key features: upland oak woodland (western acidic) exceptionally extensive area of semi-natural...
TRANSCRIPT
CLICK ON A DESIGNATION TO FIND OUT MORE:
BEN A’AN & BRENACHOILE WOODS SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST
Key Features:
Upland Oak Woodland (Western Acidic)Exceptionally extensive area of semi-natural deciduous woodland, largely of ancient origin.
Special LichenRepresent both the character of wet western oceanic woods & more continental woods of east
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI):A SSSI is an area of land considered to best represent our natural heritage- by its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms or a combination of all of these
Notable Species:
Above ground: Sessile oak with downy birch, ash, alder, hazel & juniper
Ground flora: blaeberry, heather, bracken, grasses, dog’s mercury, broad bucker-fern, marsh violet, yellow pimpernel, wood sedge & wild garlic
Fauna: notable beetles, moths, hoverflies, pied flycatcher, tree pipit & redstart
Feature Condition:Unfavourable, recovering
POLLOCHRO WOODS SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST
Key Features:
Extensive area of semi-natural woodland, mostly ancient in originOne of largest areas of wet woodland in local areaWoodlands are characteristic of western highlandsRich moss and lichen flora, several of which are associated with ancient woodlandsRich ground flora containing several species of note
Notable Species:
Above ground: Alder, oak, birch, hazel, ash, hawthorn & holly
Ground flora: smooth-stalked sedge, wood speedwell, slender false-broome grass, green spleenwort
Fauna: Otters, pied flycatcher, redstart, wood warbler, tree pipit, deer & feral goats
Feature Condition: Unfavourable declining (Wet woodland)/ Favourable maintained (Bryophytes) & Favourable declining (Lichen)
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI):A SSSI is an area of land considered to best represent our natural heritage- by its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms or a combination of all of these
BRIG O’TURK MIRES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST
Key Features:
Fen, marsh, swamp (wetland)Relatively undisturbed & extensive valley mire system with adjacent fens and groundwater flushesRare & unusual feature: Next to this nutrient poor fen are nutrient enriched flushesHistorically was the Brig o’Turk curling pond
Notable Species:
Mire surface: bog moss forming lawns & carpets throughout the systemTall bog-sedge, fairy flax, marsh orchidDrier slopes: grasses and birch woods dominate
Fauna: renowned locally for dragonflies
Feature Condition: Favourable, maintained
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI):A SSSI is an area of land considered to best represent our natural heritage- by its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms or a combination of all of these
BLACK WATER MARSHES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST
Key Features:
-Fen, marsh, swamp (wetland) - flood plain fen & Open water transition fen-Standing open water & canals - Oligotrophic loch
Complex mosaic of wetland habitats with open water habitat fringed by open water transition fen
Notable Species:
Ground flora: bog sedge, small-fruited yellow sedge, melancholy thistle, globe flower, marsh orchid, juniper, aspen, purple moor grassland & soft rush
Fauna: Atlantic salmon, sea lamprey, river lamprey, brook lamprey
Feature Condition: Unfavourable declining (flood-plain fen & open water transition fen). Favourable maintained (oligotrophic loch)
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI):A SSSI is an area of land considered to best represent our natural heritage- by its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms or a combination of all of these
PASS OF LENY FLUSHES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST
Key Features:
Broad leaved, mixed & yew woodland - Upland oak woodlandFen, marsh & swamp - Springs (including flushes)
Series of nutrient-rich upland calcareous flushes.Upland oak woodland is of ancient & long-established origin. Wet birch woodland also important site characteristic.Notable Species:
Above ground: sessile oak, downy birch
Ground flora: blaeberry, broad-leaved cotton grass, fragrant orchid, butterwort, sharp-flowered rush, globeflower & marsh violet
Fauna: Atlantic salmon, sea lamprey, river lamprey, brook lamprey
Feature Condition: Unfavourable, no change (upland oak woodland). Unfavourable, declining (springs- including flushes)
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI):A SSSI is an area of land considered to best represent our natural heritage- by its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms or a combination of all of these
THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL SCENIC AREA
Special Qualities:
- A traditional ‘Gateway to the Highlands’
- A harmonious concentration of lochs, woods & hills
- Rugged Ben Venue, the centrepiece of the Trossachs
- Loch Katrine, the ‘Queen of the Trossachs’
- A landscape of beautiful lochs
- The romance of the Trossachs
What is a National Scenic Area (NSA):NSA’s are defined as an area of ‘of outstanding scenic value in a national context’. The designation both identifies and protects Scotland’s finest landscapes. There are 40 NSA’s in Scotland.
General Qualities of the Wider Area:
- A world-renowned landscape famed for its rural beauty-Wild & rugged highlands contrasting with pastoral lowlands- Water in its many forms-The rich variety of woodlands- Settlements nestled within a vast natural backdrop- Famous through-routes- Tranquillity- The easily accessible landscape splendour
Ben A’an
LOCH LOMOND NATIONAL SCENIC AREA
Special Qualities:
- Immensity of loch & landscape
- Two lochs in one
- A multitude of beautiful islands
- Distinctive mountain groups
- Ben Lomond, widely known, popularly frequented
- Banks of broad-leaved woodland
- Peaceful side glens
What is a National Scenic Area (NSA):NSA’s are defined as an area of ‘of outstanding scenic value in a national context’. The designation both identifies and protects Scotland’s finest landscapes. There are 40 NSA’s in Scotland.
General Qualities of the Wider Area:
- A world-renowned landscape famed for its rural beauty-Wild & rugged highlands contrasting with pastoral lowlands- Water in its many forms-The rich variety of woodlands- Settlements nestled within a vast natural backdrop- Famous through-routes- Tranquillity- The easily accessible landscape splendourInversnaid
SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION
Trossachs Wood
Qualifying habitat:Western acidic oak woodland
Loch Lomond Woods
Qualifying habitat:Western acidic oak woodland
Otter
River Teith
Qualifying habitat:
Atlantic salmon
Brook lamprey
River lamprey
Sea lamprey
What is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC):Special areas of conservation are internationally important for threatened habitats and species
Trossachs Wood
Site condition:Unfavourable recovering
Loch Lomond Woods
Site condition:Favourable maintained (otter)Unfavourable declining (woodland)
River Teith
Site condition:
Unfavourable recovering (salmon)
Favourable maintained (lamprey)