We have a range of reforestation projects that include the restoration of illegal clear cuts, areas destroyed by wildfires & former agriculture lands devoid of biodiversity.

Reforestation Projects

All of our rewilding projects have as their main aim to maximise the restoration of wilderness and the promotion of biodiversity.

Rewilding Projects

Restore wildlife habitats and support biodiversity.

Most trees can form symbiotic associations with ectomycorrhizal fungi (symbiotic colonisers of woody roots). Like hidden allies beneath the surface, mycorrhizal fungi and trees work together sharing resources to help each other survive and thrive. Mycorrhizal fungi hosted in the tree’s roots stretch out their delicate, thread-like structures (hyphae) deep into the soil in search of water and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. The fungi are rewarded with a steady supply of sugars and carbohydrates from the trees, which are produced through photosynthesis. This beneficial partnership is known to improve resistance to drought and soil disease whilst optimising growth and a self-sustaining nutrient system.

Where woodland has been long gone from the landscape, similarly, mycorrhizae may be lacking in the soil. This is likely to be the case around the hills and valleys of Talla and Gameshope—the site of this project—where at higher exposed elevations, young trees are more susceptible to stress. Because of these challenging conditions for growth and establishment, we’re really intrigued to find out whether mycorrhizal fungi inoculations can help boost growth and reduce mortality rates.

100,000x more efficient at absorbing nutrients than roots alone

20-50% increased growth rates with optimal fungal strains

up to 100% seedling survival when connected to fungi

~20% of tree carbon stored permanently by fungi

Rhizocore Technologies is developing a practical solution to fix broken associations between plants and fungi for use in different woodland restoration contexts. The Rhizopellet, a coin-sized pellet containing fully developed live fungi encased in substrate, is introduced into the soil with tree saplings. Using locally sourced fungi suited to each planting site, the Rhizopellet enhances the trees' development of stronger roots, hence the chances of a healthier start to life. 

Data collected from field trials using the Rhizopellet show improved sapling survival and growth rates: 21% - 82% survival improvement and up to 600% growth improvement (against fertiliser controls) after one year in the field.

The type of mycorrhizal fungi used for this project is ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi that grows in woodlands and associates with tree species such as oak, birch, pine, beech and lime. The ectomycorrhizal fungi is propagated by Rhizocore in a lab and the pellet is added into the planting hole next to the tree roots at the time of planting.

The objectives of this project are twofold:

Establish mountain birch woodland at Talla and Gameshope

Determine if mycorrhizal inoculation aids survival and establishment of mountain birch trees in a trial.

This is the first effort to restore mountain birch at Talla and Gameshope. On 7 ha of their 1,832 ha upland site (above 500 m), the Borders Forest Trust will plant around 3,135 mountain birch trees - a high altitude adaptation of downy birch. 

Low altitude downy birch typically doesn’t survive well when planted at altitude but we want to test whether the mycorrhizal fungi will give them a survival boost in these harsh upland environments. As part of the trial, 150 local provenance lower altitude downy birch trees will be planted, of which half will be inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and half will be left as a control. 

The design of the trial falls under the expertise of Rhizocore Technologies, who will produce Rhizopellets to treat 2,000 trees. The indication of success is based on comparing survival rates between trees treated with the Rhizopellet and trees that were not treated. There will be detailed assessments of tree growth and health for 780 of the trees to provide sufficient data without being too time consuming.

In woodland environments like those found at the trial site, there’s potential for external factors to come into play and affect how our trees grow. The intricate mix of various soil types, moisture and exposure could all influence tree development. As such, the trial design needs to carefully consider and reduce site variables that would make the impact of mycorrhizae harder to detect and measure.

With this in mind, we will use a paired block trial where 35 trees treated with mycorrhizal fungi are paired with an adjacent group of 35 untreated trees to ensure the ground conditions are as similar as possible between the two groups and aren’t biasing the results. There will be 9 plots in total, with 3 replicates at each altitude of 550m, 600m and 650m. In addition to these plots of mountain birch, there will be 3 paired plots of low altitude birch, this time with 25 trees treated with mycorrhizal fungi and 25 untreated trees in each plot. This gives us a total of 780 trees which will have full growth, health and survival metrics measured annually for two years and the remaining trees planted across the wider site will only have survival rates recorded. 

We will join the Borders Forest Trust and Rhizocore to conduct tree monitoring surveys to check on the growth and survival of trees in the project’s first two years. Following that, the Borders Forest Trust plans to carry on monitoring for at least 5 years, gathering information on the young trees’ progress.

The movement to bring back Scotland’s native montane woodlands is growing in awareness and action. Through exploratory initiatives like this, we can contribute knowledge and experience that could support the effort to restore mountain birch across Scotland. Results and data gathered from this trial will be shared with groups such as the Mountain Birch Working Group and other native woodland enthusiasts. Findings from the trial will help Rhizocore identify the effects of inoculation in the restoration of mountain birch woodland, adding to the growing knowledge base on mycorrhizal fungi associations and their application as an effective and scalable restoration method for woodlands and forests.

Thanks to all our Mossy Earth members for making this project possible! We’re supporting £14,986 of the £16,390 project budget total, This covers the labour and materials needed to produce and plant the trees along with the mycorrhizal fungi pellets.

