Ecology and Regeneration of Oak (Quercus L.) in Glen Affric, Scotland
In 2000, Sarah Bolster, a student in the Geography Department at Leeds University, carried out research on the ecology and regeneration of oak trees in Glen Affric.
Here is the abstract of Sarah's work, from her dissertation document:
Abstract
This paper focuses on the ecology of oak and also analyses an appropriate management plan for the species within Glen Affric, in the Highlands of Scotland. Natural regeneration of both native oaks is either failing, or severely deficient in most British woodlands. The dominant influences on native woodlands in the Highlands today are extensive sheep, cattle and deer grazing.
Overall site characteristics were examined at each site including number of seedlings, height of mother tree, pH, organic matter, slope angle, vegetation and grazing pressure in order to run a model of optimum conditions for oak in the glen. These showed no significant relationships and the results were used in a site-specific analysis.
The results indicate that natural regeneration is generally lacking from the site studied for reasons that vary from the tree being too young to begin seed production, waiting for a good mast year, the tree regenerating itself after having fallen over. Where regeneration was present the seedlings suffered from grazing. Oak has not disappeared from the glen but there is evidence to suggest that they be at the minimum of their former extent. Management suggestions include the use of tree shelters to protect seedlings and continued management of the deer population.
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Last updated: Wednesday, 25-Aug-2010 15:59:29 BST