Climate change is one of the many factors to consider when managing your woodland. We’ve put together some useful resources and guidance to help you get started.
About
About
The Climate Change Hub brings together information about the effects of the changing climate on UK woodlands, and provides guidance for practitioners to adapt their woodlands to increase resilience.
The changing climate will have a wide range of impacts across the UK, including to our trees and woodlands, including warmer temperatures and altered rainfall patterns.
The main risks to forests are drought, wildfires, windthrow, flooding, unseasonal frost, pests and diseases.
Woodland owners and managers should assess the level of risks that climate change poses and implement adaptation measures to build resilience.
The Climate Change Hub provides information about climate change risks to UK woodlands and guidance for practitioners to adapt their woodlands. There are also case studies of how others have approached adaptation. If you’re looking for practical guidance on how to get started, head straight to the take action page.
In this section
Climate Change
A brief introduction to the impact of climate change and the associated risks to forests and woodlands.
Adaptation
Find out why undertaking adaptive practice is so important and recommended by the UK Forestry Standard.
Mitigation
Discover some of the roles that trees, forests and woodlands play in helping reduce climate change.
About Us
Forest Research is working to improve our understanding of the impact of climate change on forests and forestry, what role forestry can have in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and climate change and how forestry can adapt to reduce the impact of climate change and to benefit from any opportunities. Our work involves collaborating with organisations across the UK and overseas.
Forest Research is a member of the Forestry and Climate Change Partnership (FCCP) which brings together forestry, conservation and government organisations to communicate the case for adaptation, provide training and help inform research priorities. The FCCP published the Forestry and Climate Change Adaptation Accord in June 2022 which sets out a collective vision that Britain’s woodland and forests will be able to meet their full potential to provide environmental, social and economic benefits.
UKFS Adaptation Practice Guide download
The UKFS Practice Guide ‘Adapting forest and woodland management to the changing climate’ guides practitioners through the process from assessing climate change risks to implementing adaptation measures.
Printed copies are available to purchase from Forest Research.
Download the UKFS Adaptation Practice Guide
Printed copies are available to purchase from Forest Research.
"*" indicates required fields
PDF 2.91 MB
You may also be interested in
News
Survey for managers of mixed-species stands to contribute to research into drought resilience
23rd July 2025Practitioners who have experience of planting, managing or overseeing a tree species mixture needed to take part in survey.
Head of Climate Science interviewed for BBC News
15th July 2025Dr Gail Atkinson was interviewed by the BBC’s Climate Editor, Justin Rowlatt, as part of a news item on climate change and the launch of latest Met Office State of the UK Climate Report.
New video highlights increasing risks of wind and storms and ways to mitigate their damage
18th March 2025Forest Research have released a new video about the increasing risks of wind and storms and ways to mitigate their damage, including by using ForestGALES.
Practitioners who have experience of planting, managing or overseeing a tree species mixture needed to take part in survey.
Dr Gail Atkinson was interviewed by the BBC’s Climate Editor, Justin Rowlatt, as part of a news item on climate change and the launch of latest Met Office State of the UK Climate Report.
Forest Research have released a new video about the increasing risks of wind and storms and ways to mitigate their damage, including by using ForestGALES.
New to Woodland Management?
