Conservation and Restoration

Why?

One of Scotland’s foremost assets is the biodiversity of its natural and semi-natural systems. A science-based conservation and restoration strategy depends upon knowledge of:

• Species and habitat responses to management & policy-driven changes
• Impacts of habitat fragmentation on genetic, as well as species diversity and how this affects habitat/species resilience and responses to further environmental change

We aim to deliver protocols for conservation and restoration of two important and contrasting habitats: upland grasslands (widespread, high income generating potential, lower biodiversity value) and native pinewoods (flagship natural conservation resource, but highly fragmented).

Projects

• Effects on biodiversity of changing livestock densities and assessment of indicators of biodiversity in relation maintenance of land in ‘good agricultural and environmental condition’
• The effects of fragmentation and herbivory on ecology and genetics of Scots pine and associated ground flora
• How does large mammal herbivory affect birch growth and establishment?
• Does clonal variation in aspen influence the associated lichen communities?

Outcomes

• Predictions of how changes in conservation & agri- environment policies (particularly through influencing livestock numbers) will influence management and biodiversity goals
• Evaluation of the extent and consequences of fragmentation of pine woodlands for genetic diversity and conservation
• Protocols for genetic and ecological management of targeted upland & woodland plant species to guide biodiversity & conservation action

Contacts

Dr Glenn Iason g.iason@macaulay.ac.uk