Beaver Translocation Consultation - River Spey Catchment Habitats Regulation Appraisal (HRA) of Possible Beaver Translocations in Scotland

Qualifying features

• Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
• Freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera)
• Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)
• Otter (Lutra lutra)

​​​​Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the River Spey SAC can be found in full in the Conservation Advice Package along with other information about the site.  The key elements to consider are as follows:

To ensure that the integrity of the River Spey SAC is restored by meeting objectives 2a, 2b, 2c for each qualifying feature (and 2d for freshwater pearl mussel)

Atlantic salmon

2a. Restore the population of Atlantic salmon, including range of genetic types, as a viable component of the site

2b. Restore the distribution of Atlantic salmon throughout the site

2c. Restore the habitats supporting Atlantic salmon within the site and availability of food

Freshwater pearl mussel

2a. Restore the population of freshwater pearl mussel as a viable component of the site

2b. Restore the distribution of freshwater pearl mussel throughout the site

2c. Restore the habitats supporting freshwater pearl mussel within the site and availability of food

2d. Restore the distribution and viability of freshwater pearl mussel host species and their supporting habitats

Sea lamprey 

2a. Maintain the population of sea lamprey as a viable component of the site

2b. Maintain the distribution of sea lamprey throughout the site

2c. Maintain the habitats supporting sea lamprey within the site and availability of food

Otter

2a. Maintain the population of otter as a viable component of the site

2b. Maintain the distribution of otter throughout the site

2c. Maintain the habitats supporting otter within the site and availability of food

Appraisal

Atlantic salmon

Atlantic salmon were assessed as being in unfavourable recovering condition during monitoring in 2011. This was due to the lower than expected number of Spring salmon (adult salmon entering the river between 01 January – 31 March) reported in rod catches using the NASCO Assessment Tool.  However, a new model, developed by Marine Scotland Science in 2016, provides a revised annual assessment each year. The most recent assessment of adult Atlantic salmon status by Marine Scotland Science (based on the probability of the adult population meeting egg deposition targets) has identified the River Spey SAC as being at Grade 1 (i.e. having at least an 80% probability of the stock meeting its conservation limit). It is important to note that this assessment relates to the entire stock and not its individual grilse and multi sea winter components. Available data for the Spring stock component in the River Spey indicates that this element of the Atlantic salmon stock continues to mirror the national declining trend despite it being assessed as a Grade 1 river.

In addition to this, the most recent data gathered by National Electrofishing Programme for Scotland in 2021 (Malcolm et al., 2023) indicated that fry were allocated a status of Grade 2 (i.e. the mean density estimate exceeds the benchmark but the lower one-sided 95% confidence interval includes zero, or the mean density estimate exceeds 50% of the benchmark and the upper one-sided 95% confidence limit includes the benchmark) and parr a status of Grade 3 (i.e. the mean density estimate exceeds 50% of the benchmark but the upper 1-sided 95% confidence limit is below the benchmark, or the mean density estimate is less than 50% of the benchmark). The overall juvenile assessment grade for 2021 was Grade 2. Malcolm et al. (2023) state that Favourable Condition for the juvenile stock component is generally consistent with NEPS Grade 1 and inconsistent with NEPS Grade 3. A comparison of data between years (2018, 2019 and 2021) suggests that the fry component is reasonably stable although the parr component is perhaps performing less well than previously.

Any beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment should not prevent the ability of the feature to be restored.  An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows:

Any impact of beaver on Atlantic salmon (at any life stage) has the potential to influence the status of locally adapted populations. The exact nature and scale of these interactions, both positive and negative, are not fully understood and are likely to be site specific. The frequency of these interactions are also likely to be most significant in areas where beavers have the greatest impact on upstream and downstream migrating fish and it is possible that these are areas which are suitable for dams to be constructed.  Beaver activity may be restricted to certain areas of the catchment (with river width <6 m and presence of potential core beaver woodland) but the locations of impacts may be coincident with vulnerable life history types of Atlantic salmon (such as the ‘Spring’ stock component).  An adverse effect on site integrity cannot be ruled-out due to the potential undermining of this conservation objective.

The building of dams in areas where river widths are <6m may have a particularly significant impact on the Spring stock component or other fish which spawn in river tributaries which are narrow (i.e. <6m). Although Atlantic salmon are assessed for the River Spey SAC for the purposes of reporting on the likelihood that egg deposition targets will be achieved in any given year, these data are not divided into specific stock components. As stated above, data for the Spring stock component in the River Spey indicates that this element of the Atlantic salmon stock mirrors the national declining trend.

Even if a dam does not form a complete barrier to upstream Atlantic salmon movement, delays caused by such an obstruction can increase the probability of predation, result in a loss of fish condition, and delay movement to a point where low water temperature becomes a physiological constraint.  Juvenile Atlantic salmon occupy all areas of suitable habitat and barriers may slow or prevent their movement, or impact specifically on the downstream movement of smolts.

To maintain the distribution of Atlantic salmon in such areas it is important to ensure that the passage of fish past barriers is assured. This may be achieved through the easement or removal of barriers at certain times of year (e.g. during spawning time) or through the installation of measures such as flow management devices. However it is unclear whether such a device could be used in itself to assist the upstream migration of large Atlantic salmon (which is typical of ‘Spring’ fish) as it has not yet been scientifically evaluated in Scotland in this regard and further trials are required.

The River Spey is extensive and the catchment includes a number of major subcatchments which are significant rivers in their own right. These include the rivers Avon, Dulnain, Feshie, Tromie, Truim, Fiddich, Nethy, Calder and Druie. The main stems of the River Spey SAC and those of many of its constituent sub catchments will not be suitable for beaver dam construction, either because they are too wide (beaver dams are generally built across stretches of water that are less than 6m wide), or because they lack suitable woodland habitat. However, there are many important tributaries within these subcatchments where suitable beaver habitat does exist alongside wooded streams which are <6m wide.  Some of these may also be impacted by the removal of water to service hydropower developments. Such areas include the rivers Tromie and Truim (where water is diverted to Loch Ericht in the Tummel/Tay catchment), and the upper Spey at Spey Dam which diverts water to Loch Laggan for hydropower generation at Fort William. Water is also extracted for other purposes – including whisky production.   

There is potential for dam building and feeding-related activities of Eurasian beaver to impact on the life history of Atlantic salmon. The location, nature and degree of these impacts could be considered to be a significant disturbance to Atlantic salmon.  This impact on their life history can also occur in man-made structures where facilities such as fish passes (including those with fish counters), lades, distillery intakes, road culverts and small bridges can be partially or wholly blocked by in-stream structures created by Eurasian beaver.

In addition to potentially impacting movement within watercourses, barriers and other in-stream/riparian beaver activities may impact sediment transport within rivers and streams, either directly or by influencing the hydrology of affected watercourses. This can negatively impact the replenishment of Atlantic salmon spawning areas. Atlantic salmon in the River Spey SAC spawn throughout its many catchments and fish can access spawning substrates above Spey Dam at the very top of the system.

By impacting issues such as sediment transport and hydrology, Eurasian beaver may affect the structure, function and supporting processes of habitats in which Atlantic salmon live.

Conclusion

This appraisal suggests that the conservation objectives for Atlantic salmon could be undermined by the translocation of beaver to the River Spey catchment. Much remains unknown about the actual impacts of beaver activity on Atlantic salmon, in particular the passability and impact of dams on fish movement. Until more is known about the potential effects of beaver activity on Atlantic salmon the following mitigation would need to be employed to ensure that the integrity of the SAC would not be adversely affected:

• Monitoring to alert to beaver dam presence within the SAC and its tributaries.  
   
• Measures to ensure that juvenile and adult Atlantic salmon can move upstream and downstream freely. These movements include both within the SAC and into and out of it. The measures are likely to include the partial or complete removal of beaver dams.  The use of flow device designs incorporating fish passes remains untested and would require further testing before they could be used with confidence as a means of ensuring fish passage. 
   
• Actions to halt the beaver activity related deterioration of spawning habitat, e.g. through sediment or gravel starvation below dams.  Measures should ensure spawning areas can be recharged with new gravels from upstream. 
      
• Appropriate mitigation must be agreed and included in a beaver management plan before a reintroduction or translocation licence is approved. 

Further research to assess the actual impact of beaver dams on Atlantic salmon movement will further inform the need for, and scale of, future management interventions. 

Freshwater pearl mussel

Freshwater pearl mussel were found to be in unfavourable declining condition when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2014 (Sime, 2014).  There was a significant decrease in mussel density between monitoring in 2000 and 2014. The small and isolated populations in the upper Spey are not recruiting and some appear to have disappeared. Mussels are also not successfully recruiting at an adequate density to maintain the population upstream of Grantown on Spey.

One reason for the lack of recruitment in the upper Spey may be fine sediment and/or algal growth resulting in anoxic conditions in the river gravels, which immature mussels cannot tolerate. Several locations in the upper Spey and its tributaries were confirmed to support river gravels which provided unsuitable conditions for juvenile pearl mussels (Leigh-Moy, unpublished).  Gross fine sediment pollution is no longer considered to be a causative factor following an extensive sediment fingerprinting study, conducted during 2019 and 2021 (unpublished).  A related issue is water quality because there is lower flow in the upper river, and so less dilution. The key pollutant may be phosphorus which can originate from sewage treatment works, agriculture and distillery discharges. The population of freshwater pearl mussels in the River Spey were impacted by the droughts of 2013 and 2018, with mortality being high on the dried up river edges. For the 2013 event, SEPA indicated that there were no exceptional low water level events, and possibly mussels may have become exposed in part because of changes to river bed morphology/levels, in association with low water. The 2018 drought was caused by a lack of rainfall in summer and was a natural event, albeit it may be a sign of climate change. Mussel populations must always have suffered drought from time to time and should be able to recover, so long as juvenile mussels can establish and grow to adult stage – but this is currently unlikely in the upper Spey.

Any beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment should not prevent the ability of the feature to be restored. An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows:

The principle means by which beavers could affect pearl mussels in any SAC, is through the construction of dams.  This could have a detrimental effect if pearl mussels are immediately upstream, potentially causing disturbance of the species and changing the habitat that can support pearl mussels.  However, it is worth noting that in the River Spey SAC, the vast majority of the pearl mussels are in the mainstem of the river, which is too large to be affected by dam building.  

In the River Spey there are small populations in four tributaries.  There is a very small population that was reintroduced into a burn tributary (<50 animals) (Watt et al., 2018). There are two other small populations that have recently been found, both in watercourses that are near the A9.  The fourth population is located in another watercourse in the upper Spey catchment, and is noteworthy for including a small number of juveniles (Leigh-Moy, unpublished).  Otherwise the population is entirely in the mainstem of the Spey (estimated population c.5 million).  As there is only a tiny percentage of the overall population in tributaries that can potentially be dammed by beavers, careful monitoring and management of any beaver potentially damaging activity on the tributaries is required to ensure there is no adverse effect on site integrity.

Trees along riverbanks can provide shade that help to maintain habitats for freshwater pearl mussels by mitigating water temperature peaks.  In the mainstem of the Spey, the size of the river means shading does not have a material impact on water temperatures.  In small tributaries, there is a risk that shading (where it exists) could be reduced by beavers.  However, at present there appear to be other factors that are leading to such populations not recruiting properly and a lack of riparian woodland cover may not be the limiting factor (Leigh-Moy, unpublished).  Another potential impact is the felling of trees by beavers into the river mainstems, where trees could change local erosion and deposition patterns in an area that is particularly important for pearl mussel (thereby potentially disturbing the species and changing the local distribution of the supporting habitat).  In river mainstems, any foreseeable changes will be so small in scale, localised, and mimic current natural events where trees already fall into the river, that the SAC populations as a whole will be able to adapt to such disturbance (largely in the way they do now to floods etc by occupying other, newly created habitat).  This same principle will also apply in the four tributaries in the upper Spey which contain small pearl mussel populations, with the potential to increase habitat diversity. So, this particular issue would not have an adverse effect on site integrity.

The other relevant potential impact (mentioned in the Beavers in Scotland report) is the effects on the salmonid host(s). This could affect the distribution and viability of freshwater pearl mussel host species and the structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting freshwater pearl mussel host species.   Within the River Spey catchment, both Atlantic salmon and brown trout are utilised as the host species for freshwater pearl mussel (Watt et al., 2018).  Dam building in the tributaries of the River Spey SAC could impede the migration of local Atlantic salmon and trout populations upon which the mussels depend to complete their life cycle.  However the vast majority of the freshwater pearl mussel population in the River Spey is within the mainstem, where dam building is impossible.  The appraisal for the Atlantic salmon qualifying interest of the River Spey SAC is outlined above.  This concludes that an adverse effect on Atlantic salmon cannot be ruled out without mitigation. Given that the vast majority of the freshwater pearl mussels are located far downstream of locations where beavers may be able to build dams, then an indirect impact on pearl mussels is improbable.  Further, any potential impact may also be mitigated by freshwater pearl mussels having some capacity to utilise resident brown trout populations as hosts, should any dam building interfere with wider salmon migration.  However, an adverse effect cannot be ruled out with certainty for the River Spey SAC without the implementation of the mitigation required for Atlantic salmon (see above).

Conclusion

This appraisal suggests that the conservation objectives for freshwater pearl mussel could be undermined by the translocation of beaver to the River Spey catchment. This conclusion arises from the potential interaction between beaver dam building activities on the small component of the overall pearl mussel population which resides in four watercourses in the upper Spey.  In order to ensure that beavers do not compromise the distribution of freshwater pearl mussels within the River Spey SAC the following mitigation is required:

• Monitoring to alert to beaver dam presence within the four tributaries supporting freshwater pearl mussels.  
   
• Measures to ensure that any dam building activity does not adversely affect local populations of freshwater pearl mussel in four tributaries. The measures are likely to include the partial or complete removal of beaver dams.    
   
• Appropriate mitigation must be agreed and included in a beaver management plan before a reintroduction or translocation licence is approved. 

In addition, any impacts to freshwater pearl mussel host species arising from beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment could also potentially affect the freshwater pearl mussel population of the River Spey SAC.  The mitigation outlined above for Atlantic salmon will help to ensure that the conservation objectives for freshwater pearl mussel are not undermined and that the integrity of the SAC will not be adversely affected for this feature. 

Sea lamprey 

The 2011 Site Condition Monitoring (SCM) assessment of sea lamprey found the population to be in favourable condition. An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows:

Beaver activity that alters the flow or morphology of the streams and rivers that contain sea lamprey habitat could affect both the viability and distribution of the species. Beaver activity could lead to changes in the populations and distribution of lamprey by altering the quantity, location or quality of their nursery or spawning habitat, or the ease with which they can undertake within-river or between river and estuary or sea migrations.

In the River Spey SAC, surveys for juvenile sea lamprey have recorded the species in the lower, wider reaches of the main stem.  There is some uncertainty about the true distribution of sea lampreys because the markedly low number of juveniles that are caught in surveys of the River Spey and other SACs might suggest that the juveniles may occupy areas that are not included in assessments. However, there are no records of sea lampreys regularly occurring in the upper to middle reaches, strongly suggesting that the species is largely confined to the lower reaches of the River Spey SAC.

There is potential for beaver activity to negatively affect the life history of sea lamprey. For migrating adults, the severity of this impact may be significant if it impedes access to spawning habitat.  The severity of impact may be less for juvenile sea lamprey if for example additional habitat is created by the in-stream and riparian activities of beaver.  But as the lower River Spey SAC is too large for beaver dam building activity, and riparian activity by beavers will not affect the overall availability of silt beds supporting juvenile sea lamprey, it is concluded that beavers will not adversely affect the population or distribution of sea lamprey in the River Spey SAC.

Dam building and other in-stream or riparian beaver activity might affect sediment transport in rivers and streams, either directly or by influencing the hydrology of the affected watercourses. These changes could negatively affect nursery or spawning habitat. However, as juvenile sea lamprey are only known to be present in the lower reaches of the River Spey, where dam building is not possible, and riparian beaver activity will also not be at a scale to affect sediment transport, this particular issue will not undermine the conservation objectives.

Conclusion

This appraisal concludes that beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not undermine the conservation objectives for the sea lamprey feature of the River Spey SAC and will not adversely affect the integrity of the SAC with respect to this feature.

Otter

Otter were assessed as being in favourable condition at the site during the last Site Condition Monitoring in 2011. An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows:

Eurasian beavers and otters do not compete directly for resources. The otter is a predatory species, and the beaver is herbivorous. Otter and beaver territories will overlap. There are occasional records of otter predation on beaver.

Information from Europe indicates that the presence of beavers does not appear to be detrimental to otters, and indeed may be beneficial. This is supported by the findings of the monitoring undertaken during the Scottish Beaver Trial (Harrington et al. 2015). This is believed to be linked to the habitats that are created where beavers have been active, such as ponds, localised wetland areas which are also good quality habitat for otters and otter prey.

There will therefore be no adverse impact on the population of the species as a viable component of the site.

As described above, European information and the results of the Scottish Beaver Trial monitoring programme conclude that the presence of beavers will not affect otter distribution adversely. It is possible that an increase in wetland habitat may result in some localised increases in the overall area where otters are most likely to actively forage. However, beaver dams may sometimes have adverse impacts on migratory fish species which are one of the many prey species for otter. There is potential, therefore, for consequent localised impacts on otters and therefore this conservation objective could be undermined. 

