Daisy Cooper MP and Dr Cat Scott of the University of Leeds call for central government funding to support woodland creation alongside the planting and maintenance of trees outside woodlands, with support for local authorities to monitor this and coordination across all four nations of the UK. Planting and restoring trees and woodlands will play...
In July 2019, UBoC and LEAF published the University of Leeds i-Tree report, as part of the ongoing Leeds4Trees project which is exploring the value of trees and greenspaces across the city of Leeds. The project formed part of the Sustainability Service’s Living Lab initiative, to use the university campus as a test bed for...
A new flagship restoration project showcasing an alternative future for the UK's uplands has been launched. Wild Ingleborough aims to restore an iconic area in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, around Ingleborough – the second highest peak in the Dales. The project is a partnership between the University of Leeds, WWF, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England, the United Bank of Carbon and...
In South America, land-atmosphere interactions have a strong influence on climate, particularly the hydrological cycle. Moisture exchanges between the land and the atmosphere are essential for sustaining the Amazon forest and ensuring a supply of rainfall to the interior of the continent. Global climate models (GCMs) need to accurately represent these processes in order for...
A team from the University of Leeds and NatureScot have made the first estimate of potential carbon sequestration by large-scale native woodland expansion through natural regeneration in Scotland. Tree planting and woodland establishment, particularly of native woodland, is a topic which is increasingly in the public eye. With potentially significant contributions towards the government’s net-zero...
Tree species richness and diversity influences the degree to which greenspace can mitigate the Urban Heat Island Effect, finds new study from scientists at the University of Leeds. Urbanisation impacts the reflection and absorption of solar radiation at Earth’s surface and can elevate surface temperatures, known as the Urban Heat Island Effect. With the rise...
A team of researchers at the University of Leeds have been looking at the future role for UK public parks. In their recent publication ‘Park futures: Excavating images of tomorrow’s urban green spaces’ the team examine the historical role of parks, particularly in the Victorian era, to study the potential use and trends for parks...
A new review from the Leeds Social Sciences Institute analysed the collaborative work between the University and Leeds City Council (LCC). Historically, the university and LCC have worked closely together to conduct research that informs and supports the work of the council, benefiting the city and its citizens. The new report ‘Unlocking the Potential of...
Vegetation and peat fires in Equatorial Asia caused over 100,000 premature deaths between 2004 and 2015, finds new study from scientists at the University of Leeds. Large fire events occur every few years in Indonesia, emitting huge quantities of smoke into the atmosphere. Small particles emitted from fires (known as PM2.5; particulate matter < 2.5µm...
As part of the ongoing Leeds4Trees collaboration between LEAF, UBoC and Leeds City Council, we have been exploring a number of natural capital valuation methods. Balancing the planting and management of urban trees with development is a continual challenge for local authorities. Natural capital valuation tools can help us to better understand the importance of trees as assets...