Main banner photo by Steve Carter

ACT are pleased to announce the start of our exciting new Rainforest Restoration Project. Soon we will be seeking an experienced specialist to work with ACT and partners, including NatureScot and the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, to explore opportunities and implement a trial programme.

Bazzania trilobata, photo by Ian Dow/ACT

The project aims to:

• Understand why we observe a multi decade pause in natural regeneration and re-encroachment of rainforest biodiversity into sites cleared of Rhododendron ponticum.
• Develop a process that establishes a suite of canopy, understory, herb and ground layer species into sites cleared of Rhododendron ponticum.
• Develop a process that establishes species of mycorrhizal fungi found at high quality rainforest locations, into sites cleared of Rhododendron ponticum.
• Develop a successional translocation process for locally extinct epiphyte species that should be present at sites cleared of Rhododendron ponticum.
• Develop a process that can deliver these components into newly planted, or naturally regenerating future rainforest sites.

Amanita muscaria, photo by Ian Dow/ACT

There are many factors as to why restoration sites experience this pause in natural regeneration and re-encroachment of the diverse range of species we expect to find at high quality rainforest sites, particularly those cleared of Rhododendron ponticum. This project will attempt to understand those factors, building upon the existing knowledge base to develop a delivery methodology that will enhance ACT’s restoration projects in Argyll, alongside providing a process that can be adopted across the wider rainforest zone.

We'll be sharing more updates on our website and social media soon, watch this space! 

             

Lobaria, Ricasolia, Nephroma and Pectenia                       Veteran Oak populations, photos by Ian Dow/ACT