RDE552 Understanding the natural functioning of ash regeneration

Description

We require outputs from the recent Bunce Survey to be analysed to inform an ongoing study into the variables that may contribute to differences in natural selection and regeneration rates of ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in woodlands in England. A few sites in Norfolk are showing unusually high levels of regeneration of healthy young ash trees. This work is required to identify factors that may promote similar regeneration more widely throughout England, by understanding relevant environmental conditions and genetic variation. The Bunce Survey provides an ideal dataset to query, being reasonably comprehensive across the UK and in the number of variables recorded. This project needs to a) Interrogate the Bunce survey data for sites with presence/absence of early stage ash b) Use multi-variate analysis to identify variables which may be potential drivers of patterns in ash regeneration c) Use the results of this to produce lists of sites that may be surveyed and a draft survey protocol, to feed in to the ongoing project: TH42326N13 - Recovery of Ashwoods from Ash Dieback. d) If necessary/beneficial, explore the possibility of adding additional sites.