We are now four weeks into the latest Attenborough series, and we’ve been seeing our ‘Wild Isles’ as we never have before. RSPB Scotland's Campaigns and Communications Officer, Lottie, describes just why our freshwater habitats are so important.
In the latest episode of Wild Isles, we saw yet more of the amazing wildlife at home in Scotland’s freshwater habitats. In our rivers and burns, lochs and ponds, this episode was a chance to see some of our most unique species.
Scotland’s no stranger to a rainy day, and our freshwater habitats are a critical ecosystem within the Scottish landscape. Not only are they home to amazing wildlife, but they are also essential for our food and water sources, energy and transport too. However, there are extreme pressures on our waters caused by a rapidly changing climate, which is resulting in more instances of both flooding and drought, impacting on the species who make their homes in these habitats.
Curlew bathing in a shallow pool. Andy Hay
Protecting and restoring our freshwater ecosystems is essential to future climate resilience. Allowing floodplains to flood, or rainwater to be naturally slowed by peatlands, moorlands and woodlands, reduces pressure on other parts of the river and waterways, and protects from flash flooding in homes and on working agricultural land. At RSPB Insh Marshes, as part of the Cairngorms Connect Project, we have been working with the local community to restore the natural floodplain and river system, which will both benefit local communities, and provide a home for important species like Spotted Crake.
The ecological benefits of our waterways are critical to many species. Wetlands are vital to many birds – especially wading birds – amphibians, fish, insects and invertebrates.
But one species, the Eurasian Beaver, is a key, missing puzzle piece for our waterways. Beavers are incredible ecosystem engineers, and they play a vital role in shaping and restoring freshwater habitats.
Beavers are semi-aquatic animals, which means they live partly on land and partly in water. They live in lodges made from woody debris on the edge of a river or pond, but these creative animals are perhaps best known for their dams – incredible structures built to retain water which is essential for providing the conditions they need to feel secure. However, it is the knock-on benefits that Beavers have for a whole host of other species which mean their activities really shine.
Historically, Beavers shaped waterways and wetlands across the UK, until they were hunted to extinction around 400 years ago due to the demand for their fur, meat and ‘Castoreum’ – a smelly secretion widely used in perfume and cooking. Now we have an important role to play in restoring Beavers to their former range, which will, in turn, help to restore climate and nature resilient landscapes, and freshwater systems which many species rely on, including us.
Beavers emerging from transport crates in their new home at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond nature reserve. Beaver Trust
Earlier this year, a family of beavers were relocated to RSPB Scotland’s Loch Lomond nature reserve, after a license was granted by NatureScot at the end of last year*. The family were moved from an area where land use and beavers came into conflict, to RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond, part of the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve (NNR). This site was assessed as being an ideal habitat for them, with a much-reduced chance of conflict with other land uses. Relocating Beavers here not only helped to retain and protect one of Scotland’s European protected species, but also means they can make the NNR even better for wildlife than it already is. The partially degraded floodplain fen with its important plant assemblage will greatly benefit from a more natural, dynamic system, as will the insects, birds, fish and mammals that rely upon a healthy and functioning wetland, not to mention the added benefits of reducing flood and drought impacts.
Elsewhere, such as in RSPB Black Devon Wetlands, we are managing a mosaic of wet grassland habitat in the Inner Forth, an area which draws large flocks of wintering wading birds and wildfowl, and which ponds are inhabited by small fish, dragonflies and amphibians.
In the future, we want to see Scotland's freshwater catchments – including some of the most pristine in Western Europe – sustainably managed, protected from invasive non-native species, unpolluted and supporting our amazing array of freshwater species and habitats for future generations.
If you love beavers like us, you can send a virtual beaver postcard to your MSPs asking them to protect Scotland’s amazing species.
*The translocation work was made possible because of support from partners including NatureScot, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, The Beaver Trust and the Five Sisters Zoo.
Main image: looking through tall reeds towards the blue water of Lochwinnoch nature reserve. Andy Hay