About Us

The Forest Ecology Research Group at the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, UCC has nationally recognised strengths in forest ecology research. Field and desk based research here is concerned with the ecology of forest processes, their management and biodiversity conservation across a range of forest species, predominantly birds and invertebrates. All forest types found in the Irish landscape are studied including our native woodlands, riparian woodlands and plantation forests.

The assessment of this biodiversity by the Forest Ecology Research Group is innovative both in terms of research methods and expected results. Such innovative research is conducted alongside established, more traditional methods of biodiversity assessment of ground dwelling invertebrates, lepidoptera and forest birds. Endangered and threatened species are prioritised by this group and current research efforts are focussed on assessing the ecological requirements of the Hen Harrier, one of Ireland’s rarest raptor species.

The group has a particular interest applied research and a key goal is production of scientific research to underpin ecologically sound forest management policy and practice.