Nestled in the Wild Heart of Southern Scotland, Talla and Gameshope is one of Borders Forest Trust’s flagship landscape restoration projects. In the past, thriving native woodlands would have carpeted the valley bottoms while mountain birch woodlands and rich montane shrubland and heathlands would have occupied the higher ground. Its hills and valleys, which bear a resemblance to dramatic Highlands glens, are now stripped back of these natural habitats and the biodiversity they support. Centuries of unsustainable land management from deforestation, sheep farming, muirburn and deer management have left their mark on the landscape.

Since 2013, the lower slopes of the site have been planted with a rich mix of broadleaved trees, while higher up, hardy montane scrub species—including mountain willows, dwarf birch, and juniper—are taking root. But one key piece of the puzzle is still missing: mountain birch. This vital tree species will help bridge the gap between the lowland woods and the high-altitude scrub, creating a continuous, thriving woodland habitat.

Across Scotland’s Southern Uplands, native trees and montane scrub have been reduced to just a few isolated individuals—survivors clinging to steep cliffs and inaccessible slopes, safe from grazing sheep and deer. With so few seed trees left, natural regeneration is almost impossible. That’s why active planting is essential. By reintroducing a diverse range of tree and shrub species, we’re laying the groundwork for a self-sustaining forest that will flourish for generations to come.

Without this project, mountain birch—so crucial to a healthy upland ecosystem—would remain absent from this landscape. Now, thanks to careful management and protection from browsing animals, these trees will finally have the chance to grow, restoring a lost part of Scotland’s natural heritage.

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Restoring Forest Fungi Management Plan.docx.pdf

A trial to unearth the potential of mycorrhizal fungi associations in montane woodland restoration in the southern uplands of Scotland.

Restoring Forest Fungi

A trial to unearth the potential of mycorrhizal fungi associations in montane woodland restoration

Mycorrhizal fungi began forming symbiotic associations with plants around 460 million years ago. When plants spread out of the ocean, a mutually beneficial relationship evolved where fungi and plants traded key elements like water, nutrients and carbon to survive and grow. Today, there’s emerging evidence that this ancient partnership could be crucial in accelerating the revival of our woodlands and forests. Some research shows significant increases in tree growth and survival when inoculated with their mycorrhizae partners. Teaming up with the Borders Forest Trust and Rhizocore Technologies, we’re testing this method on mountain birch in the southern uplands of Scotland. We’ll be checking whether mycorrhizal inoculation boosts tree survival in these upland habitats with a paired block trial at three different altitudes.

Restoring Temperate Rainforest along Loch Arkaig

Aird Nòis, a long abandoned settlement on the shores of Loch Arkaig, is a mosaic of ancient woodland, peatland, river and loch shore habitats within Scotland's rainforest zone. Here, you’ll find ancient remnants of critically threatened Caledonian pinewood forest and the host of species it supports. Despite surviving hardships at the hands of humans for centuries, this precious piece of rainforest remains under threat. We are supporting Arkaig Community Forest in addressing one of the main threats by removing non-native tree species. The broader goal envisions the recovery of natural habitats that expand to restore a functioning rainforest ecosystem to the landscape.

For a view of this special area, take a look at this 360 degree image.

How We're Bringing Back Scotland's Lost Rainforest

Nestled in the Loch Arkaig Pine Forest, Aird Nòis is a 20.5 ha area owned and managed by Arkaig Community Forest. This relatively small area comprises a rich array of habitats: temperate rainforest of Caledonian pinewood and ancient riparian alder-birch woodland, alongside peatlands that all blend together on the margins of Loch Arkaig. Year-round rainfall, mild temperatures and clean air provide the right climatic conditions for rainforest associated wildlife and plants to thrive. 

Crossbills, wild boar, blaeberry, juniper, osprey, pine martens, white-tailed eagles, golden eagles, wood ants, bats, red squirrels, lichens (such as yellow specklebelly and black-eyed Susan), and oceanic bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) are among the organisms that are found here. 

Keen to learn more about Scotland’s rainforest? Head to Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest. Read on to find out more about this project. 

The Significance of Scotland’s Caledonian Pinewood

Pinewood forests span across the boreal region of Northern Europe forming part of the continent’s main terrestrial ecosystem. Caledonian pinewoods are a genetically distinct oceanic variant of this habitat that only exists in Scotland. They are descendants of wild Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), which recolonised after glaciers retreated across the Scottish Highlands about 11,700 years ago. The fragments remaining at Aird Nòis are therefore extremely valuable for what they can offer in terms of genetic robustness.

A series of events and disturbances have left their mark on the land throughout its history. During World War 2, a devastating fire broke out in the forest while British Commandos and Allied Special Forces were training with live ammunition. Following the war, the demand for timber soared, which led to the planting of non-native tree species in the forest. Today, these trees have reached maturity and are now heaping pressure on the native species. The native habitats found onsite, including ancient Caledonian pinewood, have to compete for light under the dense shade of sitka spruce (Picea stichensis) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). These monoculture plantations have done little for biodiversity in the forest, demonstrated by their depleted understory layer. Whereas life is more evident around the Caledonian pinewoods, which harbours important species like the wood ant. What's more, non-native plantations don’t have the genetic complexity and robustness of native species that have evolved in their environment over time. Added to this, one of the non-native species on site, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), has been found to be diseased with a fungal infection that can impact other pine species, such as Scots pine. The fungal needle blight (Dothistroma septosporum) causes defoliation, or in rare cases, death.

