Download Climate Change Reader – 4o collated articles on

Llais y Goedwig – Collated articles on Forestry and Climate Change 2013
Countryside Council for Wales (CCW)
Living within natural limits **
policy, Wales, ecosystems goods and services, landscape scale
A really good example of the kind of thinking and planning that large organisations are going through
in response to climate change. This document details CCW's plan over four years with the challenge
of climate change taking a central position. Integrated action is needed across sectors involving
public bodies, agencies and the voluntary and private sectors. CCW is in an ideal position to help
with its broad remit. The plan contains a very good introduction to ecosystems goods and services,
calculating the value that the natural environment contributes to Wales' economy every year. The
plan contains the organisation's strategic aims over four years, explaining how these fit in with exact
Assembly policies, yet these aims are not set in stone. CCW understands that it must remain flexible
and adaptive in order to respond to the challenge of climate change, the strategic aims must be
monitored, reviewed and adjusted. Particular focus is given to: Ecosystems services, Integrated
Action for Sustainable development, the Marine Environment, Biodiversity and Geodiversity, Special
sites and Access, participation and learning.
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Climate Change: Guidance for Practitioners. **
planning, mitigation, adaptation
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a method of incorporating environment factors into
planning. This "Guidance for Practitioners" details how climate change factors within the SEA
system. The text runs through the effects of different climate impacts and how these predictions can
be used to influence planning decisions. For example, climate models for the UK predict increased
flooding, subsidence and summer droughts, how can we use these predictions when planning a
development? The guidance contains a very clear description of mitigation and adaptation measures
and proposes that our responses must contain both in order to minimise risk, detailing how to put
climate change mitigation and adaptation at the heart of the SEA process. This document contains
some very useful tables for appropriate mitigation and adaptation responses.
Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC)
A guide to carbon offsetting for the public sector **
policy, carbon, offsetting, cap and trade, Kyoto Protocol
This document, produced by DECC, outlines the UK Government's role in tackling climate change. It
looks at the international negotiations that the UK has been involved in and explains the UK's
Climate Change Act 2008, the world's first legally binding act to tackle climate change. This act aims
to reduce CO2 reduce emissions to at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050 through a series of five
year carbon budgets, the cap on which gradually reduces over time. It also explains government
campaigns such as the "Act on CO2" campaign, aimed at raising awareness of climate change and
our mitigation options. The main focus of the document is a hierarchy of actions that form the basis
for action on climate change: calculate, avoid, reduce and offset. The last of these actions "offset" is
the focus of the rest of the report. This as very lucid description of carbon offsetting. Described as
the last option in the hierarchy of actions, offsetting can help to fund mitigation projects. Projects
selling credits, the emitters buying the credits and the intermediary carbon traders make up the
carbon market and this document is a great introduction to the ins and outs of buying and selling
carbon, still a topic of much controversy. If you want to know your compliance credits from your
voluntary credits, this is the read for you.
The UK Low Carbon Transition Plan *
government, low-carbon economy, policy, economics, renewable energy
This White Paper is part of the UK's Climate Change Bill and it details the national strategy for
climate change and energy. Spanning the time from 2009 to 2020, the plan is a route-map for action
on climate change and details how the UK will achieve emissions cuts of 18% on 2008 levels by 2020.
The document discusses the policy and economic frameworks that will drive the transition to a lowcarbon economy, explaining that dynamic, competitive markets, a strategic role for Government,
and active communities will be needed to bring about this change. A legally binding carbon
reduction target is discussed as well as details of how these reducing carbon budgets will be met.
Although the whole document is very useful, the most relevant part for Llais y Goedwig readers is
the section on "Transforming farming and managing our land and waste sustainably." This section
includes information on the government's plans for reducing emissions from the landuse sector as
well as plans for increasing carbon sequestration in natural stores and increasing "woodland
creation." Good for gaining an overview of top-down strategies, but look elsewhere in the Reader for
information that goes a bit deeper.
