Powys is home to a rare and ancient habitat, one that has shaped folklore and once covered much of Wales.

Temperate rainforests, also known as Celtic rainforests (Coedwigoedd Glaw Celtaidd in Welsh), are unique woodlands that thrive in areas near the sea. The oceanic climate produces high humidity, regular rainfall, and mild temperatures that remain fairly stable throughout the year. Covered in moss, lichens, ferns, and liverworts, these wet forests exist along the western coasts of the UK and the island of Ireland, where conditions are perfect for them to flourish. Wales is home to some of the last remaining examples of these ecosystems in Europe. Trees like sessile oak, birch, rowan, holly, alder, willow, and hazel grow here, often alongside rivers or in rocky gorges. Here in Radnorshire, we have remnants of Celtic rainforests found in the Elan Valley landscape and nestled within the Elenydd-Mallaen Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

They are extremely important habitats due to their rich biodiversity, with high humidity and stable temperatures creating ideal conditions for rare plants, lichens, and fungi to thrive. These unique ecosystems support globally rare species, such as the hazel gloves fungus, which grows only on old hazel trees. Beyond their rich biodiversity, these forests play a crucial role in capturing and storing carbon, locking it away in the soil and in the plants growing within them. They also provide a peaceful and enchanting space for people to connect with nature, promoting the well-being of both local people and visitors.

Deforestation for farmland and timber has severely impacted Celtic rainforests over the centuries. Today, their decline continues due to climate change, pollution, human activity, and invasive species. Non-native plants like Rhododendron ponticum, conifer plantations, and grazing by sheep and deer have all played a role. Additionally, undergrazing can be an issue, as fenced-off areas can allow bracken and brambles to outcompete delicate lichens and bryophytes. Another threat is Ash Dieback, a non-native fungus killing European ash trees, which also puts rare lichens at risk by removing their preferred habitat.

The protection and restoration of these rare and unique habitats is crucial. In Wales, the Alliance for Wales’ Rainforests (AWR) is a partnership of organisations dedicated to safeguarding temperate rainforests. The AWR recently launched a report on the state of Wales’ rainforests which shows that the Welsh rainforest landscape is home to 20% of Britain’s lichens and bryophytes. The Wildlife Trusts and Aviva are also on an ambitious 100-year journey to restore rainforests across the west coast of the UK through the temperate rainforest restoration programme. In 2023, one of the first restoration sites was secured in North Wales - Bryn Ifan | North Wales Wildlife Trust. If the right land becomes available, we may even see the expansion of Celtic rainforests here in Powys—an exciting possibility for the future.

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