The South West Rainforest
Emily Lee/WTML
Ben Lee Woodland Trust
What are the South West England’s Rainforests?
Temperate rainforests thrive in mild, wet conditions, referred to as oceanic or hyper-oceanic climates.
The west coasts of Britain and Ireland are one of the few places in the world with the right conditions for these forests to thrive, making them a unique and irreplaceable part of our natural and cultural heritage, and a global priority for conservation.
The temperate rainforests in South West England are dominated by oak and provide home to a unique mix of lichen and bryophyte communities, some of which are not found anywhere else in the UK. They also support a wealth of other life, from fungi such as the hazel gloves fungus, rare invertebrates like the iconic blue ground beetle, and migrant birds like the pied flycatcher, to the beaver, a keystone species and rainforest engineer.
Beyond their remarkable biodiversity, these forests play a vital role in storing carbon, regulating water flow, reducing flood risk, and supporting human wellbeing.
Yet, only small fragments remain and these are extremely vulnerable to a wide range of threats and at risk of being lost or damaged.
Status and Condition of the South West Rainforests
Image: Bull & Wolf
The State of the South West Rainforests report
A recent report commissioned by the SWRA and carried out by researchers conducted from the University of Plymouth provides the first ecological baseline of temperate rainforests in SW England (Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset). The report highlights that 40% (959,700 ha) of the total land area in the South West lies in the suitable climatic zone to support a rainforest landscape, of which just 5% (109,700 ha) is in the most favourable hyper-oceanic zone and 35% (850,000 ha) in the oceanic zone. Only 9% (87,800 ha) of this landscape is currently woodland, with <1% (5,900 ha) in the core hyper-oceanic rainforest zone.
Bull & Wolf
Extent and legal protection of ancient woodlands
Only about a quarter of the region’s existing woodlands within the temperate rainforest landscape are classified as ancient, meaning they have been present since at least 1600.
Legal protection covers an even smaller fraction: just 15% of the existing ancient woodlands within the temperate rainforest landscape lie in designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Pixie Cup by Pete Callaghan
Condition assessment
The condition assessment of South West rainforests is limited by the availability and comparability of existing data.
The report’s qualitative assessment across lowland, upland, and coastal zones, alongside SSSI assessments and Plantlife surveys, shows widespread issues such as invasive species, both over- and under-grazing, and poor lichen and bryophyte condition. Overall, the findings from these three independent condition assessments suggest that the majority of rainforest sites are in poor or unfavourable state.
Key Threats
Image: Bull & Wolf
While research on temperate rainforests is increasing worldwide, less than 3% of global studies focus on European rainforests. Key knowledge gaps are:
Knowledge and Capacity Gaps
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While research on temperate rainforests is increasing worldwide, less than 3% of global studies focus on European rainforests. Key knowledge gaps are:
1
Limited understanding of how woodland management affects climate resilience and microclimates, especially in the SW where many rainforests are at the edge of their climatic range.
2
Lack of accessible indicators of habitat quality, restricting effective monitoring and management.
3
Highly fragmented forests need evidence-based strategies to reconnect and expand key areas.
4
Limited up-to-date data on lichens, bryophytes, fungi, and invertebrates across the region.
5
Carbon storage dynamics and interactions with wetlands are poorly understood.
6
Little knowledge of socio-cultural factors needed to support landscape-scale restoration.
Map of priority areas for restoration and expansion
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A total of 18,000 ha is existing woodland with high restoration priority, and 72,300 ha has no woodland but high expansion potential.
Some areas within the suitable climate zones, however, have peat soils, nationally or internationally important open habitats, or high-grade agricultural land and may therefore be unsuitable for temperate rainforests. Other factors that can limit restoration include the availability of nearby seed sources, grazing pressures, and the extent of existing woodland. Success also depends on stronger community engagement, financial feasibility for landowners, and policy support.
University of Plymouth Next GIS Map
The interactive map shows the areas where temperate rainforests could thrive within the rainforest zone, and highlights particular locations where woodlands are in urgent need of restoration, or could be expanded in future.
2025 Report
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