The first phase of the most comprehensive survey ever undertaken of Scotland's native woods and forests is under way
Surveyors from Forestry Commission Scotland and Forest Research will spend the next few years scouring brae, glen, moor, field and town to discover exactly how much native woodland Scotland has, what types of native woods they are, what condition they are in, where they are, and a range of other information.

But first, pilot surveys are being undertaken in four areas over the next nine months to enable the researchers to test their methods and refine their survey techniques to ensure that when they begin the main project they gather the correct information in the most appropriate way for end users' needs.
The results of the pilot surveys will also be used to demonstrate the benefits and value of the survey to a wider audience.
The four areas being surveyed in the pilot survey are in Ettrick & Lauderdale in the Borders, the Clyde Valley, Wester Ross and Strathspey & Badenoch.
Leading the work will be project manager Dr Zoe Laird, who is based in Forestry Commission Scotland's national office in Edinburgh.
Dr Laird encouraged woodland owners and managers to help the surveyors, because the survey results will be useful to them as well as to scientists, foresters and policy makers.