Other key ecological stresses in the area have come from historic felling of trees and  overbrowsing by herbivores. At Aird Nòis this has been by red deer (Cervus elaphus), and to a lesser extent roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). In the absence of large carnivores (which are extinct in Scotland), animals such as deer hold back the natural regeneration of native forests by browsing tree saplings and understory species. 

Faced with these threats, the aim is to not only prevent the loss of the rare temperate rainforest habitats including the ancient Caledonian pinewoods of Aird Nòis, but to also remove the barriers blocking natural recovery towards a dynamic, functioning ecosystem as part of the wider landscape.

To help the ancient native forest spring back to life through natural regeneration, three key interventions are needed: to remove the non-native tree species - lodgepole pine and sitka spruce; reduce herbivore pressure; and undertake peatland restoration.

This project is addressing the threat posed by non-native species through removing lodgepole pine and sitka spruce across Arkaig Community Forest’s 20.5 ha site at Aird Nòis: from the peatland at the loch shore to the Caledonian pinewood further upslope. 

Low impact harvesting techniques will be applied across the site to selectively fell trees with minimal impact. This will involve using specialist small harvesting contractors with extraction machinery designed for this type of task with difficult terrain and no road access.    

For the least ecologically and archaeologically sensitive areas, Munro Harvesting will use small low impact conventional John Deere harvesting machines. In the more sensitive areas, Simon Dakin of Blue Green Forestry will use traditional, low impact and sustainable methods of extracting timber, requiring a small stationary double-drum winch with a tower. 

For the most sensitive ecological areas, particularly along the watercourse and by wood ant nests, Simon will enlist the help of Tarzan the Comtois horse to move logs. Using traditional horse logging methods not only reduces the damage to the land compared to the use of machinery, but it also aids natural regeneration. The disturbance of horse’s hooves creates ideal ground conditions for trees and plants to seed. Simon has worked with Tarzan for a number of years and has high standards of care. If the weather conditions are suitable for Tarzan to work, he does so in 1-1.5 hour sessions three times a day with long rest periods in between. 

The timber that is felled by Munro Harvesting Ltd. will be removed from Ard Nois by barge before being transported for processing into chipboard by lorry. Because the timber felled by BGF will be extracted more slowly, it will be stored at Ard Nois for use by the local community for things such as peatland restoration and biochar.

The work will be done outside of bird breeding season to avoid any disturbances. There are no known or observed raptor nests on site, despite breeding ospreys being present in the neighbouring woodland areas.

With the successful implementation of the project’s intervention, we aim to achieve the following results:

Removal of non-native trees - lodgepole pine and sitka spruce

Increased numbers of UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species

Preservation and knowledge sharing of traditional harvesting methods that are being lost.

Progress and impact shared with local people and supporters

To track progress, there will be monitoring of natural regeneration in an annual woodland herbivore impact assessment (HIA) and a recording of species recovery, including but not limited to wood ants, rare lichens, bats and dragonflies. To mitigate the impact of herbivory pressure on natural regeneration, the site operates deer management practices in the form of culls and fenced areas. See the project management plan for details of the monitoring strategy and reporting plan.

In this vlog, Isla gives a project update following the felling of non-native trees at Loch Arkaig in 2024.

Why we’re cutting trees to save a Scottish rainforest | VLOG

Below is a sample of the species of lichen and bryophytes that thrive in the wet climate along Scotland's west coast. All photos were taken by Gus Routledge.

Lichens and Bryophytes of Loch Arkaig Pine Forest

This project has been developed by the local community at Arkaig Community Forest and will be led by them going forward. In tandem with assisted natural regeneration, the community plan to undertake enrichment planting of species that aren’t as well represented onsite, such as juniper. With the community front and centre, we are delighted to be supporting them to restore these unique and threatened habitats. 

How long will it take the forest to begin naturally regenerating?

We expect to find natural regeneration within the first two years of the project if low browsing pressure can be achieved and maintained through management, but some species such as Scots pine can take a long time to regenerate in this area of Scotland. This is thought to be due to the waterlogged conditions of the region, meaning that Scots pine trees can take around 30 years to grow to a height at which they are less vulnerable to browsing by herbivores. 

In addition to monitoring through annual HIA surveys, we will be mapping Aird Nòis before the project commences, and then annually using a drone and creating orthophotomosaics using software from our partners at Pix4D. 

The Woodland Trust Scotland own the land surrounding Arkaig Community Forest’s land in Gusach (Gaelic for ‘pinewood’). In partnership, they are managing the land and working to restore Loch Arkaig Pine Forest, which is 1,027ha in size. This involves a follow-up project for 2024 to restore deep peat in an area of the forest, where non-native tree species will be removed. 

Arkaig Community Forest has the long-term goal to scale and expand restoration work to other areas they own in the wider landscape surrounding Ard Nois, including Glen Mallie.

