Welcome to the magical habitat of temperate rainforests, where every nook and cranny is brimming with life. This is all thanks to the high humidity, mild temperatures and wet climate that enables all kinds of wildlife to thrive. Walking through one of these rainforests can be like walking through another world, but how do you know when you have actually found one? Read on to find out what sets these forests apart from the rest…
How to spot a temperate rainforest
Bracket fungi closeup - Ben Porter (Nov 2022)
Walking through one of these rainforests can be like walking through another world, but how do you know when you have actually found one? Read our blog to find out what sets these forests apart from the rest…
Credit Megan Hoey
Firstly, the key characteristic that sets a temperate rainforest apart is the presence of epiphytes. Everywhere! Epiphytes is just a fancy word for a type of plant that grows on another plant, such as moss, ferns, and lichens. So, if you find yourself in a forest that is covered in a lush blanket of green mosses, ferns, and lichens, then congratulations, you’ve probably spotted a temperate rainforest!
Vaughn Matthews
Now let’s talk fungi. Temperate rainforests are bursting with fungal life, including some pretty peculiar looking species. One rare species that you might be lucky enough to spot is the Hazel gloves fungus. It has the fascinating appearance of having little hands and fingers that reach out to you from the bark. Creepy or cool; you choose.
Ben Porter
The abundance of greenery provides the perfect habitat for an array of animals. If you look up to the trees towering above you there will be woodland birds making their nests, including threatened species, such as pied flycatchers, wood warblers, and redstarts. They thrive in this insect-rich environment and add to the magic of the temperate rainforest with their beautiful bird calls.
You must also be mindful of where you place your feet! The understorey of a temperate rainforest is teeming with life. Here you will find many species of mammals, including stoats, mice, badgers, and even dormice. Download your own temperate rainforest spotting guide below and see how many creatures you can find!
Restoration of temperate rainforests will greatly benefit the population of many wildlife species, but we need your help to make this happen! Please donate to our appeal today and help bring back the rainforests to Cornwall.
- £24 could pay for the supply and planting of 12 native trees
- £30 could pay for 20 tree protection units
- £60 could pay for 4 metres of fencing to protect newly created woodland from deer browsing
- £100 could pay for the supply and planting of 60 native trees
*These costs are estimated from funding support through grant schemes and our team’s experience of delivering this kind of conservation work.
Image by Ben Porter