By KLTV Newsdesk –

Britain’s rainforests may cover only 1% of the country’s landmass, but they are unique ecosystems teeming with extraordinary wildlife.

Once spanning 20% of the UK, these rainforests are now a rare and fragmented habitat that remains home to some of the most fascinating species found nowhere else on earth.

Despite their small size, these temperate rainforests, located in areas such as the south-west of England, Wales, north-west England, and Scotland, are some of the most endangered ecosystems.

They thrive in damp, humid conditions with high rainfall—more than 1.4 meters annually—and benefit from a connection to the ocean, which creates the perfect environment for over 200 species of bryophytes and between 100 and 200 species of lichen.

The Woodland Trust has compiled a list of 11 remarkable species that call these rainforests home.

These species not only survive in this rare habitat but also add to the distinctiveness of the ecosystem.

11 Unique Species of Britain’s Rainforests

1. Stinky Sticta Lichen (Sticta sylvatica) – Known for its unpleasant fishy smell, this lichen is aptly named “stinky sticta.”
2. Tree Lungwort (Lobaria pulmonaria) – Resembling the inside of lungs, this lichen was once thought to cure lung ailments by Anglo-Saxon and medieval healers.
3. Blue Ground Beetles (Carabus intricatus) – These nocturnal beetles, one of the rarest in the UK, are a sign of a healthy rainforest, covering several kilometres in a single night.
4. White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) – The UK’s largest bird of prey, this species was once extinct in the UK but has since been reintroduced, nesting in rainforests and hunting in the sea to bring vital nutrients back to the habitat.
5. Hazel Gloves Fungus (Hypocreopsis rhododendri) – A conservation priority, this fungus, which grows exclusively on old hazel trees, is a sign of clean air and ancient woodlands.
6. Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) – Known for its quick reflexes, this bird thrives in rainforests where it catches insects mid-air and feeds on caterpillars and other invertebrates.
7. Ash Black Slug (Limax cinereoniger) – One of the world’s largest land slugs, this species is famous for its bizarre mating ritual, where couples hang from trees in a sticky mucus to mate.
8. Beavers (Castor fiber) – Once extinct in the UK, beavers are now slowly returning, building dams that help create new wetland habitats and maintain the damp conditions crucial for rainforests.
9. Green Satin Lichen (Ricasolia virens) – This lichen turns a vibrant green when wet and resembles dragon skin as it stretches out.
10. Octopus Suckers (Gabura fascicularis) – This jelly-like lichen is an important nitrogen fixer, taking nitrogen from the air and making it available to other organisms.
11. Wild Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) – These fish fertilise temperate rainforests by swimming upstream and bringing vital ocean nutrients to freshwater rivers, which contribute to the rainforest’s damp environment.

Sam Manning, the Woodland Trust Project Officer for south-west rainforests, highlights the importance of these habitats, saying: “Our rainforests were once a well-used resource, providing timber, charcoal, and tannin for tanning leather.

However, overgrazing, clearances and land conversion have reduced them to small, fragmented areas.

“The wildlife listed here shows just how special these rainforests are, which is why we are working with other charities and partners to restore them,” Sam added.

The Woodland Trust, in partnership with Plantlife, is currently working on the £2.9 million Rainforest Restoration Project, which aims to manage and restore ancient woodland habitats across temperate rainforest zones.

This project is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund and is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.

Georgia Stephens, Rainforest Advisor for Plantlife, emphasises the importance of protecting these habitats, stating: “Temperate rainforests are home to rare lichens and bryophytes that predate humans, flowers, trees, and even dinosaurs.

“This list demonstrates the unique qualities of these species and the urgent need to protect and restore these rainforests.”

The restoration project will cover 580 hectares across 27 sites, engaging communities, landowners, and volunteers.

It will also support youth placements and create new roles in rainforest conservation.

Efforts to protect Britain’s rainforests are also gaining momentum in Scotland and Wales, with new alliances forming to safeguard these precious ecosystems for future generations.

For more information on Britain’s temperate rainforests, visit the Woodland Trust’s Rainforest page.