Bryological assessment for hydroelectric schemes in the West Highlands
This dataset provides assessment of over 5600 watercourse along the west coast of Scotland for their nationally/internationally important water-loving oceanic bryophyte (moss and liverwort) communities. The approach is applied in line with Scottish Natural Heritage’s 'Planning for Development - Service Statement'. The aim of the database is therefore to help users take account of Europe's most important watercourses for these species before selecting sites for potential hydro development. Individual watercourses, or sites that contain multiple watercourses, have been assessed for either their known (categories A-C) or potential (categories D-E) importance. The category descriptions provide clear guidance as to whether a watercourse is known to hold bryophytes or likely to be of low bryological importance, and whether further survey is recommended. This assessment only considers the impact of water abstraction on water-loving oceanic bryophytes and additional consideration should be given to direct impacts of construction on important bryophyte habitats (e.g. springs/flushes, ancient woodland, deadwood, bogs). The data was derived from the database saved in eRDMS B796293.The full methodology is described in SNH Commissioned Report 449b: Bryological assessment for hydroelectric schemes in the West Highlands (2nd edition).
dataset
BRY
eng
27700
environment
inlandWaters
biosphere, organism, plant (biology), cryptogam, bryophyte
publication
2012-07-20
-28.171997
15.227695
65.171944
45.501382
GB-SCT
GB-SCT
creation
2011-02-08
revision
2015-01-26
asNeeded
The full methodology is described in SNH Commissioned Report 449b: Bryological assessment for hydroelectric schemes in the West Highlands (2nd edition). \\n\\nIn summary, the points indicate the mid-point of the assessed section of a watercourse. These stretches are classified into five categories (A-E) as follows:\\n\\nA.The watercourse has been surveyed and has a score of six or more points. This means that sections of the watercourse supports a rich nationally and internationally important flora of uncommon hygrophilous oceanic bryophyte species (marker indicates approximate centre point of assessed reach). There is a high risk that hydro-development may not be appropriate on this watercourse (SNH may object or provide advice to SEPA with regards a CAR abstraction license). Further survey may help locate stretches of watercourse that do not support important bryophyte populations, but this is normally not the case where the entire watercourse is a steep wooded ravine. Early engagement with SNH (and SEPA) is highly recommended in line with our 'Planning for Development - Service Statement'.\\n\\nB.Targeted bryophyte survey required. The general area has been surveyed and has a score of six or more points (i.e. a rich flora of uncommon hygrophilous species), but the indicated watercourse and its environs form only a part of the site. The site species list may include records made well away from the watercourse, and this watercourse may be one of two or more watercourses within the site. Some of the records contributing to the site score may not therefore be from this particular watercourse and may not be relevant for consideration in relation to a proposed hydroelectric scheme. Targeted survey for the 29 water-loving oceanic bryophytes (listed in SNH Commissioned Report 449b) is therefore required. This survey should cover the entire length of watercourse that would be subject to altered flow.\\n\\nC.The watercourse has already been surveyed by expert bryologists and has a score of between 0 and 5 points. No further bryophyte survey is necessary in relation to a proposed hydroelectric scheme and the impact of reduced flow on bryophytes can be scoped out of further consideration.\\n\\nD.The watercourse has a score that is less than six points and is either unsurveyed or only partially surveyed by expert bryologists. However, maps and aerial photographs show topography and/or woodland that suggest potential for a site score exceeding six points. Targeted survey for the 29 water-loving oceanic bryophytes (listed in SNH Commissioned Report 449b) is therefore required. This survey should cover the entire length of watercourse that would be subject to altered flow.\\n\\nE.The watercourse has a score that is less than six points and is either unsurveyed (score = 0 points), or in a few cases partially surveyed. Maps and aerial photographs show a gentle watercourse gradient and/or little or no ravine topography or woodland, so it seems unlikely that the bryophyte flora present will score as much as six points (the threshold for category A assessment). No further bryophyte survey is necessary in relation to a proposed hydroelectric scheme and the impact of reduced flow on bryophytes can be scoped out of further consideration.\\n \\nNote: All uncategorised watercourses (those that are not depicted on the 1:250,000 OS map or to the east of the assessed area) should also be treated as Category E.
ESRI Shapefile
1.0
When these data are used in publications and lectures, the British Bryological Society (BBS) and Biological Records Centre (BRC) should be acknowledged. When the data are used by ecological consultants, statutory agencies or record centres other than BRC, then BBS and BRC should be acknowledged. If ecological consultants or record centres other than BRC supply the data to third parties, the source of the data should be made clear, along with an acknowledgement to BBS and BRC.
© SNH, BBS, BRC, licensed under the Open Government Licence
Data Supply Officer
Scottish Natural Heritage
Great Glen House, Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
United Kingdom
01463 725000
pointOfContact
Scottish Natural Heritage
pointOfContact
2016-10-04