Is SNH a Good Land Manager?
Duich Moss, Islay

(Filed 9 May 2003)
www.land-care.org.uk

There are worries as to whether or not SNH is a good land manager.

Currently there is the problem of the Uist hedgehogs that had been allowed to get way out of control despite repeated warnings (1, 2). The costs are heading to be very substantial.

There are the rather numerous petitions brought to the Scottish Parliament that are concerned about the behaviour of SNH in relation to land management (3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Duich Moss

Here Land-Care looks at what has been happening at their conservation site known as the Duich Moss on the Isle of Islay. This site of 574 hectares (1418 acres) is described by SNH as a site of both national and international importance for its peatland habitat and for its significance as a roost site for Greenland white-fronted geese (8). SNH’s description of the site further states that the undisturbed area of blanket bog has resulted in the Duich Moss being recognised as a candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EC Habitats Directive.

The drains were blocked up (Figure 1) so as to restore the height of the water table and thereby recreate a bog. However, during dry spells the grasses dried out to such an extent that on two occasions only 2 years apart the vegetation was destroyed by fire - burned to a crisp (9).

Figure 1: Drains on Duich Moss

Click here to enlarge image (86KB)

The extent of the damage is illustrated in Figures 2-4.

Figure 2: Duich Moss after fires, 2001

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Figure 3: Duich Moss after fires, 2001

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Figure 4: Duich Moss after fires, 2003

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The fire stopped on each occasion where there was a natural firebreak at the boundary of the site. However, SNH had allegedly not organised any firebreaks within this massive area as might have been expected according to good management of such an important site.

Although Land-Care understands that SNH considers that these two fires, occurring so close together in time, have not made any lasting damage to the conservation site, Land-Care also understands that other experts take a different view.

According to SNH's website (10) SNH spent £503,526 on the project in 2001 alone. SNH claims that they get on well with local landowners and farmers. Perhaps the following rates that SNH pay them for various activities has something to do with it.

Summary of annual payments (10):

Feeding zone:	£301.55/ha for rotational grass or arable ground £189.74/ha for non-rotational productive grass
Buffer zone:	£228.05/ha for rotational grass or arable ground £160.25/ha for non-rotational productive grass
Scaring zone:	£100/holding with more than 1 but less that 1.5 geese per hectare £47.55/holding for farms with 1 or less than one goose per hectare

These are expensive geese.

References

1. Irvine, James (2003). SNH Hedgehog Saga Update 30th April 2003.
(Filed 30 April 2003, www.land-care.org.uk, click here to view).

2. Irvine, James (2003). Conservation and the Misuse of Science - Hedgehogs, Bats and Badgers.
(Filed 15 April 2003, www.land-care.org.uk, click here to view).

3. Editorial (2003). Hedgehogs on Uist - SNH in More Trouble. Petition to the Scottish Parliament.
(Filed 27 January 2003, www.land-care.org.uk, click here to view).

4. SNH told to think again. This time about hedgehogs.
(Filed 29 January 2003, www.land-care.org.uk, click here to view).

5. Scottish Gamekeepers Association Petition to Scottish Parliament. The Impact of Predatory Birds
(Filed 25 March 2003, www.land-care.org.uk, click here to view).

6. Mictchell, Ian (2002). Scientific Objection to the Designation of the Sound of Barra as a possible Special Area of Conservation. LandCare Scotland, Vol 2, pp. 3-49.

7. Mictchell, Ian (2002). Scientific Objection to the designation of the Arran Moors as a proposed Site of Special Scientific Interest and proposed Special Protection Area. LandCare Scotland, Vol 3, pp. 3-118.

8. Scottish Natural Heritage. SSSI Management Statement. Location: 4km south of Bowmore, Isle of Islay. (Download Microsoft Word Document).

9. Mitchell, Ian (2003). Drastic change in land management. The Herald, Letters, 25 April 2003
(Filed 25 April 2003, www.land-care.org.uk, click here to view).

10. SNH website - Local Goose Management Scheme.
http://213.121.208.4/about/ab-pa09e.htm

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9 May 2003

Is SNH a Good Land Manager? Duich Moss, Islay

(Filed 9 May 2003) www.land-care.org.uk