1 Water & Wetland Ecosystems

Loch Tummel, © CAG Lloyd

Background has a rich heritage of water and wetland The rivers and burns in Tayside tend to be fast habitats and their associated species. This diversity flowing and nutrient poor and hold a wealth of is due in large part to a complex geology and varied habitats and rare wildlife. As important wildlife landscape. The division of the area by the Highland corridors, they enable dispersion and migration of Boundary Fault is one feature which gives rise to species, interconnecting fragmented populations. some of the most valuable habitats in the region. They are particularly valuable in Tayside with a Tayside is dominated by the catchment total length of over 5,000km not only making them which drains the largest area of any river in essential to wildlife but also a familiar and . It has the largest mean average annual important part of everyone’s environment. Nine of flow of any river in the UK in terms of volume at these important waterways have been labelled nearly 200 cubic metres per second. “Freshwater Fish Protected Areas” under the Water Framework Directive.

24 Objectives Associated with these river networks are a large 1 Endeavour to reduce the direct pressures on water number of standing waters from the very large, and wetland ecosystems by implementing projects deep highland lochs to small ponds and lochans to protect and restore ecosystem health. and flood plain habitats such as wet woodlands, 2 Safeguard water and wetland ecosystem species swamp and marshes, flood meadows and and genetic diversity by enhancing connectivity reedbeds. Wetlands, and particularly running and where possible preventing their decline. waters, contribute to valuable habitat mosaics with thousands of kilometres of burns linking wildlife 3 Mainstream biodiversity conservation action by corridors between other terrestrial habitats. The raising awareness and the enjoyment of water margins of rivers and standing waters form the and wetland ecosystems. transitional zone between the aquatic and terrestrial environment.

25 Priority Habitats • Rivers and Burns • Lochs and Standing Water • Ponds and Pools • Wetlands • Lowland and Raised Bogs • Transition Fen Wetland, Glen Prosen © Kelly Ann Dempsey Key Sites Rivers and Burns Loch (SSSI, SPA) Dun’s Dish North Esk Loch of Drumellie or Marlee Loch Leven River Tay (SAC) (SSSI, SPA) Loch of Craiglush South Esk (SAC) Loch of Lintrathen (SSSI) Loch of the Lowes (SPA) Craighall Gorge (SSSI/SAC) Long Loch of Lundie (SSSI) Butterstone Loch The Den of Airlie (SSSI) Crombie Reservoir Loch Clunie (SPA) The Lunan Burn system Loch of Drumelli or Marlee (SPA) (SSSI, SAC) Drumore Loch (SSSI) Loch Moraig (SSSI) Laird’s Loch (SSSI) Laird’s Loch Shingle Islands (SSSI, SAC) Loch Leven (SSSI, SPA, SAC) Rescobie Loch Montrose Basin (SSSI/SPA & Rescobie Loch (SSSI) Restenneth Moss (SSSI) RAMSAR) Balgavies Loch (SSSI) Balgavies Loch White and Fingask Lochs Lochs and Standing Meikleour Area Open Water Monk Myre Monk Myre Loch Laidon Loch Kinnordy (SPA) Loch of Kinnordy Lochindores Loch Tay Ponds Loch Brandy Lochindores (SSSI) Raised Bogs Carsebreck Lochs (SAC) Kingoodie Quarry Ponds Cairnleith Moss Loch Con Vane Farm Ponds Glenquey Moss Dunalastair Water Bloody Inches/Meiklour (SSSI) Portmoak Moss Dun’s Dish (SSSI) Barry Mill Ponds Methven Moss Mesotrophic Lochs Barrie Buddon Ponds Shelforkie Moss Loch Moraig (SSSI) Pitmedden Forest Moss Black Loch, Cleish (SSSI) Wetlands (all are Balloch Moss Loch of Craiglush part/whole SSSIs) Egnomoss Loch of Lowes (SPA,SSSI) Carsebreck Lochs Butterstone Loch (SSSI, SPA) Dunalistair Reservoir

Key Species • Salmonid species • Riparian mammals • Wading, wetland and diving birds • Freshwater invertebrates • Riparian, peatland and wetland plants Otter © SNH

