Woodlands prepare for climate effects

Tuesday 17 January 2006

Woodland managers have been advised to start taking steps now to combat the future effects of climate change in order to protect landscapes for future generations. ‘Living with climate change and its effects on trees and woodland in the East of England’, by the Forestry Commission and the Climate Change group of the East of England Sustainable Development Round Table, gives practical help for both rural and urban planners on how best to work with the effects of global warming.

Along with guidance on minimising the negative effects of climate change, the publication also offers advice on how land managers can take advantage of the biodiversity opportunities that a warmer climate can create.

“We must acknowledge that climate change is happening, and that we are already seeing its effects. We cannot view climate change as just another pressure threatening our landscapes – we need to act now to ensure we can adapt to climate change as much as possible,” commented Forestry Minister Jim Knight, welcoming the publication.

“The East of England is at the forefront of developing regional guidance with the intention of finding ways of living with climate change, rather than fighting against it,” said Steve Scott, Forestry Commission England’s Conservator for the region. “We foresters have to think about it too. Because of the long-term nature of tree growth and woodland management, it is vital that we take climate change into account when planning for the whole of the 21st century and beyond.”

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