We seek to establish the extent to which current practices are delivering these benefits, how far they represent good public value in the short and long term, and what more, if anything, could be done to improve public benefits in tackling the climate-nature crisis and the economic and social well-being of resident communities by tree planting, woodland and commercial forest management. [...] Do you have evidence on the role tree species choice and composition have in influencing biodiversity, timber production, flood management, and other outcomes? Do the species of trees and the mix of species help, hinder or change the balance of the benefits being sought? [500 words] Response: The choice of tree species will influence the biodiversity supported, and the ecosystem services delivered. [...] Currently, the DiversiTree project (also see associated video), funded through the UKRI Treescapes call, is assessing the biodiversity supported in non-native Sitka spruce forests and Scotland’s native pine forests, and how diversification of these forests with other tree species may increase the biodiversity supported and the resilience of the forests. [...] for Black grouse, but the species that benefit will depend on the tree species planted (Mitchell et al., 2014; Mitchell et al., 2019) , the structure of the woodland (understorey and shrubs), the layout of the woodland (glades, rides), the density of the trees (shading effects) and the age structure of the wood and how the wood is managed (Herbert et al., 2022). [...] Do woodland and commercial forestry planting result in any disadvantages to communities local to the planting? [500 words] Response: There may be concerns about increased traffic and road safety during the planting regimes; and also any issues that restrict access to recreational walking and running routes; or impacts on the visual and rural landscape of nearby green spaces that provide the cultur.
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