Flora Locale
Wild Plants for habitat creation/restoration in the face of climate change **
biodiversity, landscape scale, adaptation, plant communities, habitat, UK Biodiversity Action Plan
This report looks at how plant species and the wild-plant communities that they form could adapt to
climate change given the fragmentation of the UK landscape as a result of human development and
land use. Flora Locale put forward three approaches that are introduced here: habitat protection
(protect our existing wild plant communities that form our core seed banks), habitat restoration
(restore damaged and degraded habitats) and habitat creation (expand and connect ecosystems,
create landscape scale areas for biodiversity that are species rich and connected with others). This
discussion document is concise and clear, setting out the emergency measures that will ensure wild
plant survival and adaptation on a landscape scale. Concerned with the implementation of the UK
Biodiversity Action Plan, this text moves from policy recommendation to guidelines for action.
Highlighting the importance of carbon sequestration alongside the importance of robust genetic
material for translocation and restocking, this is useful reading for anyone concerned with the
ecological resilience of their woodland under a changing climate.
Forest Research
Carbon Additionality - A Review ***
additionality, carbon sequestration, mitigation, policy, Kyoto Protocol
This discussion document unpacks the complex subject of additionality as it relates to carbon
sequestration and management in forests and woodlands. In this context, additionality is the
amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are saved or sequestered above those that would have
happened anyway in the absence of a given project or activity. It is a way of measuring the real
carbon benefits of a project and rewarding such projects for their work. An understanding of
additionality is also a way of assuring the quality of climate change mitigation projects in the forestry
sector and is part of the process of developing an industry code of good practice. The document puts
carbon sequestration at a local level in the context of international frameworks such as the Kyoto
Protocol, giving the reader a good grasp of how forest management at the site scale works within
national reporting mechanisms at an EU level.
Climate Change - Implications for Forestry in Britain **
climate scenarios, forest growth modelling, mitigation, CO2 fertilisation
A useful overview that uses predictions of climate change to forecast the impacts on tree growth in
Britain. Moving from a discussion of climate science and greenhouse gases, this document looks at
how climate change will impact tree growth directly and indirectly. Different weather scenarios are
explained using data from the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP). Temperature increase,
summer and winter rainfall change, greater frequency of extreme weather events, increased wind
speed, increased evapotranspiration are all dealt with and related to forestry in the UK. Increases in
tree growth due to higher levels of atmospheric CO2 is discussed, a process known as the "CO2
fertilisation" effect. The document goes on to discuss the interaction between climate change
scenarios and the modelling of future forest growth, ending with a useful explanation of forests
mitigation strategies.
Climate Change and British woodland: what does the future hold? *
modelling, weather predictions, low and high emissions scenarios, species suitability
Another useful Forest Research publication, this time part of the FR annual report from 2003. Moves
through similar territory to some of the other Mark Broadmeadow reports and info notes, using the
UKCIP02 data to model changes to UK climate and make predictions about the impacts on British
woodlands. From winter rainfall to effects on pests and disease, this document introduces the
reader to the broad changes that will ensue due to climate change with the data arranged in very
useful and easy to read maps and tables. Both beneficial and detrimental effects of changed weather
regimes are presented in easy digestible fashion. The document rounds up with predictions of future
species suitability.
