NESS WOODS

(site map at base of page)

Total site surface area (ha) :847   

Project site surface area (ha): 5

Community protection status :   Candidate Special Area of Conservation

  Other protection status : The pSCI incorporates three component Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Inverfarigaig SSSI, Easter Ness Forest SSSI and Glen Tarf SSSI.  The project involves a small applied research plot within and adjacent to the Glen Tarf SSSI

  Scientific description of site :

Glen Tarf is one of a series of gorge woodlands representing a variety of woodland types on Moine schist rocks.  The vegetation is intermediate between eastern and western types.  The dominant trees include downy birch Betula pubescens and sparse sessile oak Quercus petraea on the ravine sides. The streamside trees include ash Fraxinus excelsior and wych elm Ulmus glabra.  There is a well developed shrub layer with hazel Corylus avellana, bird cherry Padus padus, holly Ilex aquifolium and goat willow Salix caprea.

  Field layer vegetation is particularly rich in ferns, while more open areas are dominated by bracken Pteridium aquilinum.  The wood is rich in epiphytic lichens, forest mosses and liverworts and has some flowering plants of local importance.  Glen Tarf is a site of the rare insect Bolitophagus reticulatus.

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

The site is designated at national and EU-level for its woodland habitat.

Threats:

Threat 16:                 Lack of widespread technical understanding and support

One of the main threats facing the Glen Tarf site in Ness Woods pSCI is the domination of large areas of the site by bracken Pteridium aquilinum which prevents regeneration of native trees.  While bracken control measures exist, their effectiveness on native tree regeneration and the impact on other valuable conservation interests (especially fern species) has not been deliberately assessed.  The project therefore includes works to evaluate different bracken control measures in this regard and disseminate information.

Location
Within and adjacent to the Glen Tarf area of Ness Woods pSCI

Impact on habitat
Bracken is a threat over extensive areas of the site and elsewhere in similar woodland areas but the trial will focus on 1ha within the pSCI and 5ha immediately adjacent to it.