Latest news with #JHI
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Science
- Scotsman
How these changes to Sitka spruce plantations could help improve biodiversity in Scotland
'Blocky mixes' are being put forward as an option according to a new report. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A new report has found how the most common conifer plantation can be managed in a more biodiversity-friendly way long-term. Sitka spruce dominates the forestry sector, with the non-native tree making up about half of Scottish woodlands. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There have been concerns the plantations are less resilient to disease, severe weather and longer-term climatic shifts. The visual impact of the 'serried ranks' on the landscape and the lack of species diversity under its dense canopy have also been noted as issues. Sitka spruce is the most common conifer in Scotland | JHI Diversification of woodlands is fairly common now, with the Scottish Government only allowing up to 65 per cent of one tree variety in a woodland to avoid climate and disease related problems. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There can be issues, however, with some native broadleaves being unable to grow long-term with Sitka. It is why some researchers have suggested planting natives in 'blocky mixes' among the plantations. A new paper from the DiversiTree project, a collaborative project aimed at increasing woodland resilience through greater tree species diversity, began the study identifying 564 species (12 birds, 147 bryophytes, 28 non-lichen-forming fungi, 123 invertebrates, 243 lichens and 11 mammals) which use the Sitka spruce for feeding or as a living space. However, many of these are non-specialists and can survive on a wide range of trees. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The authors then assessed 34 tree species which could be planted with Sitka spruce for their impacts on both biodiversity and ecosystem function. This included checking their leaf litter decomposition traits, influence on the soil and leaf litter chemistry, as well as their ability to grow alongside Sitka spruce, support Sitka spruce-associated species and nurture additional biodiversity. Authors said mixing Sitka forests with oak, sycamore, Scots pine, birch, beech and Norway spruce would provide the greatest biodiversity benefits, supporting both the species found on Sitka spruce and additional biodiversity not currently found in these forests. However, the study explained all these tree species, except sycamore, are unable to grow in the long-term when planted in mixtures with Sitka spruce. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is when authors suggested 'blocky mixes' - small blocks of single tree species which connect the forest like a patchwork quilt. They claimed this would help diversify Sitka spruce plantations without major impact to timber production. The paper said more research is needed to decide the optimal size and arrangement of these 'blocks.' Dr Ruth Mitchell of JHI | JHI Dr Ruth Mitchell, a plant soil ecologist at the James Hutton Institute and the paper's lead author, said: 'As our forestry adapts to a changing climate and new tree pests and pathogens, it is crucial that we understand how this may impact forest associated biodiversity. 'This work shows how diversification of our Sitka spruce plantations with other tree species can bring many biodiversity benefits." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Forestry leaders insist Scotland needs to increase its timber production, often citing the UK being the second largest importer of timber products in the world.
Scotsman
22-07-2025
- Science
- Scotsman
First blueberry to flourish in Scottish climate produced after ten years of hard work
More than 300 unique blueberry crosses were made to find the perfect result. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scientists are celebrating after producing the first ever blueberry to flourish in Scotland's climate. The achievement has come about after ten years' research at the James Hutton Institute's breeding programme during which more than 300 unique blueberry crosses were made to find the right combination. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The result, dubbed Highland Charm, has been made from a selection of blueberries bred from the native north American species (Vaccinium corymbosum), resulting in a berry that grows well in the Scottish climate, the JHI said. The James Hutton Institute introduces the first UK-bred blueberry | James Hutton Institute Blueberry breeder, Susan McCallum, said: 'This cultivar is a real standout. It combines high yields, excellent fruit size, outstanding flavour, with a balanced sugar-acid profile and a satisfying bite, and an impressive shelf life. 'It is reliable and has performed well in our trials year after year, with consistent yield, size and taste. Growers are really excited about it.' The new berry has been successfully trialled in the UK and the EU, constantly performing well across multiple seasons and diverse conditions, the JHI said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland's fertile soils, clean water, and milder summer temperatures create ideal conditions for producing high-quality berries. Cooler summers extend the ripening period of soft fruit, allowing for greater accumulation of sugars and acids, resulting in a more intense, well-balanced flavour compared to berries that ripen rapidly in hotter climates. The UK consumers buy around 60,000 tonnes of blueberries a year but 90 per cent of them are imported from overseas, according to JHI. Researchers at the centre believe the blueberry has great potential for expansion and that Highland Charm will meet the demands of the industry for home grown fruit. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They said its climate resilience represents a significant advance for growers. Dr McCallum said she hopes the new berry will encourage consumers to buy in-season, local fruit. 'They are fresher with higher health benefits than imported berries that take six weeks to get from the field to the shelves,' she said. 'The imported fruit is often picked slightly too early and while its colour continues to develop, its flavour does not. I guarantee people will taste the difference with in-season, local fruit and will want to go back for more.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Highland Charm is currently going through the licensing process that will declare it to be a novel and unique blueberry and should be on supermarket shelves in about three years. A sister variety under development is also expected to enter the licensing process next year. Meanwhile, a supermarket has revealed that this year's warmer weather has led to the UK's biggest cherry yield in at least three years. Tesco supplier Place UK, based in Tunstead near Norwich , Norfolk , said the warm weather had led to a "wonderful crop". The supermarket has introduced larger 600g and 1kg pack sizes of the cherries, priced at £4.50 and £6 respectively. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dan Yordanov, of Place UK, said: "It's been a really good season for us so far with the warmest spring on record helping to produce a wonderful crop of cherries - easily the best we've seen for at least three years. "This has resulted in an abundance of great tasting, perfect British cherries being picked at peak ripeness.'
