Staff
Darren Moseley
BSc, PhD
BSc, PhD
Head of Land Use & Ecosystem Services
Darren leads and manages a dynamic team of ecologists and spatial scientists within the LUES Research Group at Forest Research. The group aims to deliver evidence, methods and tools which support policymakers and practitioners in their understanding of how land use and climate change affects the biodiversity, resilience and ecosystem services of wooded landscapes now and in the future.
Darren’s research focusses on developing and implementing spatial planning for ecosystem services (ES) through the application of scenarios, ecological/green networks and behavioural approaches. Darren’s work on Green Network (GN) development contributes to the Central Scotland Green Network (a national development within Scotland’s National Planning Framework) and helps local authorities to direct GN improvements and is being delivered through an ecological network tool for planners and developers. His work on behavioural approaches explores using policy ‘nudges’ to encourage woodland creation.
Darren is also the programme manager for the achieving multiple ecosystem benefits theme for Great Britain’s Science and Innovation Strategy.
Darren joined Forest Research in 2005 to work on Forest Habitat Networks in Scotland. Prior to this he studied forestry at Aberdeen University, completing his PhD on modelling the incidence and impact of a fungal pathogen of Scots pine trees and working on a European Union funded project Modelling Heterobasidion Infection in European Forests (MOHIEF).
Research Gate: Darren_Moseley
NRS
Northern Research Station
Bush Estate
Roslin
Scotland
This project promotes woodland creation by developing integrated spatial data to enhance biodiversity and habitat connectivity. It identifies optimal areas for tree planting, supports nature recovery and strategic land use. This will help address habitat fragmentation, and ensures the protection of existing wildlife spaces to improve climate resilience and species migration.
Trees, woods, and forests provide multiple benefits to society, including those of social and cultural value. This research outlines a scoping study which sought to identify and test methods for spatially mapping and surveying the recreation attitudes and behaviours of people living in an area around Cannock Chase National Landscape.
Research project to gather evidence to better understand, enable and support public access to woodlands in England. There are currently evidence gaps in meeting the aims of the England Tree Action Plan and the forthcoming Woodland Access Implementation Plan. This research will contribute directly to the delivery and implementation of the plans.
The ForLand-Restoration project is developing a forest landscape restoration decision support platform. A collaborative research project funded by Climate-KIC to explore landscape restoration opportunities with stakeholders with the aim of reaching consensus on land use decisions.
The development of stakeholder visions for woodland expansion in Scotland from analysing organisational documents, workshops and interviews.
Exploration of the resilience of woodlands to future change by assessing how ecosystem service values and natural capital stocks of woodlands may be affected by change through the application of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment (UK NEA) scenarios and different management approaches, e.g. forest diversification through the application of forest management alternatives
The research aims to increase our understanding of how woodlands and wooded landscapes provide a diverse range of ecosystem services (ES), and to help policymakers, forest managers and planners understand and assess how the specific placement and management of woodlands affects ES delivery at various scales.
This page is about Forest Research’s work to help town planners join up open space into urban green networks.
A more integrated approach to planning land-use change which takes account of conservation objectives for the full suite of habitats and species
The development of Forest Habitat Network for Scotland
Booklet describing the contribution of woodlands to promote sustainable development within the regional Structure Plan. By Duncan Ray and Darren Moseley.
Evidence indicates that woodland creation is generally a cost-effective method of climate change mitigation, when compared with a range of alternatives. However, engaging landowners and land managers in woodland creation schemes can sometimes prove difficult, and this affects prospects for meeting national woodland planting targets and associated climate change mitigation objectives. Although reluctance to plant […]
Evidence indicates that woodland creation is generally a cost-effective method of climate change mitigation, when compared with a range of alternatives. However, engaging landowners and land managers in woodland creation schemes can sometimes prove difficult, and this affects prospects for meeting national woodland planting targets and associated climate change mitigation objectives. Although reluctance to plant […]
Ecosystem services refer to the benefits or outputs that people derive from ecosystems. Following the publication of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment there has been a growing interest in assessing the flows of such services and valuing the contribution they make to human well-being. This Research Report draws upon recent evidence (years 2001 to 2012) […]
A synopsis of the Lowland Habitat Networks in Scotland report (below), including examples of how networks of non-wooded habitats and their integration in different landscape settings could benefit landscapes in the Scottish Lowlands. By Darren Moseley and Mike Smith. Full report: Developing lowland habitat networks in Scotland: Phase 2 (PDF-3207K) Related pages Habitat networks Landscape ecology Integrated establishment systems for the […]
By Darren Moseley, Duncan Ray, Kevin Watts & Jonathan Humphrey. Contract report to Forestry Commission Scotland, Forestry Commission GB and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Peer reviewed journal publications
Marzano, M., Ambrose-Oji, B., Hall, C. & Moseley, D. (2020) Pests in the City: Managing Public Health Risks and Social Values in Response to Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) in the United Kingdom. Forests, 11, 199, doi:10.3390/f11020199.
