Changing the narrative: Biodiversity, Forestry and Wood report

Eleanor Harris outlines the findings from the Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor).

Until now the forestry industry has had few resources to counter accusations that conifer forests planted for softwood production are ‘barren’, ‘lifeless’ or ‘biodiversity deserts’. Therefore, to draw together the evidence that forestry is essential and sustainable, and assess the gaps in research, Confor prepared its new report Biodiversity, Forestry and Wood.1

How the results were acquired and what they mean

The results cited in the report represent thousands of hours spent by ecologists listening for birdsong and bats; counting plants in squares and butterflies along lines; fishing beetles

The red squirrel is one of many species that have benefited from the expansion of forests for wood production in the UK. Photo: Hazel Clark and spiders from pitfall traps, or shaking them onto sheets; crunching data on woodcock or dormice submitted by thousands of volunteers. Hundreds of comparative plots – old, young, native, exotic, managed, unmanaged, open, afforested – reveal the difference forests and their management make to wildlife. Previously, none of this work was in the public domain to inform policy and practice.

The UK’s wood-producing forests are far from lifeless and harvesting far from disastrous. Working conifers support abundant life, and have allowed threatened forest specialists such as wood ant, crossbill, ferns, fungi and lichens to expand. Some forest species only live on native trees, which is why it is important that all working forests include a native component. Yet the difference between native and nonnative was far less marked than expected. For most wildlife, it is the presence of a forest that is important (generally the bigger the better) and sustainable, professional management matters more than tree species.

Standardisation

Many of the studies cited in the report played an important policy role in informing and assessing the development of the sustainable forestry framework – the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS).2 This standard ensures that woodland creation and management benefits biodiversity as rapidly and deeply as possible. Pockets of native broadleaves and open space among the conifer crop increase habitat value of the whole forest, as does retention of deadwood and unharvested areas.

Standards for drainage and harvesting ensure forest management improves rather than damages freshwater habitats, and avoids undue disturbance to wildlife. UK-planted forests have always delivered biodiversity gain, although in the past mistakes could also cause loss. For the past 30 years the UKFS has ensured that siting, design and management of forests delivers resounding biodiversity benefits.

Moss, ferns and flowers colonise the forest floor of a Scottish spruce forest. Photo: Eleanor Harris

Report findings

Biodiversity case studies

Biodiversity, Forestry and Wood is not just a literature review. It also incorporates case studies from Confor members, giving a voice to woodland owners, managers and contractors who work in the forests across the UK, and who see and appreciate its wildlife on a daily basis.

John Little, for example, is an experienced Forest Manager with Tilhill who has worked in Argyll for 30 years. He has seen hen harriers and sea eagles colonise as forests mature, along with red squirrels and signs of their predators, pine marten and wildcat. Walking forest fence lines he is struck by the contrast in birdsong between forest and the rough grazing it replaced. His new woodland schemes and harvesting/restocking plans ensure microhabitats such as ancient woodland, wetland and species-rich grassland are identified, protected and expanded in forest designs.

Timber production

The report also explores the wider context for growing timber. Evidence of the carbon benefits of the UK’s woodproducing forests is increasing. With better silviculture and genetics, and healthy timber markets and more favourable policy environments that encourage landowners to plant trees on better land than in the past, carbon capture is accelerated through faster tree growth – off the scale of current carbon calculators.

The importance of wood use to replace carbon-emitting materials such as steel, concrete and plastic is increasingly well understood. So, too, is the importance of growing sufficient timber in forests planted to meet this need. Otherwise, pressure to exploit undisturbed natural forests, damaging their valuable carbon and biodiversity stores, will increase.

The report cites figures showing that globally, wood produced from planted forests reduces harvesting of natural forests by 26%, and planted forests are very efficient: they comprise around 7% of global forest cover but contribute 46% of the wood we use. Future timber demand is expected to quadruple by 2050, so the need to increase our supply is urgent.

Conclusion

The UK, with its low forest cover, strong demand for wood and excellent climate for growing trees, is well placed to tackle this global hunger for the green gold. In the past, this has often been perceived as a choice involving sacrificing forest biodiversity for the sake of an essential commodity. But not only can a working forest sustain a rich ecosystem of forest wildlife, the active management paid for by its timber production is also intrinsic to its health and resilience.

Timber doesn’t just build homes for people, it sustains habitat for biodiversity. n

About the author

Dr Eleanor Harris Policy Researcher Confor

Further reading

To find out more about timber and sustainability, visit www.trada.co.uk/sustainability.

References

1.www.confor.org.uk/news/latest-news/biodiversity-forestryand-wood 2.www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-forestry-standard