Part 3/8:
Recent Changes: From 1% Tree Cover to Today's Crisis
Moving forward to the present day, by 1925, the percentage of forest cover had plummeted to an astonishing 1%. Fast forward to today, Ireland's native tree cover lies at a mere 2%. While it's clear that trees can regrow naturally if undisturbed, current conditions, especially the rampant grazing of sheep in the highlands, have stymied natural regeneration. Today, the forest comprises largely of monoculture plantations aimed at catering to the timber industry's needs.