Our woodlands have been established over many years in a relatively stable climate. Tree species selection has assumed that these climatic conditions will remain constant. This key assumption no longer applies.
We need to ensure that our forests and associated habitats are resilient to climate change and have the capacity to adapt to its likely effects. We must start to implement adaptation strategies today, as England's forests will be maturing in a very different climate.
The Read report (Combating Climate Change, 2009) states, “UK’s forests and trees have the potential to play an important role in the nation’s response to the challenge of the changing climate. Substantial responses from the UK forestry sector will contribute both to mitigation by abatement of green house emissions and to adaptation, so ensuring that the multiple benefits of sustainable forestry continue to be provided in the UK”.
A new 'Forests and Climate Change' guideline document has been published to support the revised UK Forestry Standard. The other Guidelines have been revised and reflect this guidance on climate change. The UKFS Guideline states; “Guidance on adapting to climate change is inevitably provisional because of the uncertainty associated with climate change projections. However, there are actions that can be taken now to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to its effects. It is these actions on which these guidelines are initially focused. The publication will be updated and improved as climate change science develops and our understanding of its effects on forests increases."
Forestry Commission Research Note 201, ‘Climate change: impacts and adaptation in England’s woodlands’, describes the likely changes in climate, its impacts on forests, and offers factors that forest managers should consider when planning to make their woodlands resilient to climate change.
The Research Note explains how climate projections are made in the UK, and describes scenarios for a future climate based on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions already present as well as possible future emissions.
These pages provide practical guidance on adapting to and mitigating climate change, focusing particularily on increasing the resilience of England's woodland resource to climate change.
The correct selection of tree species, diversification of tree species, and use of the correct genetic material is a key strategy to adaptation to climate change.
