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[NPPP SEA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT] April 2017
Appendix 2: Environmental Baseline
Topic 1: Climatic Factors Scotland is currently experiencing climate Figure 10). This is consistent with broader “In recent decades, changes in climate change, which owing to the global emission trends across Scotland. have caused impacts on natural and of greenhouse gasses, is likely to continue human systems on all continents and into the future. The effects of this are likely Climate Projections across the oceans.” to include: Climate Change projections are available Intergovernmental Panel on Climate from The UK Climate Projections hotter, drier summers; Change (2014). (UKCP09) website, which is the leading milder, wetter autumns and winters. source of climate information for the UK increased frequency and intensity of Scotland has a temperate climate with cool and its regions. Probabilistic projections are extreme rainfall; and summers and mild winters. As a whole it is available for high, medium and low emission reduced snowfall. influenced by predominantly westerly scenarios at resolutions as fine as 25km2. It depressions alternating with less frequent Past Trends is possible therefore to analyse data for the settled periods. A range of factors, including area in which Braemar sits (Grid Box No. th st topography, latitude and altitude, affect The 20 and 21 centuries have already 612) (see Figure 11 and Figure 12). It is these weather systems at a more local level. seen a rise in average maximum and recognised that this is a blunt proxy for the minimum temperatures throughout National Park as a whole, however it is Rainfall is spread throughout the year but Scotland. This trend is reflected in the useful when taken together with the there are regional differences. For example, Cairngorms National Park, as demonstrated historic climate data taken from the the easterly position of the Cairngorms by historical data provided by the Breamar Braemar Weather Station. How this change massif results in a climate that is less weather station (Figure 8). Records from relates to the UK as a whole is presented in oceanic, and therefore drier, than the west the weather station also indicate that the Figure 13, Figure 14 and Figure 15. of Scotland. The mountains exert a National Park is experiencing a decrease in noticeable rain shadow effect that reduces the number of days of air frost and an the amount of rainfall on the eastern side of increase in annual rainfall (Figure 9 and the country. Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 1 Climatic Factors 88
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25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 1959 1964 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 -10 -15 Maximum temperature °C Minimum temperature °C
Figure 8 Maximum and minimum annual temperatures at Breaemar Weather Station 1959-20162 (Met Office, 2017). 160 1400 140 1200 120 1000 100 800 80 600 60 40 400 20 200 0 0 1959 1962 1965 1968 1971 1974 1977 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 1959 1962 1965 1968 1971 1974 1977 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Days of air frost Total rainfall (mm)
Figure 9 Days of frost at Braemar Weather Station 1959-2016 (Met Office, 2017). Figure 10 Total Rainfall at Braemar Weather Station 1959-2016 (Met Office, 2017).
2 2016 data is provisional. Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 1 Climatic Factors 89
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In summary from the benchmark of 2009, 4 by 2050, under the medium emissions 3 scenario, the central estimate (50% probability level) for Braemar is for a: 2
C) 1 2.4°C increase in mean annual (° temperature, 0 2.7°C increase in mean summer 2010 - 2038 2020 - 2049 2030 - 2069 2040 -2069 2050 - 2079 2060 - 2089 2070 - 2099 Time Period
temperature, Temperature Mean Change in 2.1°C increase in mean winter High Emissions Scenario Medium Emissions Scenario Low Emissions Scenario temperature, 0.07% increase in mean annual Figure 11 Central estimate for mean change in annual temperature for Grid Box No. 612 (Braemar area). precipitation, but with a 0.3 0.25 13.5% decrease in mean summer 0.2 precipitation, and a 0.15
2% decrease in mean winter 0.1 precipitation. (%) 0.05 0 Although precipitation rates only show a 2010 - 2038 2020 - 2049 2030 - 2069 2040 -2069 2050 - 2079 2060 - 2089 2070 - 2099 relatively small net annual increase, as well Time Period ChangePrecipitation in Rate as summer and winter decreases by 2050, it High Emissions Scenario Medium Emissions Scenario Low Emissions Scenario should be noted that this is but a snapshot. Annual precipitation between 2030 and Figure 12 Central estimate for mean change in precipitation for Grid Box No. 612 (Braemar area). 2059 is projected to be higher, at around © Crown Copyright 2009. The UK Climate Projections data have been made available by the Department for 0.3% greater than in 2009. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) under licence from the Met Office, Newcastle University, University of East Anglia and Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory. These organisations accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions in the data, nor for any loss or damage directly or indirectly caused to any person or body by reason of, or arising out of, any use of this data. Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 1 Climatic Factors 90
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North
Cairngorms National Park
0 to 0.5 °C 0.5 to 1 °C 1 to 1.5 °C 1.5 to 2 °C 2 to 2.5 °C 2.5 to 3 °C 3 to 3.5 °C
3.5 to 4 °C Scale: 1:10,000,000
Figure 13 Mean annual temperature increase 2020s. Figure 14 Mean annual temperature increase 2040s. Figure 15 Mean annual temperature increase 2080s. Medium emissions scenario, central estimate. Medium emissions scenario, central estimate. Medium emissions scenario, central estimate. © Crown Copyright 2009. The UK Climate Projections data have been made available by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) under licence from the Met Office, Newcastle University, University of East Anglia and Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory. These organisations accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions in the data, nor for any loss or damage directly or indirectly caused to any person or body by reason of, or arising out of, any use of this data. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 1 Climatic Factors 91
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It should also be noted that the use of the < 1 medium emissions scenario combined with 1 to 3 North the central probability projection 3 to 10 represents a relatively conservative picture 10 to 32 of the area’s possible future climate. 32 to 100 Adjusting these variables, particularly the emissions scenario, can lead to more 100 to 1,995 serious projections, which at the time of > 1,995 writing cannot be discounted. Even with the conservative estimates provided in this summary an annual increase in mean temperature of 2.4°C would leave the National Park with some serious challenges to face.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions The causes of climate change are clearly greater than local in scale and there is a strong global consensus that a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is needed to avoid some significantly adverse effects. Scale: The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 1:700,000 has introduced legislation to reduce Figure 16 Carbon Dioxide (as Carbon) Emissions in tonnes for the Cairngorms National Park in 2012. Scotland’s GHG emissions by at least 80% Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. by 2050 against a 1990 baseline. In recent All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. © years, increasing emphasis has been placed Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs © National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory.
