Air pollution ‘wreaking havoc’ on Scotland’s rare species and habitats, damning report warns

‘Intolerable’ levels of nitrogen spell disaster for some of the world’s most precious habitats, including Scotland’s temperate rainforests, writes Harry Cockburn

Scotland’s rainforest is home to rare lichens, funghi and ferns (Getty)

Air pollution from traffic, power stations, farming and industry is “silently wreaking havoc” on some of Scotland’s most globally important species and natural habitats, a new report warns.

Nitrogen levels have now become “intolerable” in areas, including its rare temperate rainforests, its peatlands and species-rich grasslands, threatening the country’s unique blend of biodiversity.

Even the country’s mountaintops have nitrogen levels “higher than they can tolerate”, according to a damning report for the Scottish government by Plantlife Scotland.