Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016

Marine Harvest

Report prepared by: ECUS Ltd (Stirling) Scion House, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, FK9 4NF

January 2017 Ecus Ltd Report to: Marine Harvest

Report Title: Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016

Revision: ISSUE

Issue Date: January 2017

Report Ref: 8506 – Loch Garry

Originated By:

Associate Botanist Date: January 2017

Reviewed By:

Principal Ecologist Date: 27th January 2017

Approved By:

Managing Director Date: 27th January 2017

Prepared by: ECUS Ltd (Stirling) Scion House, Stirling University Innovation Park, Stirling, FK9 4NF

The report and the site assessments carried out by Ecus on behalf of the client in accordance with the agreed terms of contract and/ or written agreement form the agreed Services. The Services were performed by Ecus with the skill and care ordinarily exercised by a reasonable Environmental Consultant at the time the Services were performed. Further, and in particular, the Services were performed by Ecus taking into account the limits of the scope of works required by the client, the time scale involved and the resources, including financial and manpower resources, agreed between Ecus and the client. Other than that expressly contained in the paragraph above, Ecus provides no other representation or warranty whether express or implied, in relation to the services. This report is produced exclusively for the purposes of the client. Ecus is not aware of any interest of or reliance by any party other than the client in or on the services. Unless expressly provided in writing, Ecus does not authorise, consent or condone any party other than the client relying upon the services provided. Any reliance on the services or any part of the services by any party other than the client is made wholly at that party’s own and sole risk and Ecus disclaims any liability to such parties. This report is based on site conditions, regulatory or other legal provisions, technology or economic conditions at the time of the Service provision. These conditions can change with time and reliance on the findings of the Services under changing conditions should be reviewed. Ecus accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of third party data used in this report.

ii Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1

1.1 PURPOSE OF STUDY ...... 1 1.2 REPORT STRUCTURE ...... 1 2. SITE CHARACTERISATION & BASELINE INFORMATION ...... 2 2.1 OVERVIEW ...... 2 2.2 LOCH GARRY SITE CHARACTERISATION ...... 2 2.3 BASELINE INFORMATION ...... 2 3. METHODOLOGY ...... 3 3.1 OVERVIEW ...... 3 3.2 SURVEY CONDITIONS ...... 3 3.3 SURVEY LOCATIONS ...... 3 3.4 QUANTITATIVE SURVEY METHOD...... 4 3.5 SURVEY LIMITATIONS ...... 4 4. SURVEY RESULTS ...... 5 4.1 OVERVIEW ...... 5 4.2 SITE DESCRIPTION ...... 5 4.3 LEAFPACS METRICS ...... 6 4.4 REFERENCE CONDITIONS ...... 7 4.5 ECOLOGICAL QUALITY RATIOS...... 7 5. DISCUSSION ...... 9 5.1 OVERVIEW ...... 9 5.2 PREDICTION OF THE REFERENCE STATE ...... 9 5.3 STATUS OF THE VEGETATION ...... 9 5.4 COMPARISON AGAINST PREVIOUS RECORDS ...... 9 5.5 KEY VEGETATION CONSIDERATIONS AT LOCH GARRY ...... 10 6. CONCLUSIONS ...... 11 7. REFERENCES ...... 12 APPENDIX 1: SPECIES RECORDED FOR LOCH GARRY SURVEY ...... 13 APPENDIX 2: FIGURES ...... 15

iii Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose of Study 1.1.1 Marine Harvest operates a fish farm on Loch Garry located on the southern side of the main basin. Ecus Ltd were commissioned in August 2016 to undertake a macrophyte survey and report on the findings to support discussions with SEPA with regard to the potential impacts of its operations. 1.1.2 The purpose of this report is to assess the current condition of the vegetation in the loch, and particularly whether there is any evidence of impact on the vegetation in the vicinity of the fish-farming activities. 1.1.3 This study reviews the available historic macrophyte data for Loch Garry; presents the methodology and results from the quantitative macrophyte survey undertaken in 2016; and provides discussion of the key considerations and recommendations with respect to fish farm operations.

