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Total site surface area (ha) : 51.4
Status:
Candidate Special Area of Conservation
Other
protection status :
Borders
Woods candidate candidate Special Area of Conservation is made up of 3
Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Newton
St Boswells Woods SSSI, Lynnwood - Whitlaw Wood, Slitrig SSSI and
Cragbank and Wolfehoplee SSSI. Cragbank
Wood is managed as a National Nature Reserve.
Scientific description of site
:
This composite site is considered one of the best areas for Tilio
Acerion woodland in the UK. The
woodland lies on base-rich soils in moist shady conditions associated
with ravines or rocky slopes. Dominant tree species are Ash Fraxinus
excelsior and wych elm although the latter has largely died through
Dutch elm disease. Alder Alnus
glutinosa and willow Salix
species are dominant by the streamsides.
In UK examples lime is usually sparse and may be absent from
northern woods which otherwise fit this woodland type.
Other species rarely found in such northern examples include
spindle Euonymus europeans and
midland hawthorn Crataegus
laevigata. These woodlands are rich in plant species and often have
a lush ground flora in which ferns, particularly hart's-tongue Phyllitis
scolopendrium, are common.
The herb flora is diverse with herb-robert Geranium
robertianum, enchanters nightshade Circaea
luteiana and wood avens Geum
urbanum. Other herbs include greater burnet Sanguisorba
officinalis and wood stitchwort Stellaria
nomorum which are of regional interest.
The woods have a high dead wood component from dead and fallen
elms Ulmus glabra which is important habitat for many fungi and invertebrate
species.
Importance
of the site for the conservation of the species/habitat types targeted
at regional, national and EU level :
These
woods are some of the largest areas of semi-natural woodland in the
Scottish Borders Region.
The diversity of vascular plants make this an important regional
site.
Threats:
Threat
1:
Lack of management planning and background information
The
three sites have no formal management plans developed with owners. It is
vital that works undertaken within the project are understood in the
context of long term conservation management and set within a formal
management plan. Lack of
data on conservation features and new constraints to management need to
be considered and addressed.
Location
Newton
St Boswells
Cragbank
Whitlaw
Impact
on habitat
Management
plans are required over 3 sites
Threat
4:
Displacement of native species by exotic broadleaved trees
Exotic
broadleaved tree species primarily sycamore, Acer
pseudoplatanus have become dominant in the woods particularly since
the loss of elm Ulmus glabra
in the canopy due to Dutch elm disease. Sycamore is shade bearing and
competes well, displacing native trees and shading out groundflora and
understorey species. In
some sites it will not be appropriate to remove all sycamore, rather
removal will aim to reduce the sycamore component to a level where it
does not dominate native species and allows their regeneration.
Location
Newtown
St Boswells SSSI, Lynnwood – Whitlaw Wood, Slitrig SSSI,
Impact
on habitat
Sycamore
is present throughout the site totalling 1 ha.
Threat
8:
Displacement of native species by other shrub species
Butterburr
Petasites hybridus has
become dominant in the streamside and valley floor vegetation and is
limiting regeneration of streamside tree species such as alder Alnus glutinosa.
Location
Newtown
St Boswells SSSI
Impact
on habitat/species
The
butterburr is preventing natural regeneration of streamside native tree
species over an area of 1 hectare.
Threat
14:
Multiple woodland ownership
Newton
St Boswells wood has five private owners and management for the woodland
will require collaboration between these owners who may have different
levels of interest and understanding of restoration activities. In order
to develop and effectively implement conservation management across the
site, considerable work is required to liaise with all stakeholders,
develop shared vision and objectives for site management and to contract
work efficiently.
Location
Newton
St Boswells
Impact
on habitat
This
threat is limiting co-ordinated efficient management of the site
Threat
17:
Lack of public awareness
In
all cases, awareness of the conservation value of the woods and the
Tilio-Acerion habitat is limited despite regular recreational use of
some sites. There is little formal interpretation of the habitat on
site. This impacts on the level of financial and community support for
conservation works and reduces scope for habitat management beyond the
pSCI sites.
Location
Newton
St Boswells, Cragbank and Whitlaw woods
Impact
on habitat
Lack
of public awareness of gorge woodlands and their conservation value has
contributed to their relative neglect.
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