Scottish Woods
The Woodland Trust has commented on the results of a recent survey of native Scottish woodlands by the Forestry Commission Scotland. The survey found that of 14,000 sq. km. of woods in Scotland under a quarter are native, and of those more than half are in poor condition. Since the 1970s fully 14% of Scotland’s ancient woods, those with the greatest ecological value, have disappeared completely.
The Trust says “Some of the survey’s findings are shocking. Our native woods are under siege from overgrazing, smothered by invasive rhododendron, and hit by climate change and tree disease. The figures suggest that without immediate action, more than half might not survive to the end of the century.”
The Trust is calling for native woodland to be doubled by 2050, with the planting of more than 5000ha of trees a year, and the curbing of red deer numbers, which have increased dramatically since 1960. To find out more on this click on the picture below.
(Photo: E Garty/WTML)
