Rewilding the Scottish Highlands
Rewilding the forest at a landscape scale
The Caledonian Forest is recognised as a unique Scottish habitat. Characterised by stands of Scots pine, it includes a diverse range of other trees, including aspen and high altitude willow and birch. The forest supports a population of flora and fauna that is of global significance.
The Trees for Life project is currently engaged in restoring the forest at a landscape scale. This is being done by excluding browsing deer to allow natural regeneration, and by planting trees where natural regeneration is not possible. Since the project began over 1.5 million trees have been planted, while large areas of Glen Affric and Dundreggan have been restored through natural regeneration, largely by using fencing to temporarily prevent grazing.
Fencing deer out of areas on the periphery of existing remnants of forest allows seedlings to grow naturally to maturity. This is the simplest and best method of regenerating the forest, as it involves the minimum of intervention and allows nature to do most of the work. Once the forest has regenerated, deer populations can be allowed access once again. As in other areas where rewilding is taking place, they will then start to boost local biodiversity through their grazing. Red squirrels have also been translocated from population strongholds to areas they cannot colonise naturally, helping to secure the future of this iconic forest species in Scotland.
The Caledonian Forest is recognised as a unique Scottish habitat. Characterised by stands of Scots pine, it includes a diverse range of other trees, including aspen and high altitude willow and birch. The forest supports a population of flora and fauna that is of global significance.
The Trees for Life project is currently engaged in restoring the forest at a landscape scale. This is being done by excluding browsing deer to allow natural regeneration, and by planting trees where natural regeneration is not possible. Since the project began over 1.5 million trees have been planted, while large areas of Glen Affric and Dundreggan have been restored through natural regeneration, largely by using fencing to temporarily prevent grazing.
Fencing deer out of areas on the periphery of existing remnants of forest allows seedlings to grow naturally to maturity. This is the simplest and best method of regenerating the forest, as it involves the minimum of intervention and allows nature to do most of the work. Once the forest has regenerated, deer populations can be allowed access once again. As in other areas where rewilding is taking place, they will then start to boost local biodiversity through their grazing. Red squirrels have also been translocated from population strongholds to areas they cannot colonise naturally, helping to secure the future of this iconic forest species in Scotland.