UK forests are experiencing an “ecological collapse.”

Within a generation, according to British experts, there will be an “ecosystem collapse” where trees will abruptly fade and die.

The 42 experts believe that if we act quickly, we can avert the calamity. The UK is one of the least forested nations in Europe, and it has to deal with issues like invasive species, biodiversity loss, climate change, damage from deer and grey squirrels, and an increase in pests and diseases that affect trees.

The forestry industry is also lacking in skilled workers, which makes it difficult to meet government objectives for planting trees. Planting forests with a variety of species that are better for wildlife and more resistant to adversities like disease, drought, and flooding is one way to find solutions. The first “horizon-scanning” exercise for UK forests also revealed other “over-looked and emerging issues,” such as competition for water with human society, new pests and pathogens, especially viruses, and the impact of extreme weather on forest management. The study was released in the Forestry journal.