Beaver activities can result in increased wetland habitat suitable for amphibians and some localised changes to fish populations. Amphibians may be an important seasonal source of prey for otter populations.  A net benefit to otters, in terms of provision of foraging habitat, is expected as a result of beaver activities. 

Conclusion

The above appraisal suggests that provided the following mitigation condition is put in place, the conservation objectives for the otter feature of the River Spey SAC will not be undermined by any beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment, and it will not adversely affect the integrity of the SAC.  

Where beaver dams are constructed that impede the movement of migratory fish to such a degree that there might be an adverse effect on site integrity via impacts to otter, all appropriate mitigation measures to facilitate fish passage are put in place to avoid this. This mitigation will be informed by monitoring of beaver presence and the likelihood of beaver damming.   Hence where beavers are established, it is proposed to carry out surveillance for the presence of dams in key locations at the critical times of year for the spring (smolts) and autumn runs (adults) to locate any beaver dams. Where dams are identified, they would be assessed for passability and, where necessary, agreed dam removal/notching criteria implemented under licence. Removal of dams that are less than two weeks old can take place at any time without a licence from NatureScot.  As greater knowledge of beaver and fish interactions is acquired through actions in the Scottish Beaver Strategy the need for ongoing monitoring can be reviewed.  Specific mitigation for the Atlantic salmon feature of the River Spey SAC is outlined above. 

Qualifying features

• Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels
• Acid peat-stained lakes and ponds
• Wet heathland with cross-leaved heath
• Dry heaths
• Alpine and subalpine heaths
• Mountain willow scrub
• Juniper on heaths or calcareous grasslands
• Montane acid grasslands
• Dry grasslands and scrublands on chalk or limestone
• Species-rich grassland with mat-grass in upland areas*
• Tall herb communities
• Blanket bog*
• Very wet mires often identified by an unstable `quaking` surface
• Hard-water springs depositing lime*
• High-altitude plant communities associated with areas of water seepage*
• Acidic scree
• Plants in crevices on base-rich rocks
• Plants in crevices on acid rocks
• Caledonian forest*
• Bog woodland*
• Otter
• Green shield-moss

*denotes a Habitats Directive priority habitat

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for Cairngorms SAC can be found in full in the Conservation Advice Package along with other information about the site.  The key elements to consider are as follows:

To ensure that the integrity of Cairngorms SAC is restored by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c for each qualifying feature:

Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of the Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels

Acid peat-stained lakes and ponds

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Acid peat-stained lakes and ponds within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of Acid peat-stained lakes and ponds

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of Acid peat-stained lakes and ponds

Wet heathland with cross-leaved heath

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Wet heathland with cross-leaved heath within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of Wet heathland with cross-leaved heath

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of Wet heathland with cross-leaved heath

Dry heaths

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of European dry heaths within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of European dry heaths

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of European dry heaths

Alpine and subalpine heaths

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Alpine and Boreal heaths within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of the Alpine and Boreal heath

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the Alpine and boreal heath

Mountain willow scrub

2a. Restore the extent and distribution of Mountain willow scrub within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of Mountain willow scrub

2c. Restore the distribution and viability of typical species of Mountain willow scrub

Juniper on heaths or calcareous grasslands

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Juniper on heaths or calcareous grasslands within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of Juniper on heaths or calcareous grasslands

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of Juniper on heaths or calcareous grasslands

Montane acid grasslands

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Montane acid grasslands within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of Montane acid grasslands

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of Montane acid grasslands

Dry grasslands and scrublands on chalk or limestone

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Dry grasslands and scrublands on chalk or limestone within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of Dry grasslands and scrublands on chalk or limestone

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of Dry grasslands and scrublands on chalk or limestone

Species-rich grassland with mat-grass in upland areas

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Species-rich grasslands with mat-grass in upland areas within the site

2b. Restore, the structure, function and supporting processes of Species-rich grasslands with mat-grass in upland areas

2c. Restore the distribution and viability of typical species of Species-rich grasslands with mat-grass in upland areas

Tall herb communities

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Tall herb communities within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of Tall herb communities

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of Tall herb communities

Blanket bog

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of blanket bog within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of blanket bog

2c. Restore the distribution and viability of typical species of blanket bog

Very wet mires often identified by an unstable `quaking` surface

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Very wet mires often identified by an unstable ‘quaking’ surface within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of Very wet mires often identified by an unstable ‘quaking’ surface

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of Very wet mires often identified by an unstable ‘quaking’ surface

Hard-water springs depositing lime

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Hard water springs depositing lime within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of Hard water springs depositing lime

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of Hard water springs depositing lime

High-altitude plant communities associated with areas of water seepage

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of High altitude plant communities associated with water seepage within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of High altitude plant communities associated with water seepage

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of High altitude plant communities associated with water seepage

Acidic scree

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Acidic scree within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of Acidic scree

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of Acidic scree

Plants in crevices on base-rich rocks

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Plants in crevices on base-rich rocks within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of Plants in crevices on base-rich rocks

2c. Restore the distribution and viability of typical species of Plants in crevices on base-rich rocks

Plants in crevices on acid rocks

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Plants in crevices on acid rocks within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of Plants in crevices on acid rocks

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of Plants in crevices on acid rocks

Caledonian forest

2a. Restore the extent and distribution of Caledonian forests within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of Caledonian forests

2c. Restore the distribution and viability of typical species of Caledonian forests

Bog woodland

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Bog woodland within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of Bog woodland

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of Bog woodland

Otter

2a. Restore the population of otter as a viable component of the site

2b. Maintain the distribution of otter throughout the site

2c. Maintain the habitats supporting otter within the site and availability of food

Green shield-moss

2a. Maintain the population of Green shield-moss as a viable component of the site

2b. Maintain the distribution of Green shield-moss throughout the site

2c. Maintain the habitats supporting Green shield-moss within the site

Appraisal

The Cairngorms SAC is 57,691.73ha and encompasses the Cairngorm mountains, Britain’s largest area of arctic-alpine habitats, and its associated moorland, forests and grasslands. It also includes a number of lochs and lochans.  It lies partly within the River Spey catchment with an estimate of over 1,200ha of potentially suitable beaver woodland that overlaps the SAC.   

Beaver are reliant on aquatic habitats and monitoring from the Knapdale Beaver Trial suggested that beavers generally occurred within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015).  The SAC has 20 qualifying habitats and 2 qualifying species.  However there is considered to be no ecological connectivity between beavers and the following qualifying habitats of the SAC:

• alpine and subalpine heaths
• mountain willow scrub
• juniper on heaths or calcareous grasslands
• montane acid grasslands
• dry grasslands and scrublands on chalk or limestone
• species-rich grassland with mat-grass in upland areas
• tall herb communities
• acidic scree
• plants in crevices on base-rich rocks
• plants in crevices on acid rocks.

These features are therefore are not considered any further as their conservation objectives will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment. 

Three further upland habitat qualifying features are present within the Cairngorms SAC, these are wet heath with crossed leaved heath, blanket bog and dry heath.  As these are un-wooded habitats it is not expected that any impacts would be due to the foraging activities of beavers.  However in areas where the topography is gently undulating, such as within the Rothiemurchus area, small rises in water levels on lochs, rivers and burns could potentially cause flooding of adjacent areas where these habitats occur.   

Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels

This feature of the SAC was found to be in favourable condition when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2010. It is found over a range of conditions within the SAC. The very highest waters (corrie and plateau lochs at >900 m) have rocky substrates and very low nutrient status, and suffer a harsh climate by British standards. These factors lead to low species diversity and the absence of aquatic macrophytes. This is an extreme variation of the habitat type.

Loch Einich, the principle waterbody of this feature, is 72ha and lies at 490m.  Mean depth is 6.8m.  It is a large slightly acidic upland loch supporting a diversity of plant species. There is very limited woodland in the catchment. 

Lochs on the valley floors have more sheltered conditions and the occurrence of finer sediments allows limited establishment of higher plants, although these are still extremely nutrient poor systems. Some of the major lochs include Loch an Eilein, Loch Eanaich, Loch Avon, and Loch Builg and there are many smaller lochs and lochans. Although not specifically identified Loch Garten also falls within the SAC. It is 40ha and lies at the lower altitude of 200m. There is significant woodland cover within the catchment, although most of this is conifer.  This and other valley floor lochs are more likely to be colonised by beaver than the higher altitude lochs with almost no woodland in their catchments.  An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows:

It is unlikely that any lochs will be lost completely. However, for smaller lochs, of around less than 5ha, damming of outflows or inflows may result in significant level changes as happened on one loch in the beaver trial. If not reversed, level changes may lead to changes in the marginal vegetation and potentially through modification of the photic zone submerged plants. Larger lochs are unlikely to be affected, as the impacts on hydrology are reduced by scale. It requires a larger volume of water to raise the level of the loch so effects upon marginal vegetation are less likely. The higher hydrostatic head also makes damming of outflows less likely. Some waterbodies are also in relatively un-afforested areas where damming is unlikely or at higher altitude which may be less attractive to colonisation.

It would be possible to ensure no adverse effect on the extent and distribution of the habitat by monitoring the location of beaver dams within the SAC through a programme of site checks to support standard site monitoring and managing water flows and removing any dams where potential impacts affecting the conservation objective are identified.  The aim of the checks would be to identify sites where beavers were having an effect on the listed feature. Annual checks would avoid any impact however longer intervals between formal checks could apply to areas that are more visible to casual inspection or where the habitat is considered more robust such as lochs with little fringing vegetation. 

As above larger lochs are unlikely to be adversely impacted. For the smaller waterbodies a network of dams on the feeder streams may increase the extent of freshwater habitat. Beavers do not generally dam in water bodies more than 0.85m deep and 6m wide. Any dam-building on the lochs is therefore likely to be restricted to outflow and inflow streams. The presence of a beaver dam on the outflow would probably reduce the existing water level fluctuation and may increase levels within the loch. This may affect the extent and composition of the edge vegetation and in extreme cases the submerged vegetation in the photic zone. However impacts are unlikely to be irreversible.  It would be possible to ensure no adverse effect on the structure function and supporting processes of the habitat by monitoring the location of beaver dams within the SAC through a programme of site checks to support standard site monitoring, and managing water flows and removing any dams where potential impacts affecting the conservation objective are identified.  The aim of the checks would be to identify sites where beavers were having an effect on the listed feature. Annual checks would avoid any impact however longer intervals between formal checks could apply to areas that are more visible to casual inspection or where the habitat is considered more robust such as lochs with little fringing vegetation. 

Changes to water level can affect the fringing vegetation associated with this habitat. Land can be dried out or inundated as the levels fall or rise. The shallower the depth profile and the flatter the surrounding land, the more pronounced the effects because of the gradient. However, fringing vegetation is adapted to deal with seasonal and event-related changes to water levels. Furthermore, damming would not be able to create changes in the loch level which are immediately beyond the vegetation’s ability to adapt. It may create more extensive areas of wetland surrounding the loch. Any changes to the typical species are not likely to be irreversible.

Beavers will feed on a wide range of plant species including submerged and emergent macrophytes. The Knapdale study found that there were no apparent adverse effects on the submerged plant assemblages that form part of the basis for designation of the Taynish and Knapdale Woods SAC. The greatest effects from the Knapdale study were on plant cover with species richness being little affected. The preferred species at Knapdale were all rhizomatous. A study by Jones 2006 using enclosures to study the effect of herbivory found no discernable impact on P. natans, the dominant macrophyte.

Changes are likely to be to the sward structure and local distribution of some species if beaver colonise these lochs. The greatest impacts at Knapdale were found where multiple animals were in occupancy for more than one season.

It would be possible to ensure no adverse effect on the distribution and viability of the typical species of the habitat by monitoring the location of beaver dams within the SAC through a programme of site checks to support standard site monitoring, and managing water flows and removing any dams where potential impacts affecting the conservation objective are identified.  The aim of the checks would be to identify sites where beavers were having an effect on the listed feature. Annual checks would avoid any impact however longer intervals between formal checks could apply to areas that are more visible to casual inspection or where the habitat is considered more robust such as lochs with little fringing vegetation.

Damming of inflows if this occurred may result in the reduction of silt and finer sediments flowing into the lochs. This would reduce the nutrient inputs which would normally be considered positive. The overall loading of phosphorus will not be increased by the trapping of silt. However silt from failed or abandoned dams may be remobilised by storm events when flushing rates will be relatively high. In some circumstances the wetting up of drier areas may result in a release of nutrients. The precise effects upon water chemistry will vary from site to site and may be complex. They are likely to be of a scale similar or less than other impacts which are monitored through Site Condition Monitoring. No additional monitoring is therefore required but mitigation including dam modification and the removal of dams or if necessary beavers may be required to avoid impacts in a very small number of cases.

Conclusion

It cannot be ascertained that any proposed beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not undermine the conservation objectives for the clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels feature of the SAC, or will not adversely affect the integrity of the Cairngorms SAC without mitigation in place.

Colonisation of the catchment of Loch Einich, and the plateau and corrie lochs over 900m is improbable given the harsher climate and low extent of tree cover.  However, beavers are more likely to colonise the areas around the lower lying lochs which are generally found further north in the SAC.  This could happen if the area is sufficiently attractive to beavers despite the relative paucity of deciduous woodland near the lochs.  However, any impacts are likely to be small scale and reversible using dam removal or modification techniques used elsewhere. Any potential adverse impacts from beaver colonisation could be prevented by having a mitigation plan in place, including a programme of site checks to support Site Condition Monitoring, to identify those impacts before they had an adverse effect on site integrity.  Mitigation is likely to include the use of flow control devices to manage dams, the removal of dams, or if necessary beavers.   

Acid peat-stained lakes and ponds

This feature was found to be in favourable condition when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2014.  The conservation objectives for the feature are as follows:

Many of the smaller waterbodies of this habitat are associated with blanket bog and these are unlikely to be affected by beaver due to their location.  Loch Etchachan (26ha) is the water body that NatureScot monitors for this feature and this is unlikely to be affected due to its high altitude (927m) and lack of suitable habitat in the catchment (100% montane habitats).

However, as noted below, there are some areas of blanket bog in the lower lying parts of the site where the land is relatively flat to gently undulating.  Relatively small areas of blanket bog adjacent to watercourses could potentially become flooded if water levels increased due to the activity of beavers.  If this habitat, that is associated with blanket bog, also occurred in such areas it may also become potentially vulnerable to flooding.  However provided the mitigation outlined below for blanket bog is in place this habitat should not be adversely affected. 

Wet heathland with cross-leaved heath

Wet heath with crossed-leaved heath was considered to be in favourable condition at this site when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2021. 

Wet heath is one of the most widespread habitats in Cairngorms SAC and the site has the largest extent of wet heath in this part of the UK. Wet heaths usually occur on wet, shallow peat and typically have cross-leaved heath Erica tetralix and/or deergrass Trichophorum cespitosum along with heather Calluna vulgaris. On Cairngorms SAC wet heath is extensive on gentler slopes, and on the lower slopes of corries and small glens. It usually occurs on acidic, nutrient-poor substrates, such as shallow peats or sandy soils with impeded drainage so they remain wet for much of the time. The characteristic vegetation of wet heath is supported by damp peat soils. These areas are largely treeless (any trees near to wet heath are mainly coniferous, which are usually not felled by beavers).  They are at best marginal habitats for beavers who may feed on some of the vegetation present.  They will not usually build dams in such areas but may do so in adjacent areas which has the potential to flood areas of habitat if not mitigated.

An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows:

It is unlikely that large areas of wet heath habitat will be lost due to flooding.  However relatively small areas of the habitat adjacent to watercourses could potentially become flooded where water levels have increased due to the activity of beavers. Prolonged submersion through flooding may result in the loss of the typical species present and therefore parts of the habitat. Any foraging activity by beavers will not undermine the conservation objectives as beavers are known to only temporarily visit such habitats on occasion.

It would be possible to ensure no adverse effect on the habitat by monitoring the location of beaver dams close to qualifying habitat within the SAC.  Annual monitoring would alert us to any impact in potentially vulnerable areas.  Longer intervals between formal checks could apply to areas that are more visible to casual inspection or where the habitat is considered to be remote from beaver habitat. Where it is considered remote from beaver activity the NatureScot Site Condition Monitoring and Site Check visits should suffice.

Conclusion

It cannot be ascertained that any proposed beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not undermine the conservation objectives for wet heath, or will not adversely affect the integrity of the Cairngorms SAC with respect to this feature without mitigation in place. Any potential adverse impacts from beaver colonisation could however be prevented by having a mitigation plan in place, including a programme of regular monitoring to identify those impacts before they had an adverse effect on site integrity.  Mitigation is likely to include the appropriate licensing and use of flow control devices to manage dams, the removal of dams, or if necessary beavers.

Dry heaths

Dry heath was considered to be in unfavourable recovering condition at this site when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2021.  In the past monitoring indicated there was too much muirburn in sensitive areas, and a lack of different growth forms of heather at a few locations, although these impacts have now been remedied. Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the feature to be further restored.   