1.2 Report Structure 1.2.1 This report comprises of 6 further sections: Section 2 – Site Characterisation & Baseline Information Section 3 - Methodology Section 4 - Survey Results Section 5 - Discussion Section 6 - Conclusions Section 7 – References

1 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

2. Site Characterisation & Baseline Information

2.1 Overview 2.1.1 Limited site information exists regarding Loch Garry however this section outlines the character of the site and presents a review of previous data, in order to establish baseline evidence.

2.2 Loch Garry Site Characterisation 2.2.1 Loch Garry is situated in Glen Garry, 25 km north of Fort William, Lochaber, on the west side of the Great Glen in the central Highlands. It is a freshwater loch, fed by water from Loch Quoich 10 km upstream on the River Garry, and drains into Loch Oich in the Great Glen 5 km downstream. 2.2.2 Loch Garry is a large deep loch around 11 km long and up to 65 m deep, with a surface area of nearly 700 ha (UK Lakes Portal 2017). 2.2.3 The loch is dammed at the eastern end for hydro-electric power, the dam being completed in 1962 raising the water level by a few metres. Prior to this the eastern end of the loch was almost separated from the main body of the loch apart from two narrow channels. 2.2.4 The raised water level also flooded an area upstream of the loch to form a second shallow basin connected to the main loch by a bridged narrows around 100 m wide. 2.2.5 The loch is classified in the annex to Duigan et al. (2006) as type C2: North western, predominantly large, slightly acid upland lakes, supporting a diversity of plant species, Juncus bulbosus constant, often with Littorella uniflora and Lobelia dortmanna, in association with Myriophyllum alterniflorum.

2.3 Baseline Information 2.3.1 Prior to undertaking a quantitative survey of Loch Garry for this study, previous data was reviewed where available to establish the existing baseline data and knowledge of macrophyte community. 2.3.2 However the information available is remarkably poor. As part of the Scottish Loch Survey, SNH’s predecessor the Nature Conservancy Council undertook a trial in 1993 to compare the effectiveness of a Remote Operated Underwater Vehicle ( ROV) against traditional methods using a bathyscope and grapnel Lassiere et al. 1993). This involved two sectors, one in the west basin and the other at the western end of the main basin. Ten aquatic species were recorded during the trial but a full survey was not undertaken and this must be regarded as an incomplete list. 2.3.3 No records attributable to Loch Garry were located in the Botanical Society of the British Isles records database.

2 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

3. Methodology

3.1 Overview 3.1.1 This section outlines the approach to the quantitative survey documenting the standard survey protocol, the methodology adopted for the survey of macrophytes in Loch Garry, locations of the survey sectors and additional areas visited around the loch as well as the survey sectors. Limitations to the survey are also acknowledged, including the measures undertaken to address these limitations.

3.2 Survey Conditions 3.2.1 The survey was undertaken by Ecus Associate Botanist, on the 21st September 2016. 3.2.2 Weather conditions during the survey were good.

3.3 Survey Locations Quantitative Survey Sectors 3.3.1 It is understood that no previous monitoring surveys using the JNCC or WFD standard lake survey methods have been undertaken in the loch. 3.3.2 Survey sector locations were selected to provide an even spread around the loch, including representative habitats, but selecting areas where there loch edges are less steeply shelving and with some shelter from wind and wave exposure. This was to ensure that there was sufficient vegetation to produce results that were meaningful. 3.3.3 The western basin was excluded from the survey as this is upstream and largely isolated from the main basin and therefore unlikely to be impacted by the fish farm. 3.3.4 A sector location close to the current fish farm was considered but this part of the shore is stony and steeply shelving and was deemed unlikely to have sufficient aquatic vegetation to record. 3.3.5 Four sectors were selected (see Table 3.1), two at each end of the main part of the loch. Sectors 2 and 4 are close to the public road along the northern shore of the loch. Land access to Sector 1 was accessed via a forestry track approaching from the south side of the River Garry. Sector 3 was accessed from a path from Torr na Carriadh, on the south side of the bridge. Table 3.1: Location of sector midpoints Sector Location on Loch National Grid Reference 1 Bollin NH 26252 01631 2 Invergarry Dam NH 27698 02190 3 Torr na Caraidh NH 20262 01554 4 Ardochy NH 20006 02347 Additional Survey Effort 3.3.6 Four additional locations were visited in Loch Garry to maximise survey coverage, in addition to the quantitative survey, focussing on areas with different characters, habitats and locations of with historic records of notable species: The north-west corner of the main basin from the corner to the bridge, NH 194022 to NH 195020);