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on the role of regional bodies and local greatest proportion of total greenhouse gas attributing the emissions of the LAs that government in contributing to energy emissions in the UK, accounting for around cover the National Park’s area to the efficiency improvements, and hence 82% in 2014 (Department of Energy and National Park itself. It is recognised that this reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. It is Climate Change, 2016). Annualised data for is a blunt means of estimation, particularly clear therefore that the NPPP has a role in the UK’s national parks is not available and in terms of commercial and transport data; meeting this target. therefore to get an approximation of the indeed estimates based on estimates should Cairngorms National Park’s contribution always be treated with caution. However, in Estimates of carbon dioxide emissions for (Figure 16) further assumptions need to the absence of a detailed carbon-audit, the Local Authority (LA) areas for 2005-2014 be made. figures presented in Table 11, Figure 17 are available from The Department for and Figure 18 offers a ‘best-guess’ and a Energy and Climate Change (DECC). Mid-year population estimates have been generalised baseline for measurement over Carbon dioxide emissions contribute the used as a proxy for proportionally the plan period.
Table 11 Estimated CO2 Emissions for the Cairngorms National Park. Based on Department of Energy and Climate Change (2016). Industry and Domestic (kt Road Transport 3 Population (mid- Per Capita Year Commercial (kt Total (kt CO2) CO2) (kt CO2) year estimate) Emissions (t) CO2) 2005 68.6 60.9 47.7 177.3 17,264 10.3 2006 69.5 62.9 48.7 181.1 17,590 10.3 2007 68.8 61.4 49.3 179.5 17,835 10.1 2008 67.3 62.0 47.3 176.5 18,024 9.8 2009 59.1 57.2 46.6 162.8 18,061 9.0 2010 66.1 62.0 46.7 174.7 18,366 9.5 2011 60.6 53.3 45.8 159.8 18,461 8.7 2012 59.1 54.8 45.0 158.9 18,583 8.6 2013 59.0 52.0 45.3 156.3 18,420 8.5 2014 52.3 45.2 46.2 143.7 18,594 7.7
3 Figures may not sum due to rounding. Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 1 Climatic Factors 93
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200 12
180 10 160
140
8
120
6 100 Kt CO2
80 Per Capita Emissions(t) 4
60
40 2
20 0 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Aberdeenshire Highland Moray Industry and Commercial Domestic Transport Perth and Kinross CNP
Figure 17 Estimated CO2 Emissions for the Cairngorms National Park by sector. Figure 18 Estimated Per Capita CO2 Emissions for the Cairngorms National Park by Local Authority. Based on Department of Energy and Climate Change (2016).
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Emissions from motorways, diesel railways, 350,000 land use, land use change and forestry and 300,000 EU ETS industrial installations are absent 250,000 from the national dataset, while for the purpose of the estimates in this document, 200,000 emissions for ‘Large Industrial Installations’ 150,000 have been removed while emissions from gas, a fuel source that is only available via 100,000 Methane emissions (kg) emissions Methane private supply within the National Park, 50,000 have been subsumed as a generalised source of emissions into the overall 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 ‘Industry and Commercial’ and ‘Domestic’ categories of the table. The energy Figure 19 Estimated levels of methane released from Granish Landfill Site, Aviemore 2002-2015 (Source: consumed by the comparatively high http://apps.sepa.org.uk/SPRIPA/Search/ViewReturn.aspx?returnId=30683). number tourists and visitors to the National Park have not been adjusted for. It should The most recently available data relates to downward trend, which is consistent with also be noted that estimating the population 2014, and estimates that per capita the national situation. of the National Park is not a simple task emissions in the National Park are 7.7 4 This is supported by information from the either as data-zone boundaries do not tonnes of CO2, which is above the Scottish only facility within the National Park that exactly match the National Park’s boundary. average of 5.7 tonnes of CO2 per capita. contributes towards the Scottish Pollutant Further information on the methodology This may be attributed to the deeply rural Release Inventory (SPRI) - Granish Landfill used to identify boundaries and statistical nature of the National Park and the site, which is operated by the Highland areas used in the analysis of the Cairngorms consequent reliance on private motor Council (Figure 19). Estimates of the site’s National Park can be found in Appendix 3. vehicles as a mode of transport (see Figure methane emissions are available as far back 64 to Figure 78 and Figure 171 and as 2002, with data suggesting a net decrease Figure 172). Nevertheless, there is an of 283,800 kg from that year. 4 The data zone is the key small-area statistical indication that per capita emissions are on a geography in Scotland. Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 1 Climatic Factors 95
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Key Messages Inter-relationships with other topics
Climate change is set to affect the Cairngorms National Park with Topic 2: Air 97 the UK’s climate projections offering a central estimate of a 2.4°C Topic 3: Water 101 increase in mean annual temperature. Topic 4: Soil 118 Topic 5: Material Assets 129 The drivers of climate change are greater than the National Park, Topic 6: Biodiversity, Fauna and Flora 148 however it is estimated that the Park is contributing towards a Topic 7: Landscape and Cultural Heritage 221 nationwide reduction in GHG emissions with per capita emissions Topic 8: Population and Human Health 250 falling to 7.7 tonnes in 2014.
The NPPP may have an effect on GHG, particularly through its influence over the extent and location of future housing and economic growth.
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Topic 2: Air particulate matter in the air (PM and the Industrial Revolution, with increasingly “In order to protect human health and the 10 PM ) could have caused the deaths of strict controls over industrial emissions, environment as a whole, it is particularly 2.5 2,094 people in Scotland. tighter fuel and emission standards for road important to combat emissions of vehicles and the control of smoke from pollutants at source...” Air pollution can also damage the wider domestic premises yielding positive results. environment, causing the acidification of Ambient air quality and cleaner air for Between 1990 and 2012 significant soils and water, damaging plant and animal Europe Directive (2008/50/EC). reductions were seen in the emissions of life in forests, lakes and rivers. It can also particulates (-59%), nitrogen oxides (-65%) add nutrients to soil, which can affect Air pollution results from the introduction and sulphur dioxide (-79%) (Sailsbury et al. of a range of substances into the biodiversity. Air pollution can also damage 2014). atmosphere from a wide variety of sources, the fabric of buildings and historic including industry, transport and power monuments (Scottish Government, 2014). Human exposure to air pollution is now largely associated with transport emissions. generation. Even domestic activities such as The air quality objectives for Scotland are The effects of this pollution are not driving, heating and cooking contribute, as set out in the Air Quality (Scotland) confined to Scotland’s cities but occur in do natural sources like sea salt, wildfires, Regulations 2000 and its 2002 Amendment. many of the country’s built areas. Where volcanic activity, soil erosion and farming The main pollutants of concern are: (Scottish Government, 2015). air quality objectives are not being met, Local Authorities have a duty under section Nitrogen oxides (NOx); Poor air quality can have both short term 83(10 of the Environment Act 1995 to Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5); and long term effects on health. In general, designate Air Quality Management Areas Sulphur dioxide (SO2); healthy people may not suffer from any Non-methane volatile organic (AQMAs), where plans must be serious ill effects; however people with pre- compounds (NMVOCs); implemented to improve air quality. All air existing health conditions (e.g. heart quality objectives are currently being met Ground-level ozone (O3) and disease, lung conditions and asthma) may be within the Cairngorms National Park and Ammonia (NH3) affected by day to day changes in air therefore no AQMAs exist within its pollution levels. It is estimated that in 2010, Scotland’s air quality is generally better now boundary (the than it has been at any time since before Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 2 Air 97
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nearest AQMAs are located in Aberdeen < 0.003 and Inverness). It is therefore unlikely that 0.003 to 0.03 North the NPPP will cause air quality objectives to 0.03 to 0.1 be exceeded. 0.1 to 0.2
Nevertheless, the influence spatial planning 0.2 to 1 has over traffic levels means that air quality 1 to 4 could be a policy concern. In particular, the > 4 potential for increasing pollutants associated with traffic emissions such as
PM10 (Figure 20) and Nitrogen dioxide
(NO2) (Figure 21) needs to be given consideration. Spatial data on the emission of both is available from the UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory for 2012. As might be expected, the highest emissions for both are located along the A9 and within National Park’s main settlements of Aviemore, Grantown-on-Spey and Ballater, where traffic volumes are greatest.