26 Integrated Catchment Management in Practice

The River South Esk Catchment Partnership leads in allowing sustainable development of the ecosystem the delivery of ecosystem scale environmental services we derive from the catchment, landscape improvement initiatives in the Angus area. One of scale planning to mitigate the effects of climate only a handful of river catchment partnerships in change: all have played an important part in the Scotland, the partnership has implemented success of the partnership. innovative work in this relatively new strategic The partnership carries out its objectives through the partnership approach. dedication of its stakeholders and increasing levels of Main areas of success have been improving community participation. Local and national PR and community access to the river (an SAC for Atlantic awareness raising, sharing good practice, citizen salmon and Freshwater pearl mussels and an SPA science and community volunteering raise the and RAMSAR site for migratory birds) and the profile of the important species and habitats in the control of the spread of invasive non-native species catchment. The work of a few improves the quality of including Japanese knotweed, Giant hogweed, the Angus environment for all of its residents. Himalayan balsam and American mink.

River restoration projects to aid in flood mitigation for affected towns such as Brechin, economic audits

Rottal Burn © Kelly Ann Dempsey

27 Ecosystem Pressures Abstraction of Water Removing large amounts of Services & Acidification water from a river or water Acidification happens in areas Ecosystem Scale body for use in arable farming where there is little underlying Projects and renewable energy schemes alkaline bedrock (such as can endanger many protected Ecosystem Services limestone) to neutralise acids. and priority species. • Flood management and Unnatural causes include acid natural attenuation rain from dissolved sulphuric Sedimentation • Regulation and improvement and nitric acid, livestock waste As a natural phenomenon, of water quality and nitrogen fertilisers. Natural sedimentation decreases the • Carbon sequestration causes include coniferous carrying capacity of rivers. (wetlands, bogs and tree forests close to a water body or However, unnatural levels can planting) acid rain caused from CO2 occur after activities such as • Water for irrigation dissolving. river works which can de- stabilise banks. This can have a • Water and wetland-based Toxic or Organic negative effect on the riparian recreation and tourism Pollution zone particularly fish spawning These types of pollutants can • Climate regulation habitat and Freshwater Pearl be point source or from diffuse • Health and wellbeing Mussels Margaritifera sources. Organic pollution can • Renewable energy margaritifera. increase the concentration of Ecosystem Scale Projects nutrients within a water body, Climate Change often leading to eutrophication Changing patterns in weather • River South Esk Catchment and algal blooms which can will have far-reaching adverse Partnership invasive non- remove the oxygen in a water effects on our wetlands. native species project. system; Slender Naiad, Najas Countering this is a high • Glen Clova Contour Planting flexilis is particularly priority. Project. susceptible to changes in • Tayside Lochs Project - nutrient levels. Invasive Non-Native project improving the water species (INNS) quality of Tayside Drainage and Dredging INNS pose a growing serious mesotrophic lochs. These activities can change the threat as they can out-compete fluvial properties of water native species, resulting in • Tayside SUDS and Ponds courses and surrounding serious changes and imbalance Initiative – increasing habitat, forcing out key species. in ecosystem processes. wetland habitat connections. • Scottish Mink Initiative - local organisations assuming responsibility for mink control. • Tayside Amphibians in Drains - developing wildlife- friendly road systems incorporating amphibian ladders, wildlife kerbs and amphibian migration hotspot mapping. • River Basin Management Plans - protecting and improving Tayside’s water environment in a way which balances costs and benefits to the environment, society and economy.

Riverbank erosion and sediment transfer © Kelly Ann Dempsey

28 SUDS and Biodiversity

SUDS pond at the North Inch Community Campus in Perth © D Williamson

SUDS, or Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, are bats, making them an important haven for wildlife legally required for new developments and assist and a vital aspect in creating landscape-scale in the active mitigation of flooding, erosion and green corridors. pollution without compromising the downstream The SUDS allow for a natural drainage system that water quality. Swales, detention basins, wetlands can also reduce the amount of roadside gullypots and ponds, as well as rain gardens, are the more which need to be created, kept and maintained. visible aspect of urban drainage management and These gullypots are natural traps for amphibians can be easily designed to enhance biodiversity, as and other wildlife which are attracted to water. A well as safeguarding existing populations. Other Tayside study has shown that thousands of drainage includes manufactured permeable animals are entrapped over the course of a year. surfaces, filter strips and underground storage. Whilst active mitigation in the study area helps SUDS, swales, wetlands and ponds can create an where gullypots are present (in the form of wildlife oasis for wildlife in the middle of a development kerbs and the experimental amphibian ladders), in area. They are regularly populated by amphibians, just one local authority area there is still an including toads, frogs and newts, and can support estimated loss of 44,000 animals (mostly a high abundance of invertebrates. These mini- amphibians) from drain entrapment. ecosystems can therefore also support birds and

