BEN KLIBRECK Site of Special Scientific Interest

SITE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT

Site code: 184

The Links, Golspie Business Park, Golspie, , KW10 6UB. Tel 01408 634063 [email protected]

Purpose This is a public statement prepared by SNH for owners and occupiers of the SSSI. It outlines the reasons it is designated as an SSSI and provides guidance on how its special natural features should be conserved or enhanced. This Statement does not affect or form part of the statutory notification and does not remove the need to apply for consent for operations requiring consent. We welcome your views on this Statement. This Statement is available in Gaelic on request.

Natural features of Ben Klibreck SSSI Condition of feature (date monitored) Moine (geology) Favourable, maintained (July 2008) Alpine heath Favourable, maintained (June 2006) Blanket bog Unfavourable, declining (June 2006) Oligotrophic loch (nutrient poor loch) Favourable, maintained (July 2004) Upland birch woodland Unfavourable, declining (June 2003) See Annex 1 for a list of natural features of River Naver Special Area of Conservation that are not notified features of Ben Klibreck SSSI.

Description of the site Ben Klibreck Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is situated in central Sutherland near , 30km south of Tongue adjacent to the A836. This isolated mountain (961m) of Moine Schist in central Sutherland rises abruptly from the great expanses of blanket mire at the head of Strath Naver. It is nationally important for its geology, alpine heath, bog, woodland and lochs. The site extends from low ground to the summit of the mountain, encompassing the full altitudinal transition between habitats and plant communities.

The site also forms part of the headwaters of the River Naver where it is overlapped by the River Naver Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designated for Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel.

Moine (geology) The rocks of the Ben Klibreck area mostly lie within the Moine Supergroup. The Moines originated as muddy and sandy sediments in an ancient sea around 1 billion years ago. These were altered by intense heat and pressure deep underground into

1 harder pelite and psammite. In places, partial melting of certain minerals formed banded rocks called migmatites, whose origin is not well understood. The site is particularly valuable for both historical and current research into the origin of migmatites.

Some migmatites were emplaced on top of less-altered Moine rocks by north-westerly overthrusting along major fractures. The site contains the type locality (the first place that a geological feature was described) for the largest of these thrusts, the regional- scale Naver Thrust. Structures visible along this and the Klibreck and Torrisdale Thrusts show that the rocks fractured in a ‘plastic’ (ductile) rather than brittle way. The thrusts also brought slices of enigmatic older ‘basement’ rock into the rock sequence. This is similar to the 2-billion-year-old Lewisian of the west coast, but rarely seen in this area. There are also complex suites of granites and pegmatites which formed from repeated intrusions of molten rock.

This excellent evidence within the site of metamorphism, complex thrusting and intrusion of magma is a record of mountain building processes. The site is crucial to understanding in detail how the interior of the Caledonian mountain belt formed. The events took place when sections of continental crust containing modern-day and England collided, around 460-425 million years ago.

Monitoring of the geological feature of the site in 2008 found it to be in favourable condition, with the rock outcrops visible and accessible.

Alpine heath The high slopes and summits of Ben Klibreck support a range of alpine heath communities. Heather dominates the area forming a prostrate mat on windswept moraines and exposed slopes. At higher elevations, heather is found alongside mountain azalea, a plant that is only found in short vegetation on mountain tops in Britain, but also grows further north in Scandinavia. Dense low-growing mats of the nationally scarce alpine bearberry and lichens are also found in this habitat. Ben Klibreck contains one of the largest extents of this rare dwarf shrub community in Britain.

The alpine heath was monitored in June 2006. There was some concern over the amount of grass on parts of the alpine heath. Grass dominated the vegetation rather than the heather, mountain azalea and alpine bearberry that are expected in this habitat. However, overall this is one of the best areas of alpine heath in Scotland and was found to be in favourable condition

Blanket bog The lower slopes of Ben Klibreck are covered in a range of bog types, including those that have developed on watersheds, valleys and sloping ground. These give rise to different surface patterns and pool types, with a variety of blanket bog vegetation species, dominated by deergrass , cottongrass and crowberry. A number of species of Sphagnum moss and lichen are found across the different bog types. An uncommon combination of deergrass/cotton-sedge (western type) and cotton-sedge/crowberry (eastern type) blanket-mire vegetation communities is found at this site. Calliergon trifarium , a very local montane species of moss confined to the Highlands, occurs in a few base-rich flushes, with lesser clubmoss Selaginella selaginoides .

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This feature was monitored during June 2006. The blanket bog feature failed at 6 out of 12 randomly selected sample points because trampling by deer had created extensive areas of bare peat. This feature was assessed as being in unfavourable, declining condition.

