APPLIED RESEARCH FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ADVICE

Up until the latter part of the last century Atlantic Oakwoods have had a long history of local management and utilisation, which in broad terms is now considered to have been sustainable.  However, since then most of these woods have been degraded, and in some cases fragmented, by increased grazing by deer and sheep, invasion by rhododendron and underplanting with fast growing exotic conifers.

Whilst this project has mitigated these primary threats through restorative management there is currently an incomplete understanding of the part past traditional management has played in maintaining biodiversity, the processes underlying degradation and the potential for fully restoring and extending Atlantic Oakwood habitat on degraded sites.

In order that the lessons drawn from the restoration work can be fully understood and can contribute to the development of conservation methodologies and prescriptions to optimise the longer term conservation management of Atlantic Oakwood sites, a small proportion of the project resources have been directed at commissioned research


 

These Reports are now available to view:

APPLIED RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT ADVICE REPORTS

Overall Aim & Specific Objectives:

The overall aim identified in the approved project application was to undertake applied research to contribute towards a scientific basis for methodological development of regenerative management and grazing control in Atlantic Oakwoods.

 This aim comprised two specific objectives:

  • Research into oakwood regeneration, structure, establishment and establishing site suitability for habitat expansion.

  • Studies of the impact of grazing pressure on site structure and species composition.