Exploring the social and cultural values of trees and woodlands in England: a new composite measure

Making social and cultural (S&C) values present in decision-making on treescapes is a challenge: S&C values can be difficult to render into metrics. This makes them difficult to hold in comparison with other more quantifiable values, be they economic or ecological. Nonetheless, S&C values must be made present in decision-making as they represent, in rich detail, the relationships different groups of people have with treescapes.

To address this problem, researchers developed a “composite measure” designed to quantify the S&C values associated with treescapes. Using extensive previous research in this area, the authors identified a set of 19 statements which they organized into six categories of S&C values.

Using the categorised statements, the researchers produced a survey which also contained questions about the frequency of woodland use and activities that the participants did in these woodlands. The survey was completed with a representative sample of 5000 people from all over England. The authors then analyzed the results and produced a series of five statements which could be used in short surveys by those looking to plan strategically for treescapes now and in the future.

The composite measure has already been used by a local authority in the northwest of England, indicating good usability for the tool: it will help improve the evidence base for decision-makers working with treescapes. Though data collection only took place in England, the measure could be applied in other countries, suggested the authors.