In the UK, ancient woodlands like Fingle Woods in Devon offer sanctuary to a variety of rare species and are home to more threatened species than any other terrestrial habitat. These forests also play an essential role in addressing the climate crisis by storing an estimated 77 million tonnes of carbon. Despite this, more than half of the UK’s ancient woodlands have been lost since the Industrial Revolution, and the surviving forests require support and restoration.
The Woodland Trust, the UK’s biggest woodland conservation charity, is leading the charge in protecting these habitats by planting millions of trees and restoring damaged woodlands. The organization has set a target to revive more than 34,000 hectares of damaged woodlands back to their former glory. By working with donors and members of the public, the Woodland Trust has already started revitalizing Fingle Woods in Dartmoor’s Teign Valley in the southwest of England, which is a mix of ancient, broadleaf, and upland wood habitats.
When the Woodland Trust team first purchased Fingle Woods, they found that the forest was overcrowded and dark. The native broadleaf trees had been felled, and conifers planted in their place to meet the demand for timber. The conifers’ large canopy overshadowed oak and beech trees and led to surrounding flora and fauna declining. The Woodland Trust carefully cleared these interlopers, resulting in a revival of light and life. The team has helped sprout fresh shoots on old oak trees while carpets of daffodils, primroses, and foxgloves now adorn the forest floor.
Due to the Woodland Trust’s efforts, Fingle Woods has become a habitat for several thriving species, including the common beech, lesser spotted woodpecker, bluebell, fallow deer, lungwort lichen, violet click beetle, and wood anemone. The Woodland Trust’s work won’t stop here, and the whole community must step up and contribute to restoring the country’s ancient woodlands
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