Climate Change and British Woodlands **
climate science, direct and indirect climate impacts on trees, species suitability, mitigation,
adaptation
Starting with a firm foundation in climate science and a good introduction to the UK climate impacts
programme scenarios 2002, this information note focuses in on the direct and indirect impacts of
climate change on trees. Under direct effects, the authors detail rising CO2 levels, increased
temperature, changing rainfall patterns and wind speed. Whilst on the indirect effects, the
document covers pests and pathogens and forest fires. With the projections discussed, the focus
turns to species suitability with some really useful maps showing the changing suitability of trees
species under low and high emissions scenarios up to 2050. The conclusion is that commercial
timber production (both broadleaved and conifer species) should continue to be viable across Britain
with most of the species currently planted at present, with informed species choice optimising
productivity and mitigating against the negative impact of extreme weather events. This information
note finishes with some good practical advice on woodland mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Climate Change and Forest Genetic diversity - implications for sustainable forest management in
Europe ***
genetics, provenance, National Forest Plans
This is the executive summary of a pan-European gathering of ministers, forest NGOs and
researchers who met to discuss the impact of climate change on European forests and their ability to
adapt to shifting climatic regimes. The report contains notes from a series of workshops focusing on
different subjects relating to climate change and forest genetic material, including discussion of
adaptability and variation at a tree species level across the continent and over generations. Due to
the fragmentation of ecosystems, human intervention maybe needed in order to ensure survival of
certain species at local levels. This is the main focus of the summary and the various expert opinions
contained within advise on various ways in which to do this. Very good on climate impacts on a
European scale and how climate change adaptation features in National Forest Plans. The summary
builds into four recommendations for the management of forest genetic diversity and reproductive
material across Europe under climate change. Also makes recommendations for silvicultural practice
and the human intervention in species migration and restocking with provenances more closely
matched to projected climates.
Combating Climate Change - A role for UK forests (synthesis report) **
mitigation, adaptation, carbon sequestration, substitution, wood products pool, afforestation
Also known as the Read Report after Professor Sir David Read who chaired the group of scientists
and experts who worked on this independent assessment of UK forestry and climate change. The
report was commissioned by the forestry commission to examine the potential of the UK's trees and
woodlands to mitigate and adapt to our changing climate. This brings together data from the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and employs it at the national level as a situation
analysis and to identify gaps in our knowledge. The report includes some interesting comparisons
between UK forests and forest cover in other European countries, going on to look at how forests
absorb and respire atmospheric carbon. There are some encouraging figures for mitigation through
improved carbon sequestration and increasing the carbon stored in the wood products pool. Also
included is a comparison of different management regimes and their potential to contribute to
mitigation and adaptation strategies. This is the synthesis report of a much more detailed full
publication. In terms of the latest published forestry commission data on forestry and climate
change, this is the place to start.
Forestry Carbon: Valuation, Discounting and Risk Management, a discussion document ***
carbon valuation, mitigation, adaptation, risk, forest carbon stocks
This very useful document unpacks the complex issues surrounding the valuation of carbon. Based
on the assumption that we must place a value on carbon if we are to instigate action on climate
change, the discussion focuses on how to best reward the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by
linking carbon with the market. Establishing a carbon price will create incentives for communities
and businesses to integrate the climate change impacts of their activities into their decisions,
thereby driving mitigation and adaptation measures. The value of carbon also makes comparison
between different mitigation and adaptation measures possible. This document looks at how the
mechanisms to enhance and sustain forest carbon stocks are currently very weak, both in the UK
and internationally despite the key role that forests could play in helping countries to meet their
emissions reduction targets.
Forests and Climate change *
forestry, carbon cycle, deforestation, substitution, sequestration
A good entry level document clearly setting out how trees and forests regulate our climate. Placing
deforestation alongside other emissions globally, this short but highly useful report contains some
really clear facts and data that will help the reader get a grasp of the carbon, forests and climate.
Deforestation, for example, is responsible for higher levels of emissions than the transport sector.
Outlines steps to reduce deforestation such as protecting existing forests, reducing loss of forest
cover, and planting and re-establishing lost forests. Forestry related solutions to climate change are
discussed such as using more biomass energy to replace fossil fuels (substitution) and replacing
other materials with wood to ensure more CO2 is locked up in the wood products pool. The
document ends with six simple measures that show how the world's forestry sector can help to solve
the global problem of climate change.