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
'Remarkable' astrophysicist praised by top scientist
A Nobel Prize winning scientist has praised the "remarkable" work of an astrophysicist at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). PhD student Dr Alexia Lopez discovered the Giant Arc - a gigantic, ring-shaped structure in space, made up of galaxies and galaxy clusters that scientists say is so big it challenges our understanding of the universe. Sir Roger Penrose, who won the Nobel Prize for Physics for his work on black holes, has invited her to meet in person at Oxford University, where he is an Emeritus Professor. Ms Lopez, 28, said she "thought someone was playing a joke at first" when she heard he got in touch to say he was "fascinated by my findings". "I couldn't believe someone of such gravitas was interested in my work," she said, adding he is "so passionate about his research and it's infectious to see how excited he is about the possible links" between their findings. Sir Roger, a world-renowned mathematician and physicist who mentored Professor Stephen Hawking, has a keen interest in the cosmological discoveries because they could show signs of his theory of the origin and development of the universe. He has cited Ms Lopez in his latest research publication, The Physics of Conformal Cyclic Cosmology. He said: "Alexia Lopez has discovered a remarkable effect which appears to substantiate the conformal cyclic cosmological model that I originally suggested in the early years of the 21st Century. "Her observations provide what appears to be a very strong challenge to conventional cosmology which had not been previously anticipated." Ms Lopez, who is now a postdoctoral researcher at UCLan in Preston, has been with the university since 2015 when she began an undergraduate degree in physics with astrophysics. She then went on to complete a Masters and PhD with the University's Jeremiah Horrocks Institute for Maths and Physics (JHI). Professor Derek Ward Thompson, director of the JHI, said: "We're very proud of what Alexia has achieved so far and she's still only at the beginning of her scientific career. "To have the backing of Sir Roger Penrose is amazing and really highlights the significance of her research." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. Huge galaxy ring challenges thinking on universe Astronomers discover 'the perfect solar system' US issues first ever fine for space junk
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Science
- BBC News
'Remarkable' UClan astrophysicist praised by top scientist
A Nobel Prize winning scientist has praised the "remarkable" work of an astrophysicist at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).PhD student Dr Alexia Lopez discovered the Giant Arc - a gigantic, ring-shaped structure in space, made up of galaxies and galaxy clusters that scientists say is so big it challenges our understanding of the Roger Penrose, who won the Nobel Prize for Physics for his work on black holes, has invited her to meet in person at Oxford University, where he is an Emeritus Lopez, 28, said she "thought someone was playing a joke at first" when she heard he got in touch to say he was "fascinated by my findings". "I couldn't believe someone of such gravitas was interested in my work," she said, adding he is "so passionate about his research and it's infectious to see how excited he is about the possible links" between their Roger, a world-renowned mathematician and physicist who mentored Professor Stephen Hawking, has a keen interest in the cosmological discoveries because they could show signs of his theory of the origin and development of the has cited Ms Lopez in his latest research publication, The Physics of Conformal Cyclic said: "Alexia Lopez has discovered a remarkable effect which appears to substantiate the conformal cyclic cosmological model that I originally suggested in the early years of the 21st Century. "Her observations provide what appears to be a very strong challenge to conventional cosmology which had not been previously anticipated."Ms Lopez, who is now a postdoctoral researcher at UCLan in Preston, has been with the university since 2015 when she began an undergraduate degree in physics with astrophysics. She then went on to complete a Masters and PhD with the University's Jeremiah Horrocks Institute for Maths and Physics (JHI).Professor Derek Ward Thompson, director of the JHI, said: "We're very proud of what Alexia has achieved so far and she's still only at the beginning of her scientific career. "To have the backing of Sir Roger Penrose is amazing and really highlights the significance of her research." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
