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Rainforests under threat: report calls for protection and restoration to help the South West’s temperate rainforests thrive

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Rainforests under threat: report calls for protection and restoration to help the South West’s temperate rainforests thrive

Temperate rainforests are among the rarest habitats on Earth, supporting unique biodiversity and providing vital benefits from climate regulation and natural flood management to supporting human wellbeing. They have been a feature of the South West landscape for centuries, with examples including important ancient sites such as Wistman’s Wood on Dartmoor, and Horner Woods on the edge of Exmoor. Yet only small fragments remain and these are extremely vulnerable to a wide range of threats and at risk of being lost or damaged. In fact, a new report – The State of the South West Rainforests – highlights that around 40% (just under 1million hectares) of the region offers the appropriate climatic conditions to support a rainforest landscape.

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