Soils, Forests, and Pastures in South Wales

Marginal upland soils may be used for forestry or sheep grazing.In the State Forests of South Wales a study of selective plantingshows the greatest volume yield is generally obtained from Sitkaspruce (Picea sitchensis) planted in ridge-crest soils. Yieldsfrom Sitka spruce on ridge-flank soils are reduced by the presenceof Ericaceae on upper slopes and the dryness of the soils onlower slopes. Contrary to this trend, the nutritional valueof the pasture for sheep is lowest on ridge crests and increasesdownslope, being greatest on the Agrostis pastures of lowerslopes. Further, reclamation is most economically accomplishedon ridge flanks where they are not too steep. Although profitcomparisons are very difficult to make, ridge slopes might bemore usefully allocated to sheep grazing and ridge crests toSitka spruce forests. To be economically viable, a forest mustbe large, but within any new forestry acquisitions the largerareas occupied by slope soils might be reclaimed or utilizedas sheep pastures.