It should be a jolt to discover that, of Aspen invertebrates, nine insects are believed to be extinct and a further eight are UK Priority Species. Others are on the slippery slope. The possible reasons need to be understood so as to circumvent further losses and declines of wildlife associated with this somewhat overlooked tree.
Asked to name the most important woodland trees, few people would have Aspen Populus tremula on the tip of their tongue. The main exception is in the Scottish Highlands, where important assemblages of Aspen-dependent insects, fungi and lichens are now well recognised (2005, BW 17: 107–115).