Head of Centre for Forestry and Climate Change
Email: andy.moffat@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1420 22255
Tel direct: +44 (0)1420 526202
Fax: +44 (0)1420 23653
Address:
Forest Research
Alice Holt Lodge
Farnham
Surrey GU10 4LH
UK
Prof. Andy Moffat studied for a first degree in Geography and Soil Science at the University of Reading. He then undertook a NERC CASE studentship at University College London and Rothamsted Experimental Station. He was awarded a PhD in 1980.
He was employed in the Soil Survey of England and Wales between 1979 and 1985, when he took up the post as Pedologist in the Forestry Commission Research Division. He was responsible for research on land reclamation and soil sustainability and co-led the intensive forest monitoring programme (Level II). Between 1997 and 2009, he was Head of Environmental Research Branch and then of the Environmental and Human Sciences Division. In 2005, he was awarded the DSc, and in 2007, he was granted the title of Visiting Professor in the School of Human and Environmental Sciences at the University of Reading.
Current role
Head of Centre for Forestry and Climate Change
Responsible for the development, direction, execution and quality of the Centre’s research activities. He is a member of the Forest Research Executive Board. He represents environmental issues at both national and international levels. He has particular responsibilities to facilitate interaction between Forest Research research activity and the needs of the English Forestry Commission policy makers, and is a visiting member of the FC(E) Executive Board.
Current programmes
Integrated forest monitoring
Programme Group Manager for this Forestry Commission funded research programme. Head of the National Focal Centre for Forest Monitoring, responsible for national input into the UNECE ICP Forests Programme.
Wildfires in Wales
Project Manager of study which examines the physical and social drivers behind wildfire occurrence in the South Wales Valleys, evaluates existing mechanisms to reduce arson and seeks to identify new ways to mitigate this problem.
Climate change risk assessment (CCRA)
Joint Project Manager of contract which will provide the forestry sector evidence for this Defra funded project. The climate change risk assessment will provide evidence and analysis which will enable all UK Administrations to understand the level of risks posed by climate change, compare the risks of a changing climate with other pressures on the Government, prioritise adaptation policy geographically and by sector and assess the costs and benefits of adaptation actions and support the case for resources for these.
Stump and root harvesting – consequences for soil disturbance
Joint supervisor of PhD studentship examining the effects of stump and root harvesting on soil disturbance, with University of Stirling.
Affiliations and achievements
- Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
- Member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters
- Member of the EPSRC Peer Review College
- Head of the UK National Focal Centre for forest monitoring
- Member of the DEFRA Soil Action Plan Advisory Forum
- Associate Editor ‘Soil Use and Management’
- Member of the British Society of Soil Science
- Member of the ICP Forests Soil Expert Panel
- Member of the Sustainable Organic Resources Partnership Technical Expert Advisory Group.
Research areas
- Forest ecosystem monitoring and evaluation
- Soil sustainability
- Land regeneration and urban greenspace
- Forest fires
