If you go down to the wood today

Interesting story on the vulnerability of our trees to the arrival of new diseases. The reasons why they are turning up on our doorstep are complex but one single factor stands out: climate change which is demolishing the barriers that once protected us from such diseases.

Money does grow on trees

Input–output analysis was used to evaluate the total economic impact (i.e. the sum of the direct, indirect and induced impacts) of the forestry and wood products sectors on the Irish economy. The total impact of the forestry sector on a number of regional economies was also examined, as were the short-term economic consequences of an afforestation scenario. Only economic activity associated with timber production was considered, and externalities associated with the sector were not accounted for. The results show that in 2003, forestry produced a direct output of €255.4 million. For every euro of output from forestry, a further €0.85 of economic activity was generated, yielding a total output of €472.4 million and total employment level of 7182. The wood products sector generated a total output of €1.6 billion and a total employment level of 12,246. These estimates of the economic impact of the forestry and wood products sectors cannot be added due to an overlap in indirect and induced impacts. The gross total value of an afforestation programme amounting to 15,000 ha per annum over 5 years was shown to be €475.0 million. Accounting for the fact that almost all land currently afforested is in agriculture, the net total value of this afforestation programme ranged from €157.8 million to €340.4 million, depending on the farming system being replaced and whether stacking of direct payments to farmers under the Single Payment Scheme applies to the land being planted. Full paper details below.

Assessing the value of forestry to the Irish economy — An input–output approach

Forest Policy and Economics, In Press, Available online, 5 October 2008,
Áine Ní Dhubháin, Marie-Christine Fléchard, Richard Moloney and Deirdre O'Connor

Climate change and forest genetic diversity

'Climate change is increasingly recognised as one of the most important
challenges faced globally by ecosystems and societies alike. Climate change will
alter the environmental conditions to which forest trees in Europe are adapted
and expose them to new pests and diseases. This document presents papers
from a workshop on climate change and forest genetic diversity. This set of
papers shows how climate change will create additional challenges for forest
management, with consequent impacts on the economic and social benefits that
societies and individuals derive from the forests, and on the biological
diversity in forest ecosystems.'

Read more here.

Irish trees

As part of the People's Millenium Forest Project,

'Over fifteen hundred acres of native Irish woodland have been designated as 16
'People's Millennium Forests' and are dedicated in perpetuity to the people of
Ireland. The forests include newly planted areas using native Irish seed and the
restoration of native woodlands that have been in existence for at least 200
years and probably longer. A native tree has been planted on behalf of every
household in Ireland and a certificate posted to all homes giving details about
the household's tree and where it is planted. The forests form a lasting legacy
for all to enjoy and will include woodland walks, nature trails, interpretative
and recreational facilities. '

The project also includes a Schools Programme and a resource pack is available that describes our native trees, collecting seed and setting up a school nursery.

There are also two excellent publications tied in with the project, Native Trees and Forests of Ireland and Our Trees: A Guide to Growing Ireland's Native Trees.