These programmes do not primarily focus on climage change, but still contain relevant research. See also our specific climate change research programmes.
Hydrology
An important component of this programme is the role of floodplain woodland in flood alleviation, comprising modelling studies, GIS opportunity mapping and practical demonstration. Also covered by the programme are risk mapping for landslip and the hydrological consequences of growing short-rotation forestry crops for bioenergy.
The research will also provide a review of the potential contribution of woodland creation and management to meeting the objectives of the Water Framework Directive and the value of woodland shade for protecting fish populations from thermal stress.
Seed biology
Preliminary research has shown that ash seeds from southern France need chilling requirement and less prechill than those from Scotland in order to stimulate germination.
A number of native tree species need to be chilled for successful germination. There is some concern that, based on published climate change scenarios, this chilling requirement may not be met and natural regeneration in semi- natural woodlands may suffer.
Research is currently focusing on interactions between seed origin/provenance, the chilling requirement and germination success.
Economic research
The economic research programme considers a range of projects relating to climate change, including:
- An analysis of silvicultural options for climate change mitigation
- Study of woodfuel supply, focusing on prices offered to woodland owners and prices charged to consumers for woodfuel products
- Payments for ecosystem services: review of approaches to valuation and risk management for forest-based carbon schemes and review of of approaches to carbon additionality.
Genetic conservation
This research will increase understanding of genetic diversity and gene flow in native tree populations and the consequences for adaptability to climate change. Trials with existing and new provenances will underpin the development of climate change adaptation measures.
Landscape ecology and spatial planning
The programme will improve understanding of the impact of woodland spatial planning and management on biodiversity by developing tools and decision support systems that help to translate science into action. Within the programme, Defra is funding projects to develop indicators for landscape connectivity and strengthen the evidence base of the benefits of habitat connectivity for climate change adaptation.
Long-term experiments
Data from Forestry Commission arboreta, collections and long-term experiments are being collated to identify tree species that grow well under current conditions and would be expected to perform well under future climate conditions. This information will help to identify species for future production by the forest nursery and horticultural sectors.
National Inventory of Woodland and Trees
A revised digital woodland map for Great Britain is currently in preparation (to be completed in 2009). The map will be regularly updated through information from the Forestry Commission and combined with remote sensing data to provide robust and spatially explicit measures of changes in woodland area.
National Inventory of Woodland and Trees
Land regeneration, urban greening and social research
Research into land regeneration shows that establishing greenspace can lead to a wide range of socio-economic, health and environmental benefits.
The programme considers the provision of ecosystem services by street trees and urban woodland. The main topics include:
- The development of a model to determine the efficacy of trees, woods and associated greenspace at improving air quality and its direct impacts on human health;
- The ecosystem services afforded by urban trees and woods through review of existing models, datasets and systems;
- The development of a framework to demonstrate the value and benefits of urban greenspace.
For further information
Please contact:
James Morison
Forest Research
Alice Holt Lodge
Farnham
Surrey GU10 4LH
Tel:01420 22255
Fax:01420 23653
Email:james.morison@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
