Dr. Eimear Cotter:

That is one of the key findings of phase 1 of the land use review, that we need a land use map and a soil map that is overlain with ecosystems.

If we have this information about what is happening in terms of land, soil and ecosystems, landowners and the Government can make decisions based on evidence of the optimum use of land. Regarding forestry, we see potential for co-benefits between enhancing our carbon sink and also enhancing biodiversity through well-sited and well-designed native woodlands, for example. Therefore, they are not mutually exclusive but it needs to be thought through carefully. For any policy, including forestry, the location and the design need to be considered.