Trees
Trees have historically been valued for the timber that they produce and for the land on which they grow. However, natural forest ecosystems contain the majority of terrestrial biodiversity and trees are also important crop plants. A major challenge for the 21st century is to find ways in which forests can be managed, potentially as components of integrated agricultural systems, in order to maximize cropping whilst maintaining biodiversity. Formerly forested lands that have been degraded by misuse must also be returned to beneficial use. All of this in the context of rapidly changing climatic conditions – a situation that means many trees will face an unfavourable climate before reaching maturity.
Our research investigates how forests respond to both natural and human inflicted disturbance and uses the data obtained to inform policies for sustainable management.
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Dr David Boshier, Senior Research Associate: Reproductive biology and population genetics of trees. |
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Dr Nick Brown, University Lecturer in Forestry: Forest ecology. |
