Matthew Pindar

• BSc (Hons) Biology
• Can the Age and Success of a Woodland be Attributed to its Soil?

The predominant habitat in the UK pre industrial revolution was deciduous woodland. However, large demands for wood by industry and war has left the habitat type largely destroyed. The project aimed to determine if the concentrations of particular vital minerals and soil characteristics could be distinctly attributed to the three woodland type in the UK: Ancient (over 400 years old), secondary mature (over 150 years old) or woodland creation (within last 150 years). The variation of these chemical properties present in the woodland types will be used to select sites in a further study. Genetic methods will be used to determine species differences in an attempt to establish if the soil communities and properties have a significant effect on the chance of a forest being continuously present for 400+ years.

Funding source: Newcastle University

Supervisor: Dr Darren Evans