Considering the recent weather, I think we can all begin to imagine the British landscape peppered with temperate rainforest. Dartmoor still hosts a few remaining fragments of these woodlands, which are characterised by their ancient moss-covered oaks, estimated to be hundreds of years old. Understandably, these sites draw many visitors.
On a misty morning in recent weeks, I sat at the very edge of this particular wood for a while. Taking time to absorb its ancient energy and incredible haunting beauty, I tried hard to imagine the enormous history of such a place. I wasn’t alone for long before I was joined by others also drawn to this magical and mysterious woodland. We quietly spent time together with our thoughts before moving along. I am pleased to say none of us were tempted within.
It seems arrogant to me that we consider it our right to be present in every inch of the surface of the world. This ancient forest is precious and, regardless of how careful we might be, allowing folk to wander through such an incredibly special and fragile place would eventually destroy it.
British temperate rainforests are considered globally rare, and many have ancient origins dating back thousands of years. They were created and sustained by moderate temperatures and high levels of rainfall, and despite their small size, these rainforests support an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, including rare and endemic species. They are home to a huge variety of mosses, lichens, ferns, and flowering plants, as well as mammals and birds.
British temperate rainforests face numerous conservation challenges, including habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and climate change impacts such as increased storms and altered precipitation patterns. Conversely, they are vital for carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. Let’s not contribute any more to their destruction by thoughtlessly wandering through .
If you would like to learn more about temperate rainforests, "The Lost Rainforests of Britain" by Guy Shrubsole is a brilliant and fascinating read.