Dry heaths typically occur on freely draining, acidic to almost neutral soils with a generally low nutrient content. Ericaceous (heathy) dwarf-shrubs dominate the vegetation but all heaths vary in their flora and fauna according to climate, altitude, aspect, soil conditions (especially base-status and drainage), and grazing and burning intensity. They are at best marginal habitats for beavers who may feed on some of the vegetation present.  They will not build dams in such areas but may do so in adjacent areas which has the potential to flood areas of dry heath if not mitigated.

An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows:

It is unlikely that large areas of Dry heathland habitat will be lost due to flooding.  However small areas of habitat near to watercourses could potentially become flooded where water levels have increased due to the activity of beavers. Dry heath is one of the most abundant habitats in Cairngorms SAC. It is widespread at dryer locations, typically on peat over gravel, across the whole site. Prolonged submersion through flooding will result in the loss of habitat.

It would be possible to ensure no adverse effect on the habitat by monitoring the location of beaver dams close to qualifying habitat within the SAC.  Annual monitoring would alert us to any impact in potentially vulnerable areas.  Longer intervals between formal checks could apply to areas that are more visible to casual inspection or where the habitat is considered to be remote from beaver habitat. Where it is considered remote from beaver activity the NatureScot Site Condition Monitoring and Site Check visits should suffice.

Conclusion

It cannot be ascertained that any proposed beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not undermine the conservation objectives for Dry heath, or will not adversely affect the integrity of the Cairngorms SAC with respect to this feature without mitigation in place. Any potential adverse impacts from beaver colonisation could however be prevented by having a mitigation plan in place, including a programme of regular monitoring to identify those impacts before they had an adverse effect on site integrity.  Mitigation is likely to include the appropriate licensing and use of flow control devices to manage dams, the removal of dams, or if necessary beavers.

Blanket bog

Blanket bog was considered to be in unfavourable recovering condition at this site when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2021.  In the past monitoring indicated there was too much disturbed bare peat, and eroding peat. It also found the browsing level was too high and there were too few indicator species. More recent survey has however found low herbivore impacts, and recovery is occurring.  Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the feature to be further restored.    

As advised in the 2017 Beaver HRA, blanket bogs are unlikely to be affected by beavers although beavers have been known to temporarily visit such habitats on occasion.  The characteristic vegetation of blanket bog is supported by waterlogged peat soils. Blanket bogs are found on gently sloping locations, in upland areas which are largely treeless (any trees near to blanket bog are mainly coniferous, which are usually not felled by beavers).  They are at best marginal habitats for beavers who may feed on some of the vegetation present.   They will not usually build dams in such areas but may do so in adjacent areas which has the potential to flood areas of blanket bog if not mitigated.

 An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows:

It is unlikely that large areas of blanket bog habitat will be lost due to flooding.  However the generally flat to gently undulating topography of this habitat could mean that relatively small areas of the habitat adjacent to watercourses could potentially become flooded where water levels have increased due to the activity of beavers.  Blanket bog is a peatland habitat that is primarily rainwater fed with the water table being at or near the surface.  Specialised vegetation of nutrient poor, wet peaty substrate conditions occurs dominated by species such as sphagnums, cross-leaved heath, ling and cotton grasses.  Prolonged submersion through flooding may result in the loss of some of the typical species present and therefore the habitat.  Any foraging activity by beavers will not undermine the conservation objectives as beavers are known to only temporarily visit such habitats on occasion.

It would be possible to ensure no adverse effect on the habitat by monitoring the location of beaver dams close to qualifying habitat within the SAC.  Annual monitoring would alert us any impact in potentially vulnerable areas.  Longer intervals between formal checks could apply to areas that are more visible to casual inspection or where the habitat is considered to be remote from beaver habitat.  Where it is considered remote from beaver activity the NatureScot Site Condition Monitoring and Site Check visits should suffice.

Conclusion

It cannot be ascertained that any proposed beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not undermine the conservation objectives for blanket bog, or will not adversely affect the integrity of the Cairngorms SAC with respect to this feature without mitigation in place. Any potential adverse impacts from beaver colonisation could however be prevented by having a mitigation plan in place, including a programme of regular monitoring to identify those impacts before they had an adverse effect on site integrity.  Mitigation is likely to include the appropriate licensing and use of flow control devices to manage dams, the removal of dams, or if necessary beavers.

Very wet mires often identified by an unstable `quaking` surface

This feature was found to be in favourable condition when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2021. 

This feature is also known as transition mires and quaking bogs. The term ‘transition mire’ relates to vegetation that in floristic composition and general ecological characteristics is transitional between acid bog and alkaline fens, in which the surface conditions range from markedly acidic to slightly base-rich.  The habitat occurs within the Abernethy Forest SSSI, North Rothiemurchus Pinewoods SSSI, and Glenmore Forest SSSI parts of the Cairngorms SAC. It occurs in small scattered locations in the very wettest parts of basin mires, the edges of blanket bog habitat and seepage areas within mire complexes.  An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows:

The transition mires are mainly found in the lower north-western parts of the Cairngorms SAC within Abernethy and Rothiemurchus pine forests, usually in wet hollows or associated with valley mires. On this site the majority of the quaking mire vegetation belongs to the M4 Carex rostrata – Sphagnum recurvum mire, with occasional patches of more species-rich vegetation with a bryophyte carpet with abundant Calliergonella cuspidata and Calliergon cordifolium. Small pockets of more species-rich vegetation are frequent in the fens and transition mires of Strathspey. The majority of the confirmed locations for transition mire in the SAC points are either in the eastern Abernethy (Tulloch Moor-Loch Garten) area or Moormore (Rothiemurchus) where individual stands of transition mire or quaking bog could possibly be affected by flooding resulting from dam building activity if the less-preferred coniferous, or the few non-coniferous trees are felled for dam building. 

Dam building and foraging activities of beavers could have an effect on the extent of wetland habitats and species, succession processes and the species composition and diversity of wetland communities.  The construction of beaver dams can affect the hydrology, water chemistry, sediment transport patterns and nutrient levels in a number of different ways depending on local circumstances.  Reduced flow velocity behind dams can lead to increased sediment deposition. Alternatively, the flooding of adjacent land can lead to an increase in the sediment load. The build-up of woody debris can lead to the formation of braided channels, pools and islands.  An increase in water levels could lead to a change in wetland habitats with a corresponding transition to different wetland plant communities e.g. from fen to swamp.

Dam building and feeding activities can also lead to changes in nutrient levels in the water and, depending on local conditions, beaver ponds can either act as a source of raised nitrogen and phosphorus levels or as a nutrient sink. Beaver dams constructed close to transition mires and quaking bogs could lead to an increase in water levels.  However, quaking mires form a mat of floating vegetation which rises and falls with the water levels, so the condition of the feature is not likely to be affected as a result of moderate increases in water levels. 

Although the habitat represents a transition between bog and fen conditions, the water tends to be fairly acidic and only slightly enriched. An increase in nutrient levels could lead to a transition to fen vegetation, although in some cases floating rafts of ombrotrophic vegetation can persist above more nutrient rich water.  A prolonged, significant rise in water levels, combined with an increase in nutrient levels could lead to a transition to swamp vegetation.

Quaking bogs can form through the infilling of a water body or when large pools in blanket bog (dubh lochans) infill with an encroaching vegetation mat. The latter is a very common mechanism of quaking bog formation in Scotland.

The surface of transitional mires and quaking bogs is typically highly acidic and low in nutrients, reflecting the predominant role of precipitation in the water balance, with only a weaker minerotrophic influence. The mean pH of quaking bogs is around 4.  However, their transitional character between bogs and impoverished forms of fen means that the pH may be higher than that found in bogs. The same trend applies to mineral content. In some situations floating rafts may overlie water with a significantly higher pH and nutrient content, where the floating nature of the raft reduces or removes the influence of the underlying base-rich water.

Quaking bog vegetation rafts are sensitive to the duration of low water levels, which could result in the buoyant raft becoming anchored to the underlying substrate if water levels are reduced sufficiently for too long.  The activities of beavers are not likely to result in a reduction in water levels in transition mires and quaking bogs.

Increased mineral and nutrient levels arising from changes to water quantities or quality could result in a shift in the species composition towards more typical fen communities, although where there is a floating raft of vegetation this can effectively become isolated from the underlying water. Precise changes cannot yet be predicted, and will depend upon the nature, scale, duration, and location of beavers and their activities.

A variety of changes in the floral, and subsequently the faunal, composition of the qualifying habitat are possible through the dam-building activities of beavers (especially through changes in water chemistry and water levels). 

Beaver will feed on a variety of plant species but the majority of their foraging effort is spent within water or within 20m of water-bodies (and rarely up to 50m) (SNH, 2015).

Conclusion

It cannot be ascertained that any proposed beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not undermine the conservation objectives for the very wet mires often identified by an unstable `quaking` surface feature of the SAC, or will not adversely affect the integrity of the Cairngorms SAC with respect to this feature without mitigation in place.  However any potential adverse impacts from beaver colonisation could be prevented by having a mitigation plan in place, including a programme of annual site checks to support Site Condition Monitoring, to identify those impacts before they had an adverse effect on site integrity.  Mitigation is likely to include the use of flow control devices to manage dams, the removal of dams, or if necessary beavers. 

Hard-water springs depositing lime

This feature was found to be in favourable condition when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2007.  The conservation objectives for the feature are as follows:

Petrifying springs with tufa formation are usually found on steeper slopes and at higher altitudes, and therefore less likely to be impacted by beavers.  Tufa forms in areas where highly calcareous ground water percolates to the surface and the main tufa-forming mosses Cratoneuron commutatum and C. filicinum are present. Tufa is found in soligenous fens and wet flushes on sloping ground which are set above areas with the potential to be flooded (flooding would wash away the tufa/mosses). Typically they form transitions to other open habitats such as heathland, grassland, limestone pavement and cliffs/screes.

Within the Cairngorms SAC, the hard-water springs depositing lime habitat is only found within Inchrory SSSI. It occurs on metamorphosed limestones and related calcareous schists. There are a number of springs where tufa formations is very active, but not all of them support the curled hook-moss Palustriella commutata dominated vegetation often characteristic of this habitat. The vegetation is open, scattered, and contains rare and scarce species.

Given the location of the habitat it is very unlikely to be affected by beaver activity either through dam building or tree felling.  The conservation objectives for this feature will therefore not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment. 

High-altitude plant communities associated with areas of water seepage

This feature was found to be in unfavourable recovering condition when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2021.  Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the site from being restored.  The conservation objectives for the feature are as follows:

Alpine pioneer formations of the Caricion bicoloris-atrofuscae are dependent on flushing by calcareous water and changes in water chemistry brought about by beaver damming could possibly lead to a change in the characteristic species of the habitat. Importantly, this habitat mostly occurs on slopes on the sides of hills, and above potentially suitable beaver habitat, but also occurs occasionally on flatter ground.  However, even the occurrences on flatter ground are in locations most unlikely to be affected by beaver activity (i.e. above the zone that beaver might be able to affect through dam-building).

In the Cairngorms SAC as this habitat is not found in areas where beaver are likely to have an impact the conservation objectives for this feature will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment.

Caledonian forest

The key areas of Caledonian Forest within Cairngorms SAC in the Spey Catchment are Abernethy Forest, Rothiemurchus, Glenmore Forest including the Northern Corries and Ryvoan, Inshriach and Invereshie, and Glen Feshie.  Mar Lodge is also within Cairngorms SAC but not in the Spey Catchment.  This feature was found to be in unfavourable recovering condition when last monitored in 2015 as non-native regeneration is too great and not all age classes are fully represented, i.e., not enough young trees in some places, and large stands of single-age trees in others. It is recovering due to positive site management.  Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the site from being restored.

No impact is expected on the extent and distribution of the habitat.  Beaver generally avoid pine and, although broadleaved species are an important component of Caledonian forest, they do not comprise a large enough proportion for impacts to affect the area.

Changes in structure of the broadleaved component in the immediate vicinity of rivers is possible due to beaver foraging and dam building, although any potential impacts would only be considered adverse if their regeneration is impeded or restricted, e.g. due to excessive pressure from other herbivores.  Beaver impacts are likely to increase the diversity of the broadleaved woodland component by making some areas wetter. This is likely to increase habitat diversity and therefore biodiversity of these areas.

Herbivore impact varies across the site; meeting objectives in some areas and not in others.  Attention to deer management across the site will be an important element of avoiding an adverse effect on site integrity if beaver create territories in this area.

Aspen is an important component of the Strathspey pinewoods and mature / veteran trees are valuable for biodiversity, including a number of species which are dependent on this tree.  This is also a strongly preferred species for beavers.  Beaver could therefore have an adverse impact on the population structure of aspen (e.g. removal of a large proportion of mature and over-mature trees) and its associated species.  However within the Cairngorms SAC aspen distribution near to rivers is limited (most of the aspen distribution in the Abernethy area is outside of the SAC).  Habitat data suggests there are small areas of aspen in the Abernethy SSSI and in North Rothiemurchus Pinewood SSSI components of the SAC, but largely at some distance from watercourses and unlikely to be affected.

Short, medium or long-term changes in the vegetative structure, and/or hydrology of areas in the immediate vicinity of rivers, is likely to increase the dynamism of woodland processes.  Provided regeneration is able to continue, this is likely to increase the overall conservation value of the site (for example, by increasing the amount of standing dead wood resulting from flooding, thereby increasing habitat for dead wood ‘typical species’). Such changes would be compatible with this conservation objective and do not undermine it.

Potential impacts depend on the precise nature of changes, but generally likely to be positive provided regeneration of affected trees and shrubs is able to take place. An exception may be for species dependent on aspen, which could be adversely affected if beavers change the population structure of aspen.  However as noted above aspen distribution within the SAC is limited.  There are small areas of aspen in the Abernethy SSSI and in North Rothiemurchus Pinewood SSSI components of the SAC, but largely at some distance from watercourses and unlikely to be affected.

Conclusion

The above appraisal suggests that the conservation objectives for the Caledonian forest feature of the Cairngorms SAC could potentially be undermined by beaver translocation to the River Spey catchment without any appropriate management measures to mitigate impacts being in place.  Impacts are possible in areas of qualifying habitat likely to be used by beavers (i.e. generally within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)), as a result of the cumulative impacts of beavers and other herbivores on the broadleaved component of the site. This would occur if beavers fell trees and / or shrubs, and other herbivores then prevent the natural regeneration of those trees through browsing.

However if beavers begin to colonise the SAC, impacts could be monitored using the Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment (WHIA) methodology and incorporating monitoring of beaver signs.  The methods allow for some heterogeneity, but generally ‘low’ impacts are desirable for woodland restoration, although it is recognised they are not currently “low” in parts of the SAC. Where herbivore impacts are already too high, the woodland will already be in an unfavourable condition. Beaver presence could exacerbate this – but management of other herbivores may allow any beaver coppiced trees to regenerate. Herbivore management in the case of wild deer and goats is generally by a deer/herbivore management plan and of livestock via consents and management agreements. For beavers, licenced intervention could be considered where there is serious risk of damage to a conservation interest, but proactive mitigation in the form of selective tree protection is more likely, but is unlikely to be appropriate on a large scale. Hence the focus would be on ensuring the impact of other herbivores are sufficiently low to allow beaver presence.  It is advised that annual site checks would be necessary to ensure appropriate levels of herbivore impacts are maintained where beavers are present. These should be carried out at the end of winter/ beginning of spring, using the Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment.

With the appropriate monitoring and herbivore management in place it would be possible to ensure that translocations of beaver into the River Spey catchment would not adversely affect the integrity of the Cairngorms SAC through impacts to Caledonian forest.

Bog woodland

At the last Site Condition Monitoring in 2002 this feature was found to be in favourable condition.  The conservation objectives for the features are as follows:

In the Cairngorms SAC most trees on bog woodland are Scots pine, but other native tree species such as downy birch are also included in this habitat.  Bog woodland occurs within the River Spey catchment part of the SAC in Abernethy Forest, Dell Wood, Rothiemurchus, and Glenmore Forest. 

Beavers generally avoid felling pine trees, and other tree species form only a tiny component of bog woodland.  Much bog pine in the Cairngorms SAC is too small to be of much interest to beaver in any case.  It is possible that beaver might affect the hydrology of bog pine areas, and it is most likely that this will result in increased wetness, which would generally be positive for the bog woodland feature.  Therefore there is an extremely limited ability for beavers to impact on the bog woodland qualifier in any way that might undermine the conservation objectives. 

It is therefore concluded that the proposal to release beaver into the River Spey catchment will not adversely affect the integrity of Cairngorms SAC through impacts to bog woodland.

Otter

Otter were assessed as being in unfavourable declining condition at the site during the last Site Condition Monitoring in 2011 due to a reduction in the number of signs of otter and otter prey in terms of fish. The survey report notes “a loss of occupancy of approximately 20% since the 2003-04 survey with a continued downward trend since full occupancy in 1991-94”.  Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the feature from being restored. The implications for each of the conservation objectives is considered below:

Eurasian beavers and otters do not compete directly for resources. The otter is a predatory species, and the beaver is herbivorous. Otter and beaver territories will overlap. There are occasional records of otter predation on beaver.