Forests, Carbon and climate change the UK contribution **
carbon cycle, carbon sequestration, silviculture, inventories, policy
This Information Note is rather old compared to other documents in this database yet this does not
reduce how useful it is. The document covers the contribution that forestry can make to climate
change mitigation through a number of measures, namely halting deforestation, supporting
reforestation and conserving and enhancing sinks through management. It looks at hows trees
function within the global carbon cycle, absorbing carbon dioxide via photosynthesis, sequestering
carbon in their structure and soils and then respiring CO2 back into the atmosphere. There is detail
on the dynamics of carbon accumulation within forest stands and a discussion of the different
phases of growth: establishment, full-vigour, mature and finally old-growth. There is detail on how
different silvicultural regimes affect the carbon stocks of a particular stand of trees and a
comparison between woodland and other land uses in terms of carbon sequestration. There is a very
useful focus on measurement of carbon within woodland and how this contributes to forest
inventories. The document also covers the carbon sequestered in the wood products pool, looking at
how this can expand the carbon storage associated with the forestry industry, provided it is
measured and managed correctly. The focus then moves to the international stage looking at the
contribution that the UK can make to emissions reduction and different international policy
measures relating to climate change such as the Kyoto Protocol. A good foundation for those
interested in carbon sequestration, accounting, offsetting and measurement in forests.
Impacts of Climate Change on forestry in Wales *
Wales, climate science, species choice, silviculture, priority woodland habitats
This Forestry Commission Research Note is vital preliminary reading for those who want to find out
more about how climate change will affect conditions for tree, woodland and forest growth in
Wales. Providing a very clear introduction into the science of climate change, this research note
moves from national scale climate projections based on data from the UK Climate Impacts
Programme (UKCIP) to specific management priorities for five of the priority woodland habitats
found in Wales. The note clearly sets out key findings and recommendations so that the reader can
grasp the implications of climate change in a Welsh context, providing links to the forestry
commission website where more detailed data can be found. Species choice under low and high
emissions scenarios is dealt with in suitable detail and the authors go on to make recommendations
for silviculture and forest operations.
Sustainable Forestry in Brief - Woodland and our changing environment *
climate change, policy, sulphur dioxide, ozone, carbon sequestration
Very useful and clearly written scene-setting document. Contains a mixture of science and policy
information that will leave the reader with a foundation of knowledge regarding the science of
climate change, the impacts on forests and trees (both positive and negative) and some of the policy
mechanisms that are being designed and put in place to mitigate and adapt. It is also a broader
investigation of other environmental issues relating to woodlands such as acid rain, sulphur dioxide
and ozone. Very good information on the uncertainties of climate models and how we can adapt our
forest plans to minimise risk plus an introduction to carbon sequestration in woodlands. Good list of
websites and further reading.
Ten years of intensive environmental monitoring of British Forests **
monitoring, air pollution, forest ecosystems, forest policy
This Forestry Commission Information Note details the establishment of the Intensive Forest
Monitoring Network, one of the world's largest bio-monitoring networks. There are 20 intensive
monitoring sites in the UK which form part of a larger international network, looking at the effects of
air pollution and other environmental factors on forest ecosystems structure and function. The
network forms an early warning system for environmental change, giving scientists data on forest
responses to climate change and levels of pollutants. The document explains the various
measurements that are taken at the 20 UK plots: tree growth, local air quality and meteorology,
atmospheric deposition, litter fall, soil and soil solution chemistry, foliar biomass and chemistry,
crown density, phenology and composition of ground vegetation. It goes on to explain the value of
such intensive monitoring for informing environmental and forestry policy, giving us a greater
understanding of the complex interactions between forest ecosystems and environmental drivers.
Such valuable data can help to mould our mitigation and adaptation strategies.
