Trees the focus of major new research projects in UK

Trees and hedgerows are the focus of six new research PROJECTS as part of the UK’s plans for a net zero carbon emission society by 2050

Six major research projects will explore the most effective ways to expand the UK’s trees, hedgerows, woodlands and forests in rural and urban settings.

Forests and other treescapes account for more than 13% of the UK’s land surface and capture approximately 21 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. This provides an important contribution to the UK’s goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

They also reduce flooding, improve biodiversity, reduce pollution, and benefit personal wellbeing.

The six interdisciplinary studies announced have received a share of £3m funding over the next two years from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Each will improve our understanding of the composition of treescapes in the UK, and their value to people and the planet.

The research will also support the government’s ambition to increase tree cover across the country.

Improving understanding of treescapes

The projects will: investigate new approaches to woodland expansion, including natural colonisation; develop practical tools for farmers to support the expansion of tree planting on agricultural land; study the development of agroforestry in rural areas and surrounding towns and cities; and establish a web-based tool that will map the risk of woodland and farmland damage caused by deer.

Other projects will establish how to bridge the gap between national objectives of net zero and tree planting targets, and how to practically achieve that at a local level, as well as understand the potential to diversify the composition of tree species in woodland to increase resilience to climate change, pests and diseases.

Involving multidisciplinary teams led by six research institutes, the studies are part of the £15.6m Future of UK Treescapes programme.

The programme is designed to answer the ‘what, where, how and for whom’ of treescape expansion and will help us to better safeguard our trees, woods and forests.

The research will also investigate the importance of tree expansion in urban spaces, why we connect with woodlands, and how we encourage landowners and farmers to plant more trees.

Julie Urquhart, Associate Professor of Environmental Social Science at the Countryside and Community Research Institute, University of Gloucestershire, is ambassador of the programme. She said: “The UK is one of the least wooded areas of Europe, with only 13% forest cover.

“They are a precious resource and part of the solution to tackling the climate and ecological emergencies we face.

“These new projects will show how we can effectively support those who manage our treescapes to expand these habitats and improve our environment while at the same locking up carbon to tackle climate change.”

Achieving net zero

Clive Potter is Professor of Environmental Policy at Imperial College London. As joint ambassador for the Future of Treescapes programme, he said: “This further set of projects will expand and help refine the work already being conducted via the call one projects.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming the new teams into the treescapes research community and working with them to deliver research that will directly inform how we achieve the government’s ambitions for trees, woods and forests in this country.”

And Professor Sir Duncan Wingham, executive chair of the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC), part of UKRI, added: “The grants announced today demonstrate UKRI’s commitment to funding excellent, world-leading research that is tackling key environmental, societal and cultural challenges.

“The insights gleaned from these projects will support policymakers and landowners as they manage, protect and expand UK woodlands.”