25 August 2022
A general public consultation on a proposed extension to the shielded spot inside Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands commences on the 25 August, NatureScot declared currently.
The consultation will be open for a few months, ending on 29 November. Currently, the guarded area within just Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands steps 143,569 hectares (ha) with the proposed extension expanding this by 2446 ha (1.7%).
The peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland have some of the ideal areas of blanket lavatory in the environment and are house to exceptional birds and plants. They are so important that they are protected by a selection of diverse secured areas to preserve and boost them.
Peatlands assist to combat climate alter by locking up carbon as peat continues to type. This can only occur in very well managed peatland, where by the floor is moist and Sphagnum mosses can increase.
Some of these important peatlands have been drained when conifer plantations ended up founded in the 1970s and 1980s. Lavatory restoration get the job done taken off conifers from some of the maximum priority peatland places, amongst 1996 and 2006, mostly funded by the EU’s Lifestyle Programme. This peatland restoration get the job done has now advanced ample that spots, wherever restoration was commenced with EU Existence funding, will be extra to the Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands shielded region. We are carrying out this to fulfil a determination built to the EU when funding was acquired.
Sphagnum moss is now perfectly established in these parts and uncommon birds these kinds of as greenshank have now returned. With continued superior administration, introducing this land to the current guarded place will make sure further results for this peatland restoration get the job done.
Most of these regions are within just the Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve and are now owned by the RSPB, with more compact spots owned by the National Forest Estate and personal people today. Anyone who owns or manages land that is in the proposed addition to the secured location will receive a letter that explains how they can reply to the session.
Much more details is out there on the Protected Space Notices webpage.
Down below is the record of protected spots that NatureScot proposes to increase:
- Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Particular Region of Conservation (SAC)
- Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Special Defense Location (SPA)
- Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Ramsar web page
As nicely, 10 Web pages of Unique Scientific Interest underpin the over websites are also proposed to be prolonged:
- Ben Griams Web page of Distinctive Scientific Curiosity (SSSI)
- East Halladale SSSI
- Forsinard Bogs SSSI
- Loch Caluim Flows SSSI
- Rumsdale Peatlands SSSI
- Shielton Peatlands SSSI
- Sletill Peatlands SSSI
- Strathmore Peatlands SSSI
- West Halladale SSSI
- West Strathnaver SSSI
For any one who needs to react to the consultation, the statutory observe in the community paper presents Graham Neville as the human being to produce to at the Golspie office. Or e mail [email protected]