We would like to thank our members who are funding the entirety of this project’s budget, which covers the cost of contracting Munro Harvesting and Simon Dakin of Blue Green Forestry.

With this support, in time, we hope to witness the non-native species retreat and the treasured native habitats reclaim the forest.

Temperate Rainforest Restoration in Scotland - PROJECT DISCUSSION

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Arkaig Community Forest Rainforest Restoration Management Plan.docx.pdf

In partnership with Arkaig Community Forest, we are working to restore a 20.5ha mosaic of ancient woodland and peatland in the rainforest zone in the west of Scotland.

Temperate Rainforest Restoration

Removing non-native plantations to revive a mosaic of ancient Scottish habitats

Scotland possesses some of the richest examples in Europe of a rare biome - temperate rainforest. Despite this, there are only thought to be around 30,000 hectares of woodland that have rainforest biodiversity left within the rainforest zone, an area that stretches along the west coast and is characterised by its wet climate. The zone currently holds approximately 93,000 hectares of semi-natural woodland that could potentially harbour this diversity. Ancient or old growth woodlands are the best places to start protecting, expanding and managing this declining habitat.

We created a lake - now it grew carnivorous plants!?

Since mining came to a halt over a decade ago at Paul de Toirões, the area has gradually evolved into numerous water environments including lakes, ponds and marshes. These habitats are now filled with aquatic and riparian vegetation, such as reeds and rushes, where tin, titanium and sand were once extracted.

Paul de Toirões is one of the key areas managed by Rewilding Portugal as part of their landscape-scale rewilding ambitions in the Greater Côa Valley and is within the wider Natura 2000 network of protected wild areas on the Iberian Peninsula. Being afforded the necessary space and time, Paul de Toirões is an example of how degraded land can be reclaimed and rebuilt by nature.

Since the site was abandoned, it has already attracted a wonderful mix of wildlife such as the European pond turtle, marsh harrier and the black stork who feed and seek sanctuary there. It is a hot spot for birds in the region - 112 species of birds have been registered in Paul de Toirões to date. This includes resident species, summer visitors, like the black stork or the Eurasian hobby (a small, slim falcon), and species that use these habitats to rest and feed during migration, like spoonbills, wintering grey herons and many other important species. Without these habitats, the migratory birds would have no other similar resting grounds within a 100-mile radius.

Mammals, particularly bats, small mammals and otters as well as amphibians and reptiles stand to benefit from habitat restoration at Paul de Toirões too. 

Below is a sample of the wildlife found in the area:

Black stork: Least Concern (IUCN), Vulnerable (Nationally)

Marsh harrier: Least Concern (IUCN), Vulnerable (Nationally)

Common sandpiper: Least Concern (IUCN), Vulnerable (Nationally)

Green sandpiper: Least Concern (IUCN), Near Threatened (Nationally)

Common Reed-warbler: Least Concern (IUCN), Near Threatened (Nationally)

Iberian ribbed newt: Near Threatened (IUCN), Least Concern (Nationally)

Iberian midwife toad: Near Threatened (IUCN), Least Concern (Nationally)

Iberian terrapin: Vulnerable (IUCN), Least Concern (Nationally)

European pond turtle: Near Threatened (IUCN), Endangered (Nationally)

The restoration of habitats at Paul de Toirões has the potential to secure a future refuge for a vibrant array of species, not only those that are found here now but others that may come to colonise the area as it evolves. With severe droughts predicted to become more common in the coming decades, it is all the more important for us to focus on wetlands of this nature, especially since they are so rare in the region. The site is also well suited to showcase the potential of rewilding principles, since we believe it has the potential to evolve into an amazing natural area if given a helping hand.   

We are partnering with Rewilding Portugal to enlarge and diversify the wetland habitats of Paul de Toirões by carrying out targeted earthworks to change the way water moves and accumulates in the landscape. 

By smoothening the margins of some ponds, we will increase their area and also create a more gradual change in water depth and environmental conditions. In other cases, partially blocking the artificial water passages (made when the mine was active) will increase the area that gets flooded or create the conditions for Mediterranean temporary ponds to develop. These ponds, that dry out in the summer, are very special because some species have evolved to take advantage of their ephemeral nature. For example, for amphibians to lay their eggs in relative safety. In a few locations where it is feasible, we will build cascades to improve the oxygenation of the water and further increase the habitat complexity.

The main expenses for this project, which will be covered by the support of Mossy Earth members, are those associated with the machinery as well as the labour required to plan, carry out and monitor these interventions in the field. 

The overall approach for this project is to make concrete interventions that will facilitate the natural recovery of the area and then to step back and let the ecosystem processes take their own course.  Having said this, we expect the work to lead to a range of positive outcomes for biodiversity in the region including: 

An increased abundance of nesting and wintering birds.

Boosting the populations of amphibians, reptiles, mollusks and arthropods in the lakes and ponds.

Improving water retention and the ecosystem's ability to capture CO2, increasing landscape resilience to climate change. 

See the video below for drone views of the one of the water bodies prior to and following earth works from October 2022 and April 2024.