Information from Europe indicates that the presence of beavers does not appear to be detrimental to otters, and indeed may be beneficial. This is supported by the findings of the monitoring undertaken during the Scottish Beaver Trial (Harrington et al, 2015). This is believed to be linked to the habitats that are created where beavers have been active, such as ponds, localised wetland areas etc., which are also good quality habitat for otters and otter prey.

There will therefore be no adverse impact on the population of the species as a viable component of the site.

As described above, European information and the results of the Scottish Beaver Trial monitoring programme conclude that the presence of beavers will not affect otter distribution adversely. It is possible that an increase in wetland habitat may result in some localised increases in the overall area where otters are most likely to actively forage. However, beaver dams may sometimes have adverse impacts on migratory fish species which are one of the many prey species for otter. There is potential, therefore, for consequent localised impacts on otters and therefore this conservation objective could be undermined. 

Beaver activities can result in increased wetland habitat suitable for amphibians and some localised changes to fish populations. Amphibians are an important seasonal source of prey for otter populations.  A net benefit to otters, in terms of provision of foraging habitat, is expected as a result of beaver activities. 

Conclusion

The above appraisal suggests that the conservation objectives for the otter feature of the Cairngorms SAC will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment, and it will not adversely affect the integrity of the SAC for this feature provided the following mitigation condition is put in place.  

Where beaver dams are constructed that impede the movement of migratory fish to such a degree that there might be an adverse effect on site integrity via impacts to otter, all appropriate mitigation measures to facilitate fish passage are put in place to avoid this. This mitigation will be informed by monitoring of beaver presence and the likelihood of beaver damming (see also mitigation for the River Spey SAC above).  Hence where beavers are established, it is proposed to carry out surveillance for the presence of dams in key locations at the critical times of year for the spring (smolts) and autumn runs (adults) to locate any beaver dams. Where dams are identified, they would be assessed for passability and, where necessary, agreed dam removal/notching criteria implemented under licence. Removal of dams that are less than two weeks old can take place at any time without a licence from NatureScot.  As greater knowledge of beaver and fish interactions is acquired through actions in the Scottish Beaver Strategy the need for ongoing monitoring can be reviewed. 

Green shield-moss (Buxbaumia viridis)

Green shield-moss was found to be in a favourable condition when last monitored in 2006.  It occurs in Abernethy and Glenmore Forests and is found primarily on well-rotted Scots pine, birch, rowan, willow, alder, juniper, oak and commercial conifer logs, but also on Norway spruce cut down no more than ten years ago, old wood ant nests, old bracket fungi, and occasionally on organic soil.  

Green shield-moss is a scarce moss that has a restricted distribution within Scotland and is not found in the rest of the UK. In the UK Red List, it is registered as Near Threatened (Callaghan, 2023), but was regarded as Endangered in the Church et al 2001 Red List before the discovery of significant populations, largely within the Abernethy area of the Cairngorms.

Across most of its Scottish sites, this species has been associated with humid woodlands, often close to fast-flowing rivers, and associated with decorticated deadwood (deadwood without bark). This deadwood is generally of a damp and rotted state to a softness where it can be pierced by a fingernail, and often is not fully colonised by more competitive weft forming mosses. However, extensive searching in Abernethy (the core area for this moss) has found green shield moss in humid woodlands further away from watercourses, and upon a wider range of substrates.

As ecosystem engineers, there are a number of ways in which beavers will affect the habitats and microhabitats around them, and it is difficult to predict exactly how green shield moss will be affected given its substrate and humidity requirements.  In particular, green shield-moss could be disrupted by changes to canopy cover, which maintains the stability and humidity of the habitat, through tree felling.  Damming may also change air moisture associated with the speed of water courses, and flooding. Beavers may also affect the amount of deadwood in an area.  While existing deadwood that currently hosts green shield moss is unlikely to be of interest to beavers the Scottish beaver trial found that most felled trees were removed for construction, caching or eating elsewhere, or consumed on the spot by beavers (although there had been some increase in fallen dead wood in the areas most heavily used by beavers).  Green shield-moss seems to prefer logs that have (or have had) a diameter over 0.2m as they are more likely to retain moisture - these are larger than the average beaver cut log.  Beaver felled trees are most frequently below 0.1m in diameter, but often up to 0.2m and can be up to a metre in diameter.  If beaver do fell larger trees they do so to access the higher up branches and can also strip the main trunk of bark.  If the trees are too large to move this could potentially become a suitable host for green shield moss.  It is worth noting that green shield moss has shown a slight preference for decorticated logs, and so beaver-stripped trees may provide more of this habitat.  At its Cairngorm sites, green shield moss has also been found on other substrates including wood ant nests and soils with high rotten-wood content, suggesting that our understanding of the habitats required by this species is still developing.  As the trees that actively host green shield moss have been felled (with very few exceptions) and are a prostrate deadwood habitat, the protection of trees with green shield moss is not required. 

It is likely that the key determiner of the distribution of green shield moss is the presence of very humid conditions. Closed woodland creates its own microclimate that tends to have a higher humidity, and is more sheltered from extremes of temperature, desiccating wind and frosts. The felling of trees and changes to the age profiles of stands are likely to change the humidity.

It is likely that the effects of changes to river flow will have a variety of effects on green shield moss and other bryophytes, but these changes are highly dependent on the geography of the area. Unlike the dam sites targeted by hydroelectric schemes, it seems unlikely that beavers will be resident in areas that have steep gorge sides and very fast flowing water, which are associated with ravine bryophytes and increased humidity in the area. However, in Abernethy in particular, quite a few green shield moss sites are found a significant distance away from water courses, suggesting the Cairngorm sites are damp enough that the humidity associated with water courses does not overly effect distribution. It should be noted this is not the case in all Scottish sites.  Green shield moss habitat has been found to be resistant to temporary flooding that moves deadwood and wets the logs, but it is likely that being inundated too frequently would be detrimental.

Consideration of the potential effect of beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment on the conservation objectives for green shield-moss is given below:

Existing deadwood that currently hosts green shield moss is unlikely to be of interest to beavers and will therefore be maintained.  Some of the logs that support green shield moss may become unsuitable due to changes in humidity, mostly due to the felling of trees and loss of canopy (however this will depend on the tree species present and size and tree species that may be preferred by beavers (beaver do not generally fell pine).  This may lead to a reduction in the population on affected logs within areas of beaver activity (within 20m of the water margin but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015).  However, as the population is quite spaced out, not reliant on rivers, and seems to be quite large compared to other green shield moss sites, the population of green shield moss as a viable component of the site should be maintained.

Beaver activity mostly occurs within 20m of the water margin but rarely up to 50m.  As most of the sites in Abernethy are not immediately close to streams of a suitable size for damming, it is expected that most of the host woodland will be unaffected in humidity or presence of substrate.  The overall extent of occupancy will therefore likely stay the same and this conservation objective will not be undermined.  However, as mentioned above, some riverside logs within areas of potential beaver woodland may potentially become unsuitable if beaver move in to the area, causing changes to the distribution of the green shield moss within some areas of the site.  This will also depend on the tree species present in an area, and size and tree species that may be preferred by beavers (as noted above beaver do not generally fell pine).  It is normal for this species to move from log to log when conditions become unsuitable, but any changes to distribution should be monitored.

Much, but not all, of the green shield moss found in the Cairngorms is not associated with watercourses, and therefore does not overlap with potential beaver habitat.  However the three main influences on green shield moss are considered as follows;

• Existing deadwood that currently hosts green shield moss is unlikely to be of interest to beavers and will therefore be maintained.  The creation of new deadwood by beavers is likely to be overall neutral.  There may be some trees felled that are of a suitable size for green shield moss colonisation (larger logs over 0.2m in diameter), but there may also be a reduction in large deadwood close to water courses in the future if there are fewer large trees.  This will also be dependent on the tree species present, their size and whether they are preferred by beavers.  However as noted above much of the green shield moss in the Cairngorms SAC is not associated with watercourses. 
• The thinning of the canopy is likely to change the humidity of areas, and is likely to be detrimental to any green shield moss within beaver felling range of 20m from the watercourses. This could have a negative effect, especially if humidity from water courses travels further than anticipated under the canopy to sites that are further away from the water and direct beaver influences.  This is difficult to measure and predict.  However, this seems unlikely to be a significant change at the scale of suitable habitat within the Cairngorms.
• The slowing of watercourse flow is likely to change the humidity associated with rivers, but this will be unlikely to have a noticeable effect on the Cairngorm green shield moss sites as the population does not seem dependent on riverside humidity.

Conclusion

Much, but not all, of the green shield moss found in the Cairngorms SAC is not associated with watercourses, and as such will not be affected by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment.  While it is difficult to predict, there could be some changes to green shield moss habitat that is associated with water courses if beaver were active in these areas.  This could be due to changes in canopy cover through tree felling (which maintains the stability and humidity of the habitat), changes to availability of dead wood in the future, and damming causing changes to air moisture associated with the speed of water courses, and flooding.  This will also be influenced by the width of water course in a given location (and whether this could be dammed), and the tree species and size of tree present. 

Dead wood in woodland goes through successional changes and has a limited lifetime as it rots away.  The population dynamics of green shield moss therefore depend on a constant cycle of dispersal and colonisation of new substrates, which are thought to remain viable for around 10-20 years.  So while there could potentially be some localised changes to the distribution of green shield moss within some areas of the site as a result of beaver activity near to water courses this is a species whose distribution will naturally be influenced by the presence of host substrates and change over time.  Small changes to the habitat in some areas will therefore not have an adverse effect on the population as a viable component of the site and will not adversely affect the integrity of the SAC.

It is therefore concluded that the green shield moss feature of the Cairngorms SAC will not be adversely affected by the translocation of beaver to the River Spey catchment.

Qualifying features

• Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels
• Wet heathland with cross-leaved heath
• Dry heaths
• Alpine and subalpine heaths
• Mountain willow scrub
• Montane acid grasslands
• Tall herb communities
• Blanket bog*
• Acidic scree
• Plants in crevices on acid rocks
• Plants in crevices on base-rich rocks

* Habitats Directive Priority Habitat

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for Creag Meagaidh SAC can be found in full in the Conservation Advice Package along with other information about the site.  The key elements to consider are as follows:

To ensure that the integrity of Creag Meagaidh SAC is restored by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c for each qualifying feature.

Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the habitat within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Wet heathland with cross-leaved heath

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the habitat within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Restore the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Dry heaths

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the habitat within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Alpine and subalpine heaths

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Alpine and subalpine heaths within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of the Alpine and subalpine heath

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Mountain willow scrub

2a. Restore the extent and distribution of the habitat within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Restore the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Montane acid grasslands

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the habitat within the site

2b. Maintain, the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Tall herb communities

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the habitat within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Blanket bog*

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of blanket bog within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Acidic scree

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the habitat within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Plants in crevices on acid rocks

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the habitat within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Plants in crevices on base-rich rocks

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the habitat within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Appraisal

Creag Meagaidh SAC is an upland site that partially lies within the River Spey catchment.  There is an estimated 16.85ha of potential beaver woodland that overlaps this site.  There is considered to be no ecological connectivity between beavers and several of the qualifying features of the SAC. These features are mountain willow scrub, montane acid grasslands, tall herb communities, acidic scree, plants in crevices on base-rich rocks, and plants in crevices on acid rocks.  These features are not associated with areas of potential beaver woodland and are therefore not considered any further as their conservation objectives will not be undermined.  Potential beaver woodland within the River Spey catchment part of the SAC seems restricted to the Allt Coire à Bhèin.   The most frequent SAC qualifying habitat along the burn banks are blanket bog (see below), alpine and subalpine heath, wet heathland with cross-leaved heath and dry heath.  However alpine and subalpine heath, wet heathland with cross-leaved heath, and dry heath are unlikely to be directly impacted by beavers, or indirectly by their damming activities, due to the steeply sloping ground on their banks.  The conservation objectives for these features will therefore not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment.

Blanket bog

Blanket bog was considered to be in unfavourable condition at this site when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2005.  This was due to excessive levels of disturbed bare ground, drainage and factors relating to herbivore impacts. Therefore key management issues include a combination of excessive trampling, and to a lesser extent browsing, historical burning and drainage issues. Recent impact assessments have reported a decline in herbivore impacts on the SAC.  Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the feature to be restored.  The conservation objectives are as follows:    

As advised in the 2017 Beaver HRA, blanket bogs are unlikely to be affected by beavers although beavers have been known to temporarily visit such habitats on occasion.  The characteristic vegetation of blanket bog is supported by waterlogged peat soils. Blanket bogs are found on gently sloping locations, in upland areas which are largely treeless (any trees near to blanket bog are mainly coniferous – which are usually not felled by beavers).  They will not build dams in such areas.  They are at best marginal habitats for beavers who may feed on some of the vegetation present.  However, such a type of effect and the very small scale of it means that the conservation objectives for this feature will not be undermined. 

As noted above, potential beaver woodland within the River Spey catchment part of the SAC seems restricted to the Allt Coire à Bhèin.   While blanket bog is found along the burn banks it is unlikely to be directly impacted by beavers, or indirectly by their damming activities, due to the steeply sloping ground on their banks.  The conservation objectives for blanket bog will therefore not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment.

Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels

This feature of the SAC was found to be in favourable condition when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2010.  The conservation objectives are as follows:    

Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels is a qualifying feature but not the primary reason for classification of Creag Meagaidh SAC.  There are four low nutrient lochs within the site on the UK lakes database - Loch Roy, Lochan a’ Choire, Lochan Coire Choille rais and Loch Uaine.  All of these are at high altitude, with no potential beaver woodland around them, and are therefore unlikely to provide suitable habitat for beavers.  The conservation objectives for this feature will therefore not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment. 

Conclusion

The above appraisal suggests that the conservation objectives for the habitat features of Creag Meagaidh SAC will not be undermined by any beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment and the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the SAC.

Qualifying features

• Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion) (hard water springs depositing lime)*

*Habitats Directive priority habitat

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for Creag nan Gamhainn SAC can be found in full in the Conservation Advice Package along with other information about the site.  The key elements to consider are as follows:

To ensure that the integrity of the SAC is maintained by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the habitat within Creag nan Gamhainn SAC

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat within Creag nan Gamhainn SAC

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat within Creag nan Gamhainn SAC

Appraisal

Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion) (hard water springs depositing lime)

This feature was found to be in favourable condition when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2013. 

Petrifying springs with tufa formation are usually found on steeper slopes and at higher altitudes, and therefore less likely to be impacted by beavers.  Tufa forms in areas where highly calcareous ground water percolates to the surface and the main tufa-forming mosses Cratoneuron commutatum and C. filicinum are present. It is found in soligenous fens and wet flushes on sloping ground which are set above areas with the potential to be flooded (flooding would wash away the tufa/mosses).

Petrifying springs with tufa formation may transition to a wide range of other habitats, particularly calcareous grassland, acid grassland, heath, limestone pavements, and calcareous cliff and scree though at Creag nan Gamhainn this is limited to woodland and mire habitats. 

The SAC is in two sections, divided by the River Avon, with land within the SAC sloping down towards the river.  There is an estimated 3.67ha of potential beaver woodland within the SAC however the river itself appears too wide to dam (beavers do not generally dam in water bodies more than 0.85m deep and 6m wide).  The tufa springs occur in woodland at this site beneath a variable tree canopy.  Some of this has been identified as potential beaver woodland.  Some tree growth within the feature itself is natural and fallen trees may actually be beneficial. Too much shading by woodland may have a negative impact on the feature.  If beaver were to fell some trees within the SAC, this should not therefore have a negative impact on the feature. 

There are 3 areas within the SAC where petrifying springs with tufa formation habitat is found.  One of these lies approximately 40m from the water course across an unwooded area, another over 60m from the river and the third on the banks of the river where the ground is very steep.  The topography of the land, together with the river width and location of the qualifying habitat (beaver activity mostly occurs within 20m of the water margin but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)) suggests that this feature is unlikely to be affected by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment.

Conclusion

The conservation objectives for the Petrifying springs with tufa formation feature of the Creag nan Gamhainn SAC will not be undermined by any beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment and the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the SAC.

Qualifying features

• Wet heathland with cross-leaved heath
• Dry heaths
• Alpine and subalpine heaths
• Mountain willow scrub
• Montane acid grasslands
• Species-rich grassland with mat-grass in upland areas*
• Tall herb communities
• Blanket bog*
• Acidic scree
• Plants in crevices on acid rocks

*Habitats Directive priority habitat

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Drumochter Hills SAC can be found in full in the Conservation Advice Package along with other information about the site.  The key elements to consider are as follows:

• Extent of the habitat on site
• Distribution of the habitat within site
• Structure and function of the habitat
• Processes supporting the habitat
• Distribution of typical species of the habitat
• Viability of typical species as components of the habitat
• No significant disturbance of typical species of the habitat

Appraisal

Drumochter Hills SAC is an upland site that partly lies within the River Spey catchment.  There is considered to be no ecological connectivity between beavers and several of the qualifying features of the SAC.  These features are dry heaths, alpine and subalpine heaths, mountain willow scrub, montane acid grasslands, species-rich grassland with mat-grass in upland areas, tall herb communities, acidic scree, and plants in crevices on acid rocks.  These features are therefore not considered any further as their conservation objectives will not be undermined. 

