Summary
Summary
Forest Research worked with ClimateXChange, a Scottish Government funded Centre of Expertise in a collaboration between Scotland’s leading research providers, sector stakeholders and policy teams. ClimateXChange works to provide timely, objective and independent research, evidence and expert advice to support the Scottish Government as it develops and implements policies on adapting to the changing climate and the transition to a low carbon society. Our contribution aimed to support forestry in Scotland become more resilient to climate change and to deliver Scotland’s emissions reduction targets.
Research objectives
Adapting to Climate Change
- Bringing together practitioners, researchers and policymakers to explore current barriers to climate change adaptation and to work towards achievable solutions.
- Showcasing real-life examples of best practice and innovation through demonstration sites, case studies, workshops and resources.
- Facilitating knowledge exchange within the sector.
Mitigation
- What is the GHG mitigation benefit from different types of woodland expansion in Scotland?
- Where, what type, and how can woodland expansion contribute to GHG mitigation?
- What changes in soil carbon stocks occur as a result of land use change to woodland?
- What are the financial implications of farm woodland creation for representative farm types, and what type of incentives are required?
- Are agroforestry (silvopastoral) systems a viable option to address the mitigation agenda?
Reducing Risk
Forest Research and ClimateXChange are supporting a PhD student at Dundee University researching the contribution of forests to improving slope stability.
We also support the call-down service for short term policy driven research.
Results so far
Drought risk in Scottish forests (climatexchange.org.uk)
Diversifying conifers in productive forests: stakeholders’ perspectives (climatexchange.org.uk)
Land Suitability for Woodland Expansion in Scotland: update 2020 (climatexchange.org.uk)
Agroforestry in Scotland – potential benefits in a changing climate (climatexchange.org.uk)
Climate change impacts on Scotland’s forestry supply chain (climatexchange.org.uk)
Afforestation and restocking on peaty soils (climatexchange.org.uk)
Perennial energy crops and their potential in Scotland: evidence review (climatexchange.org.uk)
Adaptation of Native Woodlands in Scotland (climatexchange.org.uk)
Demonstrating adaptation (climatexchange.org.uk)
Carbon benefits from peatland restoration (climatexchange.org.uk)
Soil carbon and land use in Scotland (climatexchange.org.uk)
Greenhouse gas accounting (climatexchange.org.uk)
Climate Ready Forestry at Queen Elizabeth Forest Park
Adapting Scotland’s forests for resilience to climate change – Forest Research
SilviFuture – a network for sharing knowledge about novel tree species
Climate change and Scotland’s forests – Videos on Vimeo
Status
The first phase of the ClimateXChange project ran from 2010 to 2015. The second phase ran from 2016-2021.
Funders and partners
ClimateXChange is funded by the Scottish Government.
Our collaborators on ClimateXChange include:
- Forest Research
- Heriot-Watt University
- James Hutton Institute
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- SNIFFER
- SRUC
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Dundee
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Glasgow
- University of Strathclyde
Forestry Commission policy
Forestry Commission Scotland is committed to supporting the Scottish Government meet Scotland’s emissions reduction targets through the contribution of Scotland’s forests; and in making Scotland and Scotland’s forests more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
UK Forest Standard Guidelines on Forests and Climate Change
Forestry Commission Scotland Climate Change Policies and Actions
General Content
What’s of interest
Adapting Scotland’s forests for resilience to climate change – Forest Research
SilviFuture – a network for sharing knowledge about novel tree species
Climate change and Scotland’s forests – Videos on Vimeo