Scale: 1:700,000
Figure 20 Emissions of PM10 in tonnes in the Cairngorms National Park in 2012. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs © National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory.
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Scottish Household Survey data for 2012 / < 0.001 2013 (Scottish Government, 2014) indicates 0.001 to 0.03 North that private motorised vehicle use is the 0.03 to 0.1 main mode of transport for the LAs that 0.1 to 0.3 cover the National Park’s area, ranging 0.3 to 1 from around 77% in Aberdeenshire to 1 to 25 around 65% in Highland. While specific data for the National Park is unavailable, it is > 25 assumed that due to the area’s rurality, a similar level of use exists within its boundary. Indeed, Census information collected on household access to cars or vans supports this assumption (see Topic 5: Material Asset, p. 129) Road traffic is on the increase across Scotland (Transport Scotland, 2014) and owing to population growth and increasing visitor numbers, is also likely to rise within the National Park over the Plan period. It is estimated that the A9 alone will see a growth in traffic in the region of 10 to 15%, even without the Scale: effects of the planned dualling (Transport 1:700,000
Scotland, 2013). Figure 21 Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) as NO2 in tonnes in the Cairngorms National Park in 2012. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs © National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory.
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The Plan’s spatial strategy will therefore need to carefully consider its impact on traffic levels and seek to avoid adverse effects on air quality. It will also need to consider its relationship with the A9 Dualling Strategy (Transport Scotland, 2015), which is predicted to result in a reduction in ambient roadside carbon, NOx and particulate levels through resultant improved traffic flows (Transport Scotland, 2013).
Key Messages Inter-relationships with other topics
Air pollution is relatively low within the Cairngorms National Topic 3: Water 101 Park, with no AQMAs within its boundary. However, there are Topic 4: Soil 118 localised areas along the main transport corridors where Topic 6: Biodiversity, Fauna and Flora 148 pollutants related to vehicle use are high enough to generate Topic 8: Population and Human Health 250 concern should they not be managed appropriately.
The NPPP may have an influence over air quality both on its own and in combination with other PPS such as the A9 Dualling Strategy. The Plan’s ability to influence the level and distribution of development as well as its aim to encourage greater visitor numbers to the National Park, means that spatial options should be carefully considered.
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Topic 3: Water
“Water is a heritage which must be North protected and defended.”
The European Union Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).
The Cairngorms National Park encompasses the headwaters of three of Scotland’s major rivers as well as many smaller ones (Figure 22). Many of the rivers and their tributaries as well as lochs and wetlands are designated as Natura sites and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The rivers in particular provide water for society in the National Park, and for people outside the Park, as they flow downstream towards the sea.
Three of the National Park’s rivers are subject to catchment management plans, the Dee, the Esk and the Spey. These plans Scale: 1:700,000 aim to protect water quality, direct the use of the rivers as resources, protect against Figure 22 River catchment areas within the Cairngorms National Park. flooding, enhance biodiversity, and promote Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. access and economic development. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. Contains SEPA data © Scottish Environment Protection Agency and database right 2015. All rights reserved.
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Water Quality Government regulation has been extremely mussel is one of the species on the Nature successful in reducing instances of point Action Plan List (Cairngorms National Park Pollution leading to the deterioration of source pollution and therefore diffuse Authority, 2013) and is one of the qualifying water quality can originate from one of two pollution is now of greatest concern. features for a number of the National Park’s sources, point and diffuse. Diffuse sources of water pollution can have SACs, including the River Spey and River Point source discharge means a release of a significant effect of biodiversity and human Dee SACs. Further information may be effluent or other matter to the water health. The effects include: found under Topic 6: Biodiversity, environment or land, via a pipe or outlet. Fauna and Flora (p. 148). Groundwater and surface water For example, this includes sewage and trade contamination and the subsequent The European Union Water Framework effluent; surface water discharges from loss, or need for treatment of Directive (2000/60/EC) (WFD), adopted in urban areas; and abandoned mine drinking water resources; 2000, is the operational tool that sets out discharges. Nutrient enrichment and the objectives for water protection in Diffuse pollution is the release of potential eutrophication of water bodies; Scotland. The WFD sets out a number of pollutants from a range of activities that, Oxygen depletion of water bodies; objectives in respect of which the quality of individually, may have no effect on the Toxicity to plant and animal life, water is protected. The key ones at water environment, but, at the scale of a including endocrine disruption in European level are: catchment, can have a significant effect. fish; and General protection of the aquatic Activities associated with diffuse pollution Smothering of freshwater pearl ecology; are varied and include run-off from roads, mussel beds and fish spawning Specific protection of unique and houses, commercial areas, farmland, gravels (Dee Catchment valuable habitats; forestry activities and community and Partnership, 2007). Protection of drinking water amenity green spaces; seepage into Of particular significance is the effect of resources; and groundwater from developed landscapes of water pollution on freshwater pearl mussel Protection of bathing water. all kinds; and yard run-off from industrial populations, as good water quality is activities. All these objectives must be integrated for essential for the completion of their life each river basin. It is clear that the last cycle (Young, 2005). Freshwater pearl Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 3 Water 102
