Harry Joyce, Economist at the Forestry Commission, reveals the latest findings of a report into the value of forest biodiversity in Great Britain.
The UK is one of the least forested nations in Europe and one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. A recent report investigated the value of forest biodiversity in Great Britain, and found that creating and managing more woodland would bring huge economic benefits to society.
The report also found that households in Great Britain strongly support increasing species diversity in the country’s forests, deeming the benefits from creating new forests or improving existing forests as significant.
The 2025 Value of Forest Biodiversity in Great Britain reportFor over a decade, people making the case for woodlands have been working with outdated figures on the value of forest biodiversity. The 2025 Value of Forest Biodiversity in Great Britain report, commissioned by the Forestry Commission and funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair’s Nature for Climate Fund provides an up-to-date picture of the benefits our woodlands and forests deliver, reflecting today’s woodlands, economy and public support.
Adult with child on their shoulders in Thrunton Woods in the north-east of England. Credit: Getty Images, SolStock, E+ Measuring forest biodiversityThe report values the cultural benefit to society of improvements in forest biodiversity. Via surveys, focus groups and one-to-one interviews, the public were asked about their willingness to pay for improvements to forest biodiversity and woodland creation.
The benefits include:
the ‘use value’ of a woodland’s biodiversity – things people like to do in forests including recreation and wellbeing benefits the ‘non-use value’ – the importance of that woodland existing, known as the ‘existence value’ Cultural benefitsThe Climate Change Committee (CCC) established under the Climate Change Act 2008, set out targets of having approximately 1 million hectares of newly planted forests by 2050, and forests in improved condition.
To achieve this, approximately 30,000 hectares of new woodland would need to be planted annually in the UK until 2050. For context, a forest cover of 17–19%, as suggested by the CCC, has not been seen in England since before the Domesday survey in 1086.
This study finds that if we hit these targets, it would result in up to £8.3 billion per year in cultural benefits to UK households. This value is in addition to the indirect benefits forests provide, including carbon sequestration, timber production, flood management, water filtration and air purification.
Mixed woodland with trees planted and foxgloves growing in the foreground in Cumbria. Access to nature and landscapesSince the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant boost in awareness of the importance of access to nature and landscapes. In 2025, 70% of the public reported having visited forests or woodlands in the last few years, compared to 56% in 2015.1
Greater concerns about environmental deterioration and increased understanding about the importance of nature were also cited by the public as reasons for wanting to see an improvement in forest biodiversity.
Deadwood on a forest floor with snowdrops in the foreground at Dimminsdale Nature Reserve, Leicestershire. A growing average value for general forest biodiversity improvementThe national average value set out for general forest biodiversity improvement has risen to approximately £5,400 per hectare per year, applied over a 60-year period. This value includes the importance of public places and the enjoyment of spotting forest wildlife, as well as improvements to recreation and area amenities.
When compared to previous studies, this represents a significant increase in value to the public of forest biodiversity over the past 20 years, despite cost-of-living challenges. Previous studies such as Willis et al. (2003) reported values of between £195 per hectare per year for conifer woodland, and £2,040 per hectare per year for ancient woodland (in 2024 prices).
This new report includes a household ‘willingness to pay’ figure of £304 per household, per year, for achieving a national forest cover increase of 1 million hectares. It also includes a range of combined non-use and use values for specific levels of forest biodiversity improvement ranging from £3,400 per hectare per year for forest biodiversity improvement from ‘minimal to low’ species diversity, to £8,600 per hectare per year, for ‘minimal to high’ species diversity improvement (applied over a 60-year time period).
Young person holding adult’s hand as they walk along wooden play equipment in a woodland setting. Credit: Getty Images, SolStock, E+ A view to plant more treesThe evidence is clear: the public wants more forests, and richer ones. This research gives us the most up-to-date and robust picture yet of just how much that ambition is worth – not only in pounds but in the ‘connection’ people feel to the natural world.
For councils making planning decisions, land managers considering whether to pursue woodland creation schemes, and community groups wanting greener local spaces, this report provides the evidence. The values set out here can be used in a range of analyses including business cases and cost-benefit analysis, to demonstrate the social value that comes from investing in nature.
The report provides clear economic evidence of public support and social value for increased woodland creation and forest biodiversity across the UK. The ambition to reverse the UK's status as one of the least forested and most nature-depleted nations in Europe will require action at every level: national policy, local planning and individual land management decisions.
This report equips everyone involved in that effort with the evidence to make the case so we can plant the right trees, in the right places, to benefit future generations.
Read the full Value of Forest Biodiversity in Great Britain report.
Forestry Statistics 2025-26, Chapter 6 ↩︎ seen at 09:44, 24 September in Forestry Commission.