Ruth Larbey, our Head of Policy and Advocacy, and Kirsty Brown, our Nature-based Solutions Project Officer, arrived at Kew Wakehurst under bright autumn sunshine for the much-anticipated Science Behind Multifunctional Landscapes Open Day. Their walk through Wakehurst’s sweeping landscape - towering trees draped in russet and gold, with delicate cyclamen scattered like stars beneath - set a fitting tone for the day ahead. Inside the renowned Millennium Seed Bank, a lively hum of conversation filled the air as peers gathered over registration refreshments, sharing ideas and excitement about the possibilities to come.

Inspirational talks were kicked off by Susan Raikes, Director at Wakehurst. This set the scene of Kew Wakehurst growing and protecting a globally significant array of plants, along with woodlands, meadows and wetlands. The Millennium Seed Bank is the largest wild-plant seed bank in the world, and this year they are celebrating its 25^thanniversary. 

Kew aims to provide science to underpin decision making for resilient and multifunctional landscapes. Rather than the traditional image of this kind of garden being stuck in the past, Wakehurst's new Strategic Plan embodies a ‘wild botanic garden where science thrives’.

Rebecca Roberts updated attendees using Wakehurst as a Living Laboratory for Nature Unlocked solutions for climate change. Carbon sequestration is being studied in broadleaf woodlands, conifer plantations and hazel coppice. Ash dieback is evident in the garden, but the team are using this as an opportunity to study changes. The team are keen to ensure science can readily be used for real-world impact across our landscapes.

Gerry Sherwin, Business Manager at High Weald National Landscape, gave an overview of the High Weald National Landscape habitats and character, which still retains some 30% woodland cover, gill streams, old paths and holloways, excellent hedgerow networks, important river catchments and low-input grassland.

Dr. Sally Marsh, High Weald’s Co-Director, then took a deep dive into the historical land formation and use across the High Weald National Landscape. This area has seen little change in some 700 years thanks to the ancient mosaic of small-holdings and family farms, including orchards and traditions such as pannage. With such stable landscape use, species get a chance to really settle in. Understanding the wider context of the landscape and its history is key to forming suitably tailored decisions for the future. These are true multifunctional landscapes, complex in nature, with holdings supplying food and other benefits. 

But how can learnings from the High Weald help shape the future? Local knowledge of the land, shared resources, traditional crafts, materials and skills are re-surfacing as we build a more circular economy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This way of living more in harmony with the natural world allows for a richer biodiversity, cleaner waters and cleaner air. We need these skills for all our futures. Science can further test and refine what works for the modern era, engaging and prompting robust discussions.

Dr. Phil Wilkes then described how Nature Unlocked – a Kew Science research programme based at Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex which provides evidence on the multiple benefits (i.e. ecosystem services) that biodiverse landscapes provide to people, and how these relate to one another - is measuring Ecosystem Services through the Wakehurst Ecosystem Observatory. 

Cool science includes a soil gas flux, unearthing which mycorrhizae best lock up carbon, bioacoustics (bees!) and Lidar. Carbon is being characterised across different habitats and soils, showing ancient broadleaf woods store more carbon whilst conifer plantations release more carbon from the soil with temperature increases. Satellite stations are also in-situ on farms as living laboratories.

Iain Parkinson brought out some wonderful quotes through his talk, including Edward Osbourne Wilson’s statement: “There can be no purpose more enspiriting than to begin the age of restoration, reweaving the wondrous diversity of life that still surrounds us.” 

Responsible stewardship of the land begins with a deep understanding of the landscape. He talked of some of the rare and fantastic species to be found in the area, and how Wakehurst still uses time-honoured practices and traditional management for species-rich meadows and hedges. Yet, the science is vibrant and cutting-edge, with grassland carbon measurement, tree pollinator bioacoustics, and the controversial American prairie installation! Biodiverse and resilient landscaping is the future.

Nada Saidi briefed the audience on Defra’s Land Use Framework and how evidence is informing England’s strategic approach to land use. As the UK is a small island faced with growing demands, an interdisciplinary approach is required to help ensure land use is optimised. But there are still gaps. Nada brought a call to action, asking us all to feed in with what evidence we need, how we best navigate it, and what more can the Government do to help with strategic land-based decision-making.

The opportunities created by a 400-acre woodland suffering from ash dieback were brought to light by Tom White from Yeo Valley in Mendip Hills National Landscape. Keen on regenerative agriculture with a view to cattle farming, as the ash trees died back, this allowed light in and grass to grow. The cattle were moved into the woodland, and soon made themselves at home, enjoying the shelter, using trees as scratching-posts and browsing on all kinds of vegetation, keeping them healthy and relaxed. As Yeo Valley look to expand this woodland pasture concept and share best practice, the Wakehurst team provide the scientific kit and expertise to record changes in this landscape such as carbon sequestration. They also ask the question: can dairy farming continue successfully in this changing climate without incorporating shade and shelter?

Russell Carrington is now self-employed but demonstrated his expertise with Pasture for Life in his presentation. Farmers need to plan long-term and are at the forefront of the climate crisis. They are generally keen to engage but scientific best-practice communications and models can be tricky to bring to life on farms. A FiPL project with Pasture for Life in the High Weald National Landscape enabled buddy systems for farmers interested in transitioning, using a peer-to-peer approach successfully to not only create networks within but lasting ones outside the programme. 

The afternoon was spent in the Wakehurst landscape in small groups, unravelling how science might better serve decision-making in multi-functional environments. 

We’d like to extend special thanks to the High Weald National Landscape and Kew Wakehurst teams for putting together such a thought-provoking programme. We look forward to working closely together to advance the multifunctional and resilient future of landscapes, nature and people.