27 January 2025

TEMPERATE RAINFOREST

Did you know that Longwood was a temperate rainforest?

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.

What is temperate rainforest?

Otherwise known as Atlantic woodland, temperate rainforest is found in areas subject to the influence of the sea (places with ‘high oceanicity’). These places have high rainfall and humidity and a low annual variation in temperature. 

This unique habitat of ancient oak, birch, ash, pine and hazelwoodland is made even more diverse by open glades, boulders, crags, ravines and river gorges.

 
 

Where is temperate rainforest found?

Globally

Rainforests in the UK are part of the Coastal Temperate Rainforest biome. This habitat is globally rare and some say is more threatened than tropical rainforest. The green areas on the map below show just how rare it is.

In the UK

Ideal conditions for temperate rainforest are found along the UK’s western seaboard, including:

  • West coast of Scotland
  • North and West Wales – Ceredigion
  • Devon
  • Cornwall
  • Cumbria
  • parts of Northern Ireland.

Even within the UK, the location of this kind of woodland can influence the condition and species present at each rainforest site. The biodiversity of rainforests in south west England for example differ markedly to those in north west Scotland.

Lichens

Temperate rainforests are particularly good for Lobarion and Graphidion lichens.

Lichen on a tree in Longwood, signs of a temperate rainforest

Probably the most recognisable is tree lungwort (Lobaria pulmonaria) which is a large, leafy lichen. It literally looks like the lungs of the forest. Then there’s the rare ‘blackberries-in-custard’ lichen (Pyrenula hibernica, pictured), a ‘crustose’ lichen which presses tight to the smooth bark of trees like hazel, and characteristically splits the bark.

Fungi

Temperate rainforests are rich in fungi. Some are not just rare in the UK, but are globally scarce. Hazel gloves fungus(Hypocreopsis rhododendri) is a conservation priority species that almost exclusively grows on old hazel trees. It’s a sure sign of clean air and a wood’s ancient origins.

 

Source: Woodland trust

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Did you know that Longwood was an Atlantic Rainforest?
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