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Tayside has a rich heritage of water
and wetlands and their associated species. This diversity is
due in large part to a complex geology and varied landscape.
The division of the area by the Highland Boundary Fault is,
for example, one feature which gives rise to some of the most
valuable habitats in Tayside such as Reekie Linn and the Den
of Airlie. The interface between upland and lowland is one
of the reasons for the high biodiversity value of the Lowes
chain of lochs, a resource of
international significance.
Tayside is dominated (and largely defined)
by the catchment of the River Tay. The Tay system drains the
largest area of any river in Scotland and its flow is the largest
in Britain. Other large river systems rising in the mountains
drain the northeast of the region, notably the North and South
Esks, whilst smaller systems, such as the Angus coastal burns
rise in the lowlands and are of a very different nature. Associated
with these river networks is a wealth of standing waters, from
the very large, deep highland lochs to small ponds and lochans
and flood plain habitats such as wet woodlands, swamp and marshes,
flood meadows and reedbeds. |
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These are of intrinsic interest, of
course, but it is important to remember that wetlands, and
particularly running waters, often contribute to valuable habitat
mosaics. Thousands of kilometres of burns, for example, provide
linking wildlife corridors between other terrestrial habitats
and heighten their interest and biodiversity. The margins of
rivers and standing waters form the transitional zone between
the aquatic and terrestrial environment. They frequently give
rise to a valuable mosaic of habitat features. Therefore the
boundaries between the habitats discussed in this section,
and those in other sections are, by necessity, indistinct.
The fundamental feature of wetland habitats is their dependence upon inputs of
freshwater. The quality and quantity of those inputs may be
determined by distant activities such as atmospheric emissions of acid forming
gases, land management for agriculture, forestry and development, or upstream
abstraction of water for hydropower or potable supply. The wide range of activities
and the impacts arising from them may present major challenges to the management
of river systems and associated wetlands, requiring the co-operation of many
organisations and individuals. Already the waters and wetlands of Tayside have
a rich cultural heritage; the waters of the Tay and other rivers and lochs have
been harnessed for the operation of mills, dyeworks, distilleries and hydro-power
and man’s influence on the natural heritage character of wetlands is still
strong.
The following sections describe some of the water and wetland habitats in Tayside,
discuss the threats they face and propose actions to improve
their status. Because these habitats are so widespread and accessible there is
much scope for involvement of the people of Tayside, who for
the same reasons are well placed to enjoy the benefits of those improvements. |
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