Future-proofing Scotland’s forests against climate change

Increasing tree species and diversity, creating mixed woodlands, using natural regeneration, careful design plans and careful selection of tree provenance are just some of the measures being advised in a new UK Forestry Standard Practice Guide produced by the Forest Research agency.

Scottish Environment Minister Màiri McAllan said: “Our forests and woodlands have such a substantial role in helping to reduce climate change and nature loss, but we need to protect them and ensure they are up to the job well into the future.

“As I highlighted in the recent ICF conference on Climate Smart Forestry, we are facing serious challenges with a rapidly changing climate. Milder, wetter winters, warmer and drier summers, mixed with more frequent extreme weather events are expected in the future. A perfect example of this was Storm Arwen last year and the cluster of storms that followed quickly after.

“With this change in climate we also need to ensure Scotland’s forests and woodlands are more resilient to the growing number of pests and diseases that we are now facing," said Ms McAllan.

“There is a climate emergency upon us right now and keeping the status quo is simply not an option. It is essential that we make sure our forests are fit for the future.”

The Adapting forest and Woodland Management to the Changing Climate practice guide is available from www.forestresearch.gov.uk/publications/adapting-forest-and-woodland-management-to-the-changing-climate/