Before & After - Rewilding a Former Mining Site

Amongst the diversity of aquatic habitats at Paúl de Toirões different freshwater plants will establish, for which it’s important to know where and what plant species are present. This is why aquatic plant surveys are being incorporated into this project's plan with the aim of registering and mapping  the area's aquatic plants. This information will be used to aid further decisions to inform potential interventions like water management and introduction of species.

Two surveys are planned for autumn 2023 and spring 2024. See the results of the autumn 2023 survey here. For more details of the aquatic plant surveys, download the management plan.

Interventions at the Blue Lake - Nov 2024

In our spring 2024 visit to the project site, we assessed the lake’s depth and ecology with a team of divers and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). To our surprise, the lake was only 2.4 meters deep, rather than the presumed depth, and instead, we discovered an abundance of invasive Louisiana crayfish, which seems to have inhibited vegetation growth, adding to the need for additional interventions. 

In a new round of earth movements, the lake’s banks were reshaped to encourage native plants like cattails and rushes to establish, which will provide habitats for birds, insects, amphibians, and other aquatic life, fostering a self-sustaining ecosystem that attracts species like the black stork. 

An artificial island designed specifically for bird nesting, particularly for waders such as the little ringed plover, will also enhance bird diversity and breeding success, supporting the long-term health of the Blue Lake ecosystem. While smoothing over the final section of the lake’s margin, the water unexpectedly connected to the other side, forming an additional island! The willow trees on this bonus island should provide excellent shelter for bird species, giving them a safe space to raise their young away from predators

You can check out our management plan and watch this vlog to see these interventions.

The Broader Context of Rewilding Efforts in the Area

The Scaling up Rewilding in the Greater Côa Valley project is being led by Rewilding Europe and focuses on the Greater Côa Valley. Partners are working to reinforce a 120,000-hectare wildlife corridor to improve connectivity in the landscape between the Malcata mountain range and the Douro Valley. This project will contribute directly towards achieving that goal and complements what is already being done with the support of a grant from the Endangered Landscape Programme and numerous local partners. 

Flora and fauna of the landscape, including the common sandpiper. Image credits in order of appearance - Agatha Rucin, Fernando Teixeira, Agatha Rucin & Blue Nomads

The Wonderful Wilderness of Paul de Toirões

We’ve created a new lake and the results are fascinating

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Rewilding Paul de Toirões -  Management Plan.pdf

This former mining site is now home to a vibrant array of wildlife. Discover why and how we're expanding and diversifying these rare wetland habitats in Portugal.

Rewilding a Former Mining Site

Handing an exploited landscape back to nature

Paul de Toirões is an important area for landscape connectivity in northwest Portugal where nature is recovering from years of mining. The 300-hectare property boasts one of the largest water surface areas in the Greater Côa Valley, consisting of lagoons, canals, and ponds. Its diverse range of environments are connected by seasonal flooding which supports a variety of wildlife and vegetation. In an area managed by our partners, Rewilding Portugal, this project presents an excellent opportunity to expand its habitats and establish a stronghold for wilderness in the region. Starting with our first intervention, we aim to enlarge and diversify the habitats through earthworks.

Why We Are Bringing Back the Lost Aspen Forests of Scotland

Beginning in Spring 2021, we are launching an ambitious project to plant and protect 10,000 aspen trees over the next 5 years. We are planting open areas with trees grown in nurseries and trialling different techniques to protect naturally regenerating aspen from deer browsing e.g. planting thorny shrubs. 

We will focus our efforts in riparian areas where aspen play an important role in stabilising the river bank, creating shade and providing nutrients in the form of leaf fall. In doing so, we will help sequester carbon, create important woodland habitat and improve the health of Scotland's rivers. 

A collection of photos from our Restoring Aspen project

Learn More About the Context Behind this Project

Aspen is considered to be a keystone species because of its ecological importance for other species. It provides vital habitat for a number of invertebrates, including aspen hoverfly (Hammerschmidtia ferruginea), an endangered species in the UK, as well as a diversity of lichen and bryophytes. Aspen is an important source of food for wildlife like, the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber), and provides important nesting sites for several species of hole nesting birds, including various species of woodpeckers. In Europe, aspen stands have been shown to be used by capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), another endangered species in Britain and of great conservation concern. 

Historical management of Scotland’s woodlands for timber meant that non-useful trees, like aspen, were removed. This, coupled with the fact that aspen is one of the most palatable trees to deer and other herbivores, has reduced aspen in Scotland to small isolated fragments.  High densities of deer are now limiting the regeneration and return of aspen to the Scottish landscape. Aspen also rarely produces seeds in Scotland, reproducing mainly by new shoots, called ramets or suckers, growing directly from the root systems of mature trees. As a result, once aspen is removed from a site, it is very slow to colonise. 

Learn more background to this project in the video below

Bringing Back the Lost Aspen Forests of Scotland

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We are restoring Eurasian aspen (Populus tremula) to the Scottish Highlands in partnership with Alladale Wilderness Reserve. Learn why aspen is important to protect.