29 Water & Wetlands Actions Schedule Key for timescale Short: 1-3 yrs Medium: 4-6 yrs Long: 7-10 yrs Actions will be input into the UK Biodiversity Action System (UKBARS)where Lead Partners will be outlined

Maintaining & Improving Habitats

Action Action breakdown Who takes the action Timescale

1 Support the Pond Doctor Community Projects Tayside Biodiversity Short/ creation, restoration Create, restore and enhance 3 ponds or Partnership medium or enhancement of wetlands per year from 2017. ponds across Perth & Council Amphibian Management Plans Tayside to provide Angus Council connectivity of this Collate SUDS audits, mapping of ponds/SUDS within 1km of roads. habitat across the Scottish Green region. Map amphibian migration routes and Infrastructure Group hotspots to ensure wildlife kerb, dropped TayARG kerb/amphibian ladder installation is mainstreamed.

2 Reduce nutrient Improve or maintain the water quality Scottish Environment Long enrichment and classification of all lochs in Tayside. Protection Agency pollution. Scottish Water

Perth & Kinross Council

Angus Council

Landowners and land managers; developers; angling clubs.

3 Promote adoption of Encourage SUDS audit and proactive Scottish Water Long biodiversity- management of SUDS and swales for Perth & Kinross Council managed SUDS in biodiversity. developments. Angus Council Increase terrestrial habitat for amphibian Scottish Environment species. Protection Agency Decrease eutrophication and point source Tayside Biodiversity pollution. Partnership

Provide habitats for other wildlife. Scottish Green Infrastructure Group Support a Tayside Community SUDS Pond ARC Trust project. TayARG

4 Minimise pollution of Priority Catchment work – ensure best Scottish Environment Long watercourses from toxic practice advice is available through Protection Agency substances and organic dedicated projects and websites. Scottish Government enrichment from poor Rural Payments and farming practice. Inspections Directorate National Farmers Union Scotland Landowners and Land Managers Scottish Land & Estates

30 Maintaining & Improving Habitats

Action Action breakdown Who takes the action Timescale

5 Encourage better Explore follow on projects from the Pearls in Scottish Natural Heritage Long biodiversity Peril LIFE Project (Freshwater Pearl Mussel) British Association for management and within Tayside. Shooting and protection of Expand the UK Green Shoots initiative into Conservation watercourses on Tayside. Scottish Environment farmland and Support collaborative projects at all spatial Protection Agency forestry. scales which focus on riverine habitats and Scottish Rural University species. College Promote awareness of appropriate tree Forestry Commission planting approaches and best practice Scotland schemes. River South Esk Maximise the use of social media to engage as Catchment Partnership wide an audience as possible. National Farmers Union Scotland Scottish Land and Estates North East Green Network

6 Maintain current Continue the Tayside Lochs Project, including Scottish Environment Medium mesotrophic lochs in the Lintrathen Loch Enhancement Project. Protection Agency Tayside. Tayside Biodiversity Partnership Tayside Lochs Partnership Scottish Natural Heritage

7 Support flood Encourage strategic planting of broadleaf Forestry Commission Long alleviation schemes trees along watercourses to assist with flood Scotland that improve habitat attenuation and the creation of habitat Angus Council corridors. connectivity through Perth & Kinross Council Support ongoing projects e.g. natural landscaping UK Scoter Steering Group or native tree Glen Clova Contour Planting Scheme Landowners and land planting. Brechin Flood Prevention Scheme managers Flood Prevention Scheme Strathallan Project Where appropriate, favour broadleaf against pine to reduce acidification of watercourses to safeguard Stonefly and Freshwater pearl mussel. Maintain an awareness of funding opportunities to instigate further projects.

