Woodland Regeneration & Grazing in South West Norway

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Woodland Regeneration & Grazing in South West Norway HM Group Shot
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It was amazing to explore the regenerating forests in SW Norway and to understand better how native forests can develop with a lower browsing pressure.

Deer management practices differ between Norway and Scotland, with carcass weights used to determine deer quotas in Norway, indicating the overall health of the population and helping to balance its impacts on woodland regeneration.

Cultural and social factors have influenced the woodland regeneration we saw, from the abandonment of farms over the 20th Century to the different attitudes to hunting, foraging and land-use in Norway.

The diversity of species and structure in the Norwegian forest sets an example for us to aspire to in Scotland, and we need to consider how to integrate a rebounding forest within Scotland’s cultural and social setting.

This report can be downloaded as a pdf.

This report is a collaboration of 10 nature conservation professionals from different organisations across Scotland including SNH, the John Muir Trust, the Woodland Trust, the RSPB, and Trees for Life. The participants were Alison Austin (John Muir Trust), Stephen Blow (RSPB), Holly Deary (Scottish Natural Heritage), Philippa (Pip) Gullet (RSPB), Sarah Livingstone (John Muir Trust), Hannah Marshall (Woodland Trust), Karen Reid (Scottish Natural Heritage), Hamish Thomson (Woodland Trust), Edward (Ed) Tooth (RSPB), Emily Warner (Trees for Life).

The course on forestry and grazing in South West Norway was hosted by Duncan Halley of NINA, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research from the 2nd to the 9th September 2019.

The report focusses on similarities and differences between Norway and Scotland and the potential for increased forest regeneration and species diversity in the landscapes and communities of Scotland.

The main areas covered are:

Allemannsrett – “All Man’s Right”

Foraging

Forest Regeneration

Black Grouse

Montane Scrub & Ground Flora – Comparison with the Cairngorms

Comparisons between Glen Nevis & Fidjadalen

Browsing Pressure, Hunting & Deer Management

3 Key Norwegian Concepts: Plukkehøgst (Pluck Felling), Dugnad (Community Duty), Vis Sunnhet (Showing Thriviness)

Protected Areas

Woodland Management – benefits from Norway

Conclusions

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