Dr Andrew Cameron

Biography

Andrew received a BSc in Forestry at the University of Aberdeen in 1980 and went on to do a PhD in cloning and genetic variation in tree species. In 1983, Andrew took up a position in the forestry industry for a period of six years where he was responsible for managing large areas of forest in West Scotland and North England. He returned to the University of Aberdeen in 1989 to lecture in Silviculture and Forest Planning. His research interests were influenced by his experience within industry and specialised in wood properties and how these were influenced by genetic selection, environment and management. Andrew also researches in irregular forestry (Plenterwald) and regeneration dynamics within these structurally and species diverse forests. More recently, he has expanded his teaching into Forest Ecology and evolution of the gymnosperms.

External Memberships

1. Advisor on forestry issues to the Scottish Government (currently involving analysis of the impacts of Brexit on the forestry industry).
2. Expert Witness in legal cases (usually involving the identification of wood samples/fibres as part of forensic investigations).

Research Overview

Main research interests include:

1. Studying the relationship between tree breeding and stem quality and wood properties of forest trees with particular emphasis on the genetic heritability of the properties of the juvenile core

2. Impact of climate stresses on trees.

3. Identifying resilience in coniferous species in response to the threat of climate change.

4. Transforming even-aged planted stands into structurally and species diverse irregular forests.

Current Research

1. Understanding the mechanism of climate-induced radially-longitudinal cracking in conifer trees .
2. Determining the genotypic and phenotypic heratibilities of wood properties of full-sib Sitka spruce associated with the juvenile core. 
3. Building climatic resilience through transformations of plantation forests into multi-aged, mixed species structures.
4. Identifying trees species and silvicultural methods to build resilience into forest stands in response to climate change.

Collaborations

1. Centre for Innovative Building Materials and Technologies (CIBMT), Department of Engineering, College of Physical Sciences, University of Aberdeen.
2. Napier University Edinburgh.
3. The Hutton Institute, Aberdeen.
4. Forestry Commission Forest Research, Roslin, Edinburgh.
5. Multi-national team as part of a COST Action FP1206 European mixed forests. Integrating Scientific Knowledge in Sustainable Forest Management.
6. Teagasc Agricultural and food Development Authority, Ireland.

Funding and Grants

1. Determining the genotypic and phenotypic heratibilities of wood properties of full-sib Sitka spruce associated with the juvenile core. (PhD funded by Forestry Commission Scotland and Forest Research)
2. Determining the processes involved in the development of the juvenile core in Sitka spruce grown in densely populated stands. (MPhil funded by Forestry Commission Scotland and Forest Research).
3. The potential and suitability of minor conifer species on marginal agriculture soils in Ireland (PhD funded by The Walsh Fellowship)

Teaching Responsibilities

1. Diversity of Life (the gymnosperms)
2. Plants, People and Environment (wood structure, bioenergy and climate change)
3. Applied Forest Ecology
4. Catchment Management