Summary
This Research Note explores how climate change is expected to affect Scotland’s forests and offers early recommendations for action.
- Potential Opportunities: Warmer conditions may boost forest productivity in some areas and allow for a wider range of tree species to thrive.
- Challenges: Risks include drought, increased damage from pests and diseases, and stronger winds. These threats will require new forest management techniques.
- Uncertainty: Climate change brings many unknowns, especially regarding how trees, forest operations, and management systems will respond.
- Diversification is Key: To manage risks, forests should include a mix of tree species, varied genetic material, and flexible management approaches.
- Woodland Expansion: Scotland aims to increase woodland coverage from 17% to 25% by 2050. This expansion can strengthen habitat networks and improve ecosystem resilience.
This note sets the stage for developing a climate change action plan tailored to Scotland’s forestry sector.
