The Farm Woodland Forum - Silvopastoral National Network Experiment
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There are six sites in the Network:
- Glensaugh/upland (MLURI FC)
- Broughshane/upland(DANI)
- Loughgall/lowland (DANI)
- Henfaes/lowland (UWB)
- Bronydd Mawr/upland (IGER FC)
- North Wyke/lowland (IGER FC)
Most of the sites are now retained on a care and maintenance basis. Routine measurements have been stopped but the management of the sites remains as close as possible to the original protocols. Measurements of productivity and of environmental impacts could be re-commenced at a future date.
The sites have a number of common treatments based on sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus).
Sycamore was chosen originally because it has the potential to grow well over the wide range of sites represented in the Network:
- Sycamore agroforestry planted at 100 trees per hectare with sheep grazing;
- Sycamore agroforestry planted at 400 trees per hectare with sheep grazing;
- Sycamore Farm Woodland Control planted at 2500 trees per hectare with no grazing;
- Agricultural Control with no trees and sheep grazing.
Trees are individually protected in agroforestry treatments.
Woodland Control trees are not individually protected but fences exclude grazing and browsing animals. There are three replicates of all treatments and controls.
The sites are managed to a common set of management protocols for the agricultural and forestry components.
A common standard set of measurements is made at all sites.