Nicholas John (Nick) Ledgard, QSO
Position
Adjunct Senior Fellow
Qualifications
BSc, Auckland, NZ;
MSc, Bangor, Wales
Contact Details
Phone: +64 3 364 2949
nick.ledgard@ensisjv.com
Postal Address
Forest Research
PO Box 29237
Fendalton
Christchurch
New Zealand.
Background
I have worked as a scientist with Forest Research (NZ Forest Research Institute Ltd) since 1971. My current base is at Forest Research's South Island office on the University of Canterbury's campus at Ilam, Christchurch, New Zealand, adjacent to the School of Forestry.
Trained as a forester (BSc, Auckland, NZ; MSc, Bangor, Wales), I would describe myself as a generalist rather than a specialist researcher, but the areas in which most of my work is conducted are
- montane (high altitude) forestry for production and protection purposes,
- the environmental impacts of forestry,
- natural regeneration (wilding spread), and
- farm forestry (School of Forestry lecturer).
Wilding spread
Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) outlier wildings spreading over rangeland near Lake Ohau in inland Canterbury, New Zealand. The three older trees have grown from seed blown from a stand some 8 km to the west. The associated downwind fringe spread confirms the direction of the prevailing wind. The spread of wildings is causing concern in areas such as this, but research has shown how to control existing wildings and minimise the risk of spread from new plantings.
Montane forestry
I oversee forestry production and environmental impact research (c.100 ha of trials) in the South Island high country. Forestry is a relatively new (and controversial) use in this area, which has traditionally been used for extensive pastoralism. Over 50 species are involved, but the major silvicultural trials utilise Douglas-fir and Corsican, ponderosa, muricata and radiata pine. In these stands growth measurements are being taken for yield table and modelling purposes. Monitoring soils changes and biodiversity (plants, birds and insects) is the main focus of the environmental impact work. Expertise in high altitude forestry has led to offshore work, including an annual commitment to run a forestry project in Nepal's Sagarmatha National Park.
Natural regeneration (wilding spread)
In some areas the unwanted spread (wildings) of introduced trees (particularly conifers) is causing concern. After 20 years working in this field, I have written a number of papers, and carried out advisory work on managing /controlling existing spread, and how to minimise the risk of future wilding spread.
Farm forestry
Farmers are major forest growers in NZ, and most new planting is on farmland. I present the farm forestry course (28 lectures) for the Forestry School at Canterbury University, and am Secretary of the local branch of the NZ Farm Forestry Association.
Undergraduate Courses
Recent Publications
Publications most relevant to the above are:
Ledgard, N.J.; Belton, M.C. 1985: Exotic trees in the Canterbury high country. N.Z. Jl of Forestry Science 15(3): 298-323.
Ledgard, N.J. 1988: The spread of introduced trees in New Zealand's rangelands - South Island high country experience. Tussock Grasslands and Mountain Lands Institute Review 44: 1-7.
Ledgard, N.J.; Baker, G.C. 1988: Mountainland forestry - 30 year's research in the Craigeiburn Range, New Zealand. New Zealand Forest Research Institute Bulletin No 146: 64 pp.
Ledgard, N.J. 1993: Forestry in New Zealand's southern high country. In: Alden, J.; Mastrantonio, L.; Odum, S. (Eds) "Forest development in cold climates". Proceedings of NATO Conference, Laugarvatn, Iceland, June 18-23, 1991. Plenum Press, 233 Spring Street, New York: 529-548.
Ledgard, N.J. 1993: A review of research and management of natural regeneration of introduced Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) with particular emphasis on its unwanted spread in New Zealand. In: Lindgren, D. (Ed) "Pinus contorta - from untamed forest to domesticated crop". Proceedings of IUFRO Workshop WP 2.02.06 and Frans Kempe Symposium, Umea, Sweden, August 24-28, 1992. Dept., of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Report No. 11: 388-406.
Ledgard, N.J.; Crozier, E.R. 1999: Wilding prevention: Guidelines for minimising the risk of unwanted wilding spread from new plantings of introduced trees. Available from Forest Research, PO Box 29237, Fendalton, Christchurch, NZ: 21 pp.