There is an estimated 11.59ha of potential beaver woodland that overlaps Drumochter Hills SAC.  However potential beaver woodland within the River Spey catchment part of the SAC appears restricted to a small area to the south of Drumochter lodge.  Blanket bog (see below) and wet heathland with cross-leaved heath lie adjacent to the woodland and streams that run though the woodland.  However wet heathland with cross-leaved heath is unlikely to be directly impacted by beavers, or indirectly by their damming activities, as the land here slopes downhill away from the SAC towards the A9.  The conservation objectives for this feature will therefore not be undermined.

Blanket bog

Blanket bog was considered to be in unfavourable condition at this site when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2006.  This was due to overgrazing and trampling by herbivores.  Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the feature to be restored.  The conservation objectives for blanket bog are as follows:    

• Extent of the habitat on site
• Distribution of the habitat within site
• Structure and function of the habitat
• Processes supporting the habitat
• Distribution of typical species of the habitat
• Viability of typical species as components of the habitat
• No significant disturbance of typical species of the habitat

As advised in the 2017 Beaver HRA, blanket bogs are unlikely to be affected by beavers although beavers have been known to temporarily visit such habitats on occasion.  The characteristic vegetation of blanket bog is supported by waterlogged peat soils. Blanket bogs are found on gently sloping locations, in upland areas which are largely treeless (any trees near to blanket bog are mainly coniferous, which are usually not felled by beavers).  They will not build dams in such areas.  They are at best marginal habitats for beavers who may feed on some of the vegetation present.  However, such a type of effect and the very small scale of it means that the conservation objectives for this feature will not be undermined. 

As noted above, potential beaver woodland within the River Spey catchment part of the SAC appears restricted to a small area to the south of Drumochter lodge.  While blanket bog is found adjacent to the woodland and streams that run though the woodland it is unlikely to be directly impacted by beavers, or indirectly by their water management activities, as the land here slopes downhill away from the SAC towards the A9.  The conservation objectives for this feature will therefore not be undermined.

Conclusion

The above appraisal suggests that the conservation objectives for the qualifying features of Drumochter Hills SAC will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment and the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the SAC.

Qualifying features

• Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels
• Very wet mires often identified by an unstable `quaking` surface
• Alder woodland on floodplains*

* Habitats Directive priority habitat

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Insh Marshes SAC can be found in full in the Conservation Advice Package along with other information about the site.  The key elements to consider are as follows:

To ensure that the integrity of Insh Marshes is restored by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c for each qualifying feature.

Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels

Very wet mires often identified by an unstable `quaking` surface

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of very wet mires often identified by an unstable ‘quaking’ surface within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of very wet mires often identified by an unstable ‘quaking’ surface

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of very wet mires often identified by an unstable ‘quaking’ surface

Alder woodland on floodplains

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of alder woodland on floodplains within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of alder woodland on floodplains

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of alder woodland on floodplains

Appraisal

Clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels

This feature of the SAC was found to be in favourable condition when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2010.

It is unlikely that any lochs will be lost completely. However, for smaller lochs, of around less than 5ha, damming of outflows or inflows may result in significant level changes as happened on one loch in the beaver trial. Level changes if not reversed may lead to changes in the marginal vegetation and potentially through modification of the photic zone submerged plants. Larger lochs are unlikely to be affected as the impacts on hydrology are reduced by scale. It requires a larger volume of water to raise the level of the loch so effects upon marginal vegetation are less likely. The higher hydrostatic head also makes damming of outflows less likely. 

It would be possible to ensure no adverse effect on the extent and distribution of the habitat by monitoring the location of beaver dams within the SAC through a programme of site checks to support standard site monitoring, and managing water flows and removing any dams where potential impacts affecting the conservation objective are identified.  The aim of the checks would be to identify sites where beavers were having an effect on the listed feature. Annual checks would avoid any impact however longer intervals between formal checks could apply to areas that are more visible to casual inspection or where the habitat is considered more robust such as lochs with little fringing vegetation.

As above larger loch are unlikely to be adversely impacted. For the smaller waterbodies a network of dams on the feeder streams may increase the extent of freshwater habitat. Beavers do not generally dam in water bodies more than 0.85m deep and 6m wide. Any dam-building on the lochs is therefore likely to be restricted to outflow and inflow streams. The presence of a beaver dam on the outflow would probably reduce the existing water level fluctuation and may increase levels within the loch. This may affect the extent and composition of the edge vegetation and in extreme cases the submerged vegetation in the photic zone. However impacts are unlikely to be irreversible.  It would be possible to ensure no adverse effect on the structure function and supporting processes of the habitat by monitoring the location of beaver dams within the SAC through a programme of site checks to support standard site monitoring, and managing water flows and removing any dams where potential impacts affecting the conservation objective are identified.  The aim of the checks would be to identify sites where beavers were having an effect on the listed feature. Annual checks would avoid any impact however longer intervals between formal checks could apply to areas that are more visible to casual inspection or where the habitat is considered more robust such as lochs with little fringing vegetation. 

Changes to water level can affect the fringing vegetation associated with this habitat.  Land can be dried out or inundated as the levels fall or rise. The shallower the depth profile and the more flat the surrounding land, the more pronounced the effects because of the gradient. However, fringing vegetation is adapted to deal with seasonal and event-related changes to water levels. Furthermore, damming would not be able to create changes in the loch level which are immediately beyond the vegetation’s ability to adapt. It may create more extensive areas of wetland surrounding the loch. Any changes to the typical species are not likely to be irreversible.

Beavers will feed on a wide range of plant species including submerged and emergent macrophytes. The Knapdale study found that there were no apparent adverse effects on the submerged plant assemblages that form part of the basis for designation of the Taynish and Knapdale Woods SAC. The greatest effects from the Knapdale study were on plant cover with species richness being little affected. The preferred species at Knapdale were all rhizomatous. A study by Jones 2006 using enclosures to study the effect of herbivory found no discernable impact on P. natans, the dominant macrophyte.

Changes are likely to be to the sward structure and local distribution of some species if beaver colonise these lochs. The greatest impacts at Knapdale were found where multiple animals were in occupancy for more than one season.

It would be possible to ensure no adverse effect on the distribution and viability of the typical species of the habitat by monitoring the location of beaver dams within the SAC through a programme of site checks to support standard site monitoring, and managing water flows and removing any dams where potential impacts affecting the conservation objective are identified.  The aim of the checks would be to identify sites where beavers were having an effect on the listed feature. Annual checks would avoid any impact however longer intervals between formal checks could apply to areas that are more visible to casual inspection or where the habitat is considered more robust such as lochs with little fringing vegetation.

Damming of inflows if this occurred may result in the reduction of silt and finer sediments flowing into the lochs. This would reduce the nutrient inputs which would normally be considered positive. The overall loading of phosphorus will not be increased by the trapping of silt. However silt from failed abandoned dams may be remobilised by storm events when flushing rates will be relatively high. In some circumstances the wetting up of drier areas may result in a release of nutrients. The precise effects upon water chemistry will vary from site to site and may be complex. They are likely to be of a scale similar or less than other impacts which are monitored through Site Condition Monitoring. No additional monitoring is therefore required but mitigation including dam modification and the removal of dams or if necessary beavers may be required to avoid impacts in a very small number of cases.

Conclusion

Translocation of beavers to the River Spey catchment could have a likely significant effect upon the classified interest of the clear-water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels feature of the SAC.  However any potential adverse impacts from water level changes could be prevented by having a mitigation plan in place to identify those impacts before they had an adverse effect on site integrity.  Mitigation is likely to include the use of flow control devices to manage dams, the removal of dams, or if necessary beavers. Any adverse impacts on the vegetation community would also be avoided by having a mitigation / management plan in place for beavers.  Mitigation should include a programme of site checks in support of Site Condition Monitoring to identify potential impacts.

Very wet mires often identified by an unstable `quaking` surface

This feature of the SAC was found to be in favourable condition when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2002.  It is found amongst other fen and mire habitats, within the floodplain of the River Spey between Loch Insh and Kingussie.

This feature is also known as transition mires and quaking bogs. The term ‘transition mire’ relates to vegetation that in floristic composition and general ecological characteristics is transitional between acid bog and alkaline fens, in which the surface conditions range from markedly acidic to slightly base-rich.  An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows:

Dam building and foraging activities of beavers could have an effect on the extent of wetland habitats and species, succession processes and the species composition and diversity of wetland communities.  The construction of beaver dams can affect the hydrology, water chemistry, sediment transport patterns and nutrient levels in a number of different ways depending on local circumstances.  Reduced flow velocity behind dams can lead to increased sediment deposition. Alternatively, the flooding of adjacent land can lead to an increase in the sediment load. The build-up of woody debris can lead to the formation of braided channels, pools and islands.  An increase in water levels could lead to a change in wetland habitats with a corresponding transition to different wetland plant communities e.g. from fen to swamp.

Dam building and feeding activities can also lead to changes in nutrient levels in the water and, depending on local conditions, beaver ponds can either act as a source of raised nitrogen and phosphorus levels or as a nutrient sink. Beaver dams constructed close to transition mires and quaking bogs could lead to an increase in water levels.  However, quaking mires form a mat of floating vegetation which rises and falls with the water levels, so the condition of the feature is not likely to be affected as a result of moderate increases in water levels. 

Although the habitat represents a transition between bog and fen conditions, the water tends to be fairly acidic and only slightly enriched. An increase in nutrient levels could lead to a transition to fen vegetation, although in some cases floating rafts of ombrotrophic vegetation can persist above more nutrient rich water.  A prolonged, significant rise in water levels, combined with an increase in nutrient levels could lead to a transition to swamp vegetation.

Quaking bogs can form through the infilling of a water body or when large pools in blanket bog (dubh lochans) infill with an encroaching vegetation mat. The latter is a very common mechanism of quaking bog formation in Scotland.

The surface of transitional mires and quaking bogs is typically highly acidic and low in nutrients, reflecting the predominant role of precipitation in the water balance, with only a weaker minerotrophic influence. The mean pH of quaking bogs is around 4.  However, their transitional character between bogs and impoverished forms of fen means that the pH may be higher than that found in bogs.  The same trend applies to mineral content.  In some situations floating rafts may overlie water with a significantly higher pH and nutrient content, where the floating nature of the raft reduces or removes the influence of the underlying base-rich water.

Quaking bog vegetation rafts are sensitive to the duration of low water levels, which could result in the buoyant raft becoming anchored to the underlying substrate if water levels are reduced sufficiently for too long.  The activities of beavers are not likely to result in a reduction in water levels in transition mires and quaking bogs.

Increased mineral and nutrient levels arising from changes to water quantities or quality could result in a shift in the species composition towards more typical fen communities, although where there is a floating raft of vegetation this can effectively become isolated from the underlying water. Precise changes cannot yet be predicted, and will depend upon the nature, scale, duration, and location of beavers and their activities.

A variety of changes in the floral, and subsequently the faunal, composition of the qualifying habitat are possible through the dam-building activities of beavers (especially through changes in water chemistry and water levels). 

Beaver will feed on a variety of plant species but the majority of their foraging effort is spent within water or within 20m of water-bodies (and rarely up to 50m) (SNH, 2015).

Conclusion

It cannot be ascertained that any proposed beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not undermine the conservation objectives for the very wet mires often identified by an unstable `quaking` surface feature of the SAC, or will not adversely affect the integrity of Insh Marshes SAC with respect to this feature without mitigation in place.  However any potential adverse impacts from beaver colonisation could be prevented by having a mitigation plan in place, including a programme of annual site checks to support Site Condition Monitoring, to identify those impacts before they had an adverse effect on site integrity.  Mitigation is likely to include the use of flow control devices to manage dams, the removal of dams, or if necessary beavers. 

Alder woodland on floodplains

On this site, the largest alder woodland on floodplains occurs alongside the River Feshie, the River Tromie, and fringing the marshes or the River Spey. This feature was found to be in unfavourable recovering condition when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring in 2009.  This was due to a lack of structural diversity (different age classes of trees), a lack of regeneration and incursion by non-native trees. It is thought that the feature would become favourable with time and appropriate control of grazing, including by deer. Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the feature to be restored.  Consideration of the potential effect of beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment on the conservation objectives for Alder woodland on floodplains is given below:

Beaver activity in combination with browsing pressure from other herbivores could lead to a loss of habitat, if regeneration is prevented.  Site condition monitoring in 2009 highlighted a lack of native species regeneration as an issue at this site.

This qualifying interest is, by its nature, wholly within the core beaver habitat, although some areas of floodplain woodland are unlikely to be heavily affected by beavers even though they are within 20m of the water course. This relates to areas where river-side habitat has developed on boulders, cobbles and gravels that are not susceptible to modification by beavers, and the river is too wide for beavers to attempt to dam (e.g. around the Feshie fan).  Other areas are likely to be more attractive to beavers but, provided regeneration is able to take place, there should be no change in the distribution of the habitat.

Change in structure from beaver activity is likely, but difficult to predict.  Possible impacts include loss of mature trees, changes in the volume of deadwood, increases in dense young growth or in open space.  Short, medium or long-term changes in the vegetative structure, and/or hydrology of localised areas of alder woodland, as a result of beaver activity, are likely to increase the dynamism of woodland processes.  Provided regeneration of all native tree and shrub species is able to take place, this is likely to increase the overall conservation value of the site (for example, by increasing the amount of standing dead wood resulting from flooding, thereby increasing habitat for dead wood ‘typical species’). Such changes would be compatible with this conservation objective and do not undermine it.  The Eurasian beaver is a natural component of this habitat type across Europe.

Aspen is an important part of this habitat, especially in Coull Wood, where hazel is also a significant feature of the woodland.  Mature / veteran trees are valuable for biodiversity, including a number of species which are dependent on this tree.  Aspen is also a strongly preferred species for beavers.  Beaver could therefore have an adverse impact on the population structure of aspen (e.g. removal of a large proportion of mature and over-mature trees) and its associated species. 

Potential impacts depend on the precise nature of any potential changes, but they are likely to be positive provided regeneration of all tree and shrub species is able to take place. 

As noted above, beaver could have an adverse impact on the population structure of aspen (e.g. removal of a large proportion of mature and over-mature trees) and its associated species. 

Conclusion

The above appraisal suggests that the conservation objectives for the Alder woodland on floodplains feature of the Insh Marshes SAC could potentially be undermined by beaver translocation to the River Spey catchment without any appropriate management measures to mitigate impacts being in place.  Impacts are possible in areas of qualifying habitat likely to be used by beavers (i.e. generally within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)), as a result of the cumulative impacts of beavers and other herbivores. This would occur if beavers fell trees and / or shrubs, and other herbivores then prevent the natural regeneration of those trees through browsing.

However if beavers begin to colonise the SAC, impacts could be monitored using the Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment (WHIA) methodology and incorporating monitoring of beaver signs.  The methods allow for some heterogeneity, but generally ‘low’ impacts are desirable for woodland restoration, although it is recognised they are not currently “low” in parts of the SAC. Where herbivore impacts are already too high, the woodland will already be in an unfavourable condition. Beaver presence could exacerbate this – but management of other herbivores may allow any beaver coppiced trees to regenerate. Herbivore management in the case of wild deer and goats is generally by a deer/herbivore management plan and of livestock via consents and management agreements (and fencing of domestic stock). For beavers, licenced intervention could be considered where there is serious risk of damage to a conservation interest, but proactive mitigation in the form of selective tree protection is more likely, but is unlikely to be appropriate on a large scale. Hence the focus would be on ensuring the impact of other herbivores are sufficiently low to allow beaver presence.  It is advised that annual site checks would be necessary to ensure appropriate levels of herbivore impacts are maintained where beavers are present. These should be carried out at the end of winter/ beginning of spring, using the Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment.

Specific mitigation would also be needed to protect the aspen component of the SAC that may be vulnerable to beaver.  Measures will depend upon specific areas but may involve fencing individual trees or small groups of trees.

With the appropriate monitoring, herbivore, and aspen specific management in place it would be possible to ensure that translocations of beaver into the River Spey catchment would not adversely affect the integrity of the Insh Marshes SAC in relation to the alder woodland on floodplains feature.

Qualifying features

• Caledonian forest*
• Bog woodland*

*denotes a Habitats Directive priority habitat

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for Kinveachy Forest SAC can be found in full in the Conservation Advice Package along with other information about the site.  The key elements to consider are as follows:

2. To ensure that the integrity of Kinveachy Forest is restored by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c for each qualifying feature.

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the bog woodland within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of the bog woodland

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of bog woodland

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of Caledonian forest within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of Caledonian forest

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of Caledonian forest

Appraisal

Bog woodland

This feature was found to be in unfavourable condition when last monitored in 2008 as the site did not contain a range of tree ages including old, established, and regeneration phases.   Some young regeneration has been noted since that time.  The structure, function and supporting processes of the woodland needs to be restored and any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the feature from becoming restored.

The conservation objectives for bog woodland are as follows:

Beavers generally avoid felling pine trees, and other tree species form only a tiny component of bog woodland.  It is possible that beaver might affect the hydrology of bog pine areas, and it is most likely that this will result in increased wetness, which would generally be positive for the bog woodland feature.  Therefore there is an extremely limited ability for beavers to impact on the bog woodland qualifier in any way that might undermine the conservation objectives. 