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three - special habitats, drinking water areas status, while those whose quality has been in the National Park is set out in Appendix and bathing water - apply only to specific severely damaged are at bad status. 3. bodies of water (those supporting special wetlands; those identified for drinking The ultimate overall aim of the WFD is As can be seen, the current situation is water abstraction; those generally used as therefore to ensure that these water bodies mixed, and while only a minority of bathing areas). In contrast, ecological don’t deteriorate in status and that all waterbodies are in bad or poor condition, protection should apply to all waters: the water bodies achieve at least ‘good’ status there has been an increase in the number of central requirement of the WFD is that the by 2015, unless it is demonstrated that less waterbodies changing to a worse status or environment be protected to a high level in stringent objectives should apply (Scottish classification. Environment Protection Agency, 2007). its entirety (European Commission, 2014). SEPA are the responsible authority for The overall status and water quality monitoring water quality in Scotland to the classification of waterbodies within the requirements set out by the WFD. The Cairngorms National Park for years 2010- Directive requires all water features in a 2014 is presented in Figure 23, Figure category (i.e. rivers, lochs, transitional 24, Figure 25 and Figure 26. The main reasons for waterbodies not achieving waters, coastal waters and groundwater) above a certain size threshold to be defined overall good status is the presence of a as water bodies. large number of barriers to fish and poor morphology (this covers catchment/landuse Surface water bodies are classified using a matters such inputs of fine sediments or system of five quality classes – high, good, impacts to hydrology and direct impacts moderate, poor and bad, with groundwater such as through engineering or condition of classified as good or poor. In general, the riparian corridor). classification of water bodies describes by how much their condition or status differs The status of waterbodies for 2015 was not from near natural conditions. Water bodies available at the time of writing. The in a near natural condition are at high definition of what constitutes a waterbody Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 3 Water 103
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100% 100%
80% 80% Bad 60% Poor 60% Degraded Moderate No change 40% 40% Good Improved
20% High 20%
0% 0% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2011 2012 2013 2014
Figure 23 Overall status of waterbodies within and overlapping the Cairngorms Figure 24 Change from previous year in the overall status of waterbodies within or National Park. overlapping the Cairngorms National Park 100% 100%
80% 80% Bad 60% Poor 60% Degraded Moderate No change 40% 40% Good Improved
20% High 20%
0% 0% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2011 2012 2013 2014
Figure 25 Water quality classification of waterbodies within and overlapping the Figure 26 Change from previous year in the water quality of waterbodies within or Cairngorms National Park. overlapping the Cairngorms National Park Source: www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/get-interactive/data/water-body-classification/ Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 3 Water 104
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Water Quantity 600 In order to provide information for the 500 management of water resources, SEPA 400 monitor water levels at 20 sites within the 300 Cairngorms National Park, as well as at a Flow (m3/s 200 number of locations just outside the Park’s 100 boundary. Water levels are converted to 0 flow at most river gauging stations. The information gathered may inform the SEA, since trends may be used as an indicator of climate change or as an identifier of Flow (m3/s) potential risks, such as flooding. Figure 27 Annual maximum (AMAX) data for the River Spey at Grantown-on Spey (Station 8010). Contains SEPA data © Scottish Environment Protection Agency and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Figure 27 and Figure 28 represent the 600 series of maximum instantaneous peak flows 500 within a given water year (October to 400 September) for monitoring stations on the 300 River Spey and River Dee. The data from
Flow m3/s 200 both stations shows a general trend for 100 higher annual maximums over the time they 0 were monitored. The causes of this are uncertain; however, it highlights the importance of taking into account the potential for an increase in the number and Flow (m3/s) severity of flood events over the lifetime of Figure 28 Annual maximum (AMAX) data for the River Dee at Polhollick, near Ballater (Station 12003). Contains the NPPP and beyond. SEPA data © Scottish Environment Protection Agency and database right 2017. All rights reserved.
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Water Infrastructure Table 12 Capacity of water and waste treatment works serving the Cairngorms National Park, July 2015 (Source: Scottish Water). Whilst Scottish Water (SW) is funded to Water Capacity Waste Capacity Local provide any strategic capacity that may be Settlement Treatment (housing treatment (housing Authority required for water supply / waste water Works units) Works units) treatment ('part 4' assets) to facilitate Ballater Ballater 93 Ballater 93 development, it is necessary to consider the Braemar Braemar 315 Braemar 63 timescale to deliver new strategic capacity Aberdeen- shire to ensure that the provision of it is timed Dinnet Ballater 93 Dinnet <10 to enable development in the right place at Strathdon Lumsden <10 Private N/A the right time. The implications of this on Angus Angus Glens Private N/A Private N/A any programme of development must An Camas Mòr Aviemore 966 Aviemore 60 therefore be considered. The current capacity status of the water and waste Aviemore Aviemore 966 Aviemore 60 Boat of treatment works that serve the National Boat of Garten Aviemore 966 96 Garten Park’s settlements is shown in Table 12. Carr Bridge Aviemore 966 Carr Bridge 87 Including all planned and committed Cromdale & Advie Aviemore 966 Cromdale 105 development proposals, capacity exists at most of the SW water treatment works Highland Dalwhinnie Dalwhinnie 20 Dalwhinnie <10 Dulnain serving settlements in the National Park. Dulnain Bridge Aviemore 966 24 There are however constraints in certain Bridge locations. For example, there is currently Glenmore Private N/A Glenmore <10 not enough capacity to supply the 1,500 Grantown of Spey Aviemore 966 Grantown 197 units permitted at An Camas Mòr. Insh Aviemore 966 Insh <10 Inverdruie & Aviemore 966 Aviemore 60 Coylum Bridge
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More significantly, the current capacity of Water Capacity Waste Capacity Local Settlement Treatment (housing treatment (housing many waste treatment works serving the Authority National Park is a constraint to Works units) Works units) development. For example, the Aviemore Kincraig Aviemore 966 Kincraig 52 treatment works, which serves the Kingussie Aviemore 966 Kingussie 327 eponymous town and much of the Laggan Highland Laggan Laggan Bridge <10 <10 surrounding area, including An Camas Mòr, Bridge ST only has capacity for a further 60 units. Nethy Bridge Aviemore 966 Nethy Bridge 70
Therefore, investment in both water and Newtonmore Aviemore 966 Newtonmore 208 waste treatment works will be necessary Glenlivet Tomnavoulin <10 Private N/A Moray for the National Park’s permitted and Tomintoul Blairnamarrow 65 Tomintoul 46 projected growth to be met sustainably. Blair Atholl Killiecrankie 2000+ Blair Atholl 16 Where there is no public water supply Bruar & Pittagowan Killiecrankie 2000+ Private N/A Perth & network within the vicinity there would be Calvine Killiecrankie 2000+ Private N/A a need either for a private water treatment Kinross Glenshee Private N/A Private N/A system or to lay a new water infrastructure to the existing public network, and early Killiecrankie Killiecrankie 2000+ Killiecrankie <10 discussion with SW would be required. Where there is no public sewer network a private wastewater treatment system may be required. Early engagement with SEPA to discuss the specific requirements and approval of any private systems is essential.
