KELTNEYBURN

(site map at base of page)

Total site surface area (ha) : 31.73 ha 

Status: Candidate Special Area of Conservation       

Other protection status : Keltneyburn pSCI is aSite of Special Scientific Interest and part of the area is managed as a local wildlife reserve by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

  Scientific description of site :

Keltneyburn pSCI is an area of mixed deciduous valley woodlands in the gorges of the Keltney Burn and its tributaries. Gorge areas are dominated by ash, Fraxinus excelsior and wych elm, Ulmus glabra together with areas of oak Quercus petraea, birch, Betula pubescens and willow, Salix caprea.  The site also includes an extensive orchid meadow. The woodland groundflora is species rich with a large number of higher plant species of restricted distribution including one national rarity.  The bryophyte flora includes several local basicolus species.

  Importance of the site for the conservation of the species/habitat types targeted at regional, national and EU level (give quantifiable information wherever possible) :

Threats:

Threat 2:                 Lack of Integrated Management and Monitoring

Management plans and the evaluation of project actions need to be linked to a programme monitoring the condition of the valued features of the Keltneyburn.  This is a vital step to ensure the long term effectiveness of the actions in reducing or removing the threats and to refine future management after the works have been undertaken.

  Location
Keltneyburn pSCI

  Impact on habitat
Lack of integrated management threatens the long term effectiveness of site conservation works.

  Threat 4:                Displacement of native species by exotic broadleaved trees

The exotic broadleaved tree species sycamore, Acer pseudoplatanus and beech Fagus sylvatica have invaded the site or been planted for amenity in the past.  Both species are shade bearing and compete well, displacing native trees and shading out groundflora and understorey species.

  Location
Throughout the pSCI

Impact on habitat
The abundance of exotic broadleaves poses the major threat to native species and associated biodiversity of the site over 37ha.

  Threat 14:                Fragmented, multiple woodland ownership

Keltneyburn is owned by 7 separate owners with varying levels of interests and understanding of the habitat. Work to remove exotics must be co-ordinated across the whole site if they are to be effective in the long term. 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
Keltneyburn pSCI

  Impact on habitat
Multiple ownership threatens effective restoration work across the site

Threat 17:                  Lack of public awareness

Gorge woodlands are often inaccessible and the habitat is threatened by a general lack of recognition of its conservation value and by the public’s limited understanding of what positive management can entail.  This impacts on the level of financial and community support for conservation works and reduces scope for habitat management both within and beyond the pSCI sites.

Location
Locally

  Impact on habitat
Lack of awareness contributes to habitat neglect and limited support for restoration