Ecological Site Classification Tool (ESC)

Greenspace Toolkit

Ecological Site Classification (ESC) is a web-based decision support system to help forest managers and planners select tree species that are ecologically suited to particular sites, instead of selecting a species and trying to modify the site to suit.

ESC is designed to match key site factors with the ecological requirements of different tree species and woodland communities, as defined in the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) for Great Britain.

It provides a user-friendly way of working out options for tree species and native woodland communities on individual sites for now and into the future.

ESC 4 can incorporate future climate change projections for 2050 and 2080 low and high scenarios to allow users to incorporate future suitability into planting decisions. Forest Research advise the use of the high-emissions scenario for 2050, and encourage use of the high-emissions scenario for 2080.

About Forest Research:

Forest Research (FR) is the research agency of the Forestry Commission (FC) and Great Britain’s principal organisation for forestry and tree-related research. FR is internationally renowned for the provision of science, research, evidence, data and services in support of sustainable forestry.

For more information visit: https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/about-us/

Author: Forest Research

Estimated Read Time: Web based tool