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From Roots to Algorithms: Rethinking Forests in a Changing Economy
Insights from a World Forestry Day webinar by the BES Forest Ecology SIG Report written by Sunandani Chandel (co-chair, Forest Ecology Special Interest Group) The webinar “From Roots to Algorithms: Valuing Forests in a Changing Economy” provided a timely platform to examine how forests are increasingly understood not only as ecological systems, but also as integral to agroforestry landscapes, urban tree systems, and emerging financial frameworks. Organised by the British Ecol
Sunandani Chandel
May 85 min read
Hidden impacts of ash dieback – what is happening to our carbon stocks?
Written by Rachel Mailes (guest writer) Watching for roots, uneven ground, and other trip hazards, I remind myself to look up often; trees are what I am here for. Coming to a crossroad in the path I see it. The reminder of why this work is important. Taking the path on the left, I duck under some brambles climbing their way up the trees lining the path and emerge out into a clearing. It’s beautiful, full of long grass and tall flowering thistles that have attracted more butte
forest640
Apr 115 min read
Could Forests Become the Innovation Hub of the Bioeconomy?
Written by Sunandani Chandel What if the world’s next innovation hub did not emerge from a technology campus but from a forest ecosystem? For decades, places like Silicon Valley have symbolised human ingenuity and technological progress though often with environmental trade-offs highlighting the need for innovation models that align sustainability with growth. In contrast, forests have been operating complex and highly efficient systems for millions of years. Beneath the fo
Sunandani Chandel
Mar 237 min read
The Floating Forests of the Atlantic
Written by Rosemary Wool Back in June 2025, I took a plane from London to Cancun. I was visiting Mexico for the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation Conference that was kicking off at the end of the month in Oaxaca. I had decided to spend some time in the country before the conference, so I was on my way to Isla Cozumel to do some world-renowned scuba diving. In a very jetlagged, excited and nervous state, I found a bus at Cancun airport that would take me to Pl
Rosie Wool
Jan 276 min read
Tree-mendous Traditions: Exploring the Role of Forests in the Holiday Celebrations
Written by Sabrina Dookie Trees form part of the holiday seasons in many cultures across the world, serving as a symbol of strength, birth, and renewal (Photo: PxHere distributed under CC0 domain licence) The holiday season is here once again! This time of the year allows us to reflect upon traditions and celebrations while fostering peace, joy, togetherness, and happiness. If we look a little closer beyond the sparkling lights and festivities, we can see that at the heart of
Sabrina Dookie
Dec 18, 20257 min read
Crustacean Connections: The Roles of Crabs in Coastal Forest Ecosystems
Written by Sabrina Dookie Crabs play a crucial role in numerous fisheries and have received considerable focus on conservation efforts through sustainable fishing practices and management strategies. Crabs serve essential functions in coastal forests such as mangrove wetlands, acting as ecosystem engineers which facilitate nutrient cycling and enhance soil health through behaviours such as burrowing and organic matter processing. Bioturbation by these organisms aerates soil,
Sabrina Dookie
Nov 18, 20255 min read
Forests and Folklore: How Temperate Rainforests Inspired Folk Tales
Written by Rosemary Wool Temperate rainforest in Lake St Clair Cradle Mountain National Park, Tasmania (Source: SHB2000, from Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0). When most people hear the word rainforests, they think of the tropical forests of the Amazon: hot, humid and wildly biodiverse. But these tropical rainforests have a twin; the lesser-known temperate rainforest. These forests are globally rare, inhabiting areas with high humidity, mild temperatures and lo
Rosie Wool
Nov 4, 20255 min read
The Forest Feast: Nourishing People, Preserving the Planet
Written by Sabrina Dookie As we reflect on the theme of World Food Day 2025, "Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future," it is important that we acknowledge and recognise the role of forests in food sustainability for thousands of generations. The 80 th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is also being celebrated this year, underscoring the organisation's dedication to enhancing food systems for a brighter future through world cooperation [1].
Sabrina Dookie
Oct 13, 20254 min read
Beyond the Dark Side of the Swamp: Challenging Negative Perceptions of Mangrove Forests
Written by Dr. Sabrina Dookie Historically and in modern society, negative perceptions of mangrove wetlands persist despite an improved...
Sabrina Dookie
Sep 30, 20256 min read
The Natural Capital of Irish Forests
Written by Owen Small If we look back 10,000 years ago, we could follow the journey of a red squirrel scurrying the forest canopy in what...
Owen Small
Jul 18, 20257 min read
A global ghost hunt: mapping dead trees with aerial imagery and machine learning
By Kathryn Ha nd When we think of ecology, many of us probably think of scenes of green, growing, living things. But sometimes, the dead...
Kathryn Hand
Oct 29, 20244 min read
Different land-use policy pulls on forests in the UK: synergies, trade-offs, solutions
By Kathryn Hand The UK faces a critical issue: a multitude of competing land use demands against a backdrop of limited available land....
Kathryn Hand
Jul 23, 20246 min read
Trees with a Second Chance
Written by Julianne Pickard This International Day of Forests (March 21st), let’s celebrate the theme of ‘Forests and Innovation’ with a...
Julianne Pickard
Mar 20, 20242 min read
How “green” is your tree?
Written by Julianne Pickard Christmas trees have become a common Christmas tradition in households across the globe. Since the 16 th ...
Julianne Pickard
Jan 11, 20244 min read
Increased visitation to nature spots could be used in citizen science projects
Written by Flora Passfield Citizen Science is a key part of data collection for large scale projects, especially in ecological projects...
Flora Passfield
Sep 1, 20206 min read
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