A GOVERNMENT levy on all timber sales could be introduced as a way of funding species diversification in the UK.
That’s one of a number of conclusions reached by a leading forestry manager in a new report, which explores how to make the country’s woodlands more resilient to climate change and wildfires.
Byron Braithwaite’s publication – ‘Creating Forests That Thrive in a Changing Climate: Drought and Fire Resilience’ – also found that vegetation control to reduce fuel loads should be focused on high-use public areas and that cultural change must commence immediately to ensure that we are a fire-aware nation in the future.
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He said: “This report examines key areas for building resilience in UK forestry practices in the face of climate change. It focuses on drought-tolerance and fire-management strategies, on which there is currently only limited work underway to address these issues.”
On drought tolerance and resilience, he said: “A critical factor for long-term resilience is tree breeding for drought tolerance and diversification of species. However, current funding for public and private breeding programmes, particularly for native broadleaf trees, is insufficient.
“Implementing a government levy on timber sales, similar to the French model, could provide a sustainable funding mechanism.”
Byron also explored the importance of optimising planting and cultivation, large-scale data collection for genotype, site-specific planting assessment, and the potential of mycorrhizal fungi to enhance nutrient and moisture uptake.
On fire management and resilience, he said: “Given the fragmented mixed land use environment in the UK, the risk of large-scale wildfires is lower compared to other regions of the world. However, targeted vegetation control in high-public-use areas, around critical infrastructure, and near sensitive ecological areas remains critical. Controlled grazing, low-intensity fires, and mechanical methods can be effective tools for managing fuel loads without compromising biodiversity.”
The full report – sponsored by the John Oldacre Foundation – is now available on the Nuffield Farming report library, and his report video is available on the Nuffield Farming YouTube channel. Byron will present the findings of his research at the 2024 Nuffield Farming Conference in Belfast.
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