Aim:

DiversiTree will provide woodland managers with the knowledge and tools required to enable them to increase the resilience of their woodlands to climate change, and pests and diseases.

Funding Amount:

£517k

Funded under UK Treescapes Call 2

Duration of Project:

Aug 22 – Mar 25

Different types of trees in a forest on a sunny day

Project Summary:

Diversifying our woodlands to increase resilience

We need to make our woodlands resilient to the threats of climate change, pests, and diseases. One commonly proposed approach to increase the resilience of woods is to increase their tree diversity, thus, spreading the risk amongst many different tree species.

DiversiTree aims to address four challenges related to tree species diversification:

  • Understanding the perspectives and ambitions of woodland managers and other stakeholders.
  • Understanding the impact of a diverse tree species mixture on the leaf microbiome and its influence on resilience against pathogens.
  • Assessing whether tree diversity can indeed act as a safety net for biodiversity.
  • Developing practical advice on the methods to, and the impacts of, diversifying tree species composition.

How?

Through interviews, focus groups and workshops, the team are exploring woodland managers’ perspectives on diversity and resilience, as well as opportunities and barriers to diversification.

Microbial analysis of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) is illuminating how tree species mixtures impact the leaf microbiome and exploring whether tree diversity can act as a safety net for biodiversity.

Researchers are also examining the opportunities and limitations of strategies such as Continuous Cover Forestry, natural regeneration, and enrichment planting.

By working across these scales—from microbial communities to management practices—the project team are developing actionable advice for woodland managers on implementing treescape diversity.

STATUS: Ongoing

Project Lead

A profile image of Ruth Mitchell Dr Ruth Mitchell, Lead of Biodiversity and Ecosystems Group, The James Hutton Institute
Email:
ruth.mitchell@hutton.ac.uk

Contributors

Research Partners

The James Hutton Institute, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, RSPB, University of Birmingham, Bangor University

Project Partners

Hodgetts Consultants, Holly Draws, The Woodland Trust

Gateway to Research