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Did you know that the rainforest can glow in the dark? Or that it’s home to plants which were on the Earth before the dinosaurs?
If you go down to the woods today, you might be in for a big surprise!
Join us on a deep dive into temperate rainforests to find out some facts that might surprise you.
Read on for our most fun, fascinating and fantastical facts.
Often when we think about rare rainforest habitats, our minds are drawn to the tropical forests such as the Amazon rainforest in South America, or the Congo rainforest in Africa.
However, temperate rainforests are actually rarer than its tropical cousin.
This incredible habitat once covered up to 20% of the UK, however now it’s been reduced to less than 1% of the land area. In England, this means that only about 18,870 hectares remain. [2]
The remnants of the last rainforests are at risk still and face a number of threats including inappropriate grazing and browsing, pollution and invasive species – meaning protecting our rainforests is more important than ever before.
Temperate rainforests right here in the UK, are not only stunningly beautiful habitats – but also globally important ones. They are home to some of the rarest species on the planet, and in fact there are species in our forests that are found nowhere else on Earth.
These species include:
Temperate Rainforests have a vital role in improving air quality – filled with oxygen producing trees and plants. While it’s tricky to show data specifically for temperate rainforests, we know that UK woodlands, which include rainforests, drastically reduce air pollution.
In fact, in 2020, our woodlands removed 32,800 tonnes of PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of 10 micrometers or less, which can cause health problems when inhaled), from the atmosphere. These include some vehicle emissions, dust and smoke. [4]
Like a portal to a time before humans – temperate rainforests contain a link to what the world was like when dinosaurs walked the earth!
These habitats are ancient ecosystems themselves – but some species that call this special place home are some of the oldest that exist today.
Found in our forests are ferns, mosses, liverworts and lichens that pre-date humans, flowers, trees and even dinosaurs! In fact mosses and liverworts are examples of ancient non-flowering plants that have been around for 400 million years.
OK, so the rainforest isn’t going to be all aglow like a scene from Avatar – but if you’re lucky, you might just see some of the glowing species that call the rainforest home.
Bioluminescence is a phenomenon where a living organism can produce and emit light. While biofluorescence is where organisms reflect a different colour than the one they absorbed. These processes can be seen in species of lichen, moss, fungi and even insects, that can be found in woodlands, including temperate rainforests in the UK.
Unfortunately, most of the species in the UK don’t produce enough light to see with the human eye.
One species found in UK woodlands is Honey Fungus Armillaria mellea, which is bioluminescent, and has glow in the dark gills! The glow from Honey Fungus is very weak however, and is usually too faint to be seen by the naked eye in a woodland environment. There’s also the rare Synarthonia astroidestera lichen. [5] [6]
Woodlands, including rainforests, keep a huge amount of air pollution out of our atmosphere. This pollution can be inhaled and enter our bodies causing health problems.
It’s estimated that the pollution our woodlands removed in 2020 could have caused health problems that would have cost the UK around £995 million in healthcare. [7]
According to the Office for National Statistics, these avoided health problems not only include respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, but also deaths.
Therefore, UK woodlands, including temperate rainforests, have not only helped save us almost £1bn, but they’ve even saved lives!
Temperate rainforests play a crucial role in carbon sequestration. While it’s well known that trees store carbon, did you know that lichens, moss and even fungi found in our temperate rainforests can all help to lock carbon away. What’s more, these species can lock away extra carbon, on top of the carbon that the trees they live on store. This makes temperate rainforests some of the most efficient carbon stores. [8]
It’s not hard to understand how the mystical majesty of these stunning habitats has inspired humans over the years.
The mist settling over dense ferns in the early morning, dappling light streaming through the trees and being surrounded by song from countless birds, has certainly been a source for many creatives.
In fact, temperate rainforests have been a muse for poets, storytellers, artists and authors. One of the most famous examples is Wistman’s Woods on Dartmoor – which was said to have inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s setting for The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Our connection with temperate rainforests goes way back to our ancestors, who believed they were magical places.
There were many stories of fairies, witches, mythical beings and magical happenings.
In Scotland there are tales of the sprite, Ghillie Dhu who is said to be the guardian of the forest. [9]
While in Welsh mythology, there is the wizard Gwydion who features in the 12th century collection of tales, the Mabinogi, many of which are set in what we now call the rainforest. Gwydion’s name itself is actually believed to mean ‘born of trees’.
Temperate rainforests in the UK are not just home to a rich variety of plant and fungi life, they’re also buzzing with insects!
This thriving insect life can attract visitors from thousands of miles away. A number of birds fly all the way from Africa to nest and rear their young in our rainforests. Visiting birds to look out for include Wood Warblers, Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers. [10]
An incredible story of returning one of England’s rarest lichens to its historic home – more than 350 miles away.
Hazel Gloves Fungus is a priority species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, learn more about this rainforest fungi this Reverse the Red month.
Living in Bristol, Rob Hodgson went on his own lichen journey, showing how anyone can go lichen hunting from anywhere.
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