Lost rainforest dubbed ‘jewel’ of UK wildlife could be brought back to life

An ‘incredibly rare’ and ‘special’ habitat in the UK could be revived (Picture: Andrew Michael/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The last remaining fragments of once-thriving temperate rainforests in the UK could be brought back to life.

Known as Atlantic woodland or Celtic rainforest, what was ‘one of the jewels of Britain’s nature crown’ used to cover a vast expanse of the west of the UK and Ireland.

It previously stretched all the way from Cornwall to the west of Scotland.

The archipelago’s wet, mild conditions meant it was rife with wildlife including lichens, mosses and liverworts.

But only small, isolated pockets have survived to this day because of destruction through the centuries.

In England, just 72 square miles of the ecosystem still remain – and what little is left is under threat from overgrazing sheep, invasive species and nitrogen pollution.

Now, after three years of campaigning, a new government strategy has been launched to revive the ‘incredibly rare’ and ‘special’ habitat.

Only 72 square miles of temperate rainforest remains in England, but conservationists want to see that figure doubled by 2050 (Picture: FLPA/Bob Gibbons/REX/Shutterstock)

Conservationists have praised the plans to protect and recover England’s temperate rainforests with £750,000 being committed to research and development.

The government has said it will work alongside farmers and landowners to protect the rainforest areas.

‘Before 2021, no politician had even mentioned temperate rainforests in the UK parliament,’ said Guy Shrubsole, who leads the Lost Rainforests of Britain campaign.

He told The Guardian the plans are exciting but wants the target to be to double the area of rainforests in Britain by 2050.

The Wildlife Trusts head of policy said it’s ‘really cool’ to see the plans coming together (Picture: FLPA/REX/Shutterstock)

‘’Now, the government themselves have not only mentioned it,’ he said. ‘They’ve actually devoted entire official policy documents to this habitat. That’s really cool to see.’

Joan Edwards, 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.’

Britain’s temperate rainforests are thought to be ‘more threatened than the tropical rainforest’ accoeding to The Woodland Trust (Picture: Christopher Jones/REX/Shutterstock)

The Woodland Trust says of Britain’s temperate rainforests: ‘Also known as Atlantic or Celtic rainforest, this special habitat is incredibly rare. 

‘In fact, it’s thought to be more threatened than tropical rainforest.

‘Its lush conditions are perfect for scarce plants, lichens and fungi, as well as remarkable birds and mammals.’

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