Timber prices and elasticities for emerging species and different product categories: An evidence review

This report reviews existing studies estimating future timber prices and price elasticities of demand for emerging species and different product categories, focusing on studies most relevant to UK timber markets. The emerging species considered are those tree species predicted to have a more prominent role in UK forestry in the future. Undertaken as part of […]

Valuing the mental health benefits of woodlands

This study is the first attempt to provide national estimates of the natural capital value of the mental health benefits provided by UK woodlands.

Carbon storage and substitution benefits of harvested wood products

This Research Note considers the potential of extending coverage of the UK Woodland Carbon Code to the carbon benefits of wood products associated with woodland creation projects.

How does a biodiversity value impact upon optimal rotation length? An investigation using species richness and forest stand age

A study integrating biodiversity data for British forests with economic modelling of optimal rotation length. Investigation revealed some evidence of relationships between overall species richness and stand age.

Valuing flood regulation services of existing forest cover to inform natural capital accounts

Background Forests are recognised to reduce flood flows, although the issue is complex and continues to be explored. While the processes of how trees affect the generation and conveyance of flood waters are understood, there remains a lack of monitoring data to quantify effects at the catchment scale (click here to visit the WWNP evidence base webpage). This […]

Comparing the cost-effectiveness of forestry options for climate change mitigation

This Research Note examines two recent studies which assessed the cost-effectiveness of forestry options for climate change mitigation across Great Britain.

Timber, carbon and wind risk: towards an integrated model of optimal rotation length

Modern forest management practice increasingly adopts an ecosystem services approach to account for the multiple benefits and objectives of forestry. It is also increasingly linked to climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. In view of the priority given to these policy agendas, it is important that new models take an integrated approach to accounting for […]

Behavioural policy ‘nudges’ to encourage woodland creation for climate change mitigation

Evidence indicates that woodland creation is generally a cost-effective method of climate change mitigation, when compared with a range of alternatives. However, engaging landowners and land managers in woodland creation schemes can sometimes prove difficult, and this affects prospects for meeting national woodland planting targets and associated climate change mitigation objectives. Although reluctance to plant […]

Insights from behavioural economics for ecosystem services valuation and sustainability

Ecosystem services refer to the benefits or outputs that people derive from ecosystems. Following the publication of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment there has been a growing interest in assessing the flows of such services and valuing the contribution they make to human well-being. This Research Report draws upon recent evidence (years 2001 to 2012) […]

Marginal abatement cost curves for UK forestry

Comparing the cost-effectiveness of different climate change mitigation measures is essential in minimising the cost of meeting national greenhouse gas reduction targets. The costs of different measures and their potential to reduce emissions or sequester greenhouse gases can be depicted using a Marginal Abatement Cost Curve. Previous studies have shown that UK forestry measures are […]

Forests and carbon: valuation, discounting and risk management

Carbon valuation, discounting and risk management are important in ensuring that effective incentives are put in place to tackle climate change, and in comparing the relative merits of climate mitigation activities over time. Approaches applied in different contexts, including in relation to permanence issues, are reviewed in order to help inform development by the Forestry […]

Forests and carbon: a review of additionality

Additionality is a core aspect of quality assurance of greenhouse gas emissions reduction and sequestration activities, being used in a climate change context to mean net abatement over and above that which would have arisen anyway in the absence of a given activity or project. The underlying rationale of is to distinguish activities which further […]