Woodland Trust raises alarm over woodland crisis in UK – with Scottish rainforest facing particular threat
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THE country's woods and trees are approaching crisis point, with the Scottish Rainforest under particular threat, says a new study.
A major new report published by the Woodland Trust today (Wednesday) highlights compounding threats that could have catastrophic consequences for the UK's woods, trees and the species that live within them.
Scotland’s rare and dwindling rainforests are singled out as being especially at risk, suffering a multiple whammy from all five of the major threats to UK woods and trees. Only 30,000ha of our rainforests remain and less than a third is in satisfactory condition.
The State of the UK’s Woods and Trees 2021 is the first report of its kind to focus on native woods and trees, which are such an important part of our natural and semi-natural habitats in this country.
It shows that five major threats are compounding to result in impacts that could spell disaster for wildlife including plants, birds, butterflies and insects.
Abi Bunker, Director of Conservation and External Affairs, Woodland Trust said: “The warning signs in this report are loud and clear. If we don’t tackle the threats facing our woods and trees, we will severely damage the UK’s ability to address the climate and nature crises. Our wildlife havens are suffering, and we are storing up problems for future generations.”
The major threats include:poor woodland condition , climate change affecting woodland lifecycles, direct loss and resulting fragmentation , pests, diseases and pollution and the slow rate of woodland expansion.
Most woods and trees are impacted by more than one of the five big threats at the same time. In the case of the precious Scottish rainforests, they suffer a multiple risk from all five.
Woodland Trust Scotland public affairs manager Arina Russell said: "Native woodland must be a major part of woodland expansion, to help nature recover. We need more native woodland connecting and expanding existing woods and replacing lost trees outside woods."
Scotland’s rainforest is made up of the native oak, ash, birch, pine and hazel woodlands found on the west coast. Here, high levels of rainfall and relatively mild, year-round temperatures provide just the right conditions for some of the world’s rarest bryophytes and lichens. It is the sheer abundance and diversity of species found in Scotland’s rainforest that make it internationally important.
While rainforest habitat can be found in other parts of the UK – Cumbria, north Wales and south-west England – Scotland has the greatest amount of it and some of the best remaining sites in Europe.
Woodland Trust Scotland has produced a manifesto for the forthcoming elections to the Scottish Parliament.
Ms Russell said: "Woods and trees offer solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing our society. Good stewardship of the nation’s native woodlands will reap huge rewards. But the needs of our woods and trees must be in the minds of the next Government. Our manifesto sets out Woodland Trust Scotland's top priorities for the next Scottish Government."
The Trust is also asking Scottish voters to help put woods and trees on the radar of all parties and candidates by taking an online action.
Only 2.5 per cent of UK land area is ancient woodland and many ancient woods are now isolated.
