Is the private forest sector adapting to climate change? A study of forest managers in north Wales

Abstract

Context Two-thirds of Britain's forest area is privately owned. Thus, understanding private forest owners and managers, and their attitudes to uncertainty and change, is essential for the success of climate change adaptation policies.• Aim The aims of this study are to (1) assess how beliefs in climate change in the private sector have influenced forest management practices; (2) identify constraints related to changes in species choice and silvicultural systems; (3) analyse the implications for implementing climate change policy in forestry.• Method Semi-structured interviews with key informants who provide advice to, or manage woodlands in, the private forest sector in north Wales.• Results Woodland managers and some advisers are not generally convinced of a need to adapt. They feel the future is uncertain, more usually in relation to tree disease than to climate change itself. Species choice is the principle focus of adaptation activities and reveals a deep divide in opinion. Commercial advisors look to new exotics but are inhibited by absence of markets, while small-scale owners rely more on native genetic diversity.• Conclusions Findings that are likely to apply widely include: the influential role of forest agents in forest management decisions including species choice; lack of confidence in climate change predictions, and in markets; more immediate concerns about tree pests and diseases; demand for leadership from the public sector, and for engagement amongst the private sector. Further research is needed across a wider area to test the variability in relationship between attitudes and behaviours, and local conditions including climate change predictions.

The sensitivity of current and future forest managers to climate-induced changes in ecological processes

“…Generally, recent studies point to a low risk awareness among forest managers (Eriksson 2014), and a limited belief in the need for climate change adaptation (Lawrence and Marzano 2014). This appears to be the result of short-term economic considerations, a perceived impotence to influence natural phenomena, and prevailing uncertainties about future conditions (Lidskog and Sjödin 2014;Wagner et al 2014).…”

Social and Policy Aspects of Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Forests of Belgrade

“…Current urban forest policy and management in Belgrade is traditionally topdown, dominated by decisions made by the national body and characterized by low levels of communication among actors. Hence, there is need for better communication between actors, as well organization of training sessions and outreach activities for forest professionals [45,46]. Furthermore, the coordination of activities and interaction of various stakeholders at different levels and from different sectors is needed [7,47].…”

“…managers) addressing specific local risks to climate change could be valuable. Moreover, interactive discussions on measures [46] and the involvement of various experts (e.g. climate experts, decision scientists, social and communications specialists) are important as this might lead to better communication and agreement on selected measures and evaluation of trade-offs [20].…”

“…The presence of sceptics among employees in forestry regarding this issue proves that climate change awareness is still not as high as needed. Hence there is an urgent need in Serbia to raise awareness among experts and improve capacities that are needed for adequate responses, as suggested in other European studies [45,46]. Empowering decision-makers and citizens is an important step, and can be done through formal education programs but also public service announcements [18].…”

Tackling climate change—the contribution of scientific knowledge in forestry

“…They reveal that the increasing frequency and severity of extremes could play an important role in limiting species distribution in the future. According to the study of Lawrence and Marzano (2014), understanding private forest owners and managers, and their attitudes to uncertainty and change, is essential for the success of climate change adaptation policies.…”