Scotland risks losing its globally renowned moorland landscapes, because there is no government strategy to balance their protection with plans to cover a quarter of Scotland with trees, it is claimed
An estimated 20 per cent of heather moorland disappeared between 1940 and 1970 and Scotland’s gamekeepers say its devaluation cannot be allowed to continue blindly.
While 75 per cent of the world’s remaining heather is still found in the UK, mostly in Scotland, there never has been unified national policy to retain this signature treasure, according to the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA).
However there is one for trees. The Scottish Forestry Strategy has a target of woodland expansion in Scotland from 17% to 25% by 2050, with 25,000 acres of new planting a year.
The SGA commissioned a controversial ecologist to produce a strategy for the nation's moorland, because of its fears over the increasing impact of trees on the moors which "are home to threatened bird species and have inspired artists, writers and film-makers."
The 34 page report recommends that new woodlands should be targeted on areas already fragmented by trees.
Dr James Fenton said: “Perhaps because it has always seemed to be common, we tend not to value our moorland in Scotland even though it defines our upland landscapes. Our open moors and hills are our speciality which distinguishes us from our European neighbours.
“This new document has mapped all the moorland on mainland Scotland and has identified the remaining core areas. It calls for a public debate to discuss and agree where in Scotland we want to retain our open moorland landscapes as the dominant landscape.”
SGA Chairman Alex Hogg said : “This report is not a ‘no-trees’ policy, but a ‘where-trees’ policy. It acknowledges competing demands on land use and makes sensible suggestions as to where moorland must be retained and where we can afford to lose bits without breaking the whole thing.
“We need to value these special landscapes again instead of paying lip service, and place them at the heart of our land use strategy. Last week, the curlew was placed on the red list and described as the UK’s most pressing conservation concern.What are we offering the curlew when we don't even have a policy to retain one of its key breeding grounds?"
Dr Fenton is an independent ecological consultant based in Argyll. Previously he has worked as a scientist for the British Antarctic Survey and for the National Trust for Scotland. He was also CEO of the Falklands Conservation body in the Falkland Islands.
Last year he argued a rhododendron "swarm" posed Scotland's biggest single ecological threat and called for the plants to be eradicated in the wild.
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said:
“The recently published draft Land Use Strategy consultation paper proposes that we consider the need for a strategic vision for Scotland’s uplands. The report published today by the Scottish Gamekeepers Association is a welcome contribution to the discussion on this topic and we encourage responses to the Land Use Strategy consultation which is open until January 29.”
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