Multi-functional forests. Mark Broadmeadow Climate Change Policy and Programme Manager

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1 Multi-functional forests Mark Broadmeadow Climate Change Policy and Programme Manager

2 Functional woodlands Landscape Habitat Firewood Timber Recreation and well-being 2

3 Future functions Flood Carbon alleviation storage Shade/animal welfare Biodiversity/fisheries Habitat networks Soil erosion control Climate control 3

4 Adapting existing woodlands Enlarge Increase connectivity Reduce other pressures invasive species pollution browsing Improve structure promote regeneration improve habitat quality Take opportunities for species enrichment Monitor 4

5 Creating new woodlands - Opportunities for adaptation

6 The challenge feet per day The distribution of tree species will inevitably change in response to climate warming. However, if the trees are to stay within appropriate climatic envelopes there will be a requirement for species migration rates to be more than 10 times faster than those achieved in reaching present distributions after the last ice age. 6

7 .and planning ahead 7

8 Future species suitability For example, of the 28 species assessed using the Ecological Site Classification model, 20 were predicted to increase in suitability in Central Scotland by the 2080s under a High emissions scenario. In contrast, all but two of those species are predicted to show a decline in productivity in southeast England and only one conifer species is predicted to be anything but unsuitable. 8

9 Adaptation responses Site assessment and woodland type soil aspect species choice/mixtures provenance choice/mixtures site preparation/ establishment practice timing planting/natural regeneration management system continuous cover vs clearfell rotation length good conventional management practice forest plan monitor and review 9

10 New/advancing native species?? But... high risk invasive anywhere? hybridisation? impacts on native biodiversity? future impact? monitoring essential Positive contributions as well 1

11 Range of ash Genetic variability: a resource for adaptation Dunnottar - Scotland Grimsthorpe - England Slovenia 1

12 Target woodland creation: flood alleviation Woodland soft engineering : improves infiltration evaporate more water stores floodwater slows and reduces flood flows Crown copyright. All rights reserved Forestry Commission

13 Climate change and the UK Forestry Standard Forest management should aim to enhance the resilience of forests and forest ecosystems in order to reduce the risks posed by climate change to their sustainability. Forest management should aim to enhance the potential of forests to protect society from the various effects of climate change. 1

14 Adaptation factors Adaptation Factors Forest design and planning Adaptive forest management Species selection Adaptation and landscape Ecology Environmental protection Forest design, structure and composition needs to be resilient to changing climate and extreme weather events Approaches to management that are flexible, reactive and anticipatory will help forests adapt to the changing climate. Species selection is fundamental to climate change adaptation and resilience. Diversity of appropriate species and origins will ensure some thrive should others decline. The changing climate makes it important to develop ecological connectivity between habitats to enhance the ability of woodland biodiversity to adapt. Trees and woodland that are appropriately located can help to alleviate the impacts of climate change on human society. 1

15 Funding for woodland creation Woodland Carbon Task Force

16 Carbon benefits of a 15-year 10,000 ha/yr woodland creation programme 200 Abatement (MtCO2) sequestration and and substitution sequestration only sequestration price of carbon only Year 1

17 How to maximise mitigation Significant opportunities exist for the forestry sector in the UK to deliver GHG emissions abatement from woodlands planted since 1990, potentially amounting to 15 MtCO2 per year by the 2050s and equivalent to 10% of the UK s total GHG emissions if current emissions reduction targets are achieved. Woodland creation Carbon storage Production 1

18 Future finance Price of woodfuel Price of timber Woodland creation agriculture: farm level GHG budgets (particularly livestock sector) links to RDPE, SFP, EWGS etc. commercial: as part of CSR & environmental reporting long-term financial investment / carbon markets voluntary: charities/ngos supported by individuals development: as part of green infrastructure provision through planning agreements 1

19 Abatement potential over 40 years - all woodland types effective Broadleaf farm woodland New native woodland Continuous cover systems 1

20 Carbon stocks - the focus of woodland carbon projects Carbon stocks and annual rates of uptake (tco2/ha) Unmanaged old-growth Rotational clear-fell 2

21 but economics also important The missing component: Realistic valuation of ecosystem services provided 2

22 Optimising adaptation through multi-functional forests Manage existing woodlands - reduce other pressures - and reap the rewards (woodfuel, venison); Plant new woodland for a reason; Target new woodland creation to extend existing woodlands, and deliver ecosystem services; Plant resilient woodlands - not just what sits well with current practice/dogma; Plant in anticipation of producing wood (stocking, quality of planting stock); Robust ecosystem service valuations needed to balance woodland carbon markets; Consider woodland as a low input productive land cover delivering biodiversity and other benefits. 2