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Flooding
All of the National Park’s rivers and North watercourses have the potential to flood to some degree (Figure 29). Most concern is generated along the National Park’s main straths and glens, as when the rivers and tributaries that flow along these, namely the Spey, Dee and Don, break their banks, they often result in economic, and occasionally human, cost. Small watercourses also represent a risk but are often poorly understood with respect to the severity of the flood hazard that can be generated on a catchment scale. Furthermore, in some areas surface water flooding, which can arise for a number of reasons, is a significant risk.
Scale: 1:700,000
Figure 29 Indicative river flooding extent (medium probability 1 in 200 years) in Cairngorms National Park. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. Contains SEPA data © Scottish Environment Protection Agency and database right 2016. All rights reserved.
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River Spey
The River Spey (Figure 30) rises in the North high ground of the Monadhliath and Cairngorm Mountain ranges and flows in a northeasterly direction through narrow straths and scenic river valleys before Carrbridge PVA discharging into the Moray Firth beyond the fertile farmlands of Morayshire. The upper part of the catchment is characterised by its Aviemore & Boat of Garten PVA mountainous areas, the highest point being the summit of Ben Macdui at 1,309 metres above sea level. Newtonmore PVA
The River Spey is the seventh largest river Kingussie PVA in Britain, with a catchment area of over 3,000 km2, and a stream network length of about 36,500 km, of which the main river comprises 157 km (Spey Catchment Steering Group, 2003).
Dalwhinnie PVA There is a long history of flooding within Scale: the Spey catchment area, with a notable 1:600,000 event, known as the Great Muckle Spate, Figure 30 River Spey PVAs in the River Spey catchment area within the Cairngorms National Park and indicative destroying several bridges in 1829. The river flooding extent (medium probability 1 in 200 years). River Spey and its tributaries continue to Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. flood regularly, with heavy rains and melting All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. Contains SEPA data © Scottish Environment Protection Agency and database right 2016. All rights reserved snows increasing the volumes of water in
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the catchment. These floods have damaged £8,280 properties in Newtonmore, Aviemore and Carrbridge on a number of occasions. Most recently in 2014, Gynack Burn broke £66,600 £3,870 its banks in Kingussie, damaging local buildings and infrastructure (Scottish £5,130 Environment Protection Agency, 2015). £113,400
In December 2015, flooding associated with £83,720 Storm Desmond the caravan park in Aviemore was evacuated during the night Figure 31 Annual average damages Figure 32 Annual average damages Figure 33 Annual average damages in Carrbridge PVA (PVA 05/10). in Aviemore and Boat of Garten in Kingussie PVA (PVA 05/12). by swiftwater rescue teams and was PVA (PVA 05/11). reported that water was “fast flowing and £0 chest deep”. Business properties in the £11,070 town were also flooded. £156,740
Flood management practices are being undertaken at a number of locations. The Spey Catchment Initiative has carried out £335,260 natural flood management / river £29,930 restoration works on a tributary upstream £170,000 of the River Dulnain (Spey Catchment Initiative, 2013). There are also agricultural Figure 34 Annual average damages Figure 35 Annual average damages Figure 36 Annual average damages in Newtonmore PVA (PVA 05/13). in Dalwhinnie PVA (PVA 05/14). of all National Park PVAs in Spey embankments along the River Spey Catchment area. between Aviemore and Boat of Garten and River flooding Surface water flooding further embankments at Dalwhinnie. The (Source: Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 2015). standard of protection (and condition) provided by these embankments is however Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 3 Water 110
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unknown (Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 2015).Due to the potential risk £191,440 caused by flooding within the catchment area, five Potentially Vulnerable Areas River flooding (PVAs) have been identified within the National Park (Figure 30), at: Surface water flooding
Carrbridge (PVA 05/10); Aviemore and Boat of Garten (PVA 05/11); Kingussie (PVA 05/12); £879,560 Newtonmore (PVA 05/13); and Dalwhinnie (PVA 05/14). Figure 37 Annual average damages of all PVAs within or overlapping the Cairngorms National Park (Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 2015). The estimated total average annual cost of £500,000 damage in these areas is £492,000 (Figures 31 to 36). Around £335,000 (68%) of this £400,000 damage is caused by river flooding (Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 2015). £300,000
SEPA have identified a number of actions £200,000 for managing flood risk in these areas, which were consulted on in 2015. £100,000
£0 Spey Dee Don Tay
River Flooding Surface Water
Figure 38 Annual average damages of all PVAs within or overlapping the Cairngorms National Park by catchment area (Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 2015). Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 3 Water 111
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River Dee
The River Dee (Figure 39) rises in the North Cairngorm Mountains east of Braemar on the semi-arctic Braeriach-Cairn Toul Aboyne PVA plateau. For the majority of its course, the river flows eastwards through a broadening valley, which becomes much gentler in relief as it leaves the National Park. Within the National Park, the river is fed by a number of important tributaries, namely the Lui, Ballater PVA Clunie, Gairn, Muick and Tanar, the latter’s confluence located just outwith the National Park Boundary (Dee Catchment Partnership, 2007).
The river is considered to be the best example of a natural highland river in Scotland (Maitland, 1985). The notable characteristics of the river include its great altitudinal range, its unique succession of plant communities, and its seep profile Scale: 1:400,000 compared to other large British rivers (Dee Catchment Partnership, 2007). Figure 39 River Dee PVAs in the River Dee catchment area within the Cairngorms National Park and indicative river flooding extent (medium probability 1 in 200 years). Like the Spey, the Dee suffers from flooding Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. related to heavy rain and melting snows. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. Contains SEPA data © Scottish Environment Protection Agency and database right 2016. All rights reserved. Major floods have been recorded in 1769,
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1829 (the Great Muckle Spate), 1920 and £19,200 £2,300 £21,500 1956 (the Cairngorm Flood) (Dee Catchment Partnership, 2007). In 2008, surface run-off entered the Netherly Guesthouse in Ballater and in 2014 the town’s caravan park and a number of roads were closed due to flooding (Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 2015).
