| Action for Mountain Woodlands
What are mountain woodlands?
Mountain woodland or montane scrub is one of the rarest habitats in Scotland, dwarf birch, mountain willow and woolly willow are just a few of the specialist trees that can be found on the upper slopes of Scotland’s mountains.
They are very different in shape to their lowland relatives they very rarely grow tall and straight, more often they are stunted, twisted and hug the ground, hiding from the wind and grazing animals.
Climate change, land management practices and overgrazing have dramatically reduced their numbers and most now survive on inaccessible ledges and in steep gullies.
The woolly willow, so called because of its hairy appearance, is on the endangered plant list. Mountain woodlands benefit a wide variety of wildlife providing shelter and food to deer, mountain hares, and a wide variety of insects. The insects along with fruits and seeds, provide a food source for birds, small mammals and their predators.
What is Action for Mountain Woodlands?
Action for Mountain Woodlands was established in 2007, through Heritage Lottery funding, to create a lasting legacy for the country’s wildlife, landscape and people by encouraging the re-instatement of Scotland’s endangered mountain woods.
At different sites, from Galloway to Sutherland, enthusiastic land managers and estate owners are taking action to safeguard the remnants of mountain woodland. Volunteers are helping in the development of accessible mountain gardens at CairnGorm and the Glentrool visitor centre (Galloway). Through tree planting events and volunteer work parties they are bringing the mountain to the public, enabling everyone to share the joy of these delicate yet amazingly tough plants.
What can you do?
You can help by getting involved in the first stage of our nationwide survey. Please complete our on-line survey (www.mountainwoodlands.org) if you see some of these magical "wee trees" whilst out enjoying the hills, and you’ll help us establish the current distribution of these plants across the country.
If you’d like to become more involved in the project then we are recruiting specialist volunteer surveyors to conduct extensive surveys of existing montane scrub areas across Scotland. Training in montane scrub will be provided this summer and next spring. If you’re interested please visit our website: www.mountainwoodlands.org or write to: AMWood Project Manager, Highland Birchwoods, Littleburn Munlochy IV8 8NN or email: info@mountainwoodlands.org
AMWood aims to assess the current state of Scotland’s threatened mountain woodlands and involve you in working to restore this important habitat. |
