There’s no denying that many challenges continue to face biodiversity and nature at both a global and local level. The Government’s State of Natural Capital Report for England, published last October, outlines some of the severe ongoing risks to England’s natural capital based on past and ongoing impacts on ecosystems and highlights the need for collaborative action across all sectors to reduce these risks. 

Only by drawing on the knowledge and expertise of people from different fields and backgrounds, with a shared dedication to protecting our natural world, can we identify and implement solutions on the scale needed to ensure a brighter future for our Forests.   

With this in mind, we asked some of the leading conservation and forestry experts in the UK to share their thoughts on how we can best adapt to the challenges ahead and some of the emerging trends in forestry management. 

Our expert panel: 

How can we support our forests to adapt to changing climate and environmental conditions?

The National Forest 
If we are going to adapt our forests to a changing climate then we must make them more resilient to the changes coming our way. For existing forests that means getting more of them into active management. For new forests we should be planting mixed species and increasing diversity, whatever your position is on conifer and broadleaf or native and non-native. And for the country as a whole, we must expand and connect our forests to provide greater protection and buffering from threats, as greater fragmentation will increase risk. 

The Heart of England Forest 
Forestry practice in the UK was developed in the second half of the 20th century, however, as the climate has changed, we need to change practice. This means diversifying species and ages of trees in our forests along with the management of them. This must be suited to the local conditions, but we must also design and manage our forests now in a way that gives the managers of the future options to adapt to suit the changing climate in the late 21st century. 

Forestry Commission 
Often from an ecological perspective, the worst thing we can do is nothing, this allows canopies to become denser shading out ground flora species which often provide the basis of woodland food chains. We need to make woodlands bigger, better managed and more joined up. 

The key questions forest owners should ask themselves are; What can my site support now and in the future? What are the specific threats to my woodlands? What makes my site special? 

What do you think is the single biggest factor that will impact the health of UK forests over the next decade? 

The National Forest 
Climate change is undoubtedly the number one factor that will impact the health of our forests. We can see this in the changing conditions that enable increases in disease transmission or extreme weather events causing windblown, fire, or flood damage. Climate change is also responsible for positive impacts with increased planting driven by the need to reach net zero carbon targets or improved woodland management taking place to adapt to change. 

The Heart of England Forest 
In the shorter term over the next decade, the overall health of our Forest will likely be determined by how as a nation we value our forests and woodland. To improve forest health, we need to manage our forests – we need to intervene whether it’s to increase species diversity, decrease herbivore impacts (such as deer), or restructure our timber-producing plantations. 

Forestry Commission 
In our opinion lack of management is the greatest factor. Whilst climate change, invasive species, introduced diseases and extremely high populations of deer and grey squirrels may have a catastrophic effect on woodlands and their biodiversity, good management can mitigate and prepare for these challenges. Having a clear vision for your woodland which can be modified in the face of changing threats creates a resilient woodland for the long term. Many more woodlands must be brought into management for us to turn the tide of species loss and increase carbon uptake. 
 

What innovations or developments in forest management have you seen recently that you think will change the way forests are managed in the future? 

The National Forest 
It is encouraging to see a more naturalised ecology returning to some of our forests where extensive blocks of woodland can be managed by large grazing animals and native species reintroductions can help maintain healthy woodlands. The use of bison in Blean Woods in Kent or the return of the pine marten to the Forest of Dean shows how we can improve woodland management and reduce impacts of non-native species by working with nature.   

The Heart of England Forest 
The development of green finance and the natural capital market is transforming opportunities for landowners across the UK. Many new native woodlands are being created which would not have been planted without investment from organisations seeking to mitigate their climate impact. As this market continues to grow and mature, with options to value the benefits of existing native woodlands being developed, opportunities to work with partners committed to genuine change enable more of the fantastic benefits forests provide to be multiplied across our landscape. 

Forestry Commission 
There is now a huge pressure on woodlands to not only be economically beneficial but to benefit biodiversity, local communities and provide other ecosystem services such as reducing flooding and carbon. All woodlands can  and should provide economic returns, and grants and payments which support forestry that provides far greater holistic value should vastly improve forests value to society whilst simultaneously benefiting owners. 

Equally technology such as LiDAR and drones have the potential to revolutionise forestry through improved harvesting efficiency to understanding and managing deer populations in far greater detail than has ever been possible when surveying manually. 

Many thanks to the Forestry Commission and The National Forest for contributing.