In the wild landscape of Scotland's Affric Highlands, efforts to protect and restore woodland are supporting natural regeneration and achieving wilder, more biodiverse landscapes.
james shooter
Pine forest under pressure
Caledonian Forest – Scotland’s ancient native forests – are one of the richest habitats in the country. It is a globally unique ecosystem featuring wild Scots pine, supplemented by tree species such as juniper, birch, willow, rowan and aspen, all of which have evolved naturally over thousands of years. It provides home to a variety of rare and adaptable wildlife, including pine martens, grouse, black grouse, red squirrels and Scottish wildcats, as well as butterflies, lichens, fungi and wildflowers.
In its heyday, the Caledonian Forest covered much of the Scottish Highlands, but historic climate change and deforestation for agriculture have led to widespread forest decline. Today, less than 2% remains, with 84 pine fragments scattered across an almost treeless landscape. Because many of the large estates in the Scottish Highlands manage their land to encourage large numbers of deer for sport shooting, unnaturally high levels of deer grazing hinder the growth of new generations of pine trees.
james shooter
Towards natural regeneration
In 2023, nature recovery efforts in Africa's highlands will focus on woodland and riverbank restoration. These are guided by a wild tree survey by the local rewilding team due to begin in late 2022, focusing on individual estates across the region. afric heights landscape. The ongoing survey, largely based on fieldwork, looks at the distribution, health and diversity of native tree species on each estate.
“The overall goal is to identify where the remaining diversity hotspots are and which ones are most threatened,” explains ecologist James Rainey. tree of lifeRewilding Europe’s partner in the African highlands. “This allows us to allocate resources in conservation and restoration to have the greatest impact. We want to ensure that as many trees as possible are protected – in larger woodlands, along rivers and ravines, where deer can't reach where trees will cling on trees – to allow for natural regeneration.”
This regeneration can support the recovery of wildlife species, e.g. black grousegrouse and Scottish wildcat, enhancing genetic diversity and increasing the tree's ability to adapt to variables such as climate change. It also ensures that the right trees grow in the right places, helping to create a mosaic of habitat that stores and sequesters carbon.
Daniel Allen
precious relics
A small but important step in the regeneration of Scotland's native pine forests was taken in late 2023. Protecting the forest heritage of Glen Loynelocated at the western end of the Afric Highlands wild landscape. Located on the East Glenquoich Estate, this ancient woodland currently contains 57 pine trees, including Scotland's oldest wild Scots pine, believed to be at least 566 years old. The pine tree's ancestry can be traced back to the last Ice Age, which ended about 10,000 years ago.
Trees for Life worked with the property owners of East Glenquoich and oversaw the construction of a new deer-proof fencing “fence” with funding from the family of Harry Steven (who co-authored “Scotland's Native Pines” in the 1950s). ” Surround as much of Glen Loyne's unprotected pine trees as possible. This will allow seedlings to grow without being eaten – something that has not happened in decades.
“We fully recognize that fencing is a short-term, quick-fix solution,” said James Rainey. “Ideally we'd like to see more landscape-scale deer management in the Affric Highlands area, which would really help natural regeneration take off. That's what we're working towards, but it's a long-term process ”
Sian Addison
Riparian Restoration
Re-establishing natural processes and restoring the functionality of woodlands along rivers in Africa's highlands – particularly at higher elevations where tree cover is particularly sparse – is another pressing issue.
“Rivers in the Highlands are warming rapidly due to climate change,” explained Paul Greaves, riparian officer for the Affric Highlands Rewilding Group. “Without the shade trees provide, this threatens aquatic species adapted to cold water – from Atlantic salmon and brown trout to freshwater pearl oysters and aquatic invertebrates. Riparian Restoration can help minimize future temperature rises. “
funded by a Scottish Power Foundation Grants and Donations Startline Auto Financethe Affric Highlands rewilding team restored 23 hectares of riparian woodland on 4000 hectares of land Corrimoni Farm Fall 2023. A team of volunteers works inside a deer-proof fence to plant a range of native tree species, including velvet birch, several species of willow, rowan, juniper, aspen and plum tree, along a small tributary of the Enrique River, between 400m and 550m above sea level. meters. Many of these species are very tasty to deer but are now rarely seen in the Scottish Highland landscape.
james shooter
stakeholder engagement
The Affric Highlands rewilding team have developed a good relationship with the owners of Corrimony Farm, David and Barbara Girvan. The idea to restore riparian woodland on their land is being passed Glen Urquhart Farm ClusterThe team was established in early 2023 to support agribusiness in the Affric Highlands and help communities easily access sustainable, locally produced food.
“Going forward, we hope to scale up riparian restoration, ideally through landscape-scale interventions,” said Paul Greaves. “Ultimately it depends on what the landowner wants to do and then we can seek funding.”
“It would be great to have more trees along the river and I'd love to see how they grow,” said David Girvan. “I am open to more restorations in the future and I hope the work carried out at Corrimony will lead to similar initiatives on other estates.”
Xi'an Addison
valuable support
Our work to rebuild Europe Rebuilding the landscape Backed by a wide range of high-value partners. We would like to pay special thanks to those who provided core funding – in particular Ecological Restoration Fundthis Dutch Postcode Lottery, WWF Netherlandsand Arcadia. Their long-term support plays a vital role in enabling us to achieve and expand our rewilding impact.
Want to know more?
This blog is taken from a longer story called “The Regeneration Game” which appeared in European Rewilding Year in Review 2023.
