New nature reserve to return rainforests to Dales

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust plans to restore a temperate rainforest at a new nature reserve north of Kettlewell

A new temperate rainforest in the Yorkshire Dales could prove to be a "vital oasis" for wildlife, people behind the scheme said.

Trees would be planted on a 16-hectare (40 acre) site at Park Gill near Kettlewell, to encourage the growth of mosses and create a carpet of ferns and flowers, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) said.

Temperate rainforests used to grow along the damper western parts of the British Isles, but were largely destroyed over hundreds of years by grazing and conversion to other uses, the trust said.

Jono Leadley, north regional manager at YWT, said the new reserve would "give us a great opportunity to restore and expand this fantastic habitat".

Park Gill is known for its rare wildflowers such as bird's-eye primrose

Temperate rainforest - also known as Atlantic woodland or Celtic rainforest - is the name given to rainforests which have high rainfall and humidity and a low annual variation in temperature.

A wide range of trees grow in them, including sessile oak, birch, rowan, holly, alder, willow and hazel.

The YWT said they can provide a home to red squirrels and pine martens, as well as threatened birds like wood warblers, redstarts and pied flycatchers.

Mr Leadley said: "Woodland is at a premium in this part of the Dales, and species such as black grouse which cling on in the area will also benefit from more berry-bearing bushes such as hawthorn in the landscape.

"This new reserve promises to be a vital oasis for wildlife in the Dales, and we cannot wait to see what wildlife it attracts as a result.

"We hope this beautiful site will be a haven for wildlife and a beautiful place for people to enjoy."

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