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SUMMARY
As part of the European Commission (EC) funded Wet Woods
LIFE Project, on behalf of the Caledonian Partnership, a hydrological
survey was commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
to assess the condition of the bog woodland habitat of Abernethy.
The site includes part of the Cairngorms candidate Special
Area of Conservation (cSAC), Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA). A range of management
options were identified to preserve or improve site condition.
An initial survey was completed using both desk and field
exercises. Desk work covered relevant literature on hydrological
studies, interpretation of aerial photographs and examination
of photomontages, previous NVC surveys, historical maps and
estate records, current site management reports, analysis
of maps looking at current land use, geomorphology, topography,
soils, geology and water catchment analysis, limited meteorological
data and current drainage management plans.
Field exercises consisted of gathering data on the physical
attributes of each site, such as peat depths, watercourses,
location and condition of drains, vegetation, forest physiognomy
and condition, management operations, topography, mire status
and surface water movement. Verification of the information
found from the desk studies was ascertained, and any new data
added.
Principal findings for Abernethy are that forestry and agricultural
drainage operations on site have contributed to the degradation
and erosion of the bog woodland habitat in varying degrees.
Remnants of bog woodland are displayed in a unique range of
habitats due to the irregular glacial topography.
Several distinct hydrological units have been identified
on the Abernethy site – Three Topo-hydrological Units
(THU) –Loch Garten, Osprey Mire and Duack Burn, and four
Bio-hydrological Units (BHU) – Upper Garten, Osprey Mire,
Wester Duack Burn and Duack Burn.
(These units are illustrated in the map appendices, p.34,
in map 8 'Proposed Management Boundaries'and map 9 'Summary
of Hydrological Management Features'.)
Recommended essential management to restore and enhance the
bog woodland habitat consists of a comprehensive clearfelling
of all non-native plantations growing on former bog woodland
sites; an appropriate thinning of existing Scots pine; blocking
of all active forestry drains; and the blocking of key open
drains which have been altered in the past.
Long-term management would be to restore all areas of former
bog woodland. Ideally, objectives would be the blocking of
all drains that are influencing the hydrology of the site,
and the felling of all non-native trees in peatland areas.
Due to the rarity of the Abernethy Caledonian pine habitat
and bog woodland system in Scotland, the protection of this
mire is of prime conservation interest. The hydrological units
as defined within this report can be used to give a flexible
approach to the hydrological management of the site, and contribute
towards improving and safeguarding the condition of the wooded
bog community.
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