Burton, V., Moseley, D., Brown, C., Metzger, M. J., & Bellamy, P. (2018) Reviewing the evidence base for the effects of woodland expansion on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the United Kingdom. Forest Ecology and Management, 430, 366–379, doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2018.08.003.
Burton, V. Metzger, M.J. Brown, C. Moseley, D. (2018) Green Gold to Wild Woodlands; understanding stakeholder visions for woodland expansion in Scotland. Landscape Ecol (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-018-0674-4.
Moseley, D., Connelly, T., Sing, L., & Watts, K. (2018) Developing an indicator for the physical health benefits of recreation in woodlands. Ecosystem Services 31 (part C): 420-432.
Bellamy, C.C., van der Jagt, A.P., Barbour, S., Smith, M. and Moseley, D., (2017). A spatial framework for targeting urban planning for pollinators and people with local stakeholders: A route to healthy, blossoming communities? Environmental Research, 158, pp.255-268.
Valatin, G., Moseley, D., Dandy, N. (2016) Insights from Behavioural Economics for forest economics: potential policy nudges to encourage woodland creation for climate change mitigation and adaptation? Forest Policy and Economics. 72: 27-36.
Ray, D., Bathgate, S., Moseley, D., Taylor, P., Nicoll, B., Pizzirani, S. & Gardiner, B. (2014) Comparing the provision of ecosystem services in plantation forests under alternative climate change adaptation management options in Wales. Regional Environmental Change, DOI: 10.1007/s10113-014-0644-6.
Moseley, D., Marzano, M., Chetcuti, J., and Watts, K. (2013) Green networks for people: Application of a functional approach to support the planning and management of greenspace. Landscape and Urban Planning 116:1-12. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.04.004.
Marzano, M., Moseley, D.G., Quine, C.P. and Barnett, J. (2012). Organisational intentions and responses: Presenting the risk of Lyme disease to countryside users. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management 56:3, 305-328.
Dandy, N., Ballantyne, S., Moseley, D., Gill, R., Quine, C., & Wal, R. (2012). Exploring beliefs behind support for and opposition to wildlife management methods: a qualitative study. European Journal of Wildlife Research58 (4):695-706. DOI: 10.1007/s10344-012-0619-1
Quine, C. P., Barnett, J., Dobson, A. D. M., Marcu, A., Marzano, M., Moseley, D., O’Brien, L., Randolph, S. E., Taylor, J. L. and Uzzell, D. (2011). Frameworks for risk communication and disease management: the case of Lyme disease and countryside users. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. vol. 366 no. 1573 2010-2022.
Dandy, N., Ballantyne, S., Moseley, D., Gill, R., Peace, A. and Quine, C. (2011). Preferences for wildlife management methods among the peri-urban public in Scotland. European Journal of Wildlife Research, Volume 57, Issue 6 (2011), Page 1213-1221. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-011-0534-x]
FC and FR publications including official statistics
Moseley, D. and Valatin, G. Behavioural policy ‘nudges’ to encourage woodland creation for climate change mitigation, Research Note FCRN018, Forestry Commission, Edinburgh, 2014
Moseley, D., Dandy, N., Edwards, D, and Valatin, G. Behavioural policy ‘nudges’ to encourage woodland creation for climate change mitigation, Research Report FCRP023, Forestry Commission, Edinburgh, 2014.
Moseley, D. and Valatin, G. (2013) Insights from behavioural economics for ecosystem services valuation and sustainability Forestry Commission Research Report FCRP022. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh. i–vi + 1–24 pp.
Ambrose-Oji, B., Carter, C., Moseley, D., and Lawrence, A. (2011). UK Planning Systems: Integrating Woodlands and Trees. Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, UK.
