Woodlands, climate change and carbon.

Climate change has been a hot topic for a number of years and through the media we are regularly told what its causes are, what might happen, how it will affect us and what we should be doing to combat it.

Trees and woodlands are clearly going to be affected but they can also play a vital role by combating the causes and effects of climate change.

How will trees and woodlands be affected by climate change?

It is predicted that with climate change mean annual temperatures will rise and winters will be warmer. Summer rainfall could fall and winter rainfall increase.

Warmer winters could mean reduced winter pest mortality and therefore trees will be susceptible to a more sustained pest attack. The wetter winters would cause more waterlogging; “drowning” trees and compromising the tree roots’ anchorage.

Hotter, drier summers will mean that there will be less water available for trees resulting in drought stress. Pests and diseases already present in the UK will flourish in the warmer weather and those from abroad may find the change in climate means they are able to thrive in the UK with no natural predation.

As a result, woodland owners and managers may have to change established management techniques in order to cope with these predicted changes.

How can trees and woodlands help combat climate change?

The Earth's atmosphere contains gases that trap heat near the Earth's surface. These so-called ‘greenhouse gases’ are necessary to sustain life on Earth. They let the sun’s rays enter but stop some heat from escaping. This keeps the planet warm enough to allow life to thrive.

However, as more greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere, the greenhouse effect becomes stronger. More heat is trapped and the Earth's climate begins to change unnaturally.

Carbon Dioxide, CO₂, is one of the most important greenhouse gasses and contributes strongly to the greenhouse effect. The good news is that trees are able to reduce the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere.

The Forestry Commission website contains a number of pages that describe in detail the benefits that trees and forests bring in terms of tackling climate change including information on using wood for energy.

The pages also have links to “The Read Report”; a report commissioned by the Forestry Commission to examine the potential of the UK’s trees and woodlands to mitigate and adapt to our changing climate.