3 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

The north-east corner of the western basin from the corner to the bridge, NH 194021 to NH 194020); Allt a’ Bhiora eastwards ( NH224023 to NH225023); and Daingeen, E of Allt Daingean ( NH242027 to NH244027).

3.4 Quantitative Survey Method 3.4.1 Quantitative surveys were undertaken using the standard lake survey method used for assessing lake condition for Sites of Special Scientific Interest and the Water Framework Directive ( JNCC, 2015; WFD-UKTAG, 2014). 3.4.2 The survey of the loch involved a combination of boat, perimeter and wader transects, which were undertaken at each survey sector: i. Boat transects extended from the mid-point of each sector, perpendicular to the shore to the maximum depth of vegetation colonisation. The boat transects in Loch Garry were typically short (maximum 30 m but mostly less). At each sampling point, all the species present were recorded Species presence was recorded and an assessment of the total vegetation abundance and algae was made using a scale 0-3. ii. Perimeter transects extended for 100 m parallel to the shore covering the area between the water line and the high water mark ( HWM). Species were recorded on a DAFOR scale according to their percentage cover over the length and width of this zone. iii. Wader transects extended for 100m, parallel to the water’s edge and were sampled at five equally spaced (20 m) “teeth” along a “comb” with sampling points located at 0.25 m, 0.5 m, 0.75 m and > 0.75 m water depths along each “tooth” of the comb, giving a total of 20 sample points per transect. Species presence was recorded and an assessment of the total vegetation abundance and algae was made using a scale 0-3. 3.4.3 The boat was used to survey the deep water parts of the boat transects. Where the bottom was fairly steeply shelving ( particularly Sector 1) the transect lengths were short and it was necessary to use several runs of the boat towards the shore to reach the required number of sample points. Having surveyed the deep water sample points, the survey was completed by wading from the shore for the perimeter survey.

3.5 Survey Limitations 3.5.1 Given the large size of Loch Garry and the combined surveyed sector length representing only 2.5% of the perimeter of the loch, it could be viewed that the sampling regime for this quantitative survey provides limited opportunity to asses the complete range of potential of species. 3.5.2 To address this, additional areas around the loch were identified and visited to assess whether other species were present, focussing on areas with different characters from the sector locations. This included the north-eastern corner of the western basin to assess if there was any difference to the character of the vegetation of that part.

4 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

4. Survey Results

4.1 Overview 4.1.1 This section presents the findings from the survey focussing on: Site Description; LEAFPAC Metrics; Reference Conditions; and Ecological Quality Ratios. 4.1.2 Species recorded at the various survey points are included in Appendix 1. The data from the quantitative surveys are provided in an Excel file and accompany this report.

