CWMCARN FOREST RENEWAL

2nd Year Landscape Design Project

Project Year 2021-2022

Advisor: Tim Waterman & Emma Colthrust

Cwmcarn forest area in Wales, known as a recreational destination for families and hikers as well as a source for the timber industry in the UK, had suffered the Larch disease caused by microorganism called Phytophthora ramorum which damaged and killed more than 150,000 larch trees in 2013. This is one of many unique examples of the loss of forests that does not relate to global warming and human activities.

As a result of the unpredictable infection, all the larch trees must be felled to stop the spreading of the disease, according to the Welsh nationwide strategy, and the area has to be reforested. It is also a great opportunity to introduce new species which are less susceptible to the disease to increase the biodiversity of the area. This studio design project will focus on the root cause of the massive forest renewal project.

The interventions consist of the prevention of the forest-wide spread of the pathogen by introducing water canals to evacuate the infected run-off water out of the site. Moreover, the planting areas are divided into sectors to support selective logging and further control the disease. Lastly, the pathways are redesigned to enhance the visiting experience as well as the introduction of scientists and logging routes to reduce cross circulation between three disciplines of the site.