The Alliance of Beverage Cartons and the Environment UK undertook the research, via RSPB, in the form of a 'desk-bound' study, reviewing published sources to gain understanding of the sustainable forest management and planning practices, as set out in the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS), and their impacts on biodiversity.
While the cartons made by ACE UK members - Tetra Pak, Elopak and SIG Combibloc - are made primarily from wood from Nordic forests, as opposed to UK forests, as part of its continued commitment to environmental responsibility, the beverage carton industry was keen to support the RSPB in furthering the understanding of the contribution of commercial forestry to biodiversity in Britain and Ireland, as well as how biodiversity can be improved.
Variety of life
The RSPB concluded that activities such as clear-felling and replanting, coppicing, and even the widening of roads and enlarging of glades can all help support a range of biodiversity, which otherwise would not be present if forests were "planted as large monocultures and left unmanaged".
Filling the gaps
However, the study also highlights gaps in existing research, such as a lack of data on the magnitude of additional benefits that can be derived from partaking in forest certification schemes; and a need for more research into the effectiveness of forest management for biodiversity enhancement that is aimed at specific groups of species.
Understanding
Richard Hands, chief executive of ACE UK, comments: "It's encouraging to see that the forestry industry's efforts, verified through independent certification, not only ensure that forests can provide a renewable resource for generations to come, but that they can also deliver benefits for biodiversity.
"We hope the research findings will prove useful to all those sourcing wood-based materials who seek to understand more about enhancing biodiversity, and that more work will now be done to fill in the gaps in understanding that our study revealed."
RSPB conservation scientist Paul Bellamy says: "Although there were many reports on the effects of the main forest management cycle on birds, plants and some insects, other important groups such as fungi had not been studied at all.
"There were also no studies on the effectiveness of management guidelines aimed at improving the wildlife value of forests."
Vindication
In the UK, sustainable forestry can be independently certified by two schemes: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), both use UKWAS for their audits.
Charles Thwaites MBE, executive director of FSC UK, adds: "We are grateful to ACE UK for commissioning this very valuable study into the impact on biodiversity of the sustainable management of UK woodlands.
"Traditionally, FSC UK has assisted on laying down appropriate guidelines for owner/managers.
"We therefore find it very heartening that this report appears to vindicate the efforts of all those who take up the challenge."