Oligotrophic loch (nutrient poor loch) Loch Choire and Loch a’ Bhealaich are naturally nutrient-poor lochs, which contain a high diversity of aquatic plants, including the nationally scarce awlwort. These lochs have clear water, low to moderate levels of nutrients and short underwater vegetation. Shoreweed is a typical plant species. The bottom of these lochs is generally silt, sand, gravel, stones or boulders.

Monitoring of Loch Choire was undertaken in 2004. The surface area of the loch had been maintained since the site was designated and a diverse aquatic flora was present in characteristic zones around the loch. No unfavourable or invasive plant species were noted and awlwort was found growing and flowering at two sites around the loch. Water clarity and nutrient levels appeared to be good, and though there was small- scale regulation of the loch outflow, the hydrology of the loch was predominantly natural. Overall the oligotrophic loch feature was found to be in favourable condition.

Upland birch woodland Areas of birch and alder woodland fringe the southern shores of Loch Choire and Loch a’ Bhealaich. The woodland is all that remains of a much larger forest. There are areas with mature, open canopy birch woodland and denser sections along rocky bluffs and in gorges. Other tree species include rowan, aspen, holly, bird cherry and willow. The relict alder woodland is confined to the course of the Allt Coire na Fearna. The ground flora varies from heath, grassland and bracken to species rich flushes below the crags. In more shaded areas there is a good representation of northern birchwood mosses and ferns including Wilson’s Filmy Fern.

Monitoring of the birch woodland took place in 2003. The overall extent of the woodland has been maintained since previous monitoring visits; however, the patches of woodland are becoming fragmented. Overall grazing pressure was moderate when averaged across the site, however it is heavy in places. Ground flora to the south of Loch a’ Bhealaich has been subject to higher grazing pressure than the rest of the site. No saplings were found in open areas accessible to grazing animals. Native species made up more than 95% of the woodland cover. Some larch is present within plantations, but these do not appear to be spreading. The ground flora was characteristic of upland birch woodland, though shrub species were scarce. Dead wood was present within the woodland, providing an important habitat for invertebrates, fungi and other groups. Overall the upland birch woodland was found to be in unfavourable condition due to the suppression of tree regeneration by grazing animals.

Other interests Golden eagle and osprey hunt over the site with montane bird species such as dotterel and ptarmigan found on the higher ground. The lochs support a number of breeding wildfowl species including black-throated diver and wigeon. The woodlands provide suitable habitat for a wide variety of smaller birds, including woodland specialists such as treecreeper.

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Migmatite outcrops Ben Klibreck and River Vagastie

Past and present management The land within Ben Klibreck SSSI is primarily used for sheep grazing, rough shooting and deer stalking. Supplementary feeding of deer and stock occurs at various locations throughout the site and ATVs are used for shepherding and carcass removal. Muirburn is regularly used as a management tool. There are a small number of active peat banks that are cut for domestic use. The lochs and rivers are fished for trout and salmon.

Approximately 1500ha of Ben Klibreck SSSI are or have been within Peatland Management Scheme (PMS) agreements between the landowners and SNH which promote sympathetic and positive management practices. These agreements ensure management activities such as stock grazing, stock and deer feeding, peat cutting, muirburn and vehicle use are carried out in a manner that will not damage the peatlands. One PMS agreement expired in December 2009 and the other agreement is due to end in July 2012. SNH is eager to encourage land managers to apply to the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) for continued funding of conservation management of the site. A Rural Development Contract – Rural Priorities Agreement dating from January 2009 and covering 1174ha on Altnaharra Estate ensures activities such as deer management, peat cutting, muirburn and vehicle use are carried out in ways that will not damage the peatlands and will help to restore the blanket bog feature on the site to favourable condition.

SNH has another management agreement with one landowner on the site to erect and maintain woodland enclosures to allow the natural regeneration of the upland birch woodland. The woodland enclosures were erected in 2003, and now birch, rowan and holly saplings are doing well within the fenced areas. As part of the agreement, the estate keeper helps maintain the fences in good condition and removes any marauding deer. Even though this positive management is in place, it does not currently include enough of the woodland feature to bring it back into favourable condition. The owner of the woodland has recently had an application for further positive woodland management under SRDP approved and this should ensure that the woodland feature returns to favourable condition. As the general area around Ben Klibreck SSSI also supports other protected habitats, any woodland expansion will have to be designed to avoid damaging these other interests.

4 Agencies including the Deer Commission for Scotland and SNH are in discussion with Forest Enterprise and other owners and tenants of this site to identify appropriate management to restore the condition of the upland birch woodland and blanket bog habitats. A Habitat Management Plan (HMP) is being developed to improve the condition of the blanket bog. The site will be monitored to measure blanket bog recovery and evaluate the success of the management.

Ben Klibreck is a and popular with hill walkers. A hill bothy is located near Loch Choire. Walkers also pass through the site along the old drove road from Altnaharra to the estate track near Loch Choire.