It is therefore concluded that the proposal to release beaver into the River Spey catchment will not adversely affect the integrity of Kinveachy Forest SAC through impacts to bog woodland.

Caledonian forest

For this feature of the SAC the structure, function and supporting processes of the woodland needs to be restored.  This feature was found to be in unfavourable condition when last monitored in 2008 due to a lack of regeneration.  The aim is to increase natural regeneration and to safeguard it until it is high enough to escape browsing by red deer. This is a long term process, as tree growth is slow on this site due to infertile and wet conditions, and altitude and exposure.  Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the site from being restored.  An appraisal against each conservation objective follows.

No impact is expected on the extent and distribution of the habitat.  Beaver generally avoid pine and, although broadleaved species are an important component of Caledonian forest, they do not comprise a large enough proportion for impacts to affect the area.

Changes in structure from tree felling of the broadleaved component in the immediate vicinity of rivers is possible due to beaver foraging and dam building, although any potential impacts would only be considered adverse if their regeneration is impeded or restricted, e.g. due to excessive pressure from other herbivores.  Beaver impacts are likely to increase the diversity of the broadleaved woodland component by making some areas wetter. This is likely to increase habitat diversity and therefore biodiversity of these areas.

Attention to deer management across the site will be an important element of avoiding an adverse effect on site integrity if beaver create territories in this area.

Short, medium or long-term changes in the vegetative structure, and/or hydrology of areas in the immediate vicinity of rivers, is likely to increase the dynamism of woodland processes.  Provided regeneration is able to occur, this is likely to increase the overall conservation value of the site (for example, by increasing the amount of standing dead wood resulting from flooding, thereby increasing habitat for dead wood ‘typical species’). Such changes would be compatible with this conservation objective and do not undermine it.

Potential impacts depends on the precise nature of changes, but generally likely to be positive provided regeneration of affected trees and shrubs is able to take place.

Conclusion

The above appraisal suggests that the conservation objectives for the Caledonian forest feature of the Kinveachy Forest SAC could potentially be undermined by beaver translocation to the River Spey catchment without any appropriate management measures to mitigate impacts being in place.  Impacts are possible in areas of qualifying habitat likely to be used by beavers (i.e. generally within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)), as a result of the cumulative impacts of beavers and other herbivores on the broadleaved component of the site.  This would occur if beavers fell trees and / or shrubs, and other herbivores then prevent the natural regeneration of those trees through browsing.

However if beavers begin to colonise the SAC, impacts could be monitored using the Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment (WHIA) methodology and incorporating monitoring of beaver signs.  The methods allow for some heterogeneity, but generally ‘low’ impacts are desirable for woodland restoration, although it is recognised they are not currently “low” in parts of the SAC. Where herbivore impacts are already too high, the woodland will already be in an unfavourable condition. Beaver presence could exacerbate this – but management of other herbivores may allow any beaver coppiced trees to regenerate. Herbivore management in the case of wild deer and goats is generally by a deer/herbivore management plan and of livestock via consents and management agreements. For beavers, licenced intervention could be considered where there is serious risk of damage to a conservation interest, but proactive mitigation in the form of selective tree protection is more likely, but is unlikely to be appropriate on a large scale. Hence the focus would be on ensuring the impact of other herbivores are sufficiently low to allow beaver presence.  It is advised that annual site checks would be necessary to ensure appropriate levels of herbivore impacts are maintained where beavers are present. These should be carried out at the end of winter/ beginning of spring, using the Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment.

With the appropriate monitoring and herbivore management in place it would be possible to ensure that any translocations of beaver into the River Spey catchment would not adversely affect the integrity of the Kinveachy Forest SAC in relation to the Caledonian Forest feature.

Qualifying features

• Dry heaths
• Alpine and subalpine heaths
• Blanket bog*

*Habitats Directive Priority Habitat

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for Ladder Hills SAC can be found in full in the Conservation Advice Package along with other information about the site.  The key elements to consider are as follows:

To ensure that the integrity of Ladder Hills SAC is restored by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c for each qualifying feature

Dry heaths

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the habitat within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Restore the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Alpine and subalpine heaths

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the habitat within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Blanket bog

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of the habitat within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Restore the distribution and viability of typical species of blanket bog

Appraisal

Ladder Hills SAC is an upland site that lies partly within the River Spey catchment.  There is only an estimated 1.49ha of potential beaver woodland that overlaps this site.  There is considered to be no ecological connectivity between beavers and the qualifying features of the SAC as these features are not associated with areas of potential beaver woodland.   The conservation objectives for these features will therefore not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment and the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the SAC.

Qualifying features

• Coastal shingle vegetation outside the reach of waves
• Alder woodland on floodplains*

* Habitats Directive priority habitat

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Lower River Spey - Spey Bay SAC can be found in full in the Conservation Advice Package along with other information about the site.  The key elements to consider are as follows:

To ensure that the integrity of Lower River Spey – Spey Bay SAC is restored by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c for each qualifying feature

Coastal shingle vegetation outside the reach of waves

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of coastal shingle vegetation outside the reach of waves within the site

2b. Maintain the structure, function and supporting processes of coastal shingle vegetation outside the reach of waves

2c. Maintain the distribution and viability of typical species of coastal shingle vegetation outside the reach of waves

Alder woodland on floodplains

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of alder woodland on floodplains within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of alder woodland on floodplains

2c. Restore the distribution and viability of typical species of alder woodland on floodplains

Appraisal

There is considered to be no ecological connectivity between beavers and the coastal shingle vegetation outside the reach of waves feature of the SAC.  This feature is therefore not considered any further as the conservation objectives will not be undermined.

Alder woodland on floodplains

This feature was found to be in unfavourable condition when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring in 2013.  This was due to the extent of non-native species and a lack of native species natural regeneration.  However more recent field observations suggest there is regeneration of alder and other appropriate species taking place.  In addition management measures are helping to tackle invasive non-native species.  Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the site from being further restored. 

The Lower River Spey is unique within Britain in comprising an extensively braided channel along the whole length of the river. The active river channel provides a mosaic of substrates which reflect a range of habitats at different stages of colonisation. This includes areas of recently deposited bare shingle, to grassland and wetland, scrub and finally In more stable, damper situations, large stands of valley alder Alnus glutinosa woods occur, along with willows Salix spp., ash Fraxinus excelsior and bird cherry Prunus padus. The ground flora includes both southern and northern species such as wood speedwell Veronica montana and wood stitchwort Stellaria nemorum.

The naturally dynamic nature of the Lower River Spey – Spey Bay SAC floodplain woodland means that there should always be trees of different maturity influenced by the patterns of erosion and deposition. Some trees may never mature as they grow in-channel and establish in-between spates and are washed away again – this is an enormously powerful section of the river.  Beavers might colonise parts of the floodplain woodland. There are wet paleo-channels that only ever flow in high flows that would offer a haven for beavers.  The main flows are however likely to be far too powerful for beavers to attempt activity.  Any beaver dams and structures on some of the side and back channels could also be significantly damaged by the high flows on the river.

Raised water levels caused by any beaver activity in the drier sections of the floodplain might assist in invasive non-native species (INNS) control.  It might also help to wet up some areas to enable water-loving species of trees to re-establish thereby helping to increase natural regeneration of floodplain woodland.

Consideration of the potential effect of beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment on the conservation objectives for Alder woodland on floodplains is given below:

Beaver activity in combination with browsing pressure from other herbivores could lead to a loss of habitat, if regeneration is prevented.  Site condition monitoring in 2013 highlighted a lack of native species regeneration as an issue at this site however also noted that grazing levels were low and not a cause for concern.  As noted above more recent field observations have found that regeneration of alder and other appropriate species is occurring.  The dynamism of the river means that bits of woodland come and go, with new areas of shingle that alder is then able to grow on.      

This qualifying interest is, by its nature, wholly within the core beaver habitat.  There is no reason to suppose that impact will vary across the site and, provided regeneration is able to take place, there should be no change in the distribution of the habitat.

Change in structure from beaver activity is likely, but difficult to predict.  Possible impacts include changes in the volume of deadwood, increases in dense young growth or in open space.  Short, medium or long-term changes in the vegetative structure, and/or hydrology of localised areas of alder woodland, as a result of beaver activity, are likely to increase the dynamism of woodland processes.  Provided regeneration of all native tree and shrub species is able to take place, this is likely to increase the overall conservation value of the site (for example, by increasing the amount of standing dead wood resulting from flooding, thereby increasing habitat for dead wood ‘typical species’). Such changes would be compatible with this conservation objective and do not undermine it.  The Eurasian beaver is a natural component of this habitat type across Europe.

A key pressure affecting the SAC are INNS including Japanese knotweed and Giant hogweed.  While there may be potential benefits to INNS removal through herbivory by beavers there is also the potential for fragments to be dispersed downstream with the potential for further spread.

Potential impacts depend on the precise nature of any potential changes, but they are likely to be positive provided regeneration of all tree and shrub species is able to take place.  As noted above a key pressure affecting the SAC are INNS including Japanese knotweed and Giant hogweed.  If beaver activity were to increase the spread of INNS this could add to the risk of impacts to typical species of the site.

Conclusion

The above appraisal suggests that the conservation objectives for the Alder woodland on floodplains feature of the Lower River Spey - Spey Bay SAC could potentially be undermined by beaver translocation to the River Spey catchment without any appropriate management measures to mitigate impacts being in place.  Impacts are possible in areas of qualifying habitat likely to be used by beavers (i.e. generally within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)), as a result of the cumulative impacts of beavers and other herbivores. This would occur if beavers fell trees and / or shrubs, and other herbivores then prevent the natural regeneration of those trees through browsing. SCM carried out in 2013 highlighted a lack of regeneration, but suggested that this may not be due to browsing, as overall impact appeared to be low.  As noted above more recent field observations indicate that regeneration of alder and other appropriate species is taking place.

If beavers begin to colonise the SAC, impacts could be monitored using the Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment (WHIA) methodology and incorporating monitoring of beaver signs.  The methods allow for some heterogeneity, but generally ‘low’ impacts are desirable for woodland restoration, and SCM suggests that this is currently the case on this site.  Where herbivore impacts are already too high, the woodland will already be in an unfavourable condition.  Beaver presence could exacerbate this, but management of other herbivores may allow any beaver coppiced trees to regenerate.  Herbivore management in the case of wild deer and goats is generally by a deer/herbivore management plan and of livestock via consents and management agreements.  For beavers, licenced intervention could be considered where there is serious risk of damage to a conservation interest, but proactive mitigation in the form of selective tree protection is more likely, but is unlikely to be appropriate on a large scale.  It will be important to monitor native tree regeneration and use the results to inform future management.  It is advised that annual site checks would be necessary to ensure that regeneration is occurring, and that appropriate levels of herbivore impacts are maintained where beavers are present.  These should be carried out at the end of winter/ beginning of spring, carrying out regeneration surveys and using the Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment.

A key pressure affecting the SAC are INNS including Japanese knotweed and Giant hogweed.  While there may be potential benefits to INNS removal through herbivory by beavers there is also the potential for fragments to be dispersed downstream with the potential for further spread.  However if beavers begin to colonise the SAC, impacts could be monitored and where not already in place, INNS controlled to ensure the conservation objectives of the site are not undermined.

With the appropriate monitoring and herbivore and INNS management in place it would be possible to ensure that translocations of beaver into the River Spey catchment would not adversely affect the integrity of the Lower River Spey - Spey Bay SAC in relation to the Alder woodland on floodplains feature.

Qualifying features

• Blanket bog*

* Indicates a Habitats Directive Priority Habitat

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Monadhliath SAC can be found in full in the Conservation Advice Package along with other information about the site.  The key elements to consider are as follows:

To ensure that the integrity of Monadhliath SAC is restored by meeting objectives 2a, 2b and 2c

2a. Maintain the extent and distribution of blanket bog within the site

2b. Restore the structure, function and supporting processes of the habitat

2c. Restore the distribution and viability of typical species of the habitat

Appraisal

Blanket bog

Blanket bog was considered to be in unfavourable condition at this site when last assessed through NatureScot’s site condition monitoring programme in 2004.  This was due to the species composition being too poor and there being too much bare ground. The site has many patches of eroding peat.  Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the feature to be restored. 

There is estimated to be less than 1ha of potential beaver woodland that overlaps this site.  There is considered to be no ecological connectivity between beavers and the qualifying feature of the SAC as blanket bog is not associated with areas of potential beaver woodland.   The conservation objectives for blanket bog will therefore not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment and the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the SAC.

Qualifying features

• Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)
• Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
• Scottish crossbill (Loxia scotica)

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Abernethy Forest SPA are as follows: 

To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

• Population of the species as a viable component of the site
• Distribution of the species within site
• Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
• Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
• No significant disturbance of the species

Appraisal

Abernethy Forest SPA covers 5792.56 ha. Potential beaver woodland habitat (as detailed in Annex B of the 2017 beaver HRA) makes up 493.27 ha of this. Abernethy forest SPA lies fully within the Cairngorms SAC (see above).

Osprey

Osprey were considered to be in favourable condition when monitored in 2007 as part of NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme. There is limited connectivity between beaver and osprey at Abernethy Forest SPA due to their feeding and nesting habits.  Osprey forage and breed within the SPA.  Beaver activities resulting in increased areas of wetland may provide wider foraging opportunities for osprey.  Beavers could potentially fell a tree containing an osprey nest but equally they could create more potential nest trees by creating flooded areas surrounding individual trees, or clumps of trees, that then become a more secure nesting site.  Identified osprey nest trees that are assessed as being potentially vulnerable to beaver activity should be protected to ensure there would be no adverse impacts.   Provided this safeguard is in place the conservation objectives will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment.

Capercaillie

Capercailie were considered to be in favourable condition when monitored in 2009 as part of NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme.

Adult capercaillie eat predominantly plants.  In winter they feed almost exclusively on conifer needles in the crowns of trees and in Scotland prefer mature stands of Scots pine.  From May to October, the adults feed mainly on the ground on leaves, buds, flowers and fruits e.g. bilberry and crowberry, as well as horsetails, mosses and woodrush.  In early spring, females eat the shoots of cotton grass Eriophorum sp., so bogs and mires are also required. These wet habitats are also used by chicks for feeding.  A mixture of low shrubs and mires not only provide an abundant source of food for the chicks but also warmth and cover.  Semi-open areas are also required within the forest for lek sites and Capercaillie normally roost in trees.

Eurasian beaver is a natural component of wet woodland ecosystems in Europe in which other capercaillie also occur. Impacts of beavers could be to raise the water level of the lochs and rivers within the SPAs by damming smaller watercourses (< 6m width). The increased wet zones resulting from water level rises could result in a conversion from pine dominated to willow and alder dominated woodland in certain limited locations.  An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows. 

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

Population of the species as a viable component of the site and Distribution of the species within site

A sufficient reduction of suitable habitat within the SPA could reduce the capercaillie population of the SPA and affect the distribution of the species.  However, given the limited amount of potential beaver habitat, that is broadleaved woodland habitat within the SPA, and the topography of the site, any area affected by beaver activity will be small.  Changes to small areas of habitat within the SPA (see discussion below) will not affect the capercaillie population using this SPA or the distribution of the species within the site.

Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species

Habitat used by beavers is generally within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)).  While capercaillie do make some use of deciduous tree species it is a small proportion of their habitat/diet in Scotland.  Beaver activity may result in small areas of suitable habitat changing within the SPA.  However, pine trees are known to grow in some wet habitats, e.g. bog woodland, within the Caledonian forest.  Alteration of the woodlands to wetter types should not therefore result in complete loss of habitat for capercaillie as the Scots pines are a key tree species in bog woodland.  Beaver also generally avoid felling pine trees, and other tree species form only a tiny component of bog woodland, therefore the extent of any loss of capercaillie habitat will be small. The wet margins of beaver dammed waterbodies may actually result in larger areas of the cotton grass habitat used by females and chicks.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species

There may be a small loss of potential habitat for pine regeneration due to

increased wetness but, as stated above, pine trees will germinate and colonise

some wetter habitats and produce needles that can be eaten by capercaillie.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

No significant disturbance of the species

Any disturbance that might be considered significant is dealt with under the preceding conservation objectives. It is advised that there will be no significant disturbance to capercaillie.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined.

Scottish Crossbill

Scottish crossbill at this site were last assessed through NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme in 2012, and were found to be in favourable condition, the site supports an estimated 100 pairs.  Crossbills are cone feeding specialists and feed and nest in the pine trees. However, due to the annual variation of pine cone crops Scottish crossbills are known to be nomadic, so that population on a particular SPA vary each year.

Eurasian beaver is a natural component of wet woodland ecosystems in Europe in which other crossbill species may also occur. Impacts of beavers could be to raise the water level of the lochs and rivers within the SPAs by damming smaller watercourses (< 6m width). The increased wet zones resulting from water level rises could result in a conversion from pine dominated to willow and alder dominated woodland in certain limited locations.  An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows.  

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

Population of the species as a viable component of the site

A significant reduction of suitable habitat within the SPA could reduce the Scottish crossbill population.  However given the limited amount of potential beaver habitat within the site and its topography, any area affected by beaver activity will be small.  As stated above, Scottish crossbills are known to be nomadic and move between areas, and so make use of habitats outwith the SPA.  Changes to small areas of habitat within the SPA will not affect the population when there are adequate cone crops in the wider region.

