Study Finds Productive Forestry and Biodiversity Conservation Can Align

Researchers from the James Hutton Institute, including Maria Nijnik and David Miller, contributed to a major international study published by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations. The study demonstrated that productive forestry and biodiversity conservation are complementary goals, not competing ones. Their work shows that supportive institutional frameworks, incentives, and science-driven knowledge sharing can help forest owners deliver timber production alongside biodiversity and climate resilience.

The report examines how forest management can support both economic and ecological goals as forests face growing societal pressure and climate change. It provides evidence that biodiversity helps forests withstand and recover from disturbances such as droughts, storms, pests, and wildfires, reinforcing long-term productivity and societal value.