DNP ENJOY DARTMOOR 2024 digital - Flipbook - Page 18
© Adam Burton
Twisted oaks and hazels, lichens, ferns and
moss-covered boulders are some of the
features seen across the unique woodland
habitats of Dartmoor. They support a range
of rare and precious flora and fauna; one
of the reasons Dartmoor was designated a
National Park back in 1951.
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Photo: Richard Becker/WTML DC00422 12/23
18
Dartmoor’s combination of high rainfall and
humidity, along with the low variation in
temperature and influence of the sea, led to
the creation of what’s known as temperate
rainforests. You might also hear them called
Atlantic or Celtic rainforests.
These globally rare habitats are mainly found
along western-facing areas of Great Britain but
the unique location of each means they support
varying biodiversity – so Dartmoor’s temperate
rainforest will be different to what you might
discover in the north west of Scotland.
What makes them special
They are important for their richness and variety
of species they support. They are characterised by
stunted oak trees, along with hazel, birch, rowan and
ash, covered in epiphytes: plants that grow on other
plants, extracting moisture and nutrients from the
damp air.
Lichens, mosses and liverworts cover trees and
boulders like beautifully made decorations; the
dazzling shapes of fungi pushes up here and there;
birds such as pied flycatchers and wood warblers
love their insect-rich environments.
Importantly, these woodlands do a brilliant job
of locking away carbon and slowing the flow of
water. This helps fight against a changing climate
and protects lower-lying communities from the risk
of flooding.
dartmoor.gov.uk