#rewildling

Miyawaki forests (invented by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki) are tiny forests that can be squeezed into small open spaces (medians, backyards, schoolyards, etc) in otherwise developed areas. 

The technique of planting saplings of many different native species (ideally 30 or more) very closely together allows Miyawaki forests to grow 10x faster, be 30x denser, and 100x more biodiverse than conventionally planted forests.

In addition to storing more carbon than monoculture forests, these forests can also provide habitat corridors and food for wildlife. When planted alongside roads they can help reduce noise and filter pollution.

Wild lynx could once again prowl the forests of Aberdeenshire and Argyll after an absence of 1,300 years if a new rewilding proposal gets the go-ahead.

Landowners, farmers, gamekeepers and conservation groups are being asked to give their thoughts on reintroducing the once-native lynx to parts of Scotland and England.

Conservationists claim bringing back the deer-killing cats could offer huge benefits for the economy as well as the environment. They maintain the distinctive-looking predators pose no danger to people and are “little to no threat for pets or livestock”, but could generate millions of pounds in eco-tourism opportunities and control of exploding deer populations.

The Lynx UK Trust has suggested trial reintroductions in Aberdeenshire, Argyll, Northumberland, Cumbria and Norfolk over a five-year period.

Other organisations have previously suggested lynx could play an important role in “rewilding” parts of the UK, including the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Trees for Life and Rewilding Britain.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has also examined the effects of bringing back the short-tailed cats, as well as bears and wolves. Of the three top predators, lynx were considered to have the least negative impact on farmers.

But the National Farmers Union (NFU) Scotland has major concerns over the plans.