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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 Monadh
Mór. The site the Monadh Mór candidate Special
Area of Conservation (cSAC) and Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI). 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 and forest
design plans, 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 Monadh Mór indicate that a
possible cyclical pattern is emerging with changes in loch-side
vegetation. Fluctuations in vegetation cover and areas of
open water in the smaller lochans are signs of this.
The widening of the A835 Tore-Maryburgh road appears to have
enhanced a definite lowering of the water table outside the
western "perforated ridge".
However, field research in 1999 indicates that the rest of
the site is becoming wetter since an NVC survey was undertaken
in 1994. A rising water table is indicated with a corresponding
change in the plant community along the hydrosere gradient.
Several distinct hydrological units have been identified
on the Monadh Mór site - three Topo-hydrological Units
(THUs) - Brae of Easter Kinkell, Newlands of Ferintosh and
Millbuie; and three Bio-hydrological Units (BHUs) - Monadh
Mór, Wester Monadh Mór and Millbuie.
(These units are illustrated in the map appendices, p.36,
in map 7 'Proposed Management Boundaries' and map 8 'Summary
of Hydrological Management Features'.)
NE of the site (identified as Millbuie BHU in this survey)
is an area of a wooded bog still well developed and surrounded
by Scots pine plantation of varying ages. The plantation is
a mosaic of different aged plots ranging from approximately
80 years to 20 years since planting. Within this vicinity,
there are many areas which show good potential for restoration.
Recommended essential management to preserve the bog woodland
habitat consists of felling non-native conifers, thinning
of Scots pine, and blocking of forest drains.
Millbuie BHU has retained sufficient biological interest
to, ideally, merit future conservation management.
Further management objectives would be the blocking of all
drains that are influencing the hydrology of the site, and
the clearfelling of all non-native trees in peatland areas.
Due to the rarity of this kind of raised bog system in the
UK, 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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