Atlantic hazelwood

Atlantic hazelwood is hazel (Corylus avellana) dominated temperate rainforest that occurs on the hyperoceanic western fringe of Europe, in particular on the west coasts of Scotland and Ireland.

It occurs in exposed, coastal situations where thin soils and strong winds prevent the establishment of trees.

[1] The long ecological continuity of the Atlantic hazelwoods due to their lack of clearcut coppicing, together with the hyperoceanic climate under which they occur and low levels of atmospheric pollution, results in luxuriant growth of epiphytic lichens and bryophytes.

Young, smooth-barked hazel stems are colonised by crustose lichens of the Graphidion, including the very rare Graphis alboscripta.

[1] It is found exclusively along the west coasts of Scotland, Ireland, and some other western coastal areas of the rest of Europe.