SCOTLAND’S RAINFOREST
Our native temperate rainforest is just as important as tropical rainforest, but it’s much rarer.
Also known as Atlantic or Celtic Rainforest, it is made up of the native woodland and only found on our west coast in the so-called “hyper-oceanic zone”.
Only a fraction of land on Scotland's west coast that has the ideal conditions - high levels of rainfall, clean air and relatively mild, year-round temperatures provide just the right conditions for some of the world’s rarest bryophytes and lichens.
Scotland’s rainforest is in trouble. As little as 30,000 hectares remain – and only a mere 2% of Scotland’s woodland cover.
The remnant oak, birch, ash, native pine and hazel woodlands are small, fragmented and isolated from each other. Little or no regeneration occurs due to high levels of grazing; almost half are being choked with Rhododendron and a fifth have been planted up with non native conifer plantations.
We have a responsibilty to help restore and protect this internationally important habitat.
The Fringe Forest Project
As part of Drumadoon’s Rewilding plans we are restoring 150 Acres of Native Temperate Rainforest Forest on our coastal fringe helping the natural regeneration that is already taking place due to the removal of sheep around 30 years ago.
Over the next 3 years a detailed planting scheme of 180,000 trees, consisting of 22 native species will transform Drumadoon's coastal fringe to an area which will eventually become rich again in valuable biodiversity.
Led by a team of expert ecologists, the project will bring together professionals, volunteers, visitors and local community, and serve as an education and learning resource and help to reconnect people with our globally important native forests.
INTERESTED IN OUR RAINFOREST?
If you are interested in learning more, supporting the rainforest work or participating in these initiatives, please do get in touch...