Category Archives: Forests
First occurrence of ‘ash dieback’ in Britain
A fungal disease caused by Chalara fraxinea was found for the first time in a nursery in South East England. The disease is widespread on the Continent and can kill ash trees. The nursery imported 2,000 ash trees from the … Continue reading
Natterjack toad threatened by UK drought – intensive conservation efforts needed to protect amphibians
The persistent dry weather which has led to the current hosepipe ban in South East England is also threatening the future of one of Britain’s rarest amphibians, the natterjack toad. With fewer than 50 breeding populations remaining in mainland Britain, … Continue reading
Wildlife and Countryside Link’s reponse to the Independent Panel on Forestry
Wildlife and Countryside Link (Link) submitted its response to the Independent Panel on Forestry’s Call for Views in July 2011, emphasising the need for strategic planning and integrated management of woodlands to ensure they support improved public access and enjoyment, … Continue reading
House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Forest Research Inquiry – Oral Evidence
Today the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee took oral evidence on the Forest Research Inquiry into the effects of the spending review, and research priorities in the forestry research community. The evidence session involved witnesses from a variety … Continue reading
2 New Species Per Week Discovered in New Guinea
A staggering 1060 new species have been discovered over the past ten years on the pacific island of New Guinea according to a new report by WWF. Around 260 new species of vertebrate, 580 species of invertebrates and 220 new … Continue reading
New Government Report on Palm Oil Use Identifies Possible Policy Options
A new government report titled Mapping and Understanding UK Palm Oil Use has identified possible policy options to increase the volume of sustainable palm oil used in the UK. The use of by-products of the palm oil industry in animal … Continue reading
Big success for BES ‘Forests and Global Change’ Symposium
Last week the University of Cambridge hosted the BES Annual Symposium, this year titled ‘Forests and Global Change’. The event was a huge success with 370 delegates attending the three day symposium which was called “the best symposium yet” by … Continue reading
Climate change set to re-shape tropical forests
A paper published in the Journal of Global Change Biology this week indicates that climate change is already having an impact on tropical forests in Costa Rica. The study, which was conducted over 20 years, indicates that if current warming … Continue reading
Government make U-turn on the sale of the Public Forest Estate
On Thursday 17th February 2011 it was announced that the consultation into the future ownership and management of England’s Public Forest Estate will be halted, and that and all forestry clauses in the Public Bodies Bill will be scrapped. In … Continue reading
Selling England’s forests: A cut too far?
At present, England’s forests are managed by the Forestry Commission on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Ministers however, are now proposing to reform ownership and management of the estate by selling off large … Continue reading