Research
Social and cultural values of treescapes
Research Status:current
This research project aimed to improve the representation and understanding of the social and cultural values of treescapes in plant health policy. Existing evidence on the social and cultural values of treescapes by publics tends to be limited in scope, for example to recreation, aesthetics, or health values. Little exists to assess a full range of social and cultural values. Much of the existing literature is primarily qualitative which does not lend itself easily to incorporation in decision-making. Having a way to quantify the range of social and cultural values associated with treescapes is important if decision makers are to effectively take these values into account. This is particularly the case currently with ambitious plans to increase tree cover.
The research project is now in its fourth year. The research to date has included the following:
We are currently working on two journal papers.
Forest Research is leading this research project and is working in collaboration with Fera, the University of York and the Tree Council. The Project Advisory Group includes: the Forestry Commission, Natural England, Environment Agency, Countryside and Community Research Institute and Bangor University.
For further information please contact liz.obrien@forestresearch.gov.uk
Defra
University of York
Fera
The Tree CouncilCultural ecosystem services are identified as the benefits people gain from their interactions with different environmental spaces, such as woods or parks, and the activities, such as walking and cycling, they undertake in these spaces.
This page summarises Forest Research’s insights into the social and cultural value that people from northwest and southeast England place on woods and forests.
This page summarises the findings of a Forest Research study to examine the values that people hold for woodlands and trees and assess how public attitudes affect forest management.
Final report from study that explored how cultural values are identified, explored and taken into account in forest planning and decision-making processes. Also: Executive summary (PDF-438K) By Paul Tabbush. The Active England programme aimed to increase community participation in sport and physical activity across England. Forest Research contributed to the monitoring and evaluation of five projects that focused […]
Legacy socio-economic research relating to: Evaluation and appraisal Access our current and recent socio-economic research.
Legacy socio-economic research relating to: Well-being and quality of life Wild harvests: Social, cultural and economic values of non-timber forest products (PDF-162K) Access our current and recent socio-economic research.
Climate change and street trees project – Social Research Report. Understanding the social and cultural values associated with street trees in the urban environment and the governance context in which decisions about their management are made. By Norman Dandy. Related pages People, trees and woodlands Social forestry research
Principal Social Scientist