8 Minimise Protect riverine habitats and species, Scottish Environment Medium/ detrimental impacts especially Freshwater pearl mussel, salmonid Protection Agency long of hydro-power species, Otters, Water voles and River jelly Southern & Electric schemes. lichen. Scotland Where appropriate, provide fish ladders to District Salmon Fishery allow migration of salmon. Boards Ensure sufficient flows remain downstream Angus Council of dams and use freshets to mimic natural Perth & Kinross Council spates. Cairngorms National Park Authority

31 Maintaining & Improving Habitats

Action Action breakdown Who takes the action Timescale

9 Restore and Safeguard existing riparian habitats and Angus Council Long enhance enhance wherever possible. watercourse Perth & Kinross Council Reduce overfishing of river stocks. biodiversity. River South Esk Encourage the removal of weirs to aid fish Catchment Partnership migration. Tay Western Catchment Encourage restoration of watercourses by Partnership enhancing urban water quality through community engagement (especially the Scottish Environment Perth Lade and the Dighty Burn). Protection Agency

Identify and facilitate ongoing opportunities Scottish Natural Heritage for riparian planting, biodiversity Perth Lade Group improvements as part of all Tayside Flood Prevention Schemes. Broughty Ferry Environmental Project Support the setting up of the Tay Western Catchment Project.

10 Protect shingle-bank Safeguard Priority Species from INNS. Scottish Natural Heritage Short/ habitats. medium Control aggregate removal from rivers Scottish Environment changing sedimentation. Protection Agency

Explore fixed point photography Scottish Wildlife Trust opportunities in a range of wetland and riverine habitats.

11 Working in Work with Fisheries Boards and Catchment Forestry Commission Medium/ partnership, explore Initiatives to incorporate flood attenuation Scotland long the implications of into management plans. Eurasian Beaver Scottish Wild Beaver Castor fiber in river Expand local knowledge of management Group catchments. techniques and disseminate lessons derived from UK beaver reintroduction projects. Tayside Biodiversity Partnership Encourage studies into added biodiversity value from beavers, especially dragonflies Tay Landscape and damselflies, amphibians, otter and Partnership water vole, wetland and riparian birds and Fisheries Boards native fish populations. Amphibian and Reptile Research the potential for riparian planting Conservation grants to mitigate for any beaver damage or the species entering crop fields, traditional Mammal Society or community orchards. International Otter Survival Fund

British Dragonfly Society

British Trust for Ornithology

River South Esk Catchment Partnership

32 Maintaining & Improving Habitats

Action Action breakdown Who takes the action Timescale

12 Research status of Research potential for Lamprey Pow Burn District Salmon Fishery Medium Lamprey in Tayside. Project. Boards Support habitat enhancement for Lamprey. Tayside Biodiversity Partnership Share good practice for the timing of river Scottish Natural Heritage work where Lamprey is concerned. River South Esk Catchment Partnership

13 Mainstream Conserve and enhance amphibian Tayside Biodiversity Long mitigation to populations by raising awareness of Partnership safeguard mitigation measures including amphibian Tayside Amphibian and amphibian ladders, wildlife kerbs, modified drains, etc. Reptile Group populations across Expand Amphibians In Drains Projects Friends of Angus Tayside. across Tayside. Herpetofauna Encourage the preparation, where Perth & Kinross Council appropriate, of Amphibian Management Angus Council Plans at the design stage of new developments to incorporate dropped Amphibian & Reptile kerbs, modified drains and wildlife kerbs. Conservation

Surveying & Monitoring

Action Action breakdown Who takes the action Timescale

14 Survey and monitor Investigate further the Water vole population Scottish Natural Heritage Medium the Tayside Water in Glen Clova and support actions to protect Scottish Southern Energy vole population. and enhance habitat for the population. Angus Council Investigate the possibility of fissoral Water Perth & Kinross Council vole populations in Tayside. River South Esk Water Vole GIS Survey (Tayside) Catchment Partnership Collate the Water vole data from SSE to share nationally (NBN and SNH) and locally (local Tay Landscape authority GIS). Partnership Loch Leven Water Vole Survey Tayside Biodiversity Continue regular surveys to ascertain status Partnership of Water vole in/around Loch Leven. Mammal Society Tay Landscape Partnership Riparian Mammals Survey Undertake Mink control throughout TLP area. Ongoing coppice management and scrub clearance to increase light onto riverbanks. Control Himalayan balsam to improve favourable habitat. Ensure sympathetic pow and ditch management with biodiversity in mind. Create additional wetland habitat. Consider Water vole reintroduction and land management for natural reintroduction. Re-survey medium and low priority survey sites by 2025.