Distribution of the species within the site

Changes in woodland type within the SPA may change the distribution of Scottish crossbills within the site.  However, as the areas that could be affected are small and are distributed along the water courses within the SPA, the distribution of Scottish crossbills within the site will not be altered.

Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species

Habitat used by beavers is generally within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)).  As noted above crossbills are cone feeding specialists and feed and nest in pine trees.  Beaver activity may result in small areas of suitable habitat being changed within the SPA. However, pine trees are known to grow in some wet habitats, e.g. bog woodland, within the Caledonian forest. Alteration of the woodlands to wetter types should not therefore result in complete loss of habitat for Scottish crossbill as the Scots pines are a key tree species in bog woodland. Beaver also generally avoid felling pine trees, and other tree species form only a tiny component of bog woodland, therefore the extent of any loss of crossbill habitat will be small.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species

There may be a small loss of potential habitat for pine regeneration due to increased wetness but, as stated above, pine trees will germinate and colonise some wetter habitats and produce cones that can be eaten by crossbills. It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

No significant disturbance of the species

Any disturbance that might be considered significant is dealt with under the preceding conservation objectives. It is advised that there will be no significant disturbance to Scottish crossbill.

Conclusion

It is therefore considered that the conservation objectives for the SPA will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment and it will not adversely affect the integrity of the Abernethy Forest SPA.

Qualifying features

• Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Anagach Woods SPA are as follows: 

To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

• Population of the species as a viable component of the site
• Distribution of the species within site
• Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
• Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
• No significant disturbance of the species

Appraisal

Capercaillie

Anagach Woods SPA covers 392.49 ha. Potential beaver woodland habitat (as detailed in Annex B of the 2017 beaver HRA) makes up 50.96 ha of this. Capercaillie at this site were last assessed through Naturescot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme in 2015, and were found to be in unfavourable condition.

Adult capercaillie eat predominantly plants.  In winter they feed almost exclusively on conifer needles in the crowns of trees and in Scotland prefer mature stands of Scots pine.  From May to October, the adults feed mainly on the ground on leaves, buds, flowers and fruits e.g. bilberry and crowberry, as well as horsetails, mosses and woodrush.  In early spring, females eat the shoots of cotton grass Eriophorum sp., so bogs and mires are also required. These wet habitats are also used by chicks for feeding.  A mixture of low shrubs and mires not only provide an abundant source of food for the chicks but also warmth and cover.  Semi-open areas are also required within the forest for lek sites and Capercaillie normally roost in trees.

Eurasian beaver is a natural component of wet woodland ecosystems in Europe in which other capercaillie also occur. Impacts of beavers could be to raise the water level of the lochs and rivers within the SPAs by damming smaller watercourses (< 6m width). The increased wet zones resulting from water level rises could result in a conversion from pine dominated to willow and alder dominated woodland in certain limited locations.

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

Population of the species as a viable component of the site and Distribution of the species within site

A sufficient reduction of suitable habitat within the SPA could reduce the capercaillie population of the SPA and affect the distribution of the species.  However, given the limited amount of potential beaver habitat, that is broadleaved woodland habitat within the SPA, and the topography of the site, any area affected by beaver activity will be small.  Changes to small areas of habitat within the SPA (see discussion below) will not affect the capercaillie population using this SPA or the distribution of the species within the site.

Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species

Habitat used by beavers is generally within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)).  While capercaillie do make some use of deciduous tree species it is a small proportion of their habitat/diet in Scotland.  Beaver activity may result in small areas of suitable habitat changing within the SPA.  However, pine trees are known to grow in some wet habitats, e.g. bog woodland, within the Caledonian forest.  Alteration of the woodlands to wetter types should not therefore result in complete loss of habitat for capercaillie as the Scots pines are a key tree species in bog woodland.  Beaver also generally avoid felling pine trees, and other tree species form only a tiny component of bog woodland, therefore the extent of any loss of capercaillie habitat will be small. The wet margins of beaver dammed waterbodies may actually result in larger areas of the cotton grass habitat used by females and chicks.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species

There may be a small loss of potential habitat for pine regeneration due to increased wetness but, as stated above, pine trees will germinate and colonise some wetter habitats and produce needles that can be eaten by capercaillie.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

No significant disturbance of the species

Any disturbance that might be considered significant is dealt with under the preceding conservation objectives. It is advised that there will be no significant disturbance to capercaillie.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

Conclusion

The conservation objectives for the site will not be undermined.  It can therefore be concluded that beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not adversely affect the integrity of the Anagach Woods SPA.

Qualifying features

• Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)
• Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus)
• Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
• Merlin (Falco columbarius)
• Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
• Peregrine (Falco peregrinus)
• Scottish crossbill (Loxia scotica)

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Cairngorms SPA are as follows: 

To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

• Population of the species as a viable component of the site
• Distribution of the species within site
• Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
• Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
• No significant disturbance of the species

Appraisal

The Cairngorms SPA covers 50,915.54 ha.  Potential beaver woodland habitat (as detailed in Annex B of the 2017 beaver HRA) makes up 754.42 ha of this.  The Cairngorms SPA lies fully within the Cairngorms SAC.

Dotterel, Golden eagle, Merlin, Osprey, Peregrine

Golden eagle, osprey and peregrine were considered to be in favourable condition when monitored between 2002 and 2009 as part of NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme, and dotterel in unfavourable condition when monitored in 2011.  Merlin has not been monitored since designation.  Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the features to be restored. 

There is no overlap between beaver and dotterel habitat, which is the moss heath and dwarf shrubs above 700m above sea level.  The conservation objectives for this species will therefore not be undermined by beaver translocation to the River Spey catchment.  

Although merlin will nest in old crows nests in trees e.g. on the edge of forestry plantations, and hunt around scrub, they mainly nest and hunt over open habitats like moorland and upland grassland. There is therefore very limited connectivity between beaver and merlin due to their feeding and nesting habits and the conservation objectives for this species will not be undermined by beaver translocation to the River Spey catchment. 

There is very limited connectivity between beaver and peregrine and golden eagle due to their feeding and nesting habits.  The primary habitat for golden eagle in this SPA is open habitats above the tree line, where beaver will not have any affect.  The conservation objectives for these species will therefore not be undermined by beaver translocation to the River Spey catchment.

Osprey forage and breed within the SPA.  Beaver activities resulting in increased areas of wetland may provide wider foraging opportunities for osprey.  Beavers could potentially fell a tree containing an osprey nest but equally they could create more potential nest trees by creating flooded areas surrounding individual trees, or clumps of trees, that then become a more secure nesting site.  Identified osprey nest trees that are assessed as being potentially vulnerable to beaver activity should be protected to ensure there would be no adverse impacts.  Provided this safeguard is in place the conservation objectives will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment.

Capercaillie

Capercaillie are a Caledonian pinewood species, and were considered to be in favourable condition when monitored in 2011.  Adult capercaillie eat predominantly plants.  In winter they feed almost exclusively on conifer needles in the crowns of trees and in Scotland prefer mature stands of Scots pine.  From May to October, the adults feed mainly on the ground on leaves, buds, flowers and fruits e.g. bilberry and crowberry, as well as horsetails, mosses and woodrush.  In early spring, females eat the shoots of cotton grass Eriophorum sp., so bogs and mires are also required. These wet habitats are also used by chicks for feeding.  A mixture of low shrubs and mires not only provide an abundant source of food for the chicks but also warmth and cover.  Semi-open areas are also required within the forest for lek sites and Capercaillie normally roost in trees.

Eurasian beaver is a natural component of wet woodland ecosystems in Europe in which other capercaillie also occur. Impacts of beavers could be to raise the water level of the lochs and rivers within the SPAs by damming smaller watercourses (< 6m width). The increased wet zones resulting from water level rises could result in a conversion from pine dominated to willow and alder dominated woodland in certain limited locations.  An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows.

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

Population of the species as a viable component of the site and Distribution of the species within site

A sufficient reduction of suitable habitat within the SPA could reduce the capercaillie population of the SPA and affect the distribution of the species.  However, given the limited amount of potential beaver habitat, that is broadleaved woodland habitat within the SPA, and the topography of the site, any area affected by beaver activity will be small.  Changes to small areas of habitat within the SPA (see discussion below) will not affect the capercaillie population using this SPA or the distribution of the species within the site.

Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species

Habitat used by beavers is generally within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)).  While capercaillie do make some use of deciduous tree species it is a small proportion of their habitat/diet in Scotland.  Beaver activity may result in small areas of suitable habitat changing within the SPA.  However, pine trees are known to grow in some wet habitats, e.g. bog woodland, within the Caledonian forest.  Alteration of the woodlands to wetter types should not therefore result in complete loss of habitat for capercaillie as the Scots pines are a key tree species in bog woodland.  Beaver also generally avoid felling pine trees, and other tree species form only a tiny component of bog woodland, therefore the extent of any loss of capercaillie habitat will be small. The wet margins of beaver dammed waterbodies may actually result in larger areas of the cotton grass habitat used by females and chicks.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species

There may be a small loss of potential habitat for pine regeneration due to

increased wetness but, as stated above, pine trees will germinate and colonise

some wetter habitats and produce needles that can be eaten by capercaillie.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

No significant disturbance of the species

Any disturbance that might be considered significant is dealt with under the preceding conservation objectives. It is advised that there will be no significant disturbance to capercaillie.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined.

Scottish Crossbill

Scottish crossbill at this site were last assessed through NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme in 2012, and were found to be in favourable condition, the site supports an estimated 60 individuals.  Crossbills are cone feeding specialists and feed and nest in the pine trees. However, due to the annual variation of pine cone crops Scottish crossbills are known to be nomadic, so that population on a particular SPA vary each year.  

Eurasian beaver is a natural component of wet woodland ecosystems in Europe in which other crossbill species may also occur. Impacts of beavers could be to raise the water level of the lochs and rivers within the SPA by damming smaller watercourses (< 6m width). The increased wet zones resulting from water level rises could result in a conversion from pine dominated to willow and alder dominated woodland in certain limited locations.

An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows.

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

Population of the species as a viable component of the site

A significant reduction of suitable habitat within the SPA could reduce the Scottish crossbill population.  However given the limited amount of potential beaver habitat within the site and its topography, any area affected by beaver activity will be small.  As stated above, Scottish crossbills are known to be nomadic and move between areas, and so make use of habitats outwith the SPA.  Changes to small areas of habitat within the SPA will not affect the population when there are adequate cone crops in the wider region.

Distribution of the species within the site

Changes in woodland type within the SPA may change the distribution of Scottish crossbills within the site.  However, as the areas that could be affected are small and are distributed along the water courses within the SPA, the distribution of Scottish crossbills within the site will not be altered.

Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species

Habitat used by beavers is generally within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)).  As noted above crossbills are cone feeding specialists and feed and nest in pine trees.  Beaver activity may result in small areas of suitable habitat being changed within the SPA. However, pine trees are known to grow in some wet habitats, e.g. bog woodland, within the Caledonian forest. Alteration of the woodlands to wetter types should not therefore result in complete loss of habitat for Scottish crossbill as the Scots pines are a key tree species in bog woodland. Beaver also generally avoid felling pine trees, and other tree species form only a tiny component of bog woodland, therefore the extent of any loss of crossbill habitat will be small.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species

There may be a small loss of potential habitat for pine regeneration due to increased wetness but, as stated above, pine trees will germinate and colonise some wetter habitats and produce cones that can be eaten by crossbills. It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

No significant disturbance of the species

Any disturbance that might be considered significant is dealt with under the preceding conservation objectives. It is advised that there will be no significant disturbance to Scottish crossbill.

Conclusion

It is therefore considered that the conservation objectives for the SPA will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment and it will not adversely affect the integrity of the Cairngorms SPA.

Qualifying features

• Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Cairngorms Massif SPA are as follows: 

To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

• Population of the species as a viable component of the site
• Distribution of the species within site
• Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
• Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
• No significant disturbance of the species

Appraisal

Golden Eagle

The Cairngorm Massif stretches over 187,484 ha. Potential beaver woodland habitat (as detailed in Annex B of the 2017 beaver HRA) makes up just over 712.42 ha of this. Golden eagle was considered to be in favourable condition when last monitored in 2015 as part of NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme. There is very limited connectivity between beaver and golden eagle due to their feeding and nesting habits.  The primary habitat for golden eagle in this SPA is open habitats above the tree line, where beaver will not have any affect. Therefore the conservation objectives for the site will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment and it will not adversely affect the integrity of the Cairngorm Massif SPA.

Qualifying features

• Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Craigmore Wood SPA are as follows: 

To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

• Population of the species as a viable component of the site
• Distribution of the species within site
• Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
• Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
• No significant disturbance of the species

Appraisal

Capercaillie

Craigmore Wood SPA covers 653.46 ha. Potential beaver woodland habitat (as detailed in Annex B of the 2017 beaver HRA) makes up 52.12 ha of this. Capercaillie at this site were last assessed through NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme in 2015, and were found to be in unfavourable condition. Any beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment should not prevent the ability of the feature to be restored to a favourable condition. 

Adult capercaillie eat predominantly plants.  In winter they feed almost exclusively on conifer needles in the crowns of trees and in Scotland prefer mature stands of Scots pine.  From May to October, the adults feed mainly on the ground on leaves, buds, flowers and fruits e.g. bilberry and crowberry, as well as horsetails, mosses and woodrush.  In early spring, females eat the shoots of cotton grass Eriophorum sp., so bogs and mires are also required. These wet habitats are also used by chicks for feeding.  A mixture of low shrubs and mires not only provide an abundant source of food for the chicks but also warmth and cover.  Semi-open areas are also required within the forest for lek sites and Capercaillie normally roost in trees.

Eurasian beaver is a natural component of wet woodland ecosystems in Europe in which other capercaillie also occur. Impacts of beavers could be to raise the water level of the lochs and rivers within the SPAs by damming smaller watercourses (< 6m width). The increased wet zones resulting from water level rises could result in a conversion from pine dominated to willow and alder dominated woodland in certain limited locations.

An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows:

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

Population of the species as a viable component of the site and Distribution of the species within site

A sufficient reduction of suitable habitat within the SPA could reduce the capercaillie population of the SPA and affect the distribution of the species.  However, given the limited amount of potential beaver habitat, that is broadleaved woodland habitat within the SPA, and the topography of the site, any area affected by beaver activity will be small.  Changes to small areas of habitat within the SPA (see discussion below) will not affect the capercaillie population using this SPA or the distribution of the species within the site.

Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species

Habitat used by beavers is generally within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)).  While capercaillie do make some use of deciduous tree species it is a small proportion of their habitat/diet in Scotland.  Beaver activity may result in small areas of suitable habitat changing within the SPA.  However, pine trees are known to grow in some wet habitats, e.g. bog woodland, within the Caledonian forest.  Alteration of the woodlands to wetter types should not therefore result in complete loss of habitat for capercaillie as the Scots pines are a key tree species in bog woodland.  Beaver also generally avoid felling pine trees, and other tree species form only a tiny component of bog woodland, therefore the extent of any loss of capercaillie habitat will be small. The wet margins of beaver dammed waterbodies may actually result in larger areas of the cotton grass habitat used by females and chicks.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species

There may be a small loss of potential habitat for pine regeneration due to

increased wetness but, as stated above, pine trees will germinate and colonise

some wetter habitats and produce needles that can be eaten by capercaillie.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

No significant disturbance of the species

Any disturbance that might be considered significant is dealt with under the preceding conservation objectives. It is advised that there will be no significant disturbance to capercaillie.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined.

Conclusion

The conservation objectives for the site will not be undermined.  It can therefore be concluded that beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not adversely affect the integrity of the Craigmore Woods SPA.

Qualifying features

• Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus)

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Creag Meagaidh SPA are as follows: 

To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

• Population of the species as a viable component of the site
• Distribution of the species within site
• Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
• Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
• No significant disturbance of the species

Appraisal

Dotterel at this site were last assessed through NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme in 2011, and were found to be in unfavourable condition.  Creag Meagaidh SPA covers 2856.17 ha, and part of the north eastern section falls within the River Spey catchment.   There is no potential beaver woodland overlapping this SPA, and the conservation objectives for the site will not be undermined.  It can therefore be concluded that beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not adversely affect the integrity of the Creag Meagaidh SPA.

Qualifying features

• Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus)
• Merlin (Falco columbarius)

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Drumochter Hills SPA are as follows: 

To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

• Population of the species as a viable component of the site
• Distribution of the species within site
• Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
• Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
• No significant disturbance of the species

Appraisal

Dotterel, Merlin

The Drumochter Hills SPA covers 9,431.89 ha. Potential beaver woodland habitat (as detailed in Annex B of the 2017 beaver HRA) makes up approximately 11.49 ha of this. Dotterel and merlin were considered to be in unfavourable condition when last monitored in 2011 and 2004 respectively. Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the features to be restored.    

There is no overlap between beaver and dotterel habitat, which is the moss heath and dwarf shrubs above 700m above sea level.  The conservation objectives for this species will therefore not be undermined by any beaver translocation to the River Spey catchment.   Although merlin will nest in old crows nests in trees e.g. on the edge of forestry plantations, and hunt around scrub, they mainly nest and hunt over open habitats like moorland and upland grassland. There is therefore very limited connectivity between beaver and merlin due to their feeding and nesting habits and the conservation objectives for this species will not be undermined.  It can therefore be concluded that beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not adversely affect the integrity of the Drumochter Hills SPA. 