£220,800 £448,500 th £227,700 On 30 December 2015, flooding caused by Storm Frank inflicted significant damage to Figure 40 Annual average damages in Figure 41 Annual average damages in Figure 42 Annual average damages of Aboyne PVA (PVA 06/20). Ballater PVA (PVA 06/22). all National Park PVAs in Dee businesses and property around Braemar Catchment area. and Ballater. Infrastructure was also heavily River flooding Surface water flooding impacted on, with part of the A93 between (Source: Scottish Environment Protection Agency, 2015). Ballater and Braemar washed away and the Invercauld Bridge near Braemar closed. On population and the associated risk located the 7th - 8th January 2016 further heavy rain outwith. As one of the National Park’s falling on already very saturated ground main settlements, the PVA around Ballater caused further localised flooding. therefore offers most concern. The estimated average annual cost of damage The Dee catchment contains two PVAs that here is £230,000, 99% of which is associated fall within or across the National Park with river flooding. The majority of estimated boundary (Figures 40 to 42), namely: damages are due to flooding to non-residential properties (80%), although more significantly, Aboyne (PVA 06/20); and the fire station is located in an area which Ballater (PVA 06/22). has a medium likelihood of flooding (Scottish The former is only partly within the Environment Protection Agency, 2015). boundary, with the majority of the Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 3 Water 113
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River Don £7,600 River flooding
Rising in the peat flat beneath Druim na Surface water flooding North Feithe, and in the shadow of Glen Avon, the River Don flows 135km east to the sea in Aberdeen. It’s Scotland’s 6th largest river, 2 draining a catchment of around 1,300km . £87,40 0 Figure 43 Annual average The Don catchment contains one PVA that damages in Heugh-head PVA Heugh-Head PVA falls across the National Park boundary, (PVA 06/14). namely Heugh-Head (PVA 06/14) (Figure 44). There was a surface water flood in August 2006 affecting Strathdon, Waterside and Bellabeg when water ponded in low points of the road, with heavy rainfall and steep sloping fields to the south resulting in significant amounts of flood water. On 7th - 8th January 2016, following Storm Frank, heavy rain falling on already very saturated ground caused damage, particularly around Inverurie, where small watercourses responded quickly to the rainfall. Most of Scale: 1:200,000 the PVA’s estimated annual average damages, which equate to £95,000, are Figure 44 Heugh-Head PVA (PVA 06/14) and indicative river flooding extent (medium probability 1 in 200 years) in associated with river flooding (92%) the River Don catchment area within the Cairngorms National Park. (Figure 43) and mostly affect residential Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. Contains properties (60%) (Scottish Environment SEPA data © Scottish Environment Protection Agency and database right 2016. All rights reserved. Protection Agency, 2015). Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 3 Water 114
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River Tay River flooding
Surface water flooding The River Tay has the largest catchment North £5,600 area and is the longest river in Scotland, with many of its headwaters lying within the £8,400 Cairngorms National Park (Figure 46). It covers an area of 5,088km2 and is around 190km in length. More water flows through Figure 45 Annual average the River Tay than any other river in the damages in Blair Atholl PVA (PVA 08/01). United Kingdom. The main tributaries include the River Garry, River Tummel, River Lyon, River Braan, River Isla and River Almond. The largest lochs in the River Tay catchment include Loch Ericht, Loch Rannoch and Loch Tay (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, 2015).
The Tay catchment contains one PVA that Blair Atholl PVA falls across the National Park boundary, Scale: namely Blair Atholl (PVA 08/01). A number 1:450,000 of river floods have been recorded in this Figure 46 River Tay PVAs in the River Tay catchment area within the Cairngorms National Park and indicative area. These include: river flooding extent (medium probability 1 in 200 years). Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. 13 June 1931: Evacuation was required All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. Contains as River Garry flooded near Blair SEPA data © Scottish Environment Protection Agency and database right 2016. All rights reserved. Atholl, the railway was also affected. July 1916: Evacuation was required as River Garry flooded near Blair Atholl, the railway was also flooded. Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 3 Water 115
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Blair Atholl continues to be at risk of flooding from the Garry Burn and from surface water. The risk of flooding to people, property, as well as to community facilities, utilities, the transport network, designated sites and agricultural land is presented in Figure 45.
Currently there is relatively low confidence in SEPA’s river flood hazard maps due to limitations arising from the data used and techniques applied in the national modelling. The number of properties at risk of flooding in the Blair Atholl area is likely to be underestimated (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, 2015).
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Key Messages Inter-relationships with other topics
Water quality within the National Park is relatively high, however, Topic 1: Climatic Factors 88 monitoring indicates that recent years have seen an increase in the Topic 2: Air 97 proportion of water bodies falling out of the high classification for Topic 4: Soil 129 overall status and water quality. The situation was particularly Topic 6: Biodiversity, Fauna and Flora 148 poor in 2013, which saw a large increase in the number of Topic 7: Landscape and Cultural Heritage 221 waterbodies falling into lower classifications. Topic 8: Population and Human Health 250
AMAX data from the Spey and Dee indicates a general trend for higher annual maximum instantaneous peak flows over the time they were monitored, indicating an increase in floodrisk in these catchments.
There is not enough capacity in the water and sewage treatment works that serve the National Park to meet the projected level of housing growth for the Plan period.
There are nine Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) within the National Park. The estimated total average annual cost of damage in these areas is £1,071,000.
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Topic 4: Soil activities such as development or pollution land from 1 to 7 on the basis of its potential “Soil is a resource of common interest… can mean their recovery or reformation productivity and cropping flexibility and failure to protect it will undermine cannot take place within human timescales. determined by the extent to which its sustainability and long term This means soils are a finite and essentially physical characteristics (soil, climate and competitiveness in Europe.” non-renewable resource (Scottish relief) impose long term restrictions on its Commission of the European Government, 2009). agricultural use. Land classified from 1 to Communities (2006). 3.1 is considered to be prime agricultural Land Capability for Agriculture land, while land classified as 3.2 to 7 is Soils cover most of the natural world, Although it is estimated that Agriculture considered to be non-prime (Soil Survey of forming the foundation of all terrestrial contributed about £688 million to the Scotland Staff, 1981). ecosystems and services. They support key Scottish economy in 2014 (Scottish processes in biomass production and mass There are no areas of prime agricultural Government, 2015), it is difficult to value exchange with atmospheric and land within the Cairngorms National Park, the direct financial contribution that healthy hydrological systems. Nearly all of the food, although there are areas of land in Strath soils make to our economy. But it is now fuel and fibres used by humans are Spey and Deeside within the 3.2 widely acknowledged that the sustainable produced in soil. Soil is also essential for classification (around 1.2% of the National management of soils, and the protection of water and ecosystem health. It is second Park’s total area), which denotes non-prime soils' ability to deliver a wide range of only to the oceans as a carbon sink, with an land that is limited by moderate climatic environmental and ecological services, is important role in the potential slowing of factors and may yield a moderate range of essential to achieving sustainable economic carbon change. Soil functions depend on a crops, with average production, but growth. multitude of soil organisms, which makes potentially high yields of barley, oats and soil an important part of our biodiversity Land Capability Classification for grass. Most land within the National Park is (Joint Research Centre, 2012). Agriculture mapping provides detailed classified as 6 or 7 (around 73%), which information on soil, climate and relief for denote areas of ‘rough grazing only’ and Although soils are a continually evolving, those involved in the management of land ‘very limited agricultural value’ respectively. living and dynamic medium responding to use and resources. The classification ranks external pressures and management, some Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 4 Soil 118
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41.0 22.8 3.7 32.1 29.7 14.0 198.3 Arable 8.7 8.3 109.4 11.2 0.5 80.6 Recently ploughed 68.5 216.0 1.5 5.0 North 16.3 327.0 Smooth grassland Coarse grassland 496.5 Improved grassland Bracken 836.3 2,000.7 Heather moor Blanket bog and peatlands
Figure 47 Land use classification by area (km2) Montane vegetation in the Cairngorms National Park (Soil Survey Cliffs of Scotland Staff, 1981). Low scrub Felled woodland Ripping Young plantation Broadleaved woodland Coniferous woodland Mixed woodland Wetland Water Recreational land Scale: Urban 1:600,000 Other (e.g. snow cover) Figure 48 Landuse Classifications in the Cairngorms National Park (Soil Survey of Scotland Staff, 1981). Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. © James Hutton Institute.