4.2 Site Description 4.2.1 Loch Garry is predominantly characterised as a typical Highland trench loch, i.e. long narrow and deep. As a natural loch it was already of substantial size with a maximum depth of 65 metres ( Murray & Pullar 1908) but the level has been raised a few metres by a dam for hydro-electricity. This changed the shape of the loch with the eastern end becoming fully connected to the main body of the loch by the flooding of an isthmus that previously largely cut it off. It also flooded 2.5 km upstream at the western end to create a new western basin. 4.2.2 Water levels fluctuate considerably with recent stranded debris up to 2 m above the water level at the time of survey. If there is excess water, this is discharged every Thursday but the water level at the time of survey ( on a Wednesday) seemed more or less normal. There did not seem to be any obvious mixing of aquatic and terrestrial species at the loch edge barring a few submerged Ranunculus flammula plants. 4.2.3 The valley sides above the loch are moderate to steep, particularly on the southern side. They are dominated by conifer forestry plantations but there are some areas of semi-natural deciduous woodland. Open moorland and bog is restricted to the western end of the main basin and around the western basin where there are more gradual slopes down to the loch. Pasture improvement is very limited to around a few habitations on the northern shore. 4.2.4 Around a large majority of the loch, the shores are dominated by boulders and cobbles or sometimes bedrock without any vegetation. These continue underwater to some depth so that much of the shores lack any submerged vegetation. However, where there are slight indentations in the shore which provide some protection from wave turbulence, there is a transition to finer sediments at around one metre depth allowing the development of sparse Juncus bulbosus ( aquatic form), Myriophyllum alterniflorum and Isoetes lacustris. In the very few larger indentations, especially near inflows, finer sediments extend inshore but usually still with cobbles and pebbles down to 30 cm depth. Here there are often more extensive swards of Littorella uniflora in depths up to 1 m with Juncus bulbosus and Myriophyllum alterniflorum patchily abundant offshore along with some Isoetes lacustris and a few small patches of Sparganium angustifolium. 4.2.5 At the eastern end of the loch there is a substantial area of shallower water with several islands dividing this area from the main body of the loch. Much of this area is still too deep for vegetation but there are some areas between the islands and the northern shore where there may be shallow reefs and shoals

5 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

with vegetation. The shores around this part continue to be dominated by boulders and cobbles and appeared to be as barren as in the main body of the loch. There are a few more sheltered bays on the southern shore ( such as at Sector 1) and there is a small well-vegetated inlet just north of the dam ( at Sector 2). 4.2.6 At the western end, the last 0.5 km of the main basin becomes shallower and the cobble/boulder shoreline is interrupted by areas with peaty margins, especially around the south-western corner. This extends westwards along a narrower part of the loch around 300 m wide. In these areas the vegetation is more varied and extends up to 100 m offshore. Where the substrate is peaty at the shore, the main vegetation is Juncus bulbosus both inshore and offshore. In places this occurs only as sparse tufts but in other areas it is very abundant especially in the zone from 0.5 – 1.2 m in depth. Myriophyllum alterniflorum is also often frequent in the deeper part of this range and there is also sparse Utricularia stygia. 4.2.7 Where the shallows are stonier, Littorella uniflora is frequent in the shallows to one metre depth with Juncus bulbosus and Myriophyllum alterniflorum becoming frequent in the deeper half of this range. Further offshore Isoetes lacustris often becomes abundant patchily mixed with the Juncus and Myriophyllum. 4.2.8 A bridge separates the main eastern basin from the western basin although the connecting channel is still around 100 m wide. The western basin was not explored because it is unlikely to be affected by the fish farm activities. In a short exploration of the north-eastern corner of the basin it appeared to be similar to the western end of the main basin. However, further west this basin becomes shallow over an extensive area which are likely to be well vegetated with aquatic vegetation. 4.2.9 The loch is underlain by Moinian rocks comprising a mixture of psammites and granulitic gneiss – essentially metamorphosed sandstones and granites. Often this has a covering of morainic drift which is a mixture of glacial tills and sandy and gravelly beds. The acidic nature of these rocks and overlying drift is reflected in the chemistry and vegetation of the loch.

4.3 LEAFPACS Metrics 4.3.1 The results of qualitative macrophyte surveys are usually used to calculate five scores (WFD-UKTAG 2014). Lake macrophyte nutrient index (LMNI); this gives an indication of the nutrient levels in the loch based on the nutrient tolerance/ requirements of the species present. Each macrophyte has been given a nutrient score based on a mean of the range of nutrient levels that the plant occurs in. Species restricted to oligotrophic water have a low score while those of eutrophic waters have high scores in a range from 1 to 10. The LMNI for the loch is calculated as the average of the scores for all the aquatic species recorded in the sampling survey. In lake LEAFPACS this is based on presence/absence and does not weight the scores in relation to the frequency of occurrence of each species (in contrast to river LEAFPACS where the individual scores of more frequent species are given greater weighting) Number of aquatic taxa (NTAXA); a simple total of aquatic species based on a standard checklist

