Introduction and background
Birmingham is a city within the West Midlands - a region in central England with a rich industrial history. Birmingham’s population is 1.14 million of 2.9 million people in the West Midlands. Birmingham, known as the “second city”, hosts some of the most built up areas of the country. However, the West Midlands also boasts picturesque countryside areas, providing a balance between urban life and natural beauty. This report refers to the combined area of Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull which covers an area of 74,473 ha - of which Birmingham constitutes 26,779 ha.
This i-Tree Eco study was commissioned by the West Midlands Combined Authority and provides detailed information on the scale of benefits provided by the urban forest in Birmingham, expressing the value of some of those benefits in monetary terms. This study shows how the perception of trees, shrubs and green spaces which make up the urban forest can shift from the historic view of liability to an asset for the council and the local community.
The objectives of the study were to:
- Measure the structure of the urban forest, including the species composition, diversity and condition.
- Calculate the ecosystem service and economic values provided by the urban forest using the i-Tree Eco software.
- Promote the urban forest and emphasize the benefits it provides.
- Conduct a risk analysis of the susceptibility of the trees to pests and diseases.
- Explore the urban forest’s potential to influence carbon net-zero balances.
- Forecast possible scenarios based on the current composition of the urban forest and future management strategies.
Report Scope:
This study investigates the structure and composition of Birmingham’s urban forest and the benefits it delivers. The report provides baseline information which can be used to inform future decision making and strategy. Understanding the structure and composition of the urban forest is vital to its conservation and development. By showcasing the economic value of benefits provided by Birmingham’s urban forest, increased awareness can be used to encourage investment in Birmingham’s natural capital and wider environment.
The assessment presented in this report is fundamental in understanding factors which are critical to a resilient urban forest including:
- Maintaining and improving the current tree canopy cover in Birmingham.
- Identifying areas vulnerable to loss of tree cover (e.g. as a result of pests and diseases, climate change or development) which would benefit from new planting or enhanced protection.
This report can be used by:
- Those writing policy.
- Those interested in the conservation of local nature.
- Those involved in strategic planning to build resilience or planning the sustainable development and resilience of Birmingham.
- Those who are interested in local trees for improving their own and others’ health, wellbeing and enjoyment across Birmingham.