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1 6.1
2 6.2 North 22.8 54.8 68.5 299.0
3.1 6.3 42.5
3.2 7 943.4
4.1 Built -up area 488.7
4.2 Inland water 252.7
5.1 Unencoded island 13.4 5.2 374.5 5.3 1967.6
Figure 49 Agricultural land classification by area (km2) in the Cairngorms National Park (Soil Survey of Scotland Staff, 1981).
Scale: 1:600,000
Figure 50 Agricultural land classification in the Cairngorms National Park (Soil Survey of Scotland Staff, 1981). Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. © James Hutton Institute.
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Organic Matter materials, with peatlands containing the loss, such as soil erosion (Bilotta et al. largest quantities of soil organic matter 2007). Although most CO is returned to Soil organic matter is a universal 2 (Figure 51, Figure 52 and Figure 53). soils as a consequence of the constituent of soils and plays a vital role in These soils are important global reserves of photosynthetic activity of plants, the net contributing to a range of soil functions. soil carbon. exchange (the difference between gains and Organic carbon is the dominant component losses) of carbon from land surfaces may of soil organic matter (around 50%), so The organic matter content of soils is at still be large (Rees et al. 2011). management of soil has important wider risk from a range of pressures, with land consequences in the context of greenhouse use change and climate change being of Climate is important in determining the gas emissions and climate change. Soil particular importance. The pressures affect equilibrium soil organic matter content. organic matter also contains a wide range the incorporation, cycling and breakdown Temperature and rainfall influence both the of nutrients (e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus) and of organic matter in the soil through input of organic matter via photosynthesis trace elements that are essential for plant alteration of soil conditions populations (e.g. litter and root inputs), and its growth and health. The presence of soil (Rees et al. 2011). The major pathway of subsequent decomposition through organic matter is a critical indicator of soil loss of organic matter from soils is by microbial activity, with resultant release of quality and is required to deliver many of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission to the greenhouse gases and dissolved organic the vital functions of soil including its ability atmosphere via soil respiration, but other carbon, along with nutrients and trace to provide nutrients, ameliorate the inputs greenhouse gases can also be emitted as a elements. Thus any change in climate, for of wastes and pollutants, contribute to the result of soil organic matter decomposition, example increased rainfall and/ or increased formation of good physical conditions, for example methane (CH4) and nitrous temperature, is likely to change the rate at improve water storage and provide a oxide (N2O) (Scottish Executive, 2007). In which organic matter is lost or accumulated habitat for microbial populations (Rees et al. addition, carbon compounds can be in Scottish soils (Rees et al. 2011). 2011). released from soil into water, for example dissolved organic carbon and particulate The soils of the Cairngorms National Park organic carbon (Buckingham et al. 2008; are particularly rich in soil organic matter Dinsmore et al. 2010). Other processes can because the cool, moist climate encourages also influence the amount of organic matter the retention of decomposed organic
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Peat (richest) Organo -mineral with peat North Organo-mineral with some peat 426.0 Organo-mineral no peat Mineral with some peat 1,694.0 Mineral (poorest) 1,177.4
314.8 327.5 569.7
Figure 51 Carbon richness of soil by area (km2) in the Cairngorms National Park (Scottish Natural Heritage, 2012).
Scale: 1:600,000
Figure 52 Carbon Richness of Soil (Scottish Natural Heritage, 2012). Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. © James Hutton Institute.
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0 – 0.35 m
North 0.35 – 0.375 m 0.375 – 0.45 m 0.45 – 0.5 m 0.5 – 0.525 m 0.525 – 0.6 m 0.6 – 0.75 m 0.75 – 1 m 1 – 1.05 m 1.05 – 1.13 m 1.13 – 1.5 m 1.5 – 2 m 2 – 2.1 m 2.1 – 2.5 m 2.5 – 3 m 3 – 3.5 m 3.5 – 4 m 4 – 4.5 m
Scale: 1:600,000
Figure 53 Depth of peat in the Cairngorms National Park (Soil Survey of Scotland Staff, 1981). Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. © James Hutton Institute.
