A recent graduate of Trinity College Dublin has delved into the realm of forestry with a groundbreaking research thesis that calls for a “just transition” to encourage more farmers to plant trees and help Ireland reach its forestry cover targets. Elizabeth Rymut’s thesis focused on exploring ways to incentivize Irish landowners to engage in forest planting, and assessing the effectiveness of the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme in facilitating this transition. In a statement on the Trinity website, Rymut highlighted the complexities surrounding forestry in Ireland, describing it as an economically, politically, and socially intricate concept.
Despite farmers contributing 4% to Ireland’s current national forest cover of approximately 11.7% over the past four decades, challenges persist in motivating landowners to plant native woodlands. Rymut pointed out that while the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme, initially known as the Native Woodland Scheme when launched in 2001, had a unique focus on restoring native woodlands, it has faced difficulties in meeting its targets. One major obstacle is the prohibition on clear felling, which eliminates the potential for timber production and, consequently, a financial incentive for landowners.
Rymut noted that the long-term nature of forestry projects, with full results sometimes taking up to 50 years to materialize, can make it challenging for planters to see the immediate benefits of native planting. Moreover, the historical competition between forestry and agriculture, a sector that currently utilizes over 60% of the land in Ireland, further complicates the landscape. Farming, deeply ingrained as a generational activity, has been actively encouraged by government policies for economic growth.
Afforestation has been identified as a crucial tool in combating greenhouse gas emissions, with trees playing a vital role in carbon sequestration by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Rymut emphasized that native woodlands have the potential to enhance biodiversity, protect ecosystems, improve water and soil quality, and foster cultural connections. However, without increased participation from farmers, achieving targets for native woodland cover may prove elusive.
To bridge the gap between the forestry and agriculture sectors, Rymut proposed a “just transition” that prioritizes equity and justice, safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods and preserving important economic systems. This transition would involve building trust between officials and farmers, establishing communication channels for direct feedback, and incorporating community responses into decision-making processes. Rymut stressed the importance of enhancing climate communications to mobilize national efforts towards environmental goals, including meeting forestry targets.
Forestry has the potential to revolutionize agriculture and farming systems in Ireland, offering a range of benefits such as increased food production, food security, enriched soil nutrients, reduced labor intensity, and livestock shelter. By supporting farmers through equitable and just practices, the country can witness the flourishing of native woodlands, which in turn will restore biodiversity, ecosystems, and confidence in our societal structures.
Professor Fraser Mitchell from Trinity’s School of Natural Sciences, who supervised Rymut’s postgraduate research, commended her work, stating that the Native Woodland Scheme holds the key to addressing various environmental challenges. Mitchell acknowledged Rymut’s findings on the barriers hindering the scheme’s wider adoption by farmers, particularly the fiscal system inherited from commercial forestry that poses a significant obstacle to its expansion.