The evidence supporting the use of CCF in adapting Scotland's forests to climate change **
continuous cover forestry, low-impact silviculture, adaptation, stand structure, Scotland
This report looks at the projected climate impacts for Scotland and tests a forest management
practice against them to see whether it will benefit the forestry sector and increase the resilience of
Scotland's forests in the future. Continuous cover forestry (CCF) is compared to the current
paradigm of even age forest management to see whether the development of more complex forest
structures will help Scottish forests to adapt. The report finds that the development of more diverse
forests, both structurally and in terms of species mix, is a sensible way to reduce the risks posed by
future changes in the climate and concludes that an appropriate mix of CCF and even age forestry is
the best way forward. The report establishes three broad categories of CCF: simple structures,
complex structures and transformation stands, understanding that instigating CCF is a process that
will take many years to fully develop. The report tests CCF against the primary climate impacts of
wind, precipitation and increased CO2 levels and the secondary impacts of biological interactions
and ecological responses such as higher frequencies of pests and disease. The main finding is that
CCF should be an integral part of the forest manager's adaptation tool-kit in Scotland but there is a
worry that the poor knowledge base will affect its implementation.
The Role of Forest Genetic Resources in Helping British Forests Respond to Climate Change**
genetics, adaptation, seed zones, provenance
This Forest Research note provides an overview of the issues surrounding the use of genetic
resources in British forestry and presents possible strategies to help forests and woodlands adapt to
the effects of climate change through the use of such resources. Uses genetics and provenance
research to question the assumption that local genetic stock will be best suited to local conditions if
these conditions are altered by climate change. The document is split into two main sections, the
first details the principles of forest genetics, the second looks at the application of these principles to
the choice of appropriate planting stock as a strategy for dealing with climate change. Provides the
reader with a good grasp of concepts such as adaptive variation, gene flow, mutation and
phenotypic plasticity and describes how such functions make a particular genotype more or less
suited to local conditions. Climate change could be the cause of considerable tree mortality in some
regions. The second part of this notes provides strategies for preserving genetic diversity and
building resilience in forest ecosystems in the face of climate change.
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation: Knowledge needed to support development of
integrated adaptation strategies ***
biodiversity, knowledge transfer, research, Europe, adaptation
This sprawling but very useful document is a report from an e-conference looking at the impacts of
climate change on biodiversity. Containing contributions from a huge range of scientists, researchers
and experts all involved in the European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy (EPBRS), the
report looks at gaps in biodiversity research and discusses the best pathways for knowledge and
data sharing. The impact of climate change on biodiversity is an uncertain, complex and multifaceted
subject that needs the cooperation of a number of different sectors including scientists, civil society
and policy makers in order to monitor changes and put in place suitable adaptation strategies. The
document will give the reader a good understanding of European-wide research processes focusing
on specific habitats and actions for biodiversity conservation. It is really useful to hear the views of
such a multitude of experts all working to monitor the impacts of climate change on biodiversity.
Interlinkages between biological diversity and climate change ***
United Nations, policy, biodiversity, Kyoto Protocol, carbon sequestration, ecosystems goods and
services, agroforestry
A technical paper designed to inform United Nations decision making on climate change and
biodiversity. Contains good definitions of some key concepts such as biodiversity itself and
ecosystems goods and services. This is a very useful document as it lays out in stark detail how
natural systems are central in any attempts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, however its
technical policy slant means that it should be read after looking through some of the other papers
relating to biodiversity. Readers will find very useful descriptions of how forests and trees operate in
the global carbon cycle and how forest management that enhances biodiversity can also improve
carbon sequestration. The document looks at how agroforestry systems could provide multiple
benefits for biodiversity, water quality, linking habitats and food provision. Biodiversity and forest
management are discussed in the context of the Kyoto Protocol and the Convention on Biological
Diversity, with a focus on frameworks for decision making, monitoring and evaluation of the impacts
of mitigation and adaptation activities. The paper ends with lessons learned from case studies of
attempts to integrate action on biodiversity with other policy concerns such as carbon sequestration
and sustainable development, concluding that the ecosystems approach provides a good basis for
integration.
