Most beneficial places to plant new woodland revealed

A Research Fellow from the University of Sussex has worked with a team of mathematicians to help Natural England identify the most beneficial places to plant 10,000 hectares of new woodland. Eduard Campillo-Funollet collaborated with a team from the University of Bath to produce mathematical models and maps to help identify the hotspots for tree planting throughout England. Woodlands are important recreational spaces, improving air quality, reducing flood risks and helping to fight climate change. The UK Committee on Climate Change recommends the planting of 10,000 hectares of new woodland in England each year if we are to meet the target of net zero emissions by 2050. But there is still a question around where we plant these woodlands. Eduard Campillo-Funollet, Research Fellow at the Genome Damage and Stability Centre , said: "The goal of planting 10, 000 hectares per year is reasonable and Natural England already identified over 3 million hectares of land suitable for new woodland. "But the relevant question is where is better to plant new trees.