Thursday, February 28, 2019
The Scottish Government minister noticed ways in which the modern forestry help in protecting communities from the flood. Areas, where flash floods are common, is now protected by large-scale tree plantation around the forest in Scotland. Mairi Gougeon MSP, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, explored the hilly site in Clackmannanshire, to experience ways in the trees are planted to protect the village of Menstrie that was severely affected by flooding in 2004 and in 2012. He then visited several other tree planting sites to experience the new age multi-purpose forestry programmes, and understand the future of community protection in a natural way. Key areas he explored include, delivering woodland creation, timber production, carbon sequestration, recreation and flood management.
Jerah Forest is one of Scotland’s largest newly planted productive woodlands with more than 1.3 million species, including conifer and broadleaf species planted in 2015. Besides, forest preservation and plantation projects, the environment today benefit immensely from the Scottish Forestry Strategy such as flood risk mitigation, public access, bird habitat and peatland restoration. Mairi Gougeon stated that “this is an exciting time for forestry in Scotland. On April 1, new fully devolved arrangements will come into place, including two new forestry agencies that will play a significant role in taking forward the Scottish Government’s ambitions and priorities including delivery of Scotland’s new Forestry Strategy.” The forest management further mentioned that “there is a growing body of evidence that planting new forests holds back heavy rainfall and helps to intercept water before entering streams and ultimately flowing down-river to communities like Menstrie.”
PhD students from Heriot Watt University explored the multi-purpose forestry site at Jerah and examined the process of soil cultivation and the role of wood debris in the natural flood affected area. This is an interesting area, and the new explorations are in the pipeline where investments are to be made by the Forestry Commission Scotland through the Woodlands In and Around Towns (WIAT) programme.
Tags: flood management, Jerah Forest, Mairi Gougeon MSP Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, multi-purpose forestry, Scottish Government minister, tree plantation
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