Research Priorities: Climate change and adaptation **
biodiversity, adaptation, research
This report contains the findings of a Biodiversity Research Advisory Group (BRAG) workshop which
focused on the interactions between biodiversity and climate change. It looks at the direct impacts
of climate change, the changes in working practice, policy and land use that will ensue, feasible
adaptation strategies and most importantly, the gaps in the research. The document is by and for
biodiversity professionals and researchers but its clear written style makes it accessible and useful to
those with an interest in the subject. Research areas are ranked in priority order and this will give
the reader a good grasp of the range of specialisms that make up biodiversity and ecosystems
science. The main body of the document is the appendices, which contain more detailed project
information on each of the priority research areas. Reading these provides a good example of how
research projects are planned and developed and could help community groups think about their
own project priorities.
Wales: Changing Climate, Challenging Choices *
UK climate impacts programme, Wales, modelling, projections
Cross-sectoral introduction to climate change in a Welsh context based on data from the UK Climate
Impacts Programme. Sets out the main impacts predicted for Wales and presses the point that an
awareness of climate change should permeate our decision making now. The report introduces
three big impacts that climate change will create and is already creating: a change to our natural
environment and built heritage, alteration to the environment in which our economy operates and
an increase in the amount of water management both to prevent flooding and ensure the supply of
water. The report also highlights the lack of firm data for Wales, stating that this level of uncertainty
necessitates an integrated approach to planning. The report is clearly set out in thematic sections
corresponding to different ecosystems or sectors of the economy: terrestrial environment,
freshwaters, Built heritage, human health, agriculture and forestry, Transport Energy and Water, and
Business. A very good introduction to Welsh specific climate impacts up to 2080.
Sustainable Wales
Citizen Engagement for Wales: A Practical Proposal **
Wales, citizen engagement, civil society forum, Welsh Assembly Government
An informing document about best practice in citizen engagement - concerned with ways to involve
civil society in the decision making processes that directly affect it, moving towards a more
participatory form of governance. The document forms a critique of present engagement between
civil society and the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG), stating that more interaction between
WAG and the communities and people of Wales will give more credibility to decisions made. The
document puts forward a series of recommendations for citizen engagement and more effective
public participation, these are: Appraise current practices, Investigate best practice in Wales, Pilot
processes that will facilitate engagement, Establish a civil society forum, Develop a consultation code
of practice and Capacity building. Set against the backdrop of ten years of WAG governance, this
document examines the efforts that have been made towards a participatory and inclusive style of
politics , critiques them and reviews practical experiences from around the world that can be
brought to bear on the Welsh context
From here to sustainability training manual *
sustainable development, policy
This is a very visual, step by step guide to developing a sustainable development policy for your
group or organisation. Sustainable Development as defined within the document "assumes
development of human society in an equitable way within the limits of a single planet environment."
Sounds odd, but our current lifestyles in Wales use the resources of three planets, which means we
are borrowing from the future! All the more reason to put sustainability at the heart of your group's
activities. The document details a process that will help you to assess your current practice, write up
a policy and then implement it and monitor its success. Working within the three part framework of
environment, economy and society to achieve sustainability in the following broad areas:
purchasing, banking and financial transactions, resource management and waste disposal, energy,
water, transport, maintenance and cleaning. This practical guide is a must for integrating
sustainability into your practice.
The Wildlife Trusts
A Living Landscape **
biodiversity, landscape scale, fragmented landscapes, spatial planning, habitats
This report details the Wildlife Trusts' landscape scale approach to biodiversity under climate
change. Very useful in helping to look beyond the immediate and make connections between
habitats and ecosystems. We are faced with a fragmented landscape, we need climate corridors for
species to migrate as their current habitats change. Rather than focusing in on specifics, this report
looks at rebuilding biodiversity on a landscape scale so that species can move and spread to new
areas, the key words here being: restore, recreate and reconnect. However, this isn't all about
wildlife, a living landscape includes human communities too and it is through a holistic approach to
planning and land management that we will be able to build resilience into our communities and
ecosystems. This useful document contains lots of specific examples of best practice in terms of
landscape scale projects from throughout the British Isles, such as the South West Nature Map that
is being used to inform spatial planning. It details five specific habitat types and the key roles they
play: woodland and forest, uplands, coasts, low land grassland and urban areas, ending with a four
point plan to repair ecosystems in a generation.