6 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

Number of functional groups (NFG); each species has been assigned to a functional group based on growth form and taxonomic group e.g. rosette species, simple-leaved species, divided-leaved species, liverworts, mosses etc. This score is the number of these groups represented. Mean cover of macrophyte species (not including filamentous algae) COV); this is average of the percentage covers of each species, calculated from the macrophyte cover scores from sample points where the species has been recorded. Relative percent cover of filamentous algae (ALG); this is the percentage cover of algae relative to the macrophyte ( COV). 4.3.2 The calculated metrics based on this survey are presented in Table 4.1. Three additional species were recorded during the exploratory surveys and the three metrics which are based on presence/absence data were re-calculated including these extra taxa. This gives a similar but slightly lower result for the key Lake Macrophyte Nutrient Index (LMNI) metric. Table 4.2: LEAFPAC metrics for this survey LMNI NTAXA NFG COV ALG Sector surveys 3.31 15.00 8.00 3.71 0.13 Including additional species recorded in exploratory surveys 3.20 18.00 9.00

4.4 Reference Conditions 4.4.1 In order to make an overall assessment of the status of the macrophytes of a loch, the calculated LEAFPACS scores are compared with what would be expected without any human impact, based on the loch’s situation, termed reference conditions”. 4.4.2 Reference condition scores are calculated using a combination of; Altitude (= 85 m) Loch area (= 690 ha) Alkalinity (= 64 mEq/l) Mean depth of the loch (= 24 m) Geology of the catchment (= primarily acidic rocks (type 1) as set out in WFD-UKTAG (2014). 4.4.3 Based on the parameters above, the calculated reference scores for Loch Garry are shown in Table 4.2. Table 4.2: Expected reference condition LEAFPACS scores Exp_LMNI Exp_N_TAXA Exp_N_FG Exp Cov 2.49 14.21 7.801 8.200

4.5 Ecological Quality Ratios 4.5.1 Based on these comparisons, Ecological Quality Ratios (EQRs) are calculated as set out in WFD-UKTAG ( 2014) and these are combined to produce a final overall EQR. The ratios represent the degree the surveyed macrophyte community deviates from the expected community based on the reference conditions. The final EQR is assigned a status in terms of the WFD scored on a scale of 0 (bad) to 1 (high).

7 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

Table 4.3: EQR scores calculated from the current survey in 2015. AEQR EQR EQR EQR EQR Final

LMNI NTAXA NFG COV ALG EQR

Whole loch 0.837 1.056 1.026 0.672 0.916 0.803

Including additional species recorded in 0.859 1.267 1.154 0.672 0.916 0.817 exploratory surveys

Key High Good Moderate Poor Bad

8 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

5. Discussion

5.1 Overview 5.1.1 This section discusses the results of the quantitative survey with respect to the key considerations that activities of the Marine Harvest fish farm have an impact upon the overall status of the Loch with regards to the macrophyte assemblages.

5.2 Prediction of the reference state 5.2.1 Prediction of the expected values if the loch were in “Reference State” uses the LEAFPACS model developed by Stirling University ( Willby, 2009). This model has been tried and tested on a substantial number of lochs and found to be fairly robust. However, it is a fairly simple model designed to cover large lakes as well as small pools in a broad range of situations. 5.2.2 Previous experience at other deep water lochs has shown that the targets for such sites tend to be unduly stringent, particularly for the expected Lake Macrophyte Nutrient Index ( LMNI) and expected cover ( COV) ( Stewart pers. comm). For LMNI, this appears to be due to the weight given to depth in the calculations; while in shallower lochs the depth has an impact on the LMNI, this becomes much less significant once the mean depth exceeds the photic zone the zone where light penetration is sufficient for plant growth) and this does not seem to be sufficiently accounted for in the model. With respect of COV, this is due to the large size of such sites and consequent exposure to wave turbulence, resulting in generally lower vegetation densities (Stewart, pers obs).

5.3 Status of the vegetation 5.3.1 Despite the stringent targets predicted by the LEAFPACS model the loch is as assessed as being comfortably in the “High” condition band (see Table 4.3).

