Regeneration of Upland Woodland Communities - Abstract  

Regeneration of Upland Woodland Communities - Abstract

 

Abstract

An active upland hillfarm in the Southern Scottish Highlands is studied, to assess the potential for regenerating woodland communities. Distribution and condition of remnant tree cover was surveyed. Three tree species were found: Sorbus aucuparia, Betula sp. and Salix sp., but at very low densities. The mean stocking density was 1.78 trees per hectare.

The trees occurred as isolated individuals or in clumps on areas which, at least, had partial protection from grazing. Livestock seem to prevent tree recruitment from occurring openly on the hill slopes. The area does appear to have the potential to regenerate, and its nature conservation would benefit from any wooded addition.

A series of experimental enclosures has been recommended to test the areas potential ability to regenerate. This could become a feasibility to explore the effectiveness of management techniques in achieving woodland regeneration.