Upland Woodland Restoration Plantlife recovery and natural succession on former sheep walk planted with native trees at Carrifran with particular reference to translocations on designated sites. Presented by Stuart Adair On behalf of Borders Forest Trust/Carrifran Wildwood Group at Restoring Plant Communities in our Woodlands: Time for Action! Battleby Conference Centre, June 2018

• ?-2000: Centuries of open sheep walk with occasional hill cattle and feral goats.

• 1949: (1956, 1972, 1974, 1981) Notified as part of Moffat Hills Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Notified for upland and vascular plant assemblages and geological features.

• 1st January 2000: Purchased by Borders Forest Trust/Carrifran Wildwood Group.

• 2000-2007: Removal of all domestic stock (sheep, cattle, feral goats); planting of circa 600,000 native trees and shrubs in the lower part of the valley (<450m a.s.l) funded through FCS Woodland Grant Scheme.

• 2000-2001: Alison & Ben Averis conduct base-line habitat of Carrifran and the neighbouring Black Hope.

• 2005: Designated as part of Moffat Hills Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Qualifying interests: Eight (8) alpine/montane Annex 1 Habitats.

• 2005-present: Smaller areas of montane scrub (e.g. juniper, downy willow etc) established on parts of the higher ground (i.e. Firthhope Corrie; Rispie Lairs).

• 2007-present: Volunteer ‘enrichment planting’ adding species only partially funded or not funded at all by FCS woodland grant scheme (e.g. hazel, hawthorn, willow, roses, honeysuckle, ivy).

• 2008: SNH refuse permission to establish Dwarf Birch (Betula nana) in tree-line woodland at Carrifran.

• 2012: SNH refuse permission to translocate a list of circa 50 associated (not trees or shrubs) plant species and advise that we must carry out a translocation application for each species individually. Brief history of Carrifran • 2013: Stuart Adair carries out ‘re-survey’ of the entire Glen • 2018: Official application to SNH to translocate Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) to Carrifran (and other locations in the Wildwood Moffat/Tweedsmuir Hills). Currently awaiting outcome. Carrifran: Then and Now Left, 1999 (P. Ashmole); Right, 2017 (J. Barton) Remnant Woodland at Carrifran (l-r Ashy Dean; Hazel Linn; Holly Gill) Remnant woodland as refugia for woodland flora • Although the three extant woodland fragments were very small, linear and confined to inaccessible places along the burn, they provided vital refugia for myriad woodland and shade tolerant plants, lichens and fungi. Including trees, shrubs, herbs and lower plants, each fragment supported an average of 70-80 recognizable woodland/shade plant species. • In terms of plant life recovery through natural succession, such refugia (along with other inaccessible and shady places on crags, cliffs etc) are vital sources for future plant succession. • These refugia can also make an ideal source of plant material for plant translocations into the wider landscape. • Pictured right, Barren Strawberry (Potentilla sterilis) in Ashy Dean. Planted Native Woodland & Natural Succession

