Collecting soil samples at Salix lapponum populations, showing a fungal fruiting body of Laccaria laccata associated with the willow. Photo: Sarah Watts
A grant was awarded to Sarah H. Watts at University of Stirling to support her PhD project researching montane scrub restoration in Scotland. The 6-year study intends to aid the development of conservation management techniques, increase the resilience of the habitat and expand the treeline.
The research examines how environmental factors, habitat type, and mycorrhizal associations affect the survival, growth rates, and natural regeneration of two key species in Scotland’s montane scrub: Salix lapponum (Downy Willow) and Betula nana (Dwarf Birch).
Sarah’s work will contribute to the future conservation of upland habitats which are an important part of mitigating climate change impacts.
The PhD began in October 2019 and is a part-time project due to finish in 2025. The interim progress report covers a summary of the main fieldwork undertaken in 2020-2022, as well as some preliminary results from initial data analysis.
