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Using QGIS geographic information system, Theresa and colleagues at the University’s School of Natural Sciences are comparing the National Tree Map data with other publicly available maps. Combined with interviews with stakeholders this will help them to understand where non-woodland trees are and how they relate to proposed woodland opportunities, such as the Glastir land management scheme in Wales.
Prior to her PhD, Theresa, from Gmünd, Austria, completed a Masters at the Universities of Padova and Bangor, and has a background in event planning.
Having spent an exchange period at Bangor University, she chose to return. She finds Bangor’s small size helps her to focus on her work and says:
“I chose Bangor because I believe this place could be one of THE institutions of cross-sector research, innovation and sustainability of the future - in an environment where I can walk the beach and climb a mountain on the same day, what else could you want – in the age of the internet who cares about spatial distance anymore, anyway!”
“Woodland expansion is an incredibly hot and relevant topic, and my PhD project proposal was worded very openly so I have a lot of flexibility to define what I want to do,” she added.
Dr Norman Dandy, Sir William Roberts Centre Director added:
“Theresa’s research is extremely timely as more attention is now being given to ways in which woodlands can be expanded through approaches that require only limited management intervention. Natural regeneration and colonisation, including by trees outside woodlands, is being taken increasingly seriously as a way of mitigating climate change. Theresa’s work and and geographic information system analysis will form a foundation for further research at Bangor in this area.”
Source: Bangor University..
