Abstract
Temperate Rainforests (TR) also known as Atlantic woodland are globally rare and threatened
occurring in high rainfall, hyper-oceanic west coast zones of the British Isles. Forests have a dominant
canopy of low growing oak, hazel, ash and willow with a high species diversity of non-vascular
epiphytic plant species. Remnant forests are highly fragmented and typically occur in upland (>300m
ASL) Protected Landscapes where conflicts are common between livestock grazing management and
statutory nature conservation interests. The UK Government has set a target to increase woodland
cover from a present level of 13% of the land area to 17.5% by 2050.
Published research by the authors have shown from surveys of oak seedling distribution patterns
that proximity (<100m) to TR is vital for natural seedling colonization. Research findings also
reported how livestock grazing can be used to increase oak seedling colonization by reducing the
vigour of competing vegetation prior to mast tree seed release. In 2024, researchers carried out a
review of habitat condition in association with the Southwest Temperate Rainforest Alliance aimed at
identifying challenges and opportunities for TR forest expansion. A landscape assessment
methodology was developed using land cover mapping of climate, soil carbon, TR and epiphytic
plants to prioritise areas for TR expansion. Positive mapping indicators included the presence of
existing TR, oceanic and hyper oceanic climate zones and epiphytic plant indicators.
Research recommendations include the prioritization of lower-grade Agricultural Land Classification
(Grades 4 and 5) for TR expansion to minimize agricultural land use conflicts. The authors have
previously reported anthropocentric climate change induced increase in annual and seasonal rainfall
along the west coast uplands which could optimize carbon sequestration in adjacent peat forming
blanket bog. Further research is required to understand the trade-offs in carbon sequestration from
tree growth and potential loss of carbon from peat soils.
occurring in high rainfall, hyper-oceanic west coast zones of the British Isles. Forests have a dominant
canopy of low growing oak, hazel, ash and willow with a high species diversity of non-vascular
epiphytic plant species. Remnant forests are highly fragmented and typically occur in upland (>300m
ASL) Protected Landscapes where conflicts are common between livestock grazing management and
statutory nature conservation interests. The UK Government has set a target to increase woodland
cover from a present level of 13% of the land area to 17.5% by 2050.
Published research by the authors have shown from surveys of oak seedling distribution patterns
that proximity (<100m) to TR is vital for natural seedling colonization. Research findings also
reported how livestock grazing can be used to increase oak seedling colonization by reducing the
vigour of competing vegetation prior to mast tree seed release. In 2024, researchers carried out a
review of habitat condition in association with the Southwest Temperate Rainforest Alliance aimed at
identifying challenges and opportunities for TR forest expansion. A landscape assessment
methodology was developed using land cover mapping of climate, soil carbon, TR and epiphytic
plants to prioritise areas for TR expansion. Positive mapping indicators included the presence of
existing TR, oceanic and hyper oceanic climate zones and epiphytic plant indicators.
Research recommendations include the prioritization of lower-grade Agricultural Land Classification
(Grades 4 and 5) for TR expansion to minimize agricultural land use conflicts. The authors have
previously reported anthropocentric climate change induced increase in annual and seasonal rainfall
along the west coast uplands which could optimize carbon sequestration in adjacent peat forming
blanket bog. Further research is required to understand the trade-offs in carbon sequestration from
tree growth and potential loss of carbon from peat soils.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 26 Aug 2024 |
| Event | 14th European Conference on ecological restoration, Tartu, Estonia - Tartu, Estonia Duration: 27 Aug 2024 → 3 Sept 2024 http://sere2024.org |
Conference
| Conference | 14th European Conference on ecological restoration, Tartu, Estonia |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Estonia |
| City | Tartu |
| Period | 27/08/24 → 3/09/24 |
| Internet address |