5.4 Comparison Against Previous Records

5.4.1 A summary of the previous records of aquatic plants for the loch is given in Table 5.1. The limited historical information makes it very difficult to assess whether there have been any changes, but the diversity of species typical of an oligotrophic loch found on the current survey and the general good health of the loch makes it unlikely that there have been any significant changes. Table 5.1: Summary of aquatic macrophyte species recorded from Loch Garry 1993 Scottish 2016 Ecus LMNI Loch Survey survey Callitriche brutia var. hamulata 4.08 1 Elatine hexandra 3.81 1 Eleogiton fluitans 2.03 1 Fontinalis antipyretica 4.19 1 1 Fontinalis squamosa 3.09 1 Isoetes echinospora 2.47 1 Isoetes lacustris 2.22 1 1 Juncus bulbosus 2.42 1 1 Littorella uniflora 3.73 1 1 Lobelia dortmanna 2.16 1 1 Myriophyllum alterniflorum 2.66 1 1 Nitella translucens 2.73 1

9 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

1993 Scottish 2016 Ecus LMNI Loch Survey survey Potamogeton berchtoldii 6.58 1 Sparganium angustifolium 2.52 ? 1 Sphagnum sp. 2.74 1 1 Subularia aquatica 1.80 1 Utricularia minor 2.36 1 Utricularia stygia 1.30 1 1 5.4.2 One species recorded in 1993 was not refound; this was Eleogiton fluitans, which was recorded from the middle of the western basin, an area not covered by this survey. 5.4.3 Only one more typically mesotrophic species was recorded during the survey. This was a single stem of Potamogeton berchtoldii recorded from the inlet just north of the dam at the eastern end.

5.5 Key Vegetation Considerations at Loch Garry Filamentous Algae 5.5.1 Filamentous algae was recorded fairly frequently during the wader surveys. This was restricted to a band between 0.3 and 0.6 m where it formed a thin cover over the rooted vegetation and normally at cover value 1 ( i.e. less than 25%). The algae was more noticeable in the more sheltered bays but some was visible in the more exposed places. Outside this depth band algae was more or less absent. 5.5.2 Some presence of filamentous algae is not unusual in this type of loch and the levels recorded during this survey are not considered a cause for concern. This is reflected in the LEAFPACS parameter ALG at 0.13, which assesses algal cover relative to the cover of rooted plants. This score is comfortably in the High” condition band in this part of the analysis of Ecological Quality Ratios.

10 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

6. Conclusions 6.1.1 The vegetation of Loch Garry is typical of a large, deep, acidic, “ trench” loch with a good diversity of oligotrophic species and with the vegetation mainly developed in areas where there is shelter from the prevailing winds running down the loch. The only mesotrophic species recorded was a single stem of Potamogeton berchtoldii found at the easternmost end just north of Invergarry Dam. 6.1.2 The vegetation was in good condition with only a little filamentous algae while the water was clear but peaty ( Secchi depth about 1.8 m because of the peatiness). 6.1.3 No indications of nutrient enrichment were observed and this is reflected by the LEAFPACS analysis placing the loch in the “High” condition band. 6.1.4 From the results of the survey it would appear that there are no discernible negative impacts on the loch as a result of the fish farm.

11 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

7. References

Duigan, C., Kovach, W. & Palmer, M.A. ( 2006) Vegetation communities of British lakes: a revised classification. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. Joint Nature Conservation Committee ( JNCC) ( 2015) Common standards monitoring guidance for freshwater lakes, version March 2015. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. Lassiere, O., Harding, T., Jackson, J., Boon, P., Duncan, W. Munford, J. & Donnan, D. (1993) 1993 Loch survey Lochaber: Loch Garry. Report for Nature Conservancy Council Murray, J. & Pullar, L. ( 1908) Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland. Royal Geographical Society, London. UK Lakes Portal (2016) https://eip.ceh.ac.uk/apps/lakes/detail.html#wbid=21023 Water Framework Directive – United Kingdom Technical Advisory Group ( WFD- UKTAG) ( 2014) UKTAG Lake Assessment Method, Macrophytes and Phytobenthos: Macrophytes (Lake LEAFPACS2). Willby, N.J., Pitt, J & Phillips G. L. (2009) The ecological classification of UK lakes using aquatic macrophytes. Environment Agency, Science Report SC010080/ SR.