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There is a particular concern regarding the heather is available for forage. This is Contamination sensitivity of soil organic matter to changes normally done by burning (muirburn), Soil contamination can come in many forms in climate. Projected climate change in the typically in patches which are burnt every and from many sources. However, not all Cairngorms National Park, with warmer 10–20 years. Carefully managed heather are of concern within the Cairngorms and drier summers and wetter winters, moorland should aim to retain soil organic National Park. While contamination from threatens to increase losses of soil organic matter and the soil carbon balance over metals, organic chemicals, radioactive matter (see Topic 1: Climatic Factors, time but poorly managed burning can result substances and pathogens may exist within p. 88). Another concern is that extreme in losses. There is evidence of soil organic National Park boundary, they are not of an weather events such as heavy rainfall could matter loss following burning though the order that is likely to cause significant harm contribute to significant losses of organic evidence base is scant (Rees et al. 2011). to the environment and can therefore be matter through soil erosion (Rees et al. scoped out of the assessment. 2011). The consequences of organic soil loss are potentially serious since it provides a Because of its potential effects on habitat Issues caused by climate change may be number of important ecosystem services, and biodiversity, soil acidification is compounded by unsustainable land use such as: however of significance to the National activities such as those related to Providing the basis for food and Park. Typically, this pollution originates agriculture, forestry practices, recreation / from gaseous emissions of sulphur dioxide game management, peat exploitation and biomass production and oxides of nitrogen, which are dissolved development. Many of the Cairngorms Controlling and regulating in rainwater to form sulphuric and nitric National Park’s most organic rich soils are environmental interactions acids which subsequently are deposited on located on its moorlands, large areas of Storing carbon and maintaining the soil, causing soil acidification. Excess which are managed for game. Deer can balance of gases in the air nitrogen deposition can also lead to soil cause compaction and erosion and it is Providing valued habitats and eutrophication. necessary to maintain the deer population sustaining biodiversity Preserving cultural and at a sustainable level. Grouse shooting Acidification and eutrophication impacts are archaeological heritage; and requires management of the moorland often greatest in upland areas as a result of Providing raw materials. habitat such that a good balance of young high rainfall and are exacerbated by
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predominantly poorly-buffered and been observed in the Cairngorms (Soulsby Mountains, the southern part of which fall nutrient-poor soils and the greater et al. 1997). See Topic 3: Water (p. 101) within its boundary. The mechanisms that sensitivity of locally adapted biodiversity to for further details. lead to erosion in these soils are not fully a change in soil conditions. However, understood although historic overgrazing by lowland soils, especially those associated Soil Erosion sheep and deer may be a contributory with ecosystems of high conservation value, Soil erosion by water or wind is a natural factor. There is also evidence that changes may also be affected by acidification and process where soil particles become in climate over many years may be partly eutrophication. In addition, fertiliser detached and are transported within the responsible for the development of gully application in excess of crop nutrient landscape. Features of soil erosion may be systems in these areas (Lilly et al. 2009). requirements can result in acidification and found throughout the Cairngorms National Landslides (in the form of debris flows) eutrophication of agricultural and forestry Park (Figure 54). For example, landslides have occurred in clusters over the last soils (Cundill et al. 2011). and debris flows are a relatively common 7,000 years which may be related to occurrence on many of the National Park’s Acidification can impact on soil nutrient climatic factors such as the frequency of hill slopes, which have been over-steepened cycling, causing critical load exceedance and extreme rainfall events, for example, by glaciation (Ballantyne, 1986, 2004). The a reduction in the ability of soils to filter although deforestation is also likely to be an rate of soil loss via erosion and the contaminants. Further nitrogen additions important factor. Debris flows in the Lairig incidence of landslides can be increased by are also less readily retained in ecosystems Ghru appear to occur with a return period removing the vegetation cover that where the critical load for nitrogen is of around 20 years, with each episode of protects the soil (e.g. ploughing to grow exceeded, resulting in ‘nitrogen’ saturation’ debris flow activity thought to be linked to crops, deforestation) or by engineering (Aber et al. 1989; Agren & Bosatta, 1988). intense rain storms (Baird & Lewis, 1957; works. Tillage erosion also leads to the Innes, 1982; Luckman, 1992). Landslide and Contaminates may therefore more readily redistribution of soil downslope (Lilly et al. debris flow activity is reported to have enter water bodies, the acidification of 2011). increased over the last 200–500 years which has been linked with soil acidification The erosion of upland organic (peat) soils is (Innes, 1985; Ballantyne, 2004) and it is in Scotland (Helliwell et al. 2001). The also prevalent in some parts of the National thought that localised extreme rainfall was impacts of soil acidification on both the Park, and in particular the Monadhliath the major contributing factor to the biological and chemical quality of water has Cairngorms National Park Authority | Appendix 2: Topic 4 Soil 125
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Scottish landslides in 2004 (Winter et al. Unstable slopes 2005). Triggering of peat slides is also High Risk North commonly attributed to intense rainfall Medium Risk events (Dykes & Warburton, 2008). Low Risk Climate change (see Topic 1: Climatic Rock and Scree Factors, p. 88) is therefore likely to lead to Urban an increase in the frequency of landslides and in the intensity of soil erosion (Ballantyne, 2004; Winter et al. 2005).
One of the most important factors in the protection of soils from erosion is vegetation cover, as roots bind soil particles together and plants protect soil from direct raindrop impact, as well as disrupting overland flow. Where vegetation cover is sparse, or soils are bare, the incidence of landslides and soil erosion (by wind and water) is greater.
Scale: 1:700,000
Figure 54 Soil erosion risk within Cairngorms National Park. Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2017. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100040965 Cairngorms National Park Authority. © James Hutton Institute.
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In some upland areas of the Cairngorms In the Cairngorms National Park, estates example, the bed of new drainage ditches National Park, heavy grazing by sheep and and upland farms have commonly used can be scoured and run-off during deer has caused a decline in heather cover burning as a means of controlling vegetation harvesting can remove the loosened soil which has then been replaced by tussock structure and improved heathland (Lilly et al. 2011). forming grasses with poorer soil binding productivity. This can cause issues when Due to the National Park’s popularity as a abilities. However, one difficulty in too much vegetation is removed. Severe visitor and tourist destination, the effects of establishing links between soil erosion (in burning may even make the surface organic recreation must also be given consideration. particular, the erosion of peat) and grazing layer of the soil water resistant, resulting in Hill walking and mountain biking on some is that historic stocking densities, which are greater run-off and greater potential for soil hill and upland areas can cause erosion and generally unknown, may have had more erosion and landslides (Lilly et al. 2011). influence on the risk of erosion than lead to the extension of paths across 2 of forest current stocking densities. Also, both sheep With an area around 600 km sensitive environments where natural cover, soil erosion originating from forestry and deer will preferentially graze specific regeneration of the vegetation is slow. activities is also a consideration for the areas, resulting in localised areas These areas then become vulnerable to National Park. While in most instances, tree et al experiencing greater grazing pressures and continued erosion (Lilly . 2011). cover has a positive effect on soil erosion, an increased risk of erosion (Lilly et al. providing vegetation cover and binding soils, 2011). certain activities may cause issues. For
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Key Messages Inter-relationships with other topics
The Cairngorms National Park does not contain any mapped areas Topic 1: Climatic Factors 88 of Prime Agricultural Land; it does however have large areas of Topic 3: Water 101 Carbon Rich soils, which perform important ecosystem services, Topic 5: Material Assets 129 particularly as a carbon sink. Soil erosion, both natural and Topic 6: Biodiversity, Fauna and Flora 148 through inappropriate land management techniques place many of Topic 7: Landscape and Cultural Heritage 221 these soils at risk. Topic 8: Population and Human Health 250
There is little evidence of soil contamination within the National Park, however inappropriate agricultural practices may lead to instances, which in turn may have a negative effect on water quality.
The NPPP may have an effect on soil quality, particularly through its influence on the level and distribution of development within the National Park.
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