NatureScot Commissioned Report 949 - Aith Meadows and Burn of Aith SSSI - NVC EUNIS survey and management advice
Traditionally, the vast meadows of Aith Meadows and Burn of Aith Site of Special Scientific Interest in Shetland were managed for hay. The site’s notified biological features – lowland neutral grassland and fen meadow – are in ‘favourable’ but ‘declining’ condition. The management of these wildflower grasslands has changed from traditional haymaking with aftermath grazing, to one of silage production and this is one of the reasons for the decline in wildflower grasslands.
NatureScot commissioned this research chiefly to review where the two biological features of the site occur. It was a challenge to identify National Vegetation Classification (NVC) communities at the site, including those representing the interest features.
Altogether, 17 NVC communities and sub-communities, plus a further four potential new units and variants, were mapped. All relate to corresponding EUNIS habitats and one to a European Habitats Directive Annex 1 habitat.
The report also gives advice and recommendations on:
- transitional communities and their ecological interest and potential as additional site features
- future site management – from drainage to ways to facilitate traditional management and develop grazing plans
Pages: 67
Published: 2017
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