Associate Feature: Saving Scotland’s Rainforest: The Road will be Long, but the Signs are Good

Scotland’s bewitching temperate rainforest clings on, in the face of massive threats and pressures, as jewel-like fragments across our sinuous Western seaboard. These are the largest remaining rainforest fragments in Europe and they harbour unique wildlife communities of global significance.

Over the last five years, there has been a revolution in awareness and appreciation of this extraordinary ecosystem. The Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest (ASR), an inclusive gathering of organisations focused on delivering restoration and expansion, has gained a significant voice. ‘Scotland’s Rainforest’ is increasingly entering the national consciousness and reversing rainforest decline is now a central part of narratives on Scotland’s nature.

At the Glasgow Climate COP, Minister Màiri McAllan committed that ‘The Scottish Government will restore and expand Scotland’s Rainforest’. Now, framing that Government commitment, we have a national Strategic Approach to Restoring and Expanding Scotland’s Rainforest, published in July. Following years of debate, this new approach signals a shared vision and understanding of the scale of the challenges, what needs to be done and how to do it. It is a prime example of co-design and collaboration across a diverse sector, marrying our varied experiences and expertise to articulate a coherent collective ambition.

This new promise signals a key juncture for the rainforest’s future. It is time to stock-take where we are, and where we need to get to. 

Scotland’s rainforest continues to shrink today under the influence of the two principal drivers. First, invasive non-native Rhododendron ponticum is established across huge areas and spreading rapidly, choking-out the forest’s ecological communities. Second, grazing pressure from unnaturally high densities of deer and other herbivores stops the rainforest from regenerating, with young trees consumed faster than they can grow. These ongoing existential threats must be tackled simultaneously, over decades and with significant investment. 

Rhododendron is one of the most difficult invasive plants to eliminate. The new National Strategic Approach, and in the standards developed by ASR for approved projects, now enshrine the principle of action at whole-population scale, with vigilance for incursions thereafter. The Rhododendron challenge remains huge - but new consensus on the ‘how’ positions us well. 

In deer management, interactions between local economies and environmental ambitions are complex. The Common Ground Forum is a ground-breaking new space for honest dialogue and conflict resolution, initiated by the ASR through Scottish Environment LINK and the Association of Deer Management Groups. The debates continue - but increasingly in an atmosphere of mutual respect and openness. The forthcoming Scottish Biodiversity Delivery Plan promises ambitious targets for reductions in deer densities - and should become a catalyst for change. 

Some essential groundwork for progress has now been laid. But finding long-term funding required remains one of the biggest challenges. We estimate that meeting the rainforest commitment will cost £500 million across decadal timescales. Some should come from Government – NatureScot’s Nature Restoration Fund is already providing critical support - but to scale-up, private funds will be essential. ASR’s partners are working collaboratively to find ways to access private funds, including though natural capital finance. 

Rainforest restoration can lie right at the heart of a green economy transition. The socioeconomic and green job potential is huge. The ASR’s seven Focus Projects have now started work across 10% of the rainforest zone and have already created exciting new employment opportunities, with a £3.2 million investment to date. Expanding that to national scale can transform communities in the west – whilst saving one of the world’s most precious natural treasures. That’s something we should all be working towards.

This article is the perspective of RSPB Scotland, Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest partner.

This article is sponsored by RSPB Scotland

www.rspb.org.uk/scotland
www.savingscotlandsrainforest.org.uk