Restoration of Eurasian aspen trees

Returning a Keystone Tree to the Scottish Highlands

Eurasian aspen (Populus tremula) is a keystone species that is largely missing from Scottish woodlands today. In Europe, its often found alongside birch, rowan, willow, and alder in the broadleaf component of northern coniferous forests. Together, they can occupy around 15-20% of the forest. In Scotland, aspen mostly exists as small, isolated fragments often consisting of single relict trees. To restore the natural diversity of the native pinewoods and return aspen to the landscape, we are embarking on a long-term project to plant and support the natural regeneration of aspen trees in Scotland.

Our Ambitious Plan to Fully Revive Desolate Woodlands

For this project, we are spreading our impact over 3 interestingly different sites with their own individual stories of land use. From a wind farm, a former WW2 explosive factory to a popular dog walker’s trial, all the sites share the common goal of developing richer, more resilient native woodland habitats for local species to flourish alongside people.

To help achieve this, we are pleased to be partnering with Eadha Enterprises, a community-based enterprise, to support the rewilding of the following 3 woodlands in Scotland:

Locherwood Community Woodland, Renfrewshire

This will be done through enrichment planting of shrubs and wildflowers; planting of thorny shrubs to protect existing growing trees against deer browsing; and by removing old tree guards that pose various threats including plastic pollution.

Our interventions form part of the wider woodland restoration initiative carried out by Eadha Enterprises for the rewilding project called Yearn Stane.

Locherwood Community Woodland and a regenerating woodland in Bishopton

Both these sites are planted native woodland currently missing important understory and ground flora species. Without these layers of vegetation, the woodlands are more exposed and less resilient to threats such as the impacts of overuse, air pollution and climate change. This has left ground species at risk of hybridisation where aggressive species outcompete and hybridise ancient native species, like bluebell, diluting their characteristics forever. To compound this, trampling, grazing and invasive species (e.g rhododendron) are also depleting the ground flora.

At Locherwood Community Woodlands, a 14 hectare planted broadleaf community woodland, most of the planted trees still have protective guards that should have been removed. These plastic tubes pose a risk in the way of restricting the trees’ growth or survival, causing rot by trapping moisture and micro-plastic pollution as the guards break down over time.

One of the main objectives of this project is therefore, to remove all of these plastic tubes from the tree trunks. Our partners, Eadha, are organising a team of volunteers to complete the work for which Mossy Earth members are funding the event’s expenses. 

The other main objective at both Locherwood Community Woodland and the regenerating woodland in Bishopton is to contribute to the creation of a rich woodland habitat by enrichment planting with understory shrubs and wildflower species. The plan is to plant in patches of 10 plants every 10m (1,000 plants per hectare) to help mimic a natural woodland area with open ground space. A climber, like honeysuckle or ivy, will also be planted under every tenth tree. Within time, the desired outcome is for the new species to spread and evolve with the trees into more naturally complex woodlands.

Wardlaw Wood, a 7 hectare hill ground located north-west of Dalry in North Ayrshire, has experienced various intensive land uses in its recent history that have severely affected its floral species.

Currently in the ownership of Community Windpower, the land was previously open hill used for sheep grazing before becoming a conifer plantation. This plantation was felled when the wind farm was built and in 2014/15, Eadha planted 9,000 native trees to restore the woodlands. Although free roaming sheep are fenced off the land, roe deer living in the adjacent conifer plantation can access the site. This has created a problem as the population of deer heavily browse the trees as they grow out of their protective guards. This is stalling the growth of the trees and inhibiting their development to maturity.

To tackle this problem, with the help of our members, we are funding the planting of 1,000 gorse and 200 blackthorn in clumps around existing trees. Both species are thorny shrubs that can act as a natural deterrent and defence against deer browsing. This method of protecting palatable trees is based on the age-old saying “the thorn is the mother of the oak”. Similar co-planting trials of this plastic-free method have been successfully done by Eadha using gorse and aspen (the most palatable tree species) which we hope to replicate the results at Wardlaw Wood, Dalry Community Windfarm. We are also trialling a similar method, using native hawthorn, to support the natural regeneration of aspen as part of our aspen restoration project in the Highlands. 

To further enhance the restoration of the woodland’s understory, our funding will enable enrichment planting of a wide variety of understory shrubs and wildflowers. We will be planting common woodland plants such as Greater Woodrush, Wood Sorrel, Primrose, Bog Myrtle, Dog Violet, Lesser Stitchwort, Devil’s Bit Scabious, and Slender St John’s Wort.

We will also contribute to the wider rewilding objectives of creating a rich woodland in terms of diversity of tree species by supporting the planting of 25 native trees. Again, these include species of high conservation value such as Sessile Oak, Juniper, Rock Whitebeam. We will also be planting Arran Whitebeam and Arran Service Tree, trees which are normally endemic to the isle of Arran, to support the long-term survival of these species. 

Through these interventions we aim to not only improve the diversity of species benefiting from this habitat, but also to enable the ecosystem to eventually become self-regulating. The longer-term goal will also include reintroducing other missing native tree and plant species. 

The community at Locherwoods getting involved our efforts to create a thriving understory layer of the woods.

Here is a selection of wonderful wildflowers that can flourish if a woodland has a healthy understory.

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Learn the importance of restoring understory species and how this project aims to create rich, resilient woodlands across 3 separate sites in Scotland.

