Biodiversity-Strategy-January-2023

32 Trees are essential as they provide many services for people, wildlife, the environment, and are often taken for granted. These Ecosystem Services range from carbon sequestration, producing oxygen, providing homes and food for wildlife, flood alleviation, soil stability and improvement, producing fruit, inspiring people, providing natural play areas and more. Despite the many services that trees provide, our landscape is still one of the least wooded regions in Europe. “Northern Ireland ranks badly as one of the least- wooded regions in Europe, with just 8% woodland cover compared with the European average of 37%. In addition, almost 60% of our woodland is in the form of recent conifer plantations.” (Woodland Trust, 2021). 4 As humans have settled over the years, we have cleared trees for harvesting and to create farmland. But worsening climate change and the biodiversity crisis in the last 40 years has led to a realisation of the need to replant and allow natural regeneration to occur. Without interference, the landscape would naturally rewild itself to achieve its natural climax vegetation of native woodland. This would halt and reverse the devastating impacts on biodiversity that woodland and tree loss has caused to date. Right Tree, Right Place, Right Reason The Council have been working in partnership to plant trees, native woodland and native hedgerows for several years on Council managed estate and where possible, with community groups and schools. The Council have also consistently replanted larger standard trees as replacements when required. Since 2019, we have also planted over 200 heritage apple trees in partnership with schools and the Lough Erne Landscape Partnership (LELP), through the Trees for Bees initiative. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has already committed to additional tree planting through the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Strategy and the following key action: ‘Develop a Tree Plan to increase tree cover on council-owned land, using appropriate species to store carbon, support nature, improve soils and water quality, and aid flood protection and urban design.’ 4 Woodland Trust (2021) Our Work in Northern Ireland . https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/northern- ireland/. Accessed 31/08/2021. A tree displaying all the services they provide. Copyright - https://rootsforthefuture.co.uk/ 9.2 Theme 2: Trees and Woodlands