The Wildlife Trust's Interim Policy Statement - Responding to Climate Change *
policy, biodiversity, adaptation, mitigation, landscape scale
A useful view of the Wildlife Trust's policy relating to climate change. Fragmentation of habitat is
discussed as well as the necessity of a landscape scale approach as a solution. This document
concentrates on policy, explaining that a modular approach is needed, i.e. a core policy with
supplementary statements that detail specific issues, this also allows flexibility as more data on the
impacts of climate change are gathered. In this document, the Wildlife Trust promises to integrate
climate change into all areas of its work and three specific areas are discussed: adaptation,
mitigation and communication.
UK Climate Projections
UK Climate Impacts Programme - Briefing Report **
climate change projections, modelling
This report provides a summary of the 2009 UK climate projections (UKCP09), consolidating for the
general reader the scientific reports describing the methodology and some key projections of future
climate change for the UK over the 21st century. Three main factors underpin this briefing: the
likelihood that mankind has already begun to change the earth's climate, the projections of
significant impacts in the future and the commitment to future change over the next few decades
irrespective of emissions reductions in the short term. Climate impacts data can be used by planners
and decision-makers to create a statutory framework for adaptation and provide practical support in
its implementation. This briefing is a good pathway for those who wish to download and use the
numerical projections data to back up their work and understanding. Further data, a user interface
and graphical information can be obtained from the UKCIP website, but this document is the best
place to start. UKCIP data supports much of the material contained in the Llais y Goedwig Climate
change database.
Welsh Assembly Government (WAG)
Woodlands for Wales *
government, policy, social forestry, forestry and climate change, timber production
The Welsh Assembly's (WAG) strategy document for the forestry sector. The main aspiration of the
strategy is the "Wales will be known for it high-quality woodlands that enhance the landscape, are
appropriate to local conditions and have a diverse mixture of species and habitats." The outcomes of
the strategy split into four main areas: Responding to climate change, Woodlands for people, A
competitive and integrated forest sector and Environmental quality; under these headings the
document lays out how the welsh forestry sector will meet these multiple demands. Readers might
be disappointed by the depth of the information in the Responding to climate change section,
however it contains some good aspirations relating to new woodlands, production of timber and
wood fuel and carbon storage. Woodlands for People is another very relevant section, details WAG
plans to encourage more community benefit from woodlands and trees and to facilitate networking
between community woodland groups. Other useful aspects of the document are maps showing the
distribution of plantation woodlands and ancient semi-natural woodland sites and graphical data on
woodland ownership.
Woodland Trust
A Midsummer Night's Nightmare? *
monitoring, adaptation
Rather old now but still a very useful document for explaining the science of climate change and
what climatic changes mean for the UK's native woodlands. The threats of climate disruption are
clearly described and a series of practical actions are set out which could provide the urgent action
needed to put forests on a more sustainable footing. The document contains a clear description of
how UK forests are being affected now through changes in seasonal patterns, water shortage and
drought, increased risk of pest and disease instances, extreme weather events and changes in
species distribution. There is a useful focus on phenology and the authors stress the importance of
monitoring and data collection projects such a MONARCH, which will help us to establish the best
strategies for adaptation. The report leads to a depiction of a woodland trust wood in 2101,
describing the midsummer night's nightmare that we could be faced with if we do not urgently
implement adaptation strategies.
