degradation has resulted not only in a loss of trees from large areas of the Highlands, but also in the deterioration of native ground flora. Some work has already taken place with the restoration of flora in lowland woodlands, but very little has been attempted with restoring the ground layer in native upland forest. As part of our Native Ground Flora Restoration Project, an MSc student recently investigated the potential for restoring the flora of native pinewoods in Glen Affric. Further work is still required on the restoration of various plant species such as twinflower (Linnaea borealis) to native pinewoods.

A parallel study, examining the potential for restoration of plants such as small cow-wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum), wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), primrose (Primula vulgaris), wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa) or bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) to upland oak/birchwoods, would be very useful. Microclimatic factor such as aspect/light and soils could be used to predict and prioritise where plants could be introduced.

Forest Habitat Networks: Oak Woodland in Glen Moriston
There are extensive areas of oak/birch (NVC 11&17) woodland alongside Loch Ness with some good remnants in the glens to the west, usually on the south facing slopes. Much of the lower part of Glen Moriston is afforested with maturing plantations interspersed with birch woodland, including oak, or with isolated stands of oak. There is a need to survey these stands, map isolated trees, identify whether Q. petraea or robur, research their history, look out for associated species (e.g. what are the agents of dispersal here, how far up the glen are the red squirrels found?) and propose prescriptions for restoration. The aim is to identify opportunities for linkages to develop an oak habitat network in the Glen.

Dwarf Birch, Betula nana, and the micromoth Swammerdamia passerella
The biodiversity status of the montane scrub zone has recently been recognised with the inclusion of Montane Heaths and Willow Scrub as a Priority Habitat in the 2007 BAP Review. An important component of the scrub zone is Dwarf Birch. Although not widespread in the Highlands, the Dundreggan Estate in Glen Moriston has an unusually good population of Dwarf Birch occupying an interesting range of upland habitats. Survey work in 2008 identified the BAP species Swammerdamia passerella whose caterpillars are restricted to the plant. There appeared to be an association between flowering of the Birch and the presence of the caterpillar. Further study is required to analyse this association at Dundreggan, and perhaps elsewhere, and to research the autecology of the moth species.

Ecological processes which influence the restoration of W18 Scots Pine woodland.
During 1995-98 Michelle Crowell studied the ecological processes which influence the performance of Scots Pine seedlings, planted at Athnamulloch in Glen Affric in 1991-92, for her doctorate at Cambridge University (see Ecological processes which influence the performance of planted Scots pine seedlings).

She noted two of the assumptions made in our work to ‘restore’ the Caledonian Forest. Firstly that the basic conditions required for tree seedling growth into mature trees persist at treeless sites, and are facilitated by low-impact planting; and secondly that successful establishment of the trees will encourage the natural development of the other elements of the Caledonian Forest, including colonisation by native plants, animals, and micro-organisms.

Her work focused on the first of these assumptions. The three-year period of thesis research was too short to investigate the second. However, some of the planted trees are now 3-4m tall and producing their own seed. How far have the ecological processes developed over the last ten years? Michelle established a baseline for studying this assumption over the long term. All of the seedlings examined in the thesis were tagged with an identification number linking them to a GIS at the core of her research.

Now is a good time to re-visit Athnamulloch to assess how far the ecological processes have developed. This could include an assessment of the success rate of tree establishment at the site, work on vegetation mapping, surveys for associated species, and soil and mycorrhizal analysis. As Michelle said “If anything, the most exciting results are yet to come! My thesis provides a 'snapshot' of seedling performance four to five years after planting. We may find that the patterns of both tree performance and ground flora change drastically in the years to come." Indeed, photos of the site at www.treesforlife.org.uk/tfl.athnamulloch1.html show a dramatic change in a relatively short time period.

Mountain woodland: Glen Affric.
The lost mountain woodland of Scotland is largely a missing habitat, in part it is believed due to browsing pressures over the centuries. Treeline scrub/Krummholz vegetation is a high priority for restoration and it has been recommended that it should be clearly encompassed within relevant priority habitats, such as Upland Birchwoods and Native Pinewoods. The biodiversity status of the montane scrub zone has recently been recognised with the inclusion of Montane Heaths and Willow Scrub as a Priority Habitat in the 2007 BAP Review and some interesting fragments and species do survive. One area, above Glen Affric, has a good population of Dwarf Birch, Betula nana, and unusual areas of snowbed vegetation beneath scattered treeline Scots Pine. It would be interesting to analyse the vegetation community here and undertake a survey of tree distribution and regeneration.

For further information, or to discuss any of the above projects, please contact:

Dan Puplett or Mick Drury, Trees for Life, The Park, Findhorn Bay, Forres IV36 3TZ, Scotland
Tel: 01309-691292 Fax: 01309-691155 Email: dan@treesforlife.org.uk, mick@treesforlife.org.uk Web site: www.treesforlife.org.uk

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Last updated: Tuesday, 26-Jan-2010 14:08:24 GMT