Possible Impacts of Climatic Warming on Trees and Forests in the United Kingdom: a Review

There is growing evidence and concern that increasing levelsof greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will increase global temperatures.Temperatures in the UK may increase by 3C± 1.5C overthe next 70 years The tree crop is sensitive to such large andrapid climatic change because of its longevity. This paper reviews(1) changes that might occur in the forest environment, includingsoil, following climatic warming; (2) past and future long-termchanges in the species composition of UK forest; (3) possiblepositive and negative effects.of climatic warming on the growthand yield of UK forests; and (4) the vulnerability of foreststo any change in the frequency of extreme events.