Moss on tree trunk can unlock secrets of long-lost rainforests

YOU may think the nearest rainforest is several thousands miles away – but in fact there might be one right on your doorstep.

The public has been asked to help map the last fragments of Britain’s lost temperate rainforest by photographing mossy tree trunks.

About a fifth of the country has the right climate for the creation of the ancient form of woodland, characterised by lichens, mosses and ferns, but most of it has been lost over thousands of years of clearance.

Pockets of the rare habitat are thought to be hidden in the countryside, and need to be identified so they can be helped to spread and recover.

Just 1 per cent of the UK is now covered by temperate rainforest, which thrives in mild, wet conditions in western Scotland, England and Wales, where an “oceanic” climate prevails.

The major known areas are Scotland’s west coast, Snowdonia and the Elenydd in Wales, and the West Country, Cumbria, Yorkshire and Lancashire in England, but researchers believe it might extend further.

Notable rainforest sites include Wistman’s Wood in Devon, Crinan Wood in Scotland and Coed Felenrhyd and Llennyrch in Snowdonia National Park.

Temperate rainforests only exist in a handful of spots around the world, including the Pacific north-west of the United States, south-western Chile, New Zealand and Tasmania.

Bronze Age settlers began to clear the rainforest in Britain several thousand years ago, but some survived into the 20th century only to be cut for timber plantations.

Guy Shrubsole, the leader of the Lost Rainforests of Britain campaign, has launched an online form where amateur botanists can report their findings, including photographs and the presence of tell-tale signs including

‘The best way to bring back the lost rainforests is to better protect what we have left’

ferns and lichen. He has also called for the Government to protect and restore temperate rainforests.

Mr Shrubsole said: “Few people realise that Britain is home to such a globally rare habitat. Unfortunately, our temperate rainforest only remains in fragmented pockets, but this doesn’t have to be the case.

“The best way to bring back the lost rainforests is to better protect what we have left, and then allow these rainforest fragments to regenerate naturally.

“By introducing a Great British Rainforests Strategy and committing significant funding and protection, the Government can bring back our lost temperate rainforests by supporting landowners to build a barrier around existing rainforest to stop overgrazing and allow it to regenerate.”

Studies show that woodland can expand significantly using natural methods without the planting of trees.

Scientists at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology found that at one site it took 50 years for closed-canopy woodland to grow on an empty field, and on a second site 86 per cent vegetation cover was reached in 24 years.

Last year The Telegraph revealed that £30million from a post-brexit Government nature fund would go towards efforts to “support and expand England’s temperate rainforests”.

David Harland, chief executive of the Eden Project, said: “We are thrilled to see the Lost Rainforests of Britain campaign calling for the protection and restoration of temperate rainforests.

“This is a call to action for people to get involved by exploring and mapping extremely rare temperate rainforest in their local area.”