Projects united on root and branch approach to restoring habitats
MILD temperatures along Scotland’s west coast create the ideal conditions for hyperoceanic woodland to flourish.
With only a slight difference between summer and winter temperatures, and high moisture levels, the birch, oak and hazel trees that grow here are home to exceptionally high numbers of mosses, lichens and liverworts, some of which are found nowhere else.
These are helped to flourish by the range of habitats found in the woodlands, including rocky areas, streams and open areas as well as deeper shade.
Amongst the mammals that live under the canopy are pine marten and red squirrel and the trees are also home to several species of bats.
Bird life abounds, including pied flycatchers, willow warblers and redstarts and amongst the insect life are many beautiful butterflies, including marsh fritillaries and chequered skippers.
Some of the best places to see and experience the rainforest is at National Nature Reserves (NNRS) on the west coast. Some of the finest examples can be found at Naturescot’s reserves at Taynish in Argyll, Ariundle Oakwood near Strontian and Beinn Eighe and the islands of Loch Maree at Kinlochewe, which are carefully managed to protect their globally important habitats and wildlife.
Another project to help preserve the habitat is on the Morvern Peninsula where RSPB Scotland is leading large scale rhododendron eradication, with funding from Naturescot through the Nature Restoration Fund. The isolated nature of Morvern means that, once cleared, it will be difficult for the rhododendron to re-invade and so restoration of woodland can be carried out successfully.
Argyll is home to more than half of the remaining rainforest habitat in Scotland, in areas such as Barnluasgan, and as well as providing shelter for livestock, it is also important to the area’s eco-tourism.
Saving Argyll’s Rainforest is a project led by the Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust, supported by Naturescot, which is collaborating with communities, landowners and stakeholders to clear non-native species, manage the impact of grazing and plant trees, helping to boost both the environment and the local economy, through increased tourism, outdoor learning and enterprise opportunities.
And on Loch Torridon the Woodland Trust is working with Naturescot, the National Trust for Scotland and local communities to restore one of the country’s most impressive landscapes, which includes the wonderful pine rainforests at Beinn Eighe.
The 28,000 hectares that run from Kinlochewe to Glen Torridon contain a rich mosaic of habitats, including rainforest and removing the rhododendron ponticum from this area is part of a range of measures that include joining up the few remaining areas of the ancient Caledonian pine forest which in this part of Scotland forms part of the rainforest.