• Removal of domestic stock, deer control and the establishment of native woodland will stimulate natural succession within the extant flora. • The picture opposite shows circa 13 years of planted tree growth on what had formerly been typical Nardus dominated, tree-less, sheep walk. The bright yellow-green colour is succeeding Vaccinium myrtillus. The latter has all but replaced the Nardus and Calluna vulgaris is expanding downslope and the community is clearly succeeding to recognizable W17 Upland oak-birch woodland. Plant/vegetation succession since the removal of domestic stock and the planting of native trees: The Story So Far • Timeline: 2000-present in rough chronological order: • Bent-fescue (NVC U4) and Nardus swards (U5) thicken-up and become rank; • Bracken stands (NVC U20) thicken up and gain stature; • Dwarf-shrubs (esp. blaeberry and to a lesser extent, ling-heather) begin to succeed from suppressed populations within the Nardus swards especially, eventually replacing the latter near completely within 10-15 years (NVC U5 succeeding to H18 and H12 and ultimately [with planted native trees] becoming recognizable, bryophyte-rich, W17 upland oak-birch woodland); • As early plantings mature and shade increases, bracken thins and bryophytes become prominent in the flora. Flora clearly starting to resemble NVC W11 oak-birch woodland. On more neutral and base-rich profiles, recognizable ash-elm W9 flora starts to develop under the increasing shade of planted ash, wych elm, hazel, hawthorn etc. In wetter and flushed situations, tall-herb plant communities begin to form under and around planted (W7) alder, bird cherry and willows; • Typical woodland plants (e.g. wood sorrel, common dog-violet, wood anemone, pignut, Dryopteris ferns, lemon scented-fern etc) become more prominent; • On the higher, especially north facing ground (e.g. Rispie Lairs), great wood-rush (Luzula sylvatica) succeeds from Nardus swards, replacing the latter near completely within 5-15 years; • Natural regeneration from planted trees becomes increasingly frequent, especially hazel, bird cherry and alder; Planted aspen starts suckering (note: some natural regeneration of ash and rowan especially from extant remnant woodland fragments also occurs but is largely confined to the margins of the burn adjacent the extant woodland fragments); • Pictured right, spreading extant Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) in Hazel Linn. Plant/vegetation succession since the removal of domestic stock and the planting of native trees: The Story So Far (cont’d)

• Blanket bog recovery. Sphagna increasing and notable plant species such as Bog Blaeberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) increasing its coverage enormously. Note: some blanket bog restoration ‘re- wetting’ has taken place at Rotten Bottom and Little Firthhope; Myrica gale established on some of the lower lying mires; • Tall-herb ‘ledge’ (NVC U17 Luzula-Geum community) vegetation including alpines (e.g. Mountain Sorrel, Roseroot) move down hill and out of their inaccessible refuges onto the lower ground and are becoming very prominent along almost the entire course of the Carrifran Burn, especially on formerly largely bare gravel/shingle bars. This is perhaps the most ‘exciting’ change in the flora since the change of management in 2000; • April 2016: First formal record of Bluebell/Wild Hyacinth (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) at Carrifran. This iconic woodland species was not recorded at Carrifran before this date, despite the area being one of the most heavily botanized areas in the south of Scotland. Bluebells are spreading fairly consistently since this first record and in some places, the flora is taking on the familiar look of ‘bluebell oakwood’ (NVC W11). In terms of the associated woodland flora this is, perhaps, the most interesting, intriguing and most positive development yet; • Planted montane willow scrub in Firthhope Corrie, beginning to resemble recognizable natural (NVC W20) Salix-Luzula flora with associated tall-herb vegetation (e.g. Luzula sylvatica, Geum rivale, Rhodiola rosea, Deschampsia cespitosa, Alchemilla glabra etc). Planted juniper scrub (W19) is slower to resemble semi-natural formations but can be seen on the steeper slopes of Firthhope Rig; Look out for surprises: The march of the bluebells

• Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non- scripta) was not recorded at Carrifran while managed as sheep walk. • First formal record in 2016 (pictured, right, in Ashy Dean). • Is now spreading fairly rapidly and is forming recognizable (NVC W11) ‘bluebell oak wood’ on the better brown earths. What’s happening on the ground?

Leaf litter, woody debris, hazelnut, bryophytes, fungi, moss covered (introduced) dead wood (birch).

The forest floor in the more mature plantings is taking on the familiar characteristics of semi-natural woodland. Moder humus is forming and soil fauna such as worms are increasing (much to the pleasure of the badgers!). Tree-line woodland/montane scrub

• L-r: Downy Willow (Salix lapponum), prostrate Juniper (Juniperus communis), Mountain Sorrel (Oxyria digyna) coming out into the open, location of forming (NVC W20) Salix- Luzula scrub in Firthhope Corrie immediately below White Coomb at c. 700m a.s.l. The establishment of montane scrub did not start until 2006 and the progress, as one would expect at these altitudes, has been slow. But recognizable montane scrub communities are now in evidence. This is especially true of W20 scrub which has been joined by alpines and tall-herbs so typical of natural formations. Juniper scrub has been slower to take on natural characteristics but species such as Oxalis acetosella, Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium vitis-idea, Empetrum nigrum, Deschampsia flexuosa and Oxyria digyna are joining the Juniper. The descent of the alpines and ‘ledge’ communities

