The climate here on the West Coast of Scotland is influenced by the ‘Gulf Stream’, which produces a warm oceanic current flowing through the area. This climate, unique in Europe is described as extreme oceanic i.e. it is influenced by the surrounding seas. This produces extreme humidity and high rainfall, with persistent cloudy days particularly in winter, similar to the period we have experienced over the last week.
Woodland Lichens, Fungi and Algae all thrive on this mild wet climate and local trees are dripping with these species. A number of these Lichens are endemic to Scotland which means there are found no where else in the world. Lichens are a good indicator of air quality, for they do not grow well where there is air pollution. Scotland however holds the largest reservoirs of pure air in the United Kingdom, if not Europe and Seil is no exception.
Atlantic Hazelwood’s are fairly unique to this part of the world and form pure woods on steep slopes facing the sea. They have occupied these sites for many thousands of years and the thinner stems are covered in a dense pale mosaic of lichens, whilst the older growth supports a different range of leafy species e.g.Lobaria Pulmonaria as shown below. One example of this is the Ballachuan Hazel Wood nature reserve managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which is at the southern tip of Seil Island. With over 250 species recorded, the reserve has been designated a site of international importance for lichens by the British Lichen Society