ECRR > Member organisations > Forest Research

Forest Research

The purpose of the Agency is to provide research, development, surveys and related services to the forest industry and provide authoritative advice in support of the development and implementation of the government's forestry policies.

Research programmes commissioned by the Forestry Commission are organised under the following themes:

• Forests and society ;
• Forests and biodiversity ;
• Forest protection ;
• Forest operations and environment ;
• Forest resources and industry ;

Priorities for research include:

• improving the understanding of threats to tree health including the effects of changes in climate and in atmospheric chemistry.
• developing environmentally benign and humane methods of controlling pests and diseases.
• improving understanding of the effects of trees and forest operations on the environment.
• developing improved methods of managing forests for sustainable benefits including the maintenance of biodiversity.
• developing cost-effective methods for restocking and establishing trees on sites likely to become available for forestry.
• increasing the commercial returns from forestry through cost reduction, improved timber quality, increased yield and improved information on the resource.

Forest Research programmes are organised by research area:

• Entomology ;
• Environmental Research ;
• Pathology ;
• Silviculture (North) ;
• Silviculture and Seed Research ;
• Tree Improvement ;
• Woodland Ecology ;
• Technical Development.

For further information, please contact: