During the second week of the 8 week Summer of Nature Recovery traineeship, we had the pleasure of welcoming Sam Manning from the Woodland Trust to Ambios. Sam visited to show a film and give a talk about Temperate Rainforest and his enthusiasm, passion and knowledge left all the trainees in awe of this environment.
As described by the Woodland Trust, temperate rainforest “otherwise known as Atlantic woodland…is found in areas subject to the influence of the sea (places with ‘high oceanicity’). These places have high rainfall and humidity and a low annual variation in temperature.”
Facts about Temperate Rainforest:
- At least 1400mm of annual rainfall is necessary for species
- The ideal temperature is mild, ideally between 4-12 degrees
“Damp amphibian air”
This internationally rare environment once covered 20% of Britain, effectively 90% of the forests have now been lost in the UK. Deforestation has broken the connections between rainforests and the oceans, leaving nature in an extremely vulnerable state. Invasive species have taken the space of our native tree species, remaining water in the area is now widely polluted, and excess nitrogen in the air causes issues for plant regeneration as they are not adapted to this change.
Woodland Trust are restoring Temperate Rainforest through the wider project of ‘Rainforest Recovery’. Their aim is to triple the area covered by this habitat by 2050, through restoring the rainforests, encouraging species back and restoring water to a natural state. This is ideally done by buffering existing rainforests to encourage movement of species and the ability to multiply easily.
Key factors for restoration:
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- Light: it is important to open up light levels as tree species such as oak, rowan and hazel, which are key to this environment, are very light demanding.
- Water: the rainforest is dependant on humidity. Rewetting wetland, diverting rivers and streams, and natural flood management is crucial. Reintroducing beavers to these areas can be extremely beneficial to help with this.
- Air: a high air quality is required for tree and epiphyte species such as lichens in the rainforest.
This environment offers a habitat for some types of species which are not found anywhere else, for example in the South West of England there are species of lichen unique to the temperate rainforests here. Mosses are crucial for temperate rainforest to thrive as they help build connections across habitats and ecosystems, linking to the ocean. Despite the severe loss of the forests, there is an incredible diversity of epiphytes still around. Some examples of species already seen in recovering areas are: string of sausages lichen, tree lungwort lichen, pied flycatcher, blue ground beetle, and hazel gloves fungus. There is hope that the white tailed eagle will return to temperate rainforest in the South West, along with wild salmon in the rivers, enhancing the connections between ocean and forest.
“Life at every level… from soil to sky”
Community engagement is key to this project by connecting with and involving landowners, ecologists and local people. Following this talk, the ripple effect of enthusiasm for nature recovery in these areas amongst our community has been incredible. To find out more, visit the Woodland Trust website and keep an eye out for further details on the South West Rainforest Alliance.
(All quotes taken directly from the Woodland Trust)
✍ Katie Lanning – Summer of Nature Recovery Trainee
📸 Robyn Hall – Summer of Nature Recovery Trainee
September 2024
