The limited natural regeneration of trees in Scotland has contributed to the long term decline and loss of native woodland.  Indeed, Scotland now has one of the lowest levels of native woodland in Europe; circa 4%.  The regeneration of trees / woodland is restricted by browsing by deer.  Any natural regeneration is largely confined to areas where the deer are excluded.  Deer numbers have increased significantly over recent decades, despite various management programmes.  Estimates suggest that the red deer population might now be as high as 400,000. Red deer no longer have any natural predators.  The wolf was eradicated from Scotland more than two centuries ago.  Some have suggested that wolves should be reintroduced as part of a rewilding program to help control deer numbers.  Across Western Europe, the wolf population is estimated to be 12,000+.  The Netherlands, which is more densely populated than Scotland, has a resident wolf population. Researchers at Leeds University have suggested that there could be significant benefits to the re-introduction of the wolf to Scotland.  Using a predator / prey model, they suggest  the presence of wolves would:  reduce the red deer numbers  allow natural tree and woodland regeneration to occur. Increase carbon dioxide uptake due to the regenerated woodland   The study estimated that a wolf population (of 157 animals) could result in the ‘locking up’ of one million tonnes of CO2 each year. The study acknowledges the potential objections that might be raised by livestock farmers, deer stalkers and the public at large.  However, other advantages that might accrue from the introduction of wolves, for example : increased ecotourism contribute to the NetZero2050 program a reduction in deer-related traffic accidents a reduction in Lyme Disease (ticks on deer can carry the disease)  a reduction in then number / expense of deer culls Details of the Leeds research : https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2688-8319.70016

Woodlands make up only 15% of the land cover in Wales.  Much of the land use is intensively farmed grassland.  However, it is the expressed intent of the Welsh Government to create thousands of hectares of new woodland (by 2050) as part of the Net Zero Wales plan.  The creation of new woodland will capture and store large amounts of carbon, through the uptake of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.  However, it will have another important benefit, it will help promote insect diversity. Insect numbers have declined in recent years.  A significant survey was conducted by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and Butterfly Conservation Wales.  It involved surveying some 300 sites (1 km x 1 km) across Wales.  It found that: There were up to twice as many insects in woodland areas as compared to farmed grassland areas, and Hedgerows made an important contribution to insect abundance.  Without hedgerows, the number of pollinators in farmland areas could fall by 20%+. The type of tree cover is also important. Timber plantations, which tend to be monocultures, do not offer much benefit to pollinators.  Pollinators tend to do well along the edges of and gaps in natural (deciduous) woodland.  Woody shrubs and tree species in hedgerows and woodland offer: Food for insect larvae, many of which feed on leaves. Nectar and pollen for adult insects Nesting sites and shelter for a variety of animal species [caption id="attachment_32951" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Woodland edge[/caption] The report stressed the importance of natural pollinators (as opposed to managed honeybees) such bumblebees, carder bees, communal bees, hover flies, butterflies and moths. Further details of the report can be found here

The oak is a keystone species.  Just as building an arch, the stability of the arch is gained from the positioning of the central stone - the keystone, so in many woodlands oak trees are what holds the woodland together; offering both stability and diversity.  There are two types of oak : The pedunculate oak, which ‘likes’ richer and somewhat heavier soils.  It can be distinguished from the sessile oak as Its acorns grow on long stalks [called peduncles]. The sessile oak, which can grow and survive on poorer and somewhat acidic soils, so can be found in upland areas.  Its acorns sit more or less directly on a twig. Both these oak trees contribute to many woodlands across the UK, and have done so for thousands of years.  Some have great age and are veteran trees. Their life can be between 300 and 800 years.    An oak woodland often represents the climax community in lowland Britain, which has considerable stability.  Because of their long lifespan and great biomass, they also represent significant stores of carbon.  Their extensive canopy also moderates the temperature and humidity of the woodland beneath, allowing for the growth of shade tolerate species such as hazel and holly. The trees also support an amazing diversity of life,  some two thousand species are known to find a ‘home’ in oak trees.  Feeding on the leaves or flowers are hundreds of species of insects - notably moths and butterflies.  The leaves provide food for many species of caterpillars, which in turn are a food source for birds, like the tits and warblers.  The branches of the trees provide nesting and roosting sites for many bird species.  The acorns of the oaks are a rich source of nutrients and energy not only for squirrels, but also mice, deer and other mammals.  Birds, like the jay, also take them.  Jays and squirrels create ‘caches of acorns’, that is they bury them as a store for later.  However, many are forgotten so they effectively distribute the acorns over a wider area and ‘plant’ future oak trees. The bark of the oak is rough and corrugated offering specialised niches for lichens and mosses.  When an oak dies , it is then home to a variety of fungi and beetles, which feed upon the rotting wood (saproxylic beetles).   The roots of an oak penetrate deep into the soil, which helps improve drainage, and the roots establish mycorrhizal connections with soil fungi.  These connections are symbiotic in nature, in that both partners benefit from the association.   The tree gets mineral nutrients from the fungi, and, in return, diverts some of its carbohydrate material to the fungi.  The breakdown of the oak leaves in autumn returns vital nutrients to the soil and provides food to a variety of decomposer organisms, from bacteria to earthworms.  Thus, oaks are a vital part of many woodland food chains.   Sadly, our oaks face a number of threats.  In elizabethan times, the main threat was that of being cut down and used in ship building.  At the height of Nelson’s navy in the late eighteenth century / early nineteenth century it took some 4,000 oak trees, to build a single 100-gun ship, and the navy had some 300 ships!  More recently, there have been problems with acute oak decline and infestation by the oak processionary moth.  The caterpillars of this moth feed on oak trees and large populations can strip an oak tree bare.  This leaves the tree vulnerable to other pests, and stresses such as drought.    Incidentally, contact with the hairs of the older caterpillars of this moth can cause itching, skin rashes and eye irritations, plus sore throats and breathing difficulties in us and other animals.   

