Environment: Government announces plans to bring back UK rainforest

We could be seeing scenes like this a lot more in the UK in the coming years

When you think of rainforests, you probably are more likely to think of the Amazon in South America than anywhere in the UK, but that could be about to change.

Plans to restore rainforest in the UK have been announced by the government and £750,000 has been promised to help make it happen.

It's not like the rainforests you may have seen pictures of in other parts of the world, though.

The kind of rainforest that can be grown here is called temperate rainforest, and is sometimes known as Atlantic woodland or Celtic rainforest.

This is Wistman's Wood in Dartmoor, one of the last temperate rainforests in the UK

It used to cover huge parts of west Britain and Ireland and is very mossy.

However, over the years it has reduced significantly due to things like overgrazing from sheep, invasive species and nitrogen pollution., and now only small pockets of this type of forest remain.

In fact in England, just 189 sq km (46,624 acres) now survives.

The strategy includes working with local farmers and landowners to help restore the unique ecosystems, and to prevent grazing by deer, which inhibits its recovery.

These forests are home to lichens, mosses and liverworts

Environmental organisations such as Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust, RSPB, National Trust and Plantlife have been campaigning for a long time for this to happen, and are very pleased at the announcement.

Guy Shrubsole, who leads the Lost Rainforests of Britain campaign, told The Guardian it's really cool that people are starting to talk about this issue: "Before 2021, no politician had even mentioned temperate rainforests in the UK parliament. Now, the government themselves have not only mentioned it, they've actually devoted entire official policy documents to this habitat."

He went on to say that while the announcement is "exciting", he wants a further target to be set to double the area of British rainforests by 2050.

Joan Edwards, director of policy for the Wildlife Trusts, said: "Temperate rainforest is a globally rare habitat that was once one of the jewels of Britain's nature crown.

Forests like these have provided inspiration for many scenes in books and films

"We welcome the government's intention to invest in temperate rainforest restoration and management, as part of protecting 30% of land by 2030, and look forward to a more detailed strategy in the coming months."

The forestry minister Rebecca Pow, who is the person in the government responsible for issues related forests and woodland, said campaigners have been inspiring on helping bring light to this issue, and that she looks forward to working with them on it in future.

She added: "The UK is home to globally rare temperate rainforests supporting rich native habitats and rare species and plants. Most of our temperate rainforests are centuries old and form an important part of our natural heritage. It is vital they are supported and protected for future generations."