Woodland regeneration increases by 25% at Highlands National Nature Reserve - NatureScot
Naturally regenerating trees have increased by around 25% in six years at Invereshie and Inshriach National Nature Reserve (NNR), a new survey shows.
This year NatureScot commissioned a repeat of a 2017 survey that looked at tree regeneration over 1,025 hectares of land at Inshriach, near Aviemore.
The survey focused on open areas next to the existing established woodlands, as the aim was to see if the woodland is expanding. It covered land stretching right up to an altitude of 900 metres.
The survey, funded by the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme through the Cairngorms Connect Partnership, found that the density of all tree species in the area increased by around 25% over the period as new seedlings and saplings established.
Scots pine increased from 281 to 313 stems per hectare, juniper increased from 56 to 102 stems per hectare and birch from two to 10 stems per hectare. The species of new seedlings and saplings are strongly influenced by the existing adult trees and therefore the available seed source for natural regeneration.
With no planting or deer fences on the NNR, all of the woodland expansion has taken place through natural regeneration aided by deer management undertaken by Cairngorms Connect deer stalkers.
Habitat Impact Assessments, which measure the impact of deer and other herbivores on habitats, were also carried out, with grazing found to be having either no or low impact on most plots.
The findings build on recent research published by Cairngorms Connect showing how long-term coordinated deer control, with minimal need for fencing or planting, can enable trees to recolonise upland areas at a landscape scale.
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Posted On: 21/12/2023