• Clockwise: (NVC U17) Luzula-Geum tall-herb ‘ledge’ vegetation with Mossy Saxifrage (Saxifraga hypnoides), Ladies Mantle (Alchemilla glabra) and Knapweed (Centaurea nigra). Sea campion (Silene uniflora); Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea); Mountain Sorrel (Oxyria digyna) along the course of the Carrifran Burn. This species- rich tall-herb vegetation has expanded enormously since the removal of stock. Once confined to inaccessible cliffs, ledges, crags etc on the higher ground, now abundant on the lower ground, coming down as low as 190m a.s.l. This type of vegetation is one of the key qualifying interests for the Moffat Hills SSSI/SAC. Translocation of associated plant species • Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), Ivy (hedera helix) (both pictured, opposite) Roses (Rosa canina, R. spinosissima) and Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale) have been established at Carrifran through planting (with the consent of SNH). An application to translocate Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) onto the higher ground is currently under consideration by SNH. • Ideally, we would like to translocate many other associated plant species, especially ferns and typical woodland herbs. We originally presented SNH with a list of c. 50 associated plant species that we wished to establish along with the native trees and shrubs but unfortunately this was refused as SNH wanted us to provide a translocation application for each species individually. Although understandable - such rules apply to designated sites for sound reasons - this has been very frustrating for us as to do so would require a huge amount of time and effort from what is largely a volunteer operation. Some, what may be termed, incidental translocations, may have occurred through the importing (with permission) of deadwood (especially bryophytes, lichens and fungi). Planted W11 oak- birch woodland ripe for translocations • The stand pictured opposite is an excellent example of where translocation of associated plant species (especially Dryopteris ferns and bluebell) would compliment the planted woodland. Species such as these are present and are spreading but progress is slow. Translocating such species would aid and accelerate natural recruitment. One could easily imagine establishing thousands of such species in much the same way trees are planted. • What is needed is not the abandonment of important established translocation protocols but discretion from local SNH officers – having accepted the establishment of woodland on a designated site, is it really so much of a leap to allow major scale translocation of associated plant species within this woodland? The Future: Reviving the Wild Heart of • Since the purchase of Carrifran in 2000, BFT Southern have purchased two other sites in the central Southern Uplands, Talla & Gameshope (pictured left with remnant Scotland woodland) and Corehead & The Devil’s Beef Tub (pictured above with planted native woodland). BFT now owns a total of 31km2 situated in the central Southern Uplands, mostly within the Talla-Hart Fells Wild Land Area. The ultimate aim is ‘Reviving the Wild Heart of Southern Scotland’. On behalf of Borders Forest Trust & The Wildwood Group – Thank You for your time.

• Reports available on request:

• (Adair, 2001) Carrifran: Woodland Fragments. Unpublished report to BFT.

• (Adair, 2005) Carrifran: Firthhope Corrie/Hanging Valley: Montane Scrub Restoration Unpublished report to SNH.

• (Adair, 2016) Carrifran - Ecological Restoration in the Southern Uplands (Scottish Forestry VOL 70 NO 1, 2016).

• (Adair, 2017) Reviving the Wild Heart of southern Scotland (RFS 56 Autumn-Winter 2017, pp 28-29).

• (Savory, 2016) Colonisation by woodland birds at Carrifran Wildwood: the story so far (Scottish Birds 36:2, pp 135-149).

• (Taylor, Smyth, 2014) Carrifran Peatland Restoration: A scoping study of restoration needs and potential methods. Crichton Carbon Centre report to BFT.

• (Adair, Alexander, Ashmole, 2008) Request to SNH from BFT for permission to include Dwarf Birch Betula nana ssp. nana in the tree-line woodland planting at Carrifran, Dumfriesshire. Unpublished request to SNH.

• (Adair, Alexander, Ashmole, Mathews, 2012) Request to SNH from BFT for permission to carry out translocations of selected plant species at Carrifran, Dumfriesshire. Unpublished request to SNH.