Deliver key research and data analysis project (building on WEC) on improving understanding of biodiversity associated with our woodland types, to guide management requirements and maintain biodiversity in the face of climate change impacts.
Objective 4: Protect and support the recovery of vulnerable and important species and habitats
Priority Action 19. Ensure that forests and woodlands deliver increased biodiversity and habitat connectivity alongside timber and carbon outcomes.
There is currently no publicly published delivery report or dataset confirming the progress, outputs, or findings of a specific “Woodland Ecosystem Concepts (WEC)” research programme as part of this action.
Scottish Forestry research activity on woodland biodiversity and climate adaptation is ongoing through organisations such as Forest Research and NatureScot, but there is no single published WEC programme output or delivery update that verifies this specific project’s current stage, results, or application into management guidance.
As a result, implementation of this action cannot be independently confirmed beyond the general existence of woodland biodiversity and climate adaptation research activity in Scotland’s forestry evidence base.
The ecological relevance of woodland biodiversity research is strongly supported in Scottish evidence sources such as Forest Research and NatureScot, which both identify that improved understanding of woodland type, structure, and climate resilience is important for maintaining biodiversity under environmental change. However, these sources describe the importance of research generally, not confirmed delivery or outputs from this specific WEC-linked project, and there is no published evidence that findings have yet been translated into updated Scottish Forestry guidance or restocking requirements.
Therefore, while the research theme itself is ecologically important, there is currently no verifiable evidence of programme-specific outputs or applied impact, meaning ecological contribution at system level remains unproven.
Forest Research – Woodland biodiversity and climate adaptation evidence base
NatureScot – Forests and woodlands
Scottish Forestry – UK Forestry Standard
Scottish Government – Forestry
Meet annual woodland creation target as set in the Scottish Government Climate Change Plans currently 18,000 hectares of new woodland annually (including 4000ha of native woodland).
Update woodland management guidance and plans including those for restocking from 2025 onwards to reflect greater emphasis on actions that will improve biodiversity.
Increase biodiversity across all woodlands by increasing the characteristics that improve woodland condition as identified by the Woodland Ecological Condition (WEC) National Statistic, initially by developing a tool based on WEC to allow site ecological condition assessment to be made by 2030.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.
