The changing climate is affecting our trees, forests and woodlands, how they grow and survive and the important ecosystem services they provide. For our forests and woodlands to thrive, adaptation measures must be considered carefully, and action taken. Ten measures to reduce climate risks and improve resilience are presented.
Milder and wetter winters, followed by increased spring rainfall, are likely to enhance the survival and infection potential of many tree pathogens. Hotter, drier summers leading to drought stress in trees will also increase their susceptibility to disease and expand the distribution range of some pathogens. The increased incidence and...
This report is a description and assessment of research into the use of the Forest of Dean by day visitors. The central theme of the study is the prediction of recreational use. Dr R.J. Colenutt and local Forestry Commission staff carried out a survey of day visitors to the Forest...
This guide describes the catchment approach that is being developed by a partnership of organisations in Cumbria in northwest England to control sediment inputs to Bassenthwaite Lake. It sets out the steps taken to identify the main sources of sediment and explores how woodland could help to alleviate the problem....
This Practice Note presents the recommendations resulting from research work into reducing the cost of deer fencing without compromising on efficiency.
As an applied research agency, Forest Research has a unique bridging role between the research community, policymakers and land managers. Effective knowledge exchange and research impact are critical to our purpose, ensuring our activities makes a difference and providing a rationale for our work and the basis of our contracts...
Overview This Research Report explores the issues that matter to cereal farmers in England in relation to trees and tree cover on their farms. Looking beyond just financial considerations, this report explore which factors guide and shape farmer attitudes to and behaviours regarding trees and tree cover. If we can...
Modern forest management practice increasingly adopts an ecosystem services approach to account for the multiple benefits and objectives of forestry. It is also increasingly linked to climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. In view of the priority given to these policy agendas, it is important that new models take an...
This Research Note describes the ecological value of Great Britain’s native oaks, as reflected in the biodiversity supported by the trees and ecosystem functions the trees perform.
This publication provides information and evidence supporting the idea that the use and enjoyment of woodlands and green spaces improves people’s overall health and well-being. By Liz O'Brien. Forward by Sir Liam Donaldson – Chief Medical Officer for England. November 2005. Executive summary Trees and woodlands: nature’s health service is...
Forests and forest management practices can affect surface water acidification in a number of ways. The primary mechanism is the ability of tree canopies to capture more sulphur and nitrogen pollutants from the atmosphere than other types of vegetation. Pollutant scavenging is expected to have peaked in the 1970s when...
The principal roles of Forest Research in this Defra programme were to provide expert advice and to deliver a range of site specific environmental, soil and vegetation-related parameters and data-sets required for the evaluation of the Critical Loads calculation methodology. This evaluation includes the testing and calibration of process-based dynamic...