“This gives us insight into the hidden world of communication,” says David Asso
Eerie lights are emanating from Welsh forests and rockpools during Wales’ annual Dark Sky Week.
David Asso, a nature guide from Norwich, has been invited to shine an ultraviolet (UV) torch at some of the best nature spots in Pembrokeshire and Monmouthshire.
His photographs of Wales’ temperate rainforest reveal shapes, structures and colors comparable to coral reefs.
“It’s hidden from our human senses, waiting to be discovered,” he said.
The 34-year-old is on a one-man mission to shine ultraviolet light into what he calls the “magical world” where plants and animals communicate by emitting fluorescence.
“We are very lucky to have so many beautiful places in Wales.” [for biofluorescence] There are also rock pools and temperate rainforest,” he said.
Mr Attow visited the forests of the Wye Valley and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park on his Wales Dark Skies Week tour.
“Ancient forests are full of mosses and lichens that glow under ultraviolet light, and there are also lots of creatures like woodlouses and centipedes that do interesting things.”
image source, shirley lawton
Ultraviolet light reveals how some animals recognize this fungus on leaves found in Whitestone Forest near Chepstow
With more than 400 known species of lichen, he called Ty Canole Wood in Pembrokeshire one of “the most fascinating and special woodlands in Britain”.
“My day starts at night because we don’t have the ability to see ultraviolet light,” he said.
“Once it gets dark, it’s just the most colorful and vibrant habitat,” he said. “Moss can come in all sorts of colors depending on where it grows.
image source, david atou
David Atthowe takes people on a biofluorescence walk
“Lichens and algae all have different colors,” he says. “Its beauty rivals coral reefs and is very vibrant.”
Ruth Waycott, from the Wye Valley National Landscape Authority, helped organize one of the biofluorescence walks in the Natural Resources Wales Forest of Whitestone, near Chepstow, Monmouthshire.
“It was so fascinating that I fell in love with it right away,” she said.
“Biofluorescence is another level of communication that humans cannot see.
“But all of a sudden you shine UV light on it and you see these scary green and yellow plants saying, ‘You don’t want to eat me, I’m poisonous.'”
image source, david atou
Color and structure of lichens revealed on branches of Thai Canol forest
“This is new, and that’s why it’s important to think about it during dark sky week,” she said.
“We know that light pollution affects animals, such as migratory bats and migratory fish disoriented by light on riverbanks, but we know very little about ultraviolet light.”
David Asso wants to change that.
“Because we don’t have the pleasure of being able to see in the ultraviolet spectrum, we’re missing out on this magical world that’s happening around us,” he said. Ta.
image source, david atou
Crabs that look blue in a colorful rock pool near Thundersfoot
One of his favorites is the leopard slug.
“It releases a protective mucus that turns bright yellow under ultraviolet light,” he said.
“After 30 seconds, the color changes to bright blue. It’s really cool.
“I never thought I’d see flowers that glow bright blue, green mushrooms that light up the forest floor, hedgehogs that glow blue, and flowers that look like they’re electrified.”
image source, david atou
Snakelock sea anemone at Thundersfoot rock pool
Do you have any advice for people who want to discover the world of UV for themselves?
“Get a UV torch and see what’s in your garden,” he said. “Once you find a flower and a caterpillar, start there. You’ll be surprised at what you see.”