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Appendix 1: Species recorded for Loch Garry survey

Sector 1 Bollin Sector 2 Dam Sector 3 Invergarry Torr na Caraidh Sector 4 Ardochy NW corner main basin NE corner W basin Allt a’ Bhiora Daingeen AQUATIC SPECIES Callitriche brutia var.hamulata 1 1 1 Elatine hexandra 1 Filamentous algae 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Fontinalis antipyretica 1 1 1 1 Fontinalis squamosa 1 Isoetes echinospora 1 1 1 1 Isoetes lacustris 1 1 1 1 1 1 Juncus bulbosus 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Littorella uniflora 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Lobelia dortmanna 1 1 Myriophyllum alterniflorum 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Nitella translucens 1 Potamogeton berchtoldii 1 Sparganium angustifolium 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Sphagnum sp.1 1 Subularia aquatica 1 1 Utricularia minor 1 Utricularia stygia 1 1 1 1 1 WETLAND SPECIES Achillea ptarmica 1 1 Agrostis canina 1 1 Agrostis stolonifera 1 1 1 1 1 1 Alnus glutinosa 1 1 1 1 1 1 Angelica sylvestris 1 1 1 Calluna vulgaris 1 1 Caltha palustris 1 1 1 1 Cardamine pratensis 1 Carex echinata 1 1 1 Carex lasiocarpa 1 Carex nigra 1 1 1 1 1 Carex 1 1 panicea 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Carex rostrata 1 1 1 Carex vesicaria 1 1 Carex

13 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

Sector 1 Bollin Sector 2 Invergarry Dam Sector 3 Torr na Caraidh Sector 4 Ardochy NW corner main basin NE corner W basin Allt a’ Bhiora Daingeen Equisetum fluviatile 1 1 Erica tetralix 1 1 Eriophorum angustifolium 1 Eriophorum vaginatum 1 1 Filipendula ulmaria 1 1 1 Galium palustre 1 1 1 1 1 Glyceria fluitans 1 1 1 Hydrocotyle vulgaris 1 1 1 1 Iris pseudacorus 1 Juncus acutiflorus 1 1 Juncus articulatus 1 1 1 1 1 1 Juncus bufonius 1 Juncus bulbosus terrestrial 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Juncus effusus 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Leontodon autumnalis 1 1 Marsupella emarginata 1 Molinia caerulea 1 1 1 1 1 1 Myrica gale 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Narthecium ossifragum 1 Pellia epiphylla 1 Persicaria hydropiper 1 Phalaris arundinacea 1 1 1 1 Polytrichum commune 1 Potentilla erecta 1 Potentilla palustris 1 Prunella vulgaris 1 1 1 1 1 Racomitrium aciculare 1 Ranunculus flammula 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rumex acetosa 1 Salix aurita 1 1 1 1 Salix cinerea 1 1 1 Senecio aquaticus 1 1 1 1 1 1 Sphagnum palustre 1 1 1 Sphagnum terrestrial spp. 1 1 1 1 1

14 Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry, 2016 Marine Harvest

Appendix 2: Figures

15 Legend

5 Sector Mid-points (1-4) Additional Land Accessed Survey Points ( 5 AtoD)

k Loch Garry Fish Farm Fish Cage Location Other Fish Cages Identified on Aerial

D 5 4 C 5 5 Loch Garry 2 5!BA k 5 5

1 3 5 5

0 1 2 Kilometers Marine Harvest Aquatic Vegetation Survey of Loch Garry Figure 3. 1SurveyLocations Brook Holt 3 Blackburn Road Sheffield S61 Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/ Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and theGISUser Community 2DWT:0114 2669292 www.ecusltd.co.uk Date: January 2017 Scale: @A31:40,000 Drg.Ref: TL/8506/3.1