Bicentenary project: planning 200 years ahead in Gipps Wood
This case study outlines the development of the Bicentenary Plantation in Gipps Wood, southeast England, as a forward-looking woodland managed to adapt to anticipated climate change effects over the next 200 years. It details the planning process, which considers future climate conditions, soil types, and tree species suitability, using tools like the Ecological Site Classification (ESC) and climate matching with the Trees4Future tool. The site has been assessed as ‘very warm – sheltered – moderately dry,’ leading to the selection of species expected to perform well under future warmer and drier conditions, while avoiding species unlikely to thrive, such as wild cherry.
Adaptation strategies implemented include diversifying tree species and sourcing provenances from more southerly regions, like the Loire Valley, to improve resilience. Native species like oak, hornbeam, and walnut have been prioritized, with some mature trees retained to support stability, and others felled to make space for new plantings. Planting in spring 2017 faced challenging weather conditions but showed strong early growth due to best practice in sourcing, planting, and establishment.
Monitoring will be essential to evaluate the success of these adaptation measures and inform wider estate management strategies. The project also highlights the importance of revisiting assessments regularly, as tools like ESC currently only project to the end of the century, and emphasizes the need for experienced interpretation of data. Lessons learned stress the value of integrating multiple sources of information, including local knowledge, to make well-informed decisions, even when considering higher-cost options like climate matching with French oaks.
The intended future outcome is a more resilient, diverse woodland that serves as a model for wider estate management and shares insights across the forestry sector. Overall, the project demonstrates a reflective, adaptive approach to forest management that prioritizes climate resilience, biodiversity, timber production, and carbon storage.
[https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2022/05/UKFSPG026_CS4_Gipps-Wood.pdf Bicentenary project: planning 200 years
ahead in Gipps Wood] (en)
Number of pages: 3
Target countries: United Kingdom
Key takeaways
- Climate-adaptive forestry is being actively implemented through species diversification and provenance selection
- The Bicentenary plantation incorporates species and provenances, such as Loire Valley oak and southern-origin trees, projected to perform well under future warmer and drier conditions, exemplifying proactive adaptation to climate change.
- Tools like ESC and climate matching are crucial but require ongoing review and local expertise
- Assessment systems currently extend only up to 2050, necessitating regular updates and interpretation from experienced users to ensure effective decision-making and adaptation strategies.
- Monitoring and knowledge sharing are key to refining climate adaptation strategies
- Planned future monitoring of new planting success and insights from the Bicentenary project will inform management across the estate, emphasizing the importance of learning through doing and sharing best practices.
- Site-specific conditions and multiple risk considerations shape adaptation decisions
- Factors such as soil impeded drainage, pathogen risks like Phytophthora cinnamomi, and climate projections influence species choice, provenance, and management actions to mitigate vulnerabilities.
- Legacy of historic planting decisions influences current adaptation approaches
- Retaining mature oak trees and utilizing locally sourced or climate-matched provenances reflect strategic choices balancing heritage, economic, and future resilience goals.
- The project exemplifies a reflective management approach aimed at sharing climate adaptation experience
- The Gipps Wood case serves as a model for woodland management that integrates practical experience, technical tools, and stakeholder collaboration to address climate adaptation across forestry sectors.
Sources
- Bicentenary project: planning 200 years
ahead in Gipps Wood - - https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2022/05/UKFSPG026_CS4_Gipps-Wood.pdf