Before social media started dominating their lives, younger people were more likely to engage with nature. They played in woodlands, visited parks and went to rivers and beaches regularly. In one of his last pronouncements as Prime Minister, Keir Starmer said that the new ban on under-16s having access to social media is intended to "give kids their childhoods back". Starmer claimed that "Tech giants had their chance and failed."   The Government press release explicitly states that part of the objective is to give children greater access to nature. There are reasons to think it may work. The Australians, who are six months ahead on banning social media for children and young teens, have observed a change in social norms. The ban seems to have empowered parents to discuss children's online habits. They are more likely to suggest outings and limit children's screen time. One business owner I spoke to said that her riding stables have experienced an upturn in demand in advance of the social media ban, and she confidently expects more parents will be signing up their children for riding and volunteering in stables. As she said: "This is the prompt people needed to get away from their screens." In the short term, the social media ban may prove hard to enforce. Three months into their ban, the Australians had established that a full 85% of 12–15-year-olds were still using social media, using various workarounds, such as stating their ages incorrectly, using VPNs and setting up alternative accounts. It seems likely that parental pressure may bring greater enforcement. 116,000 parents responded to the Government consultation about teenage social media, with 90% being supportive of the ban. There is also a raft of parental organisations supporting the ban and wanting it to be enforced, including Mumsnet, which argues that social media should be treated like tobacco or alcohol. But it is not just about children: the Log Off movement argues that social media is bad for all generations. It damages relationships, sleep patterns, self-esteem and mental health.   On the other side of the equation, numerous reports have shown a positive link between visiting woodlands and improved mental wellbeing. Let's face it: social media is a powerful drug, but nature is a healthier one. What is your experience?

Many of the recent investigations into bees has focused on honeybees and bumblebees, with relatively little research on the problems facing solitary or communal bees.  A  female solitary bee must find a nest, collect pollen, then lay eggs and provide food for her offspring.  In contrast, communal bees share a common entrance to a nest where there are a number of females, but each female maintains her own area and offspring. There is no hierarchy within the communal nest, for example, no queen. It is known that the diet of bees has changed over the years.   In the past, the bees were able to forage and collect pollen and nectar from a wide variety of native plants.  However, the loss of ‘natural wild’ areas means that their diet is often dominated by a small number of plants, such brambles, clover and dandelions. Studies have indicated that some pollens have low levels or lack certain amino acids.  Bees need the same essential amino acids as us.  Without a supply of these particular amino acids  the development and growth of bees is impaired,  disease resistance is reduced the ability to raise the brood is compromised.   So, it is important to find ways to offer our pollinators a range of plants / pollen to provide all their essential nutrients.  An abundance but limited range of flowers (and hence pollen / nectar) will not necessarily meet the needs of the pollinators.  The changing floral landscape may be more challenging for the solitary and communal bees.  Much depends on how far they can forage and how flexible they are in terms of their food sources.  A species that can forage over a wide area and that can collect pollen from a number of different flowers might well survive in a nutritionally deficient area.  Solitary bees that only forage over short distances (when compared to honeybees) are likely to be challenged by the nutritional status of nearby flowers, and the changing agricultural / urban environment.  Poor nutrition could lead to rapid population declines in solitary species.  Bees that live in colonies and have a social organisation can share resources and possibly change their foraging efforts.  It is important that measures are found to support the diverssity of native plants both in rural and urban locations if populations of the various pollinators are to be maintained. Further information on solitary bees and the changing climate can be found here.