Contract and project reports
Moseley, D. (2016) An Ecological Network Tool for Planners and Developers: Final report to Genomia Fund. Centre for Ecosystems, Society and Biosecurity, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D., Dunn, M., Ensor, J., Synes, N., Travis, J., Palmer, S., Brown, C. (2016) AGRICULTURAL BIOMASS BURNING AND FORESTRY FIRE POLICY: ASSESSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND INFLUENCE ON PRACTICE, BEHAVIOUR AND LAND-USE CHANGE. In: Earth Observation & Modelling Agri-Tech to Understand Chinese Agricultural & Forest Fires in Relation to Management Practice & Climate Drivers, Final project report to Newton Agri-Tech. Centre for Ecosystems, Society and Biosecurity, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D., Ray, D., Watts, K., Ambrose-Oji, B., Marzano, M., Suarez, J., Yi, Z., Xu, J., Jun, H., Travis, J., Palmer, S., Brown, C., Rounsevell, M., Eigenbrod, F. (2015) Land-Use Learning Labs (LULLs) Pathfinder Project. Final project report. Centre for Ecosystems, Society and Biosecurity, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D., Barbour, S., Bellamy, C. (2015) Clyde Habitat and Development – final report. Centre for Ecosystems, Society and Biosecurity, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Burton, V. & Moseley, D. (2015) Genomia Eco-Tool methods paper. Centre for Ecosystems, Society and Biosecurity, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D., Burton, V., Bellamy, C. & Watts, K. (2015) Evaluating the functionality of ecological networks in the Brue Valley living landscape through the assessment of ecological coherence and resilience. Final project report. Centre for Ecosystems, Society and Biosecurity, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D. (2014) How ‘future’ change in UK forests and wooded landscapes may affect the flow of ecosystem services. A Review of scenarios and driving force datasets. Project report. Centre for Ecosystems, Society and Biosecurity, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D., Dandy, N., Edwards, D, and Valatin, G. (2014) Behavioural policy ‘nudges’ to encourage woodland creation for flood mitigation, Appendix 13.6 in Slowing the flow at Pickering, Phase II final report. Defra.
Moseley, D., Chetcuti, J. & Bellamy, C. (2013) Yorkshire Dales National Park Integrated Habitat Network. Final Report. Centre for Ecosystems, Society and Biosecurity, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D., Chetcuti, J. (2012) Nidderdale AONB Integrated Habitat Network. Final Report. Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D., Chetcuti, J. (2012) North York Moors Integrated Habitat Network. Final Report. Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D., Chetcuti, J. (2012) South West Pennines Integrated Habitat Network. Final Report. Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D., Chetcuti, J. (2012) South Yorkshire Integrated Habitat Network. Final Report. Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D., Chetcuti, J. (2012) Fresh Aire Integrated Habitat Network. Final Report. Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D., Chetcuti, J. (2012) West Wolds Integrated Habitat Network. Final Report. Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Dandy, N., Handley, P., Moseley, D., Watts, K., Ambrose-Oji, A. (2012) Woodland manager networks project. Project report. Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Forest Research, Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, UK.
Moseley, D. (2012) Drivers, opportunities and obstacles to Forest Landscape Restoration: A review. Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Roslin, UK.
Moseley, D.G. and Marzano, M. (2011) Green networks and people: a review of research and practice in the analysis and planning of multi-functional green networks. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 490. 81 pp.
Smith, M., Chetcuti, J., Moseley, D.G., Quine, C.P. (2011) Addressing issues of conservation concern based on Principles of Landscape Ecology – Application to Quick Wins and the Long March. Report to Scottish Natural Heritage. 37pp.
Moseley, D.G. and Chetcuti, J. (2010). Fife Integrated Habitat Networks. Unpublished report to Fife Coast & Countryside Trust, Fife Council, Forestry Commission Scotland, and Scottish Natural Heritage, 55 pp.
Outreach, newsletter and trade publications
Moseley, D., Metzger, M., Sing, L., Yang, A. (2020) Developing a shared vision for regional land use change. Chartered Forester.
Moseley, D. and Watts, K. (2015) Green networks – using a landscape approach to plan green infrastructure for people and biodiversity. Town & Country Planning Journal. January 2015. Pp. 40-44
Moseley, D. How could ‘future’ change in UK forests and wooded landscapes affect the delivery of ecosystem services?, Ecotype Summer 2013.
Moseley, D. Green network opportunity mapping within the Glasgow & Clyde Valley region of Central Scotland, Ecotype 55, Autumn 2012
Quine, C. P., J. Barnett, A. D. M. Dobson, A. Marcu, M. Marzano, D. Moseley, L. O’Brien, S. E. Randolph, J. L. Taylor, and D. Uzzell. (2011). Protecting countryside users against zoonotic diseases by influencing their behaviour. RELU policy and practice note 27.
Moseley, D. Green networks and spatial planning. Darren Moseley, Ecotype Summer 2011.
Scientific conferences: presentations or posters
Agent-based modelling to support decision-making for sustainable forest management. European Ecosystem Services 2016, Antwerp, Belgium, 19-23 September 2016.
Behavioural economics for ecosystem service valuation and sustainability. European Ecosystem Services 2016, Antwerp, Belgium, 19-23 September 2016.
Barbour, S., Bellamy, C., Burton, V., Moseley, D. & Watts, K. (2015) Ecological networks in practice: providing evidence for spatial planning and habitat management decisions with informative and intuitive indicators. Presentation at the ERT “Spatial Ecology and Conservation” Conference, 13th – 15th July 2015, University of Bristol, UK
Dandy, N., Marzano, M., Moseley, D., Stewart, A., and Lawrence, A. (2011). Exploring the role of street trees in the improvement and expansion of green networks. Proceedings of the ICF Annual Conference, Trees, People and the Built Environment, 13th-14th April 2011.
