Ryan Mcclory Phd

Celebrating Ryan McClory’s PhD Journey Investigating Oak

Future Trees Trust is delighted to announce Ryan McClory’s graduation and completion of a three and a half year PhD with the University of Reading.

Ryan investigated Drivers of Masting in Oak – a three and a half year PhD with the University of Reading, fully funded by the Patsy Wood Trust and supported by Future Trees Trust, The ALA Green Charitable Trust, The Scottish Forestry Trust, Aitchinson Trust, Action Oak and Woodland Heritage.

Ryan’s doctoral research focused on the drivers of oak masting in the UK, with the aim that this better understanding may contribute to a more consistent acorn crop for conservation and forestry.

Ryan Mcclory Phd
Professor Richard Ellis (right) Ryan McClory (Centre), and Professor Martin Lukac (left)

Ryan undertook three projects:

  • 1st project looked at individual variation in oak masting, whether there are any local factors explaining why some trees produce a particularly good acorn crop compared to their conspecifics (same species).
  • 2nd project looked at continent-wide weather and remote sensing data, to try and explain and predict the conditions that will lead to a good acorn crop, extrapolating these findings into future climate scenarios.
  • 3rd project is a pollen intervention study, looking into the affect of pollen source on acorn output. With full understanding of the proximate causes of masting we may be able to guide conservation measures aiding natural regeneration, determine best practices for seed orchards to maximise the levels of UK acorn crops, and be able to understand and predict how climate change will influence UK oak reproduction.

Ryan also published two research papers:

Pollen source afects acorn production in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)
Carbon dioxide enrichment afected fower numbers transiently and increased successful post‑pollination development stably but without altering fnal acorn production in mature pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.)

 

Ryan also contributed many updates throughout his PhD read more below:

16 Apr

New Oak paper examines if acorn production in mature woodlands will be affected by further increases in CO2

In Oak
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3 Aug

Understanding the Drivers of Oak Masting in Addressing Oak Shortfall

In Oak
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14 Oct

Meet Ryan McClory – PhD Student

In Future Trees Trust, Oak
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17 Nov

The Drivers of Oak Masting In the UK Annual Update

In Oak
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