Forest Research project on ash dieback
Forest Research are seeking interviewees for a research project on threats to ash trees. Below is a message from Berglind Karlsdottir who is leading the research.
"I’m a social scientist at Forest Research and I’m currently working on a multi-disciplinary project about threats to ash trees, specifically ash dieback and emerald ash borer (not currently in the UK). The ultimate aim of the project is to produce a model of the predicted spread and population growth of emerald ash borer, and how that would be influenced by different management scenarios. As part of the project we are interested in talking to people who are involved in the management of ash trees, woods and forests in our three case study areas: Kent, Suffolk and North Wales. If this is relevant to you, we would be delighted to invite you to participate in a Teams or telephone discussion. If you are not based in any of these locations, you are still able to contribute your experiences through our national online survey on the topic.
Our aim is to learn about your experiences managing ash trees currently as well as how you might adapt your approach in the future if the emerald ash borer beetle were to arrive in the UK. This will help us to understand more about the feasibility and effectiveness of different management and policy approaches as well as how management is likely to influence the population and spread of emerald ash borer should it arrive in the UK. Ultimately, any input from yourself and others in similar positions should help protect ash trees in the future.
If you are interested in contributing, please reply to me at Berglind.Karlsdottir@forestresearch.gov.uk with a suitable date and time for us to speak. Alternatively, you may be able to suggest another member of your team who would be best placed to discuss ash management. The interview should take between 30-60 minutes. I would like to reassure you that any information provided through these interviews will be reported anonymously. If you would like to know more before potentially agreeing to an interview please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions. More information about the project is available on the project webpage and I have attached a short description of the project for you."