Timber structures Spotlight on: Sustainability
Changing the narrative: Biodiversity, Forestry and Wood report
Eleanor Harris outlines the findings from the Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor).
U
ntil 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
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.
How the results were acquired and what they mean
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.
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
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.
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
34 |
Timber 2021 Industry Yearbook
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.
