The following MiRN research projects have been undertaken by students and researchers from multiple institutions across the Miyawaki Research Network.

TOPIC: Growth Rate

Assessing the Impact of Miyawaki’s Dense Planting Method on Annual Growth of UK Native Trees from Various Successional Stages

Student: Lotte Holloway

Institution: University of Bristol and Earthwatch Europe

Supervisor: Sophie Cowling

Research aim: To analyse the impact of Miyawaki’s method on UK native tree genera (Willow, Birch, Alder, Cherry, Lime, Oak and Beech).

Methods: For each tree in the genera of interest, the distance from the last terminal bud scar to the terminal bud was measured in centimetres using a 5-metre tape measure representing the most recent annual growth.

Results: Although most genera are not significantly influenced by increased site density, Late Successional Genera experiencing increased growth and Alder reduced growth, suggests the method’s ability to hasten climax community formation and highlights potential risks in early succession respectively.

Exploring differences in juvenile vertical growth between early and late successional tree genera in densely planted ‘Tiny Forests’ in the UK

Student: Mary Hogg

Institution: University of Bristol and Earthwatch Europe

Supervisor: Sophie Cowling

Research aim: Early successional tree genera are typically small, fast-growing, and short-lived, while late successional tree genera are typically large, slow-growing, and long-lived. This project aimed to explore difference in vertical growth between these two genera in Tiny Forests.

Methods: 10 UK ‘Tiny Forests’ were surveyed in 2023, their 2nd or 3rd 8 growing-season. Recent annual height increments of 7 native early, intermediate and late-successional tree genera were measured.

Results: Early-successional genera had greater growth, suggesting successional-status predicted growth more than density. Findings suggest higher densities promote faster late-successional growth and limit early-successional growth but future experimental research is required to determine causality

Accuracy and Usability of LiDAR based mobile applications over conventional methods of tree height monitoring in Miyawaki forests using citizen science method

Student: Aravind Nair

Institution: University of Sheffield and Earthwatch Europe

Supervisor: Nicola Dempsy and Daniel Hayhow

Research aim: To compare the accuracy and usability of two mobile applications and two conventional monitoring methods used in forestry from the perspective of citizen science.

Methods: 12 participants measured the heights of trees using methods across 4 Miyawaki sites in Oxford and 2 other sites in Sheffield. Participants were then asked to fill in an online questionnaire to understand the more qualitative aspects of measuring tree heights

Results: The research reveals that none of these methods were able to measure the tree heights with statistical accuracy. Out of the four methods, the measuring scale method came out as most accurate and clinometer was found to be the least.

TOPIC: Soil Health

Characterisation of soil health of “Tiny Forests” using multiple soil quality indicators

Student: Holly Weber

Institution: Royal Holloway, University of London and Earthwatch Europe

Supervisor: Kevin Clemitshaw, Nathalie Grassineau, Mike Hutchins (CEH) and Macarena Cárdenas

Research aim: To characterise soil health in Tiny Forests

Methods: A combination of multi-faceted soil assessments, including bioindicators, crystalline mineral analysis and physiological factors were used across two Tiny Forests of different ages.

Results: In general, the parameters measured in these forests were found to be in the adequate range, with both exhibiting similar soil characteristics, despite approximately 1 years difference in age. However, differences in minerology found, could be an important factor in long term growth productivity. Microbial analysis is recommended as a method to further investigate soil health of Tiny Forests.

The short-term ecosystem services provided by Tiny Forests in urban areas

Student: Rasheed Akinleye Hammed

Institution: Bath Spa University and Earthwatch Europe

Supervisor: Ian Thornhill and Macarena Cárdenas

Research aim: To examine physical, chemical, and biological soil quality indicators within the Tiny Forest that underpin the ecosystem services function that supports and regulates their services in urban environments in the short term

Methods: Data on field measurements, soil properties, nutrients, and soil biodiversity were collected and compared to control plots.

Results: The results showed that most of the sampled indicators have the potential to provide a variety of regulating and supporting ecosystem services.

