Habitat and Landscape Management
Farm Peatland Restoration At Leadloch Farm, A Case Study and Guide
Peatland restoration projects can be complex, with many moving parts. This case study of a year-long peatland restoration project aims to give readers an overview of how farmers and landowners in Scotland are successfully managing and completing these projects. This case study was produced in partnership with The Future Forest Company (FFC): Natural capital company…
Thrill of the Hill – What’s Good for the Goose…
In this episode we sit down with Rae Mackenzie for a broad discussion on geese and goose management in Scotland. We cover their ecology and nature value, look at the international efforts being made to promote the species and the ins and outs of Scotland’s own goose management support scheme.
Land Management for Skylarks Alauda arvensis
You can support this iconic farmland bird by Retaining winter stubbles Allowing any permanent grassland to be relatively undisturbed during nesting time Providing beetlebanks or conservation headlands to protect invertebrates as a food source Applying for an Agri environment scheme to help make your farm more wildlife friendly Description The skylark was once a common…
Land Management of Blanket Bogs
This practical guide is for everyone who wants to improve the management of blanket bogs and understand these special habitats. Key Messages Recognise the carbon and biodiversity value of bogs. Do restore peatlands where possible by raising the water table and ensuring any areas of bare peat can revegetate. This can massively support biodiversity and…
Land Management for Water Voles Arvicola amphibious: A Practical Guide
The water vole has chestnut-brown fur, a blunt, rounded nose, small ears, and a furry tail. It is much bigger than other vole species, almost the size of a guinea pig. Scotland’s water voles often appear darker, with many having a black coat because their genetics is thought to originate from a different place than…
How Healthy Dung Communities Help Your Farm
With the price of inorganic fertilisers escalating, dung is becoming increasingly valued as a rich source of nitrogen and phosphorus. Quite literally ‘Where there’s muck there’s brass!’ Within the dung, a diversity of invertebrates, bacteria and fungi are hard at work breaking down nutrients recycling them back into the soil. Farm management practices can influence…
Online Tools to Help Assess Habitats
The advancement of technology and artificial intelligence has meant that surveying and recording environmental data is easier and more precise than ever before. Innovative tools making the most of geographical mapping systems, bioacoustics sound recordings, image recognition technology and data analyses and storage have provided a suite of tools that could provide valuable resources for…