Conserving biodiversity in a changing climate **
biodiversity, uncertainty, habitats, ecology, phenology, landscape scale
This document is intended to guide the work of those who are involved in biodiversity conservation.
It contains six guiding principles for reducing the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and
details how climate change might effect the implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. It
discusses biodiversity conservation in the context of adaptation and mitigation responses and is also
very aware of the uncertainty that underlies climate change projections. Plans should be reviewed
regularly and biodiversity action should be integrated with other sectors such as agriculture,
forestry, water management and landuse planning. The most useful part of this document is the
description of climate change impacts on biodiversity that are happening now alongside projections
for the future. For example, changes in the timings of seasonal events are leading to loss of
synchrony between species. It contains a good discussion of phenology as one of the observed
changes that are leading to a growing body of climate change related ecological data. The six guiding
principles that the report concludes with are very useful action points for all involved in land
management. The final point is that resilience will be built through habitat connectivity and
landscape permeability are two key landscape scale considerations.
Postion statement - Climate Change, June 2009 *
policy, mitigation, adaptation
Lays out the Woodland Trust's position on climate change with the usual preamble detailing what
climate change is, how human activity effects it and what the IPCC have to say about the future. The
position is not good, even if we were to reduce emissions by 80% now, we are still locked into
climate changes impacts resulting from emissions over the last 50 years. So, adaptation is the name
of the game. But how do we plan the next steps when the application of global data on a local level
(see UKCIP) produces such uncertainty? One thing is certain, without international cooperation, we
will not be able to tackle spiralling CO2 emissions. This position statement lays out the place that
trees and forests have in contributing to and reducing the impacts of climate change. Forests are a
global store of carbon and therefore actions that prevent deforestation and increase reforestation
are crucial. The Woodland Trust has a three-pronged approach to climate change: public
engagement in understanding and addressing climate change, mitigation of the forces driving
climate change, adaptation to the effects of climate change, the rest of the document provides more
details about how such approaches can be implemented.
Woodland Biodiversity - Expanding our Horizons **
biodiversity, woodland ecosystems, landscape scale
A very useful and clearly written report from the Woodland Trust laying out the key factors in
woodland biodiversity. Part introduction to the subject, part practical manual, this report contains a
series of meaningful measures that can be used to monitor woodland biodiversity and the resilience
of woodland ecosystems. From landscape to site level, it has useful action points for different spatial
scales, looking at the UK's fragmented landscapes and islands habitats and setting out a series of
measures that will establish a baseline of understanding for woodland biodiversity. Split into key
areas, this text unpacks the fundamentals needed to gain a grasp of the subject and puts forward
four measures for working out our contribution to woodland biodiversity: density of ancient
woodland cover, percentage of ancient woodland that is semi-natural, cumulative core area of seminatural habitats, area of old growth forest. The Woodland Trust aims to use these measures to
establish a baseline of data against which to monitor the increment in biodiversity. Strategies for
improving biodiversity include linking habitats and restoring ancient woodlands where that have
been converted to plantation.
Woodland Trust - Adapt or Die? *
adaptation, carbon, ecosystems approach
A call to action from the Woodland Trust, this document lays out the key facts with clarity and
brevity. If you read only one of this collection of documents, this should be it! In just nine pages, we
move from climate science to policy, from the global carbon cycle to carbon sequestration in forests,
coming to focus on adaptation. Find out how greenhouse gases drive climate change and how
forests play a key role in slowing down its progress. Find out also how climate change is impacting on
biodiversity and how academics are mapping and predicting the future movement of species as they
are pushed out of existing niches. By taking an ecosystem approach to land management, water and
living resources we can create long-term integrated strategies that preserve biodiversity whilst
enabling sustainable societies to thrive. Woodlands are at the heart of such strategies and this text
establishes the importance of woodland habitats to future social and environmental resilience. The
report ends with a clear set of proposals to make it happen and steps to deliver adaptive action with
great urgency.