#218: Natural History Reading List #15: 'The Lost Rainforests of Britain' by Guy Shrubsole

 I have a copy of this book and will be reading it when I get a moment.

Delighted that The Lost Rainforests of Britain has been shortlisted for the ⁦@wainwrightprize⁩ this year - I’ll be in Kendal on 14th Sept to chat nature recovery with other shortlisted authors :) Filmed this clip today in the temperate rainforest of Black Tor Copse: pic.twitter.com/eabi1n901V

— Guy Shrubsole (@guyshrubsole) September 9, 2023

Congratulations to Guy for his success...  

The investigation of temperate rainforests would be a suitable field visit opportunity for those who teach in the appropriate areas, depending on access, and the issue of damaging the very ecosystem that we are also told is fragile.

I've been to Wistman's Wood several times over the years. It's a dramatic location. I first went on an undergraduate field trip in the mid 1980s.

It was great to join @wildcardrewild & hundreds of other Devon residents yesterday to march for a wilder Dartmoor.

The Duchy has started to regenerate Wistman's Wood - there is much more to be done to restore temperate rainforest, peat & heath on Dartmoor https://t.co/ol7BVZLLsW

— Guy Shrubsole (@guyshrubsole) October 1, 2023

#107: Can you see the wood for the trees?

The latest in a series of posts on organisations which aim to protect some aspect of Natural History, and may be involved in the creation of teaching materials for the specification.

The Woodland Trust was created in 1972, so 2022 marked its 50th anniversary. 

In that time it has planted over 50 million trees, and also undergone some changes in its strategy over which trees it should planting in specific locations. 

The Woodland Trust has produced a range of resources that would be of interest for those preparing materials for the new specification. 

Temperature deciduous woodland is the climax vegetation for the UK, although most of the country is held in plagioclimax by humans. 

Ancient woodlands are very few and far between, with tiny remote pockets such as Wistman's Wood on Dartmoor. I shall post about Guy Shrubsole's excellent, and award-winning book separately.

Recent research has pointed out the importance of mature trees. It is important to keep them in place. A few saplings in plastic tubes do not perform the same function.

We also need far more trees in urban areas to provide shade on the hottest of days.

Urban trees are #biodiversity heroes in concrete jungles, reducing energy use, improving water quality, and increasing property values.

🌳🏙️🌳

Via @FAO pic.twitter.com/khEZRFBry1

— UN Biodiversity (@UNBiodiversity) June 29, 2023

There is also Woodland Trust's work in Scotland, who also produce learning materials. I am a fan of their Primary pack for Learning Outdoors which has lots of nice activities in an attractive downloadable pack.

Their work on saving Scotland's temperate forests is outlined here.

I've visited several of these locations, including Uig wood on the Isle of Skye.