Restoring the Understory in Scottish Woodlands

Woodland restoration is happening at astonishing rates in Scotland to protect native species of conservation concern like the red squirrel, pine marten and capercaillie. However, one area that is being largely ignored, is the understory. A healthy woodland in Scotland is carpeted in shrubs, wildflowers, mosses and fungi. While we have given woodlands a helping hand by bringing native trees back to the landscape, some understory species are slow or entirely unable to recolonize. This 4-year-long project aims to restore a rich, resilient woodland habitat with a healthy understory at 3 different sites in Scotland. 

Our objective to convert neglected eucalyptus stands to native forest will start in the valley of the Mira River - a true ecological corridor between two important Natura 2000 sites - Costa Sudoeste and Monchique (both under the Birds and Habitats Directives). Situated between Portugal’s southwest interior and coast, it is in itself a major biodiversity hotspot of Mediterranean biomes.

The riverine hillsides of the Mira River valley present a great opportunity to restore the native but declining woodlands in Portugal’s southwest. The area is dominated by the Portuguese oak (Quercus faginea), cork oak (Quercus suber) and even contains the local endemisms - Algerian oak (Quercus canariensis) and Carvalho-Estremenho (Quercus estremadurensis), although both are critically endangered. These forest ecosystems host a significant range of biodiversity, including several other threatened and endemic plant species, such as Senecio lopezii, while the Mira River itself supports very notable freshwater vegetation like the Broad-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton schweinfurthii).

In terms of wildlife, most mammals present in Portugal can be found crossing this corridor. Recent reports of red deer (Cervus elaphus) sightings indicate that this important herbivore has reintroduced itself back into the area. The Mira River is an essential refuge for many other species in the south of Portugal, including otters (Lutra lutra), Iberian tortoises (Mauremys leprosa and Emys orbicularis) and endemic freshwater bivalves like Unio tumidiformis. Most notably, it is home to two critically endangered endemic freshwater fish, Iberochondrostoma almacai and Squalius torgalensis, among other threatened ichthyofauna, such as the southern barbel (Luciobarbus sclateri) and the migratory allis species (Allosa fallax) and the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). 

Being a passageway for migratory passerines, the avifauna is also abundant and includes several species with protected status such as the little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), the common sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) and various riverine birds species, such as the kingfisher (Alcedo athis). 

Restoring these forest habitats and their bordering river gallery will also improve key ecosystem services, such as water filtration for the river, aquifer recharge, soil creation, carbon sequestration, wildfire prevention, genetic reserve, pollination and climate amelioration, which comes both as adaptation and mitigation to climate change by creating fresher swathes in a river basin under desertification. 

Portugal holds the world’s largest relative area of eucalyptus monocultures, an exotic tree species cropped for wood and paper pulp production. These plantations are nationally known for not providing much habitat for native biodiversity or valuable ecosystem services. For example, eucalyptus stands increase the risk and intensity of wildfires, while associated silvicultural practices are often conducive to severe soil erosion and reduced water infiltration, and do not allow for other vegetation to grow in the understory. In parallel, since the Portuguese native fauna & flora did not evolve alongside this allochthonous tree genus from Australia, it is not naturally adapted to eucalyptus monocultures - most animals do not feed on this plant and the allelochemicals it produces can inhibit the growth of other plants.

At the same time, latest data informs that almost half of the eucalyptus plantations are currently abandoned in the country, since productivity greatly declines after a few harvest cycles while the costs of reconverting it to a better land use are high. This is due to the eucalyptus species’ continuous re-sprouting behaviour after each cutting, leaving trees in the form of many thin stems stretching from each stump, concomitant to the fact that extensive stump uprooting is quite expensive and often leads to extensive soil erosion. Additionally, after a full production cycle, the soil in these stands is usually exhausted in nutrients and water. As such, large areas are left neglected and stagnant in their ecological potential which could be native forests instead. 

The starting point for this project is the surrounding habitats of the Mira River, where pockets of relict autochthonous forest subsist disturbed by old-age eucalyptus plantations, which are devaluating the whole riverine ecosystem. By releasing these lands from the persistent eucalyptus, we will open the way for natural regeneration to emerge and thrive. In turn, we hope to see an increase in the occurrence of the many rare and endangered species aforementioned as the size of Iberian Southwestern oak woodland habitats that sustain these species increases and as habitat connectivity improves.

By piloting these interventions in the Mira Basin, we are looking to simultaneously develop low-impact and cost-efficient techniques that could truly scale Mediterranean oak woodland restoration using neglected eucalyptus stands. Thus, it is also a bridging investment for finding replicable solutions, enabling more forest operators on the ground to pursue this possibility and inspiring more action in other territories.

The practical rationale for this project is to develop our low-impact methodology for eradicating eucalyptus from plots to allow for natural regeneration and the recovery of native forests. The goal is to see the forest improve in terms of habitat structure and biodiversity and its former function alongside the Mira River as a crucial ecological corridor.

To achieve this, firstly we are running a pilot intervention on a 46.5 ha plot of riparian area in the municipality of Odemira on the Mira River, containing approximately 20 ha of eucalyptus stands. Using this as an experimental plot will allow us to test and improve techniques, whilst serving as an example of ecological conversion of eucalyptus stands to showcase to other potentially interested landowners. 

