Trees and Biodiversity - Prof. David Bellamy
David began by explaining in detail just how plants recolonised Ireland after the end of the Ice Age. He used slides from many locations around the world to demonstrate the various stages of ‘succession’ – from lichens to mosses, ferns to trees. He followed the development of the variety of habitats that formed on the island if Ireland.
The impact of humans on our landscape has obviously been dramatic, but, rather than focus on the negative points, David chose to describe what he calls the “Green Renaissance” – the growing recognition that the use of local knowledge and local genetic stock is helping to fuel a positive movement for the future of our planet.