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Description
Where the squirrels live

Abernethy forest, the largest remnants of the ancient Caledonian Forest in Scotland. Nearly all of Scotland used to be covered by these ancient forests, containing large predators such as bears, wolves and lynx. However, when man came along, many trees were cut down, and the predators hunted to extinction. The heather moorlands that you see in Scotland are mostly man made environments, involving the burning of heather to allow new shoots to grow for game birds such as grouse to eat.

Due to the lack of predators red deer populations started to boom, and ate many of the pine saplings, stopping the forest from regenerating. Now only small sections of the forest remain, but they often only contain very old trees, as deer populations are so high, that most young trees get eaten. This could led to the lose of the forest all together, along with it's charismatic creatures like red squirrels, capercaillie and pine martens.

Fortunately, a re-wilding programme is taking place in Scotland. In a few areas deer populations are being highly regulated, allowing young trees to grow. There is the chance that lynx may be re-introduced to predate on deer. Maybe wolves and bears would eventually be re-introduced as well? Due to problems with farmers, this is unlikely, but I hope it will happen some day...

Portfolio: freyaphotos.daportfolio.com/
365 project:365project.org/freyaphotos/365
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Freya-C…
Flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/freyapho…

Do not use my photos without my permission.

Description
Where the squirrels live

Abernethy forest, the largest remnants of the ancient Caledonian Forest in Scotland. Nearly all of Scotland used to be covered by these ancient forests, containing large predators such as bears, wolves and lynx. However, when man came along, many trees were cut down, and the predators hunted to extinction. The heather moorlands that you see in Scotland are mostly man made environments, involving the burning of heather to allow new shoots to grow for game birds such as grouse to eat.

Due to the lack of predators red deer populations started to boom, and ate many of the pine saplings, stopping the forest from regenerating. Now only small sections of the forest remain, but they often only contain very old trees, as deer populations are so high, that most young trees get eaten. This could led to the lose of the forest all together, along with it's charismatic creatures like red squirrels, capercaillie and pine martens.

Fortunately, a re-wilding programme is taking place in Scotland. In a few areas deer populations are being highly regulated, allowing young trees to grow. There is the chance that lynx may be re-introduced to predate on deer. Maybe wolves and bears would eventually be re-introduced as well? Due to problems with farmers, this is unlikely, but I hope it will happen some day...

Portfolio: freyaphotos.daportfolio.com/
365 project:365project.org/freyaphotos/365
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Freya-C…
Flickr page: www.flickr.com/photos/freyapho…

Do not use my photos without my permission.