Here are a few techniques that we are considering at the moment:

Arborism pruning: to cut down tall eucalyptus trees so logs do not simply fall down on top of young regenerating oaks. Instead they will be chopped and lowered in a controlled manner. 

Horse logging via existing paths: to transport tree trunks out of the heart of the forest without using heavy machinery and causing too much damage to vegetation. 

To exhaust the eucalyptus stumps, there will be frequent follow-up control of new shoots from the pruned stumps until resprouting eventually stops.

Since this first plot is bordering the river, we will care for the restoration of the riverine forest too. In this case, that means eradicating a clump of the invasive Giant reed, Arundo donax, that exists in a small area. We will have to dig out all the rhizomes and roots to prevent further invasion. We will also immediately install an erosion control structure with wooden poles, planted with bundles of the native reed, Phragmites australis.

See this Project Management Plan for an extensive description of the assessment and implementation plan. Included in this document is a monitoring plan and evidence on the state of the habitat prior to this intervention. The process of gathering a baseline scenario has involved: 

Pre-study on the current conditions of the pilot plot 

Installation of camera traps in key crossing points of the property for wildlife. 

We are also looking into testing a soundscape monitoring method to capture 'before and after' samples. Additionally, we will measure environmental parameters such as soil organic matter, soil moisture, air temperature amongst others.

All this data is to be analysed and evaluated to understand if we are achieving the expected results, or if not, to learn and adapt our strategy if necessary whilst communicating the outcomes. 

In a more mature phase of the project, we aim to carry out on-site training and knowledge transfer activities for interested representatives of any stakeholder groups and to expand the project to more plots alongside the Mira River. 

How we're cutting down trees to save river ecosystems | VLOG

This project is a part of our broader restoration efforts in the Mira River Basin.

The Mira Basin in the southwest of Portugal is a biodiversity hotspot comprising a variety of terrestrial, freshwater and marine Mediterranean habitats. In this area, one can find a quarter of all Portuguese flora (more than 800 taxon of vascular plants, of which 35 are threatened and 40 are local endemisms), more than 270 species of birds, threatened endemic fish species and most mammals, reptiles and amphibians existing in the country.

There are current environmental-socio-economic issues, that are quite representative of the Mediterranean, heaping pressure on and resulting in an overall decline of wild habitat areas from: 

intensive agriculture competing with nature itself for land and water resources

intensive silviculture (i.e. eucalyptus monocultures) 

land abandonment, degradation and poor land use practices 

harmful touristic activities on coastal ecosystems

These have created, in parallel, the right momentum for large-scale direct restoration as demanded by local people for action and solutions in reference to the “water wars" or "wildfires”, which translates into fertile ground for such a project from a social perspective. The perceived need and openness from institutions and landowners is an opportunity to tackle land abandonment and ecological degradation through interventions such as this neglected eucalyptus stands project.

We are focusing on the Mira Basin as one of our landscape scale restoration hubs for its natural richness, the threats it faces right now but also its great potential to become a model for ecosystem restoration and the creation of ecological corridors at a landscape level for humanised drylands. Eucalyptus stand reconversion is an important component of this goal. 

Udo and Claudia Schwarzer from BioPiscinas Lda are our consultant partners helping with their expert advice on rewilding eucalyptus stands in southwest Portugal’s oak woodlands.

Hear the in-depth background of this project and gain insights on what we're planning for the restoration of the ecological corridor in the Mira Basin.

Rewilding neglected eucalyptus plantations - PROJECT DISCUSSION

Rewilding neglected eucalyptus plantations  - PROJECT DISCUSSION

What will happen to the removed eucalyptus logs?

The current plan is to sell the removed logs for its common value - timber. Our first landowner has agreed that this income will be reinvested into the project, contributing to the financial sustainability of the intervention. Another option we are keen on exploring for the future is the production of biochar, which could be put back into the land and help regenerate soil.

Will you be planting trees to bring back native forests?

We are giving nature a shot at doing it on its own terms, because natural regeneration does it better than us. In particular, when there is a strong seed bank in the vicinity or the process has already started. Luckily, this is the case we find in our first plot. We will consider, however, if the circumstances are not so favourable. For example, the restoration of the riverside forest often requires planting riparian trees to factor in the natural competition with fast-growing grasses or even invasive species.

How long do we expect the natural regeneration process to take?

The time taken by nature to regenerate will vary greatly from place to place, depending on the baseline conditions. In the case of our first plot, this process is actually quite advanced, in comparison to the average timescale, since we are working with a long abandoned plantation of eucalyptus. To illustrate this, one can find many Portuguese oaks, cork oaks, ashes, hawthorns, wild strawberry trees and Iberian wild pear trees growing there, some higher than several metres in height already. There are also unpredictable factors, such as climate change, that make estimating the growth of our forest difficult still. Nevertheless, we can estimate that in 50 years time (or probably less), this first plot will look very different, resembling much more of an oakland.

Our Projects

Reforestation

Rewilding

Restoring Forest Fungi

Temperate Rainforest Restoration

Rewilding a Former Mining Site

Restoring Aspen

Restoring the Understory in Scottish Woodlands

Rewilding Abandoned Eucalyptus Plantations