NatureScot Research Report 1068 - Ardvar Woodlands SSSI/SAC - Herbivore Impact Assessment 2018
Ardvar Woodlands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is in unfavourable condition due to the impact of browsing on tree regeneration and woodland structure.
In Spring 2018, a field based assessment of 122 plots was conducted. This used a modified version of the method applied in the 2016 survey, and measured:
- Herbivore impact on seedlings/ saplings and preferentially browsed field layer species
- The height of the ten nearest seedlings and saplings to the centre of the plot
- The presence of factors other than browsing that may be limiting natural regeneration.
Results are not directly comparable with the 2016 survey, as the 2018 plots were four times larger, and because of differences in the time of year when survey was carried out. The 2016 survey took place in October, whereas the 2018 work was carried out in May. It is thus not possible to comment on changes over this period.
Pages: 27
Published: 2019
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