Objectives for Management (and key factors influencing the condition of natural features) We wish to work with the owners to protect the site and to maintain and where necessary enhance its features of special interest. SNH aims to carry out site survey, monitoring and research as appropriate to increase our knowledge and understanding of the site and its natural features and to monitor the effectiveness of the management agreements.

The EU Habitats and Birds Directives oblige Government to avoid, in SACs and SPAs, the deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species, as well as disturbance of the species for which the areas have been designated, where such disturbance could be significant in relation to the objectives of these Directives. The objectives below have been assessed against these requirements. All authorities proposing to carry out or permit to be carried out operations likely to have a significant effect on the European interests of this SSSI must assess those operations against the relevant Natura conservation objectives (which are listed on our website through the SNHi - SiteLink facility). The list of Operations Requiring Consent, and the discussions on land management involved in the issuing of formal consents are intended to minimise the threat of any damage to the natural features.

1. To maintain the condition, visibility and access to the key geological outcrops by keeping them free of obstructions such as trees and avoiding the extraction of minerals in the areas of geological interest.

2. To maintain the condition, distribution and extent of the alpine heath by keeping the stocking of grazing animals (sheep and deer) at a level that is low enough to allow the heathland plants to flower and set seed and to prevent obvious damage from grazing or trampling. Burning is not a desirable form of management for the higher parts of the site where the montane plants grow as short vegetation is maintained through a combination of grazing and wind clipping. Areas rich in bryophytes and lichens should not be burnt, as burning would damage these species. Any burning on this site should follow The Muirburn Code and be restricted to areas of long heather in the lower parts of the site. The Code advises that areas above 300m should not be burned. Vehicle use on the higher parts of the site is likely to damage the fragile soils and vegetation. Use of vehicles should where possible be restricted to use of low ground pressure vehicles on the lower parts of the site.

5 3. To enhance the condition and maintain the distribution and extent of the blanket bog Blanket bog depends on a continuous cover of special vegetation which continues the peat-forming process and protects the underlying body of peat. Damage to the moss cover exposes the peat surface to erosion from extremes of weather (drying, frost, wind) and trampling from animals. Some grazing of peatland habitats is beneficial, but sheep and deer stocks should be maintained at levels which result in no obvious damage to this vegetation from grazing or trampling. Use of vehicles can also cause damage. Off prepared tracks, low ground pressure vehicles should be used and care should be taken in their use. The choice of route is important: soft ground, sharp turns and areas where erosion is beginning to start should be avoided as any bare peat can be very slow to revegetate. Muirburn in areas covered by a management agreement (such as a Peatland Management Scheme agreement or Rural Development Contract) must follow the agreed muirburn plan. Outwith areas covered by a management agreement, any muirburn should be carried out following the Muirburn Code, avoiding blanket bog and deep peat. It is important to maintain the natural water table in peatland habitats so no new drains should be made, nor existing ones cleared. It would be beneficial to block old drains that are still active as these drains alter the natural water table and dry out the peat either side of the drain. They will also continually cut down through the peat until the underlying mineral layer is reached creating further bare peat erosion surfaces.

4. To enhance the condition, extent and regeneration of the upland birch woodland. Tree regeneration is expected to continue successfully within the existing exclosures as long as grazing/browsing from deer is minimised by removing any deer that manage to enter the fenced areas. However, the level of grazing/browsing needs to be reduced over the rest of the woodland area to allow tree regeneration. The recently approved SRDP contract should allow for this to happen. Non-native species are present around the estate lodge close to the upland birch woodland. Keeping invasive species (e.g. Rhododendron) in control will help to enhance the policy woodlands around the estate lodge and help prevent them from spreading into the SSSI woodland. Payments through SRDP are available for control of invasive species which may threaten a protected area. Care should be taken not to allow fire to spread into areas of woodland. Dead wood, both standing and fallen, should be left to decay within the woodland as this is a valuable habitat for invertebrates and birds, as well as returning nutrients to the soil for new generations of trees.

5. To maintain the water quality and low nutrient levels of the loch habitats by avoiding the use of artificial fertilisers and other chemicals within the catchment of Loch Choire and Loch a’ Bhealaich. The existing pattern of minimal interference with the natural flow levels via the regulated outflow on Loch Choire should be continued.

6. To maintain water quality of the River Naver SAC for the benefit of the Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel populations. Water levels and water quality play a crucial role in the suitability of the River Naver SAC for Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel. An increase in drainage, abstraction or other activities adversely affecting the hydrology or water quality in the river catchment should be avoided.

Date last reviewed: 12 August 2010

6 Annex 1 List of natural features of overlapping Natura sites that are not notified features of Ben Klibreck SSSI

Features of overlapping Natura sites that SPA or SAC are not notified as SSSI natural features Atlantic salmon River Naver SAC Freshwater pearl mussel River Naver SAC

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