The way in which society values the rural environment in Scotland has moved from a production to a consumer agenda, argues Dr Richard Birnieof the Macaulay Institute Considerable controversy and conflict surrounds land management in rural Scotland – the current debates surrounding wind farms, new power lines and the provision of affordable housing exemplify this. While such land management debates are nothing new, they appear to have taken on an increased complexity.

What does the impact of climate change mean for those responsible for planting in public spaces? And how should they plan their response?