The Woodland Trust is using drones to disperse tree seeds, aiming to expand temperate rainforests in the South West. This innovative method scattered 75,000 seeds over 11 hectares of inaccessible land around Bodmin in just eight hours. Native species like pedunculate oak, alder, wild cherry, downy birch, and hazel were planted.

Temperate rainforests are unique ecosystems found in temperate zones with high rainfall, typically along coastlines. They are characterised by a cool climate, dense canopy, and a rich diversity of plant and animal species, distinct from the warm, year-round climate of tropical rainforests.

Drones offer a faster, cheaper, and safer alternative to manual planting, especially in steep or remote areas. They can carry up to 58kg of seeds and hover a few meters above the ground.

The Woodland Trust plans to triple the area of temperate rainforest in Devon and Cornwall by 2050, increasing it from 8% to 24%. Monitoring of germination and tree development will continue over the next three years.

Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, a landowner involved in the project, highlights the significance of these habitats. He notes that up to a fifth of the British Isles was once rainforest, now reduced to less than 1% due to deforestation. Leveraging technology like drone seeding is crucial for reversing this destruction.

This project marks a significant step towards restoring the UK’s temperate rainforests and preserving vital ecosystems for future generations.

Read more at BBC news.