02/07/2013

There’s a real battle going on in Wales’ woodland. Our native trees are fighting pests and disease including Ash dieback, Oak decline, Pine weevil and different strains of the deadly phytophthora fungus in both Larch and Juniper. In Science Café this week, Adam Walton travels to an affected forest in Tal Y Bont on Usk, near Brecon, to talk to Prof Hugh Evans, the head of Forest Research in Wales, about the scientific research being done to counter the threats. Chris Jones, a senior tree protection manager with Natural Resources Wales, gives a clearer picture of some of the problems on the ground and Dr Trevor Dines, of Plantlife Cymru, tells Jeremy Grange about a plant scheme that could safeguard the gin industry.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Useful Links:

OPAL - http://www.opalexplorenature.org/

Pine Weevil – http://www.swansea.ac.uk/science/news/naturesanswertodeadlytreepestispayingoffintheuplandsofwales.php

Natural Resources Wales - http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/our-work/news/natural-resources-wales-steps-up-fight-against-larch-disease/?lang=en

Saving Juniper/Plantlife - http://www.plantlife.org.uk/wild_plants/work/savingjuniper/