Qualifying features

• Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus)
• Scottish crossbill (Loxia scotica)

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Kinveachy Forest SPA are as follows: 

To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

• Population of the species as a viable component of the site
• Distribution of the species within site
• Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
• Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
• No significant disturbance of the species

Appraisal

Kinveachy Forest SPA covers 2849.7ha of Caledonian forest habitat.  Capercaillie and Scottish crossbill are both Caledonian pine forest species.  Potential beaver woodland habitat (as detailed in Annex B of the 2017 beaver HRA) makes up 161.56 ha of this. The boundary of the SPA is coincident with the boundary of the Kinveachy forest SAC that is designated for its Caledonian forest habitat. 

Capercaillie

Capercaillie at this site were last assessed through NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme in 2008, and were found to be in favourable condition.

Adult capercaillie eat predominantly plants.  In winter they feed almost exclusively on conifer needles in the crowns of trees and in Scotland prefer mature stands of Scots pine.  From May to October, the adults feed mainly on the ground on leaves, buds, flowers and fruits e.g. bilberry and crowberry, as well as horsetails, mosses and woodrush.  In early spring, females eat the shoots of cotton grass Eriophorum sp., so bogs and mires are also required. These wet habitats are also used by chicks for feeding.  A mixture of low shrubs and mires not only provide an abundant source of food for the chicks but also warmth and cover.  Semi-open areas are also required within the forest for lek sites and Capercaillie normally roost in trees.

Eurasian beaver is a natural component of wet woodland ecosystems in Europe in which other capercaillie also occur.  Impacts of beavers could be to raise the water level of the lochs and rivers within the SPAs by damming smaller watercourses (< 6m width). The increased wet zones resulting from water level rises could result in a conversion from pine dominated to willow and alder dominated woodland in certain limited locations.  An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows.

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

Population of the species as a viable component of the site and Distribution of the species within site

A sufficient reduction of suitable habitat within the SPA could reduce the capercaillie population of the SPA and affect the distribution of the species.  However, given the limited amount of potential beaver habitat, that is broadleaved woodland habitat within the SPA, and the topography of the site, any area affected by beaver activity will be small.  Changes to small areas of habitat within the SPA (see discussion below) will not affect the capercaillie population using this SPA or the distribution of the species within the site.

Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species

Habitat used by beavers is generally within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)).  While capercaillie do make some use of deciduous tree species it is a small proportion of their habitat/diet in Scotland.  Beaver activity may result in small areas of suitable habitat changing within the SPA.  However, pine trees are known to grow in some wet habitats, e.g. bog woodland, within the Caledonian forest.  Alteration of the woodlands to wetter types should not therefore result in complete loss of habitat for capercaillie as the Scots pines are a key tree species in bog woodland.  Beaver also generally avoid felling pine trees, and other tree species form only a tiny component of bog woodland, therefore the extent of any loss of capercaillie habitat will be small. The wet margins of beaver dammed waterbodies may actually result in larger areas of the cotton grass habitat used by females and chicks.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species

There may be a small loss of potential habitat for pine regeneration due to

increased wetness but, as stated above, pine trees will germinate and colonise

some wetter habitats and produce needles that can be eaten by capercaillie.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

No significant disturbance of the species

Any disturbance that might be considered significant is dealt with under the preceding conservation objectives. It is advised that there will be no significant disturbance to capercaillie.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined.

Scottish crossbill

Scottish crossbill at this site were last assessed through NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme in 2012, and were found to be in favourable condition.  The site supports an estimated 200 individuals. Crossbills are cone feeding specialists and feed and nest in the pine trees. However, due to the annual variation of pine cone crops Scottish crossbills are known to be nomadic, so that population on a particular SPA vary each year.

Eurasian beaver is a natural component of wet woodland ecosystems in Europe in which other crossbill species may also occur. Impacts of beavers could be to raise the water level of the lochs and rivers within the SPAs by damming smaller watercourses (< 6m width). The increased wet zones resulting from water level rises could result in a conversion from pine dominated to willow and alder dominated woodland in certain limited locations.

An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows.

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

Population of the species as a viable component of the site

A significant reduction of suitable habitat within the SPA could reduce the Scottish crossbill population.  However given the limited amount of potential beaver habitat within the site and its topography, any area affected by beaver activity will be small.  As stated above, Scottish crossbills are known to be nomadic and move between areas, and so make use of habitats outwith the SPA.  Changes to small areas of habitat within the SPA will not affect the population when there are adequate cone crops in the wider region.

Distribution of the species within the site

Changes in woodland type within the SPA may change the distribution of Scottish crossbills within the site.  However, as the areas that could be affected are small and are distributed along the water courses within the SPA, the distribution of Scottish crossbills within the site will not be altered.

Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species

Habitat used by beavers is generally within 20m of water-bodies, but rarely up to 50m (SNH, 2015)).  As noted above crossbills are cone feeding specialists and feed and nest in pine trees.  Beaver activity may result in small areas of suitable habitat being changed within the SPA. However, pine trees are known to grow in some wet habitats, e.g. bog woodland, within the Caledonian forest. Alteration of the woodlands to wetter types should not therefore result in complete loss of habitat for Scottish crossbill as the Scots pines are a key tree species in bog woodland. Beaver also generally avoid felling pine trees, and other tree species form only a tiny component of bog woodland, therefore the extent of any loss of crossbill habitat will be small.  It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species

There may be a small loss of potential habitat for pine regeneration due to increased wetness but, as stated above, pine trees will germinate and colonise some wetter habitats and produce cones that can be eaten by crossbills. It is therefore not considered that the conservation objective will be undermined. 

No significant disturbance of the species

Any disturbance that might be considered significant is dealt with under the preceding conservation objectives. It is advised that there will be no significant disturbance to Scottish crossbill.

Conclusion

It is therefore considered that the conservation objectives for the SPA will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment and it will not adversely affect the integrity of the Kinveachy Forest SPA.

Qualifying features

• Slavonian grebe (Podiceps auritus)

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Loch Vaa SPA are as follows: 

To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

• Population of the species as a viable component of the site
• Distribution of the species within site
• Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
• Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
• No significant disturbance of the species

Appraisal

Slavonian Grebe

Loch Vaa SPA covers 44.83 ha. Potential beaver woodland habitat (as detailed in Annex B of the 2017 beaver HRA) makes up approximately 15.27 ha of this. Slavonian Grebe were considered to be in unfavourable condition when last monitored in 2007.  Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the feature to be restored.    

Slavonian grebes nest in sedge beds or in willows that dip down into the water.  Beavers could potentially remove the willow habitat but could create more of the sedge beds.  Rapidly changing water levels can be a problem for Slavonian grebes causing nests to be flooded or displaced.  However beaver dams tend to stabilise water levels once constructed, so although water levels may increase over time, damming would ameliorate rapid changes in waterbodies reacting to rain events etc.  Loch Vaa does not have an outlet burn, so damming by beaver may not actually be possible in this location.

It is therefore considered that the conservation objectives for the SPA will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment and it will not adversely affect the integrity of the Loch Vaa SPA. 

Qualifying features

• Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica)
• Dunlin (Calidris alpina alpina)*
• Greylag goose (Anser anser)
• Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
• Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)*
• Pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus)
• Red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator)*
• Redshank (Tringa totanus)
• Wigeon (Anas penelope)*
• Waterfowl assemblage

* Indicates assemblage qualifier only

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Moray and Nairn Coast SPA are as follows: 

To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

• Population of the species as a viable component of the site
• Distribution of the species within site
• Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
• Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
• No significant disturbance of the species

Appraisal

Moray and Nairn Coast SPA covers 2325.67 ha. Only the eastern 225 ha section, comprising the mouth of the Spey river, lies within the River Spey catchment. The potential beaver woodland habitat (as detailed in Annex B of the 2017 beaver HRA) makes up 85.79 ha of the whole SPA, this habitat occurs predominantly in this eastern section of the SPA.

Bar-tailed godwit, Dunlin, Osprey, Oystercatcher, Red-breasted merganser, Redshank, Wigeon, waterfowl assemblage

Bar-tailed godwit and redshank were assessed through NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme in 2014 and were found to be in unfavourable condition. The dunlin, oystercatcher, red-breasted merganser and wigeon populations were assessed as being favourable in 2008.  The osprey population of the SPA was last monitored in 2001 and 2008 and assessed as being in favourable condition. The waterfowl assemblage was also found to be in favourable condition in 2014.  There is limited connectivity between beaver and bar-tailed godwit, dunlin, osprey, oystercatcher, red-breasted merganser, redshank, wigeon, and the waterfowl assemblage at Moray and Nairn coast SPA due to their feeding and/or nesting habits. With respect to osprey, most, if not all of the breeding pairs that contribute to the SPA interest are nesting off site (in areas not likely to be impacted by beaver activity), and come to the SPA to feed. The conservation objectives for these species will therefore not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment.

Greylay goose, Pink-footed goose

Greylag and pink-footed geese were both monitored as unfavourable in 2014 on the Moray and Nairn Coast SPA. With individual bird numbers at designation estimated over 3000 and 7500 respectively.  Any beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment should not prevent the ability of the goose populations to be restored.  An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows.

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

Population of the species as a viable component of the site

Distribution of the species within site

Greylag and pink-footed geese roost on open water and mudflats within the SPA.  They typically feed on agricultural land (from the autumn to spring) outwith the SPA.  Any beaver activity would be unlikely to affect the habitat used by geese within the SPA and therefore the distribution of the species within the site will not be affected.

The agricultural land on which greylag and pink-footed geese feed can often be in proximity to streams, ditches and burns. There could be minor (and usually temporary) losses of this land at these times of year from flooding due to beaver dams, leading to a reduction in the availability of supporting habitat; i.e. feeding areas outside the SPAs.  Availability of foraging areas on agricultural land outwith the SPA is not regarded as a limiting factor for the SPA populations of geese and any small losses resulting from beaver activity are unlikely to affect the geese.  The conservation objective to maintain the population of geese as a viable component of the site will therefore not be undermined by any beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment. 

Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species

Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species

As noted above, any beaver activity would be unlikely to affect the habitat used by geese within the SPA.  These conservation objectives will therefore not be undermined by any proposals to translocate beaver to the River Spey catchment.

No significant disturbance of the species

Any beaver activity would be unlikely to affect the habitat used by geese within the SPA and would be unlikely to cause any disturbance to the population. 

Conclusion

It can therefore be concluded that beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not undermine the conservation objectives of the Moray to Nairn Coast SPA and will not adversely affect the integrity of the site. 

Qualifying features

• Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus)
• Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
• Spotted crake (Porzana porzana)
• Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)
• Wigeon (Anas penelope)
• Wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the River Spey – Insh Marshes SPA are as follows: 

To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

• Population of the species as a viable component of the site
• Distribution of the species within site
• Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
• Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
• No significant disturbance of the species

Appraisal

The River Spey – Insh Marshes SPA covers 1157.26 ha. Potential beaver woodland habitat (as detailed in Annex B of the 2017 beaver HRA) makes up 96.48 ha of this. Partly due to seasonal flooding, there is a very large area of swamp, fen and carr which, together, form

the largest single unit of poor fen floodplain mire in the UK.  A project is being developed to reconnect the river with its flood plain and enable natural processes and dynamism to be restored.  The boundary of the River Spey – Insh Marshes SPA is coincident with the boundary of the Insh Marshes SAC.

Hen harrier, Osprey, Spotted crake, Wigeon, Wood sandpiper 

Hen harrier, osprey, and spotted crake features were considered to be in favourable condition when monitored in 2010, 2009 and 2000 respectively. Wigeon and wood sandpiper were considered to be in unfavourable condition when monitored in 2009 and 2000 respectively.  Any beaver translocations should not prevent the ability of the features to be restored.  The implications for the conservation objectives are considered below.

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

Population of the species as a viable component of the site and Distribution of the species within site

The SPA supports a breeding population of wigeon, spotted crake and wood sandpiper.  Although wood sandpiper will nest in old nests in trees they mostly nest on tussocks or ridges surrounded by water.  Poor, moist swampy ground is a favoured habitat.  Beaver damming and canal creation is likely to create more breeding habitat for these species.  Provided the foraging habitat of these species is maintained (see below) the conservation objectives to maintain the population as a viable component of the site and distribution of the species within the site will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment.      

Hen harrier use the SPA as a roost site.  Hen harrier roosts are generally in rank vegetation mostly on marshes, mosses and heather moorland.  Beaver dams could potentially flood out an existing roost site but overall the increased area of marshy ground should provide more potential roosting sites.  The conservation objectives to maintain the population as a viable component of the site and distribution of the species within the site will therefore not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment. 

Osprey forage and breed within the SPA.  Beaver activities resulting in increased areas of wetland may provide wider foraging opportunities for osprey.  Beavers could potentially fell a tree containing an osprey nest but equally they could create more potential nest trees by creating flooded areas surrounding individual trees, or clumps of trees, that then become a more secure nesting site.  Identified osprey nest trees that are assessed as being potentially vulnerable to beaver activity should be protected to ensure there would be no adverse impacts.  Provided this safeguard is in place the conservation objectives to maintain the population as a viable component of the site and distribution of the species within the site will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment. 

Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species

Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species

Beaver activity that expands wetland areas is likely to lead to an overall increase in the availability of foraging habitat for the qualifying features.   However for those species that feed on aquatic plants, changes to water levels caused by beaver damming activity could result in changes to the characteristic plant communities.  The mitigation outlined for the Insh Marshes SAC will ensure that foraging habitat on which these species depend will not be adversely affected by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment. 

No significant disturbance of the species

Beaver translocations will not cause significant disturbance for these species.  However any proposals to increase or enhance visitor access to the area will need to consider whether there could be any potential impacts for the qualifying features of this site.

Whooper swan

Whooper swan at this site were last assessed through NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme in 2000 and were found to be in favourable condition, the number of individual birds at designation were estimated at 190 over-wintering individuals.  An appraisal against each of the conservation objectives follows.

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

Population of the species as a viable component of the site & Distribution of the species within site

Feeding & roosting sites: Whooper swans on Insh Marshes are unusual in that they feed on native wetland aquatic vegetation within the marshes themselves and not on the surrounding agricultural land. They also roost on the open water within the site. Beaver damming and canal creation could potentially produce more feeding habitat and roosting sites on the marshes.   However changes to water levels caused by beaver damming activity could also result in changes to the characteristic plant communities upon which whooper swan feed.  The mitigation outlined for the Insh Marshes SAC (see above) will ensure that foraging habitat on which whooper swan depend will not be adversely affected by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment.  Provided this mitigation is in place the conservation objectives for maintaining the population of the species as a viable component of the SPA, and distribution of the species within the SPA, will not be undermined by the proposal to translocate beavers to the River Spey catchment. 

Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species

Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species

The size of the Insh Marshes SPA, over 1000 ha, and the extent of the habitat used by the swans means that beaver induced change would have to be on a very large scale to significantly alter the amount of habitat available to the swans.  The appraisal for the Insh Marshes SAC, that overlaps the SPA, concluded that the extent and distribution of the clear water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels feature of the SAC could potentially be undermined without monitoring and mitigation measures in place.    

For smaller lochs, of around less than 5ha, damming of outflows or inflows may result in significant level changes as happened on one loch in the beaver trial.  Level changes if not reversed may lead to changes in the marginal vegetation and potentially through modification of the photic zone submerged plants.  Larger lochs are unlikely to be affected. For larger lochs the impacts on hydrology are reduced by scale.  It requires a larger volume of water to raise the level of the loch so effects upon marginal vegetation are less likely.  The higher hydrostatic head also makes damming of outflows less likely.

The measures in place to ensure that the clear water lakes or lochs with aquatic vegetation and poor to moderate nutrient levels feature of the Insh Marshes SAC would not be adversely affected by beaver translocations (see above) would also help ensure that the distribution and extent of whooper swan habitat, and structure, function and supporting processes of whooper swan habitat, is maintained. 

No significant disturbance of the species

Any beaver translocations will not cause significant disturbance for this species.  However any proposals to increase or enhance visitor access to the area will need to consider whether there could be any potential impacts for this species.

Conclusion

The conservation objectives for the qualifying features of River Spey – Insh Marshes SPA will not be undermined by beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment and the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the SPA provided the mitigation outlined for the Insh Marshes SAC, and to protect osprey nests, is in place.

Qualifying features

• Common gull (Larus canus)

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Tips of Corsemaul and Tom Mor SPA are as follows: 

To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the qualifying species or significant disturbance to the qualifying species, thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained; and

To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

• Population of the species as a viable component of the site
• Distribution of the species within site
• Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species
• Structure, function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species
• No significant disturbance of the species

Appraisal

Common gull at this site were last assessed through NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring programme in 2015, and were found to be in unfavourable condition. Tips of Corsemaul and Tom Mor SPA covers over 83 ha, and part of the north western section falls within the River Spey catchment.  There is no potential beaver woodland overlapping this SPA, and the conservation objectives for the site will not be undermined.  It can therefore be concluded that beaver translocations to the River Spey catchment will not adversely affect the integrity of the Tips of Corsemaul and Tom Mor SPA.