A first of its kind study has provided quantitative evidence of the natural capital benefits of planting new woodlands in the UK. Commissioned by Scottish Forestry, woodland management firm Tilhill and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the study assessed a newly planted mixed woodland site.

The woodland, located at Larriston, the Scottish Borders, was then valued to measure its natural capital potential over the next 50 years. Natural capital is the stock of natural resources, including plants, soils, air, water and greenspace, which all combine to provide benefits to people.

In addition to future revenues from selling harvested timber, the analysis revealed substantial benefits for society through CO2 removals, flood alleviation and biodiversity from modern-day forestry.

The key future benefits were valued at around £20 million in today’s prices, which included almost 200,000 tonnes of timber, just under 150,000 tonnes of CO2 removals, and almost 3 million m3 of water stored in the forest.

View the Study