Conservationists are to plant 10,00 trees to create a “waist-high” forest in the Highlands that will attract golden eagles, mountain hares and other wildlife.
Trees for Life volunteers have been collecting seeds from trees including dwarf birch and downy willow to create an area of montane scrub near Loch Ness.
This habitat, which is commonly found between woodland and open hilltops, has disappeared overtime from the country’s landscape due to grazing pressures from sheep and an increase in deer population.
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In an effort to preserve the Highlands creatures and rare trees, volunteers will begin to plant the forest at Beinn Bhan next spring; becoming the latest addition to the charities Dundreggan Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston.
Operations manager Doug Gilbert said: “Most of our native woodlands are hemmed in to the glens because of the grazing pressure by sheep and deer on the hills. This means that forest dependent animals and plants can’t move around very easily and makes them vulnerable to local extinctions. Red squirrels and capercaillie are two examples where much larger, connected woodland habitats would help.
“We know that golden eagles in Norway like to hunt amongst high mountain scrub, because that’s where willow grouse and other prey animals are. Creating similar habitat in Scotland will help eagles here too. Creating woodlands in upland areas will also help lock up carbon, both in the trees themselves but also in the peat soils as well, helping the mountains of Scotland to become “carbon sinks” of the future.”
Meanwhile, Steve Micklewright, Trees for Life’s Chief Executive said: “This exciting initiative will address the sad loss of these special wee trees, which form a vital but vanishing part of Scotland’s woodlands – while creating a home for golden eagle, black and red grouse, ring ouzel, and mountain hare. We’re urging members of the public to support this project and help make it happen.”
In a bid to raise the £20,000 needed to help create the new upland forest, the conservation charity have now launched a national fundraising appeal; stressing that without the support of the general public the forest will never be able to flourish to its full potential.
Mr Gilbert added: “We’ve made maximum use of the forestry grant-aid, but to create a bigger, richer forest environment we need the public’s support.”