Macaulay Land Use Research Institute Homepage
Scottish Environment LINK - The voice of Scotland's environment movement

THE STATE OF SCOTLAND'S FARMED ENVIRONMENT 2005

9. FORESTRY AND FARM WOODLAND

SCOTTISH FORESTRY STRATEGY

The Scottish Forestry Strategy (published in 2000) is the Scottish Executive's framework for taking forestry forward, through the first part of the new century and beyond. The strategy proposes five Strategic Directions for Scottish Forestry (under each of which several priorities for action have been defined):

  • to maximize the value to the Scottish economy of the wood resource
  • to create a diverse forest resource of high quality
  • to ensure that forestry in Scotland makes a positive contribution to the environment
  • to create opportunities for more people to enjoy trees, woods and forests in Scotland
  • to help communities benefit from woods and forests

At the current rate of establishment (less than 8,000 ha per annum) Scotland 's forest area will be short of the current Scottish Forestry Strategy's aspiration of 25% woodland cover by 2050 (Tipper and McGhee, 2005). The Scottish Forestry Strategy is currently under review.

The overarching principle for the Scottish Forestry Strategy is sustainability; the other principles are integration, positive value, community support, diversity and local distinctiveness. The Scottish Forestry Strategy is currently (2005) under review.

SOURCES

  • Forestry Commission (1999): National Inventory of Woodlands and Trees; Scotland ; External Website
  • Forestry Commission (2000): Scottish Forestry Strategy. External Website
  • Forestry Commission (2004): Forestry Facts and Figures 2004; External Website
  • Forestry Commission (2005): Forestry Facts and Figures 2005; External Website
  • Scottish Executive (2005): Scottish Environment Statistics. External Website
  • SNH (1993): Ancient woodland in Scotland . HMSO
  • SNH (2001): Natural Heritage Trends Scotland 2001; External Website
  • SNH (2004): Natural Heritage Trends: Forest and Woodland ; External Website
  • Tipper, R . and McGhee, W. (2005): Climate Change and Scotland 's Forestry Strategy. Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management

Links to other briefing notes

Scottish Agriculture and Climate Change >>