TOPIC: Climate Change

Urban Forests and Carbon Storage: Evaluating their Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation

Student: Malaikha Hussain

Institution: University of Birmingham and Earthwatch Europe

Supervisor: Sophie Cowling

Research aim: To investigate the effectiveness of afforestation and urban forests to act as a long-term solution for climate change

Methods: Tree species were identified through the Woodland Trust tree identifier Application. Tree girth and height were inputted into RStudio to calculate the above-ground biomass using the newly released ‘allodb’ package. Following the instructions given by Gonzalez-Akre et al., (2021), rough estimates for the biomass and carbon content of the trees measured were calculated

Results: The data shows that there is little carbon stored in the UK’s Tiny Forests, at an average of 1.2 kg per forest, and finds that all tree species planted had little variation between the carbon content per species, suggesting that stand characteristics are more influential to carbon storage, as opposed to the species itself. The data also implies that there is no correlation between precipitation and carbon storage, further suggesting that other abiotic factors have a significant effect on the carbon content of trees

TOPIC: Social Science

Understanding how a small-scale urban planting scheme can help re-connect people with nature – an investigation of the Tiny Forest Scheme in England

Student: Ayesha Carew

Institution: Bangor University and Earthwatch Europe

Supervisor: Julia Jones and Daniel Hayhow

Research aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of Tiny Forest as a means to reconnect people with nature

Methods: Data was collected from participants attending monitoring events. Sociodemographic details, nature relatedness scores, motivation scores and information on time and method of travel taken to attend events was collected via surveys. Semi-structured interviews were complete with Earthwatch staff to collect data on the aims, strategies, successes/failures and barriers of the scheme

Results: Individuals with high nature connectedness are more likely to take part in pro-environmental activities, highlighting an engagement gap. An integrated approach to conservation is beneficial to success, in addition to early engagement, the sharing of knowledge and the establishment of good communication routes and access to local communities. 

Tiny Forests: How ecosystems and their functions connected to the benefits of stakeholders and the public in Scotland and the UK

Student: Kyle Dawson

Institution: University of Stirling and Earthwatch Europe

Supervisor: Nils Bunnefeld and Claire Narraway

Research aim: To evaluate how the ecosystem and functions of tiny forests connect to the benefits of stakeholders and public on an urban landscape scale

Methods: Questionnaires on demographic and socio-economic information, as well as an assessment of the perception and attitudes of stakeholders and public towards Tiny Forests.

Results: Analysis of quantitative results suggests there is positive response to Tiny Forests as a concept. Particularly, high mean scores were noted in items “Tiny Forests are aesthetically pleasing,” “Sites for biodiversity restoration are generally a good idea,” and “Tiny Forests are good for educational purposes.”. Lower mean scores were reflected in items “Trees hold religious significance to myself,” and “My connection to nature and the environment is part of my spirituality.” Female scores were comparatively higher amongst most items, and age was found to be an influencing factor on perception. Age group 31-40 had the lowest mean score across all items, identifying that younger age groups less likely to visit urban green spaces.

Do people’s perceptions of Ecosystem Services support a Social-ecological Systems Approach to Urban Design? 

Student: Laura McCarthy

Institution: University of Gloucestershire and Earthwatch Europe

Supervisor: Alessio Russio and Macarena Cárdenas

Research aim: To explore the acceptance and feasibility of creating Ecosystem Services hotspots by incorporating nature-based solutions into commercial and compact urban sites in UK cities

Methods: Digital landscape scenarios were used in both the quantitative and qualitative studies to gauge perceptions of and preferences for alternative urban landscape design. The UGS survey collected extensive data form 359 respondents on ES, results were weighted and processed using SPSS and Excel. A series of informal, semi-structured interviews provide in-depth qualitative data on stewardship and the potential impact of civic engagement upon social and natural capital. Results were analysed using Nvivo

Results: The results showed a preference for integrating complex, interactive urban green spaces into the fabric of urban centres to meet increasing ecosystem service demands. Stewardship programmes were found to increase community resilience through providing additional ecosystem services across all four categories. It is suggested that a social-ecological system approach to urban green spaces could address current surplus and deficits within the urban ecosystem and contribute positively to overall system functionality and long-term urban sustainability helping to mitigate urban challenges and the negative effects of climate change.

Evaluating the Planning and design decisions behind implementing Tiny Forests in England

Student: Nagma Manoharan

Institution: University of Sheffield and Earthwatch Europe

Supervisor: Nicola Dempsy and Daniel Hayhow

Research aim: To understand the importance of forestry design in facilitating ecological and societal benefits

Methods: This study used qualitative and quantitative methods of research like a desk-based study, questionnaires, and interviews

Results: The findings from the study point out that the design of the tiny forests largely provides for social benefits than ecological values, thereby defining the tiny forest as a responsive urban forest within a neighbourhood. By evaluating the planning and design considerations followed by Earthwatch, key areas for optimisation especially in the site election and site design stages were found for which new principles are recommended. These principles can be used to enhance the design of the tiny forest to facilitate social benefits it can provide at the community scale and also achieve wider ecological benefits at the planning scale.

Interested in getting involved in Tiny Forest research? Become a citizen scientist with us!