33 Surveying & Monitoring

Action Action breakdown Who takes the action Timescale

15 Distribute national Pooling Our Ponds Tayside Biodiversity Medium information to pond Support the setting up of a Tayside School Partnership creation groups. and Community Ponds Project. North East Scotland Encourage 50 x community surveyors to Biodiversity Partnership undertake quarterly pond surveys and North East of Scotland expand the project by 2020. Biological Recording Undertake regular amphibian and dragonfly Centre surveys of Tayside ponds. Tayside Amphibian and Reptile Group British Dragonfly Society

16 Surveying for Undertake research to ascertain population Scottish Natural Heritage Short Unknowns in Tayside status of Shad in Tayside rivers. Community groups Rivers – eDNA national Research.

Education & Awareness Raising

Action Action breakdown Who takes the action Timescale

17 Increase public Engage residents groups, community Tayside Biodiversity Medium/ awareness of water councils and local environment groups in Partnership long and wetland catchment-scale projects. Amphibian and Reptile habitats and species. Perth Lade Project Conservation Update Management Plan. Froglife With the community, prepare a Site Buglife Scotland Biodiversity Action Plan. Plantlife Scotland Undertake conservation tasks to enhance Tay Landscape the Perth Lade. Partnership Undertake interpretation and habitat Broughty Ferry improvement along Perth Lade. Provide Environmental Project training opportunities for volunteers to enhance riparian habitat for priority species. Perth Lade Group Wildlife Ways Project River South Esk Enhance the landscapes where the rivers Tay Catchment Partnership and Earn meet. Local Community Reconnect residents and visitors with the Angus Council natural, built and cultural heritage within Perth & Kinross Council the Tay Landscape Partnership area. Discuss future pow management with the Pow Commission. Dighty Connect Continue and expand community biodiversity projects along the Dighty. River South Esk Catchment Partnership Promote the value of wetland habitats and species in all ongong projects and social media and develop restoration opportunities where possible.

34 Education & Awareness Raising

Action Action breakdown Who takes the action Timescale

18 Raise awareness Salmon in the Classroom Perth & Kinross Council Medium about freshwater Continue programme to 2-4 local schools Angus Council ecology and the role per annum. District Salmon Fishery of the freshwater Expand the project to include Angus Boards – school field fishery in the local schools. visits (electro-fishing and economy. provision of eggs) SSE (advice only) Ranger Services, including Atholl Ranger Service

19 Raise awareness of Report twice yearly to community planning Tayside Biodiversity Long water and wetland thematic partnerships on project Partnership issues to Local contributions to local and national Single Authorities, Outcome Agreement objectives. Angus Council Community Perth & Kinross Council Planning Partners Regularly provide biodiversity seminars and and the wider workshops to local authority staff on River South Esk stakeholder relevant legislation and good practice. Catchment Partnership network. Use social media and targeted websites to promote water and wetland issues to as wide an audience as possible.

Invasive Non-Native Species

Action Action breakdown Who takes the action Timescale

20 Endeavour to reduce Encourage control and eradication of invasive non- Esk Rivers and Fisheries Trust Long the direct pressures on native species (INNS) throughout Tayside: Scottish Wildlife Trust riverine and wetland Support the Montrose Basin and River South Esk River South Esk Catchment biodiversity and INNS Projects; expand the River Earn INNS projects. Partnership ecosystem health from Monitor for the presence of American Signal invasive non-native Cairngorms National Park Crayfish in the Pow Burn and Dighty Burn and if species. Authority found remove in accordance with INNS procedures. Angus Council Keep up-to-date the Tay Catchment INNS map and Perth & Kinross Council roll out similar maps to other Tayside catchments. Loch Lomond and the Reduce the risk of the introduction of new INNS. Trossachs National Park Encourage the use of Plant-Tracker and Riverwatch Rivers And Fisheries Trusts of schemes to detect and monitor INNS. Scotland Promote new INNS initiatives across Tayside e.g. the Landowners and land Scottish Invasive Species Initiative. managers

21 Secure multiple Scottish Mink Initiative Scottish Natural Heritage Long adjacent river Continue to recruit and support volunteers who Cairngorms National Park catchments as breeding monitor for and subsequently trap American mink. Authority mink-free areas to Raise awareness of the negative impact American University of Aberdeen protect significant mink have on the environment. populations of water Tay Landscape Partnership vole, salmonids, ground Survey and record native wildlife returning to Rivers And Fisheries Trusts of nesting birds and other previously unoccupied areas. Scotland native riparian biodiversity.

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