A grant was awarded to University of Stirling’s Biological and Environmental Sciences Department to research the biodiversity impacts of upland native woodland creation.

The aim was to quantify the diversity and activity of mammalian predators using new native woodlands. The objectives included understanding how mammal behaviour changed depending on woodland maturity, edge characteristics and proximity to water and other habitats. Over two years, 132 locations were surveyed in four woodland areas within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, and Glen Devon.

Outcomes

For the study’s findings, please read the project report. This study formed part of a wider research programme, Woodland Creation and Ecological Networks (WrEN), between the University of Stirling, Forest Research and Natural England, which is using a novel large-scale natural experiment to assess the impact of 160 years of woodland creation on current biodiversity. You can find more information on the WrEN research programme webpage.