The University of Birmingham is to set up a pioneering centre to lead research into the world’s forests, thanks to a £15 million gift from a former student and academic.

The Institute for Forest Research will study the impact of climate and environmental change on woodlands and the resilience of trees to pests and diseases, thanks to the gift from Professor Jo Bradwell and his wife Barbara.

One of the largest gifts ever to a UK university, the donation will enable the creation of what the university says will be “a world leading centre” which aims to provide answers how forests react to the combined threats of climate change and invasive pests and diseases.

As well as on-campus laboratories, the institute – the first of its kind in Europe – will work in the field globally with the latest technology, enabling scientists to analyse everything from the soil trees grow in to the top of the forest canopy.

Advanced measuring techniques and equipment will also be used to cover timescales ranging from seconds to decades.

Professor of atmospheric science, Rob MacKenzie, from the university’s School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, described the £15 million gift as “a fantastic windfall”.

He said: “One of the great things about this gift was that the benefactors were quite clear that this was not about putting a name above a door but what can you deliver in terms of world-beating research in the area of forest research.”

He added: “The big thing for me is that we are talking about the land-based part of the earth. As a system forests are absolutely key to the way the whole complicated merry-go-round of the earth works.

“We’re not just looking at forestry in a very limited sense here but right from the outset the institute will be linking arms with some key partners throughout the world.

“The tropics particularly but also different climate zones, to see how forests are behaving given the big pressures we are putting on these landscapes.”

Two professors will be recruited by the new centre as well as lecturers, research fellows and Phd students.

Professor Bradwell, the institute’s benefactor, studied medicine at the University of Birmingham and graduated in 1968, subsequently becoming a professor in its Department of Immunology.

He founded the Binding Site, a university spin-out company in 1983, which first developed diagnostic products for immune-deficiency and autoimmunity then a range of important cancer tests. The company has continued to expand for 30 years.

He said: “The UK has the lowest woodland cover of any large, European country because of deforestation over the centuries. What little we have remaining is now under serious threat from climate change and imported tree diseases.

“The new forestry institute will increase our understanding of these challenges in order to help planners, owners and foresters maintain and improve the health of our woods.”