EFFORTS to save Scotland’s Rainforest are being stepped up, thanks to a £1.3 million cash injection from the Scottish Government. 

As well as reinforcing rhododendron removal work and deer management, the funding will also secure dedicated Rainforest staff who will liaise with the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforests to develop a long-term, strategic approach to safeguard this unique habitat.

Colin Edwards, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) environment manager, said: “The ‘rainforest zone’ contains around 30,325 hectares of ‘core’ rainforest containing the oceanic bryophytes and lichens unique to this habitat, and we manage a third of this area.

“Rhododendron removal and deer management have been a priority for us for several years and this additional funding will go some way to helping us reinforce and carry forward our work at a landscape scale and more rapid pace.

“But achieving lasting success in controlling these issues for the betterment of Scotland’s rainforests requires a partnership approach of like-minded land managers.”

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Within the last decade, FLS, a partner within the Alliance, has invested £13.5m in treating invasive rhododendron within approximately 11,000 ha in the rainforest zone.

Around 8,000 ha of priority rainforest rhododendron areas are on land that FLS manages.

Colin added: “Undoubtedly, Rhododendron ponticum and over-browsing from deer are the two priority issues that the ASR partners need to address.”