Conservationists have commended the launch of a new government strategy to revive the remaining fragments of the vast temperate rainforests that were once “one of the jewels of Britain’s nature crown”.
Temperate rainforest, which is also known as Atlantic woodland or Celtic rainforest, once covered most of western Britain and Ireland. The archipelago’s wet, mild conditions are ideal for lichens, mosses and liverworts. But centuries of destruction have meant that only small, isolated pockets remain.
Reports show that In England, just 189 sq km (46,624 acres) survive from the ecosystem that once stretched from Cornwall to the west of Scotland, and these remain threatened by overgrazing from sheep, invasive species and nitrogen pollution.
The government was said to have published the strategy at the end of November to protect and recover England’s temperate rainforests, and committed £750,000 for research and development after three years of campaigning.
Among other things, the strategy includes a commitment to protect and restore the internationally rare ecosystems and use public-private partnerships to help fund their conservation.
There is also a pledge to reduce pressure from grazing by deer, which is one of the main factors preventing forests’ recovery. The government says it will work with farmers and landowners to protect areas of temperate rainforests on their land.
Guy Shrubsole, who leads the Lost Rainforests of Britain campaign, was quoted as saying that the move was “exciting” but called for a target to be set to double the area of British rainforests by 2050.
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“Before 2021, no politician had even mentioned temperate rainforests in the UK parliament. Now, the government themselves have not only mentioned it, they’ve actually devoted entire official policy documents to this habitat,” he said. “That’s really cool to see.”
Joan Edwards, who is the director of policy for the Wildlife Trusts, said: “Temperate rainforest is a globally rare habitat that was once one of the jewels of Britain’s nature crown. The remnants that still exist contain some of the highest floral diversity in the world, including a vast array of mosses, lichens, liverworts and ferns.
“We welcome the government’s intention to invest in temperate rainforest restoration and management, as part of protecting 30% of land by 2030, and look forward to a more detailed strategy in the coming months.”
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
