NATURAL
HERITAGE
FUTURES
N orth E ast C oastal P lain
North East Coastal Plain
NATURAL
HERITAGE
FUTURES
N orth E ast C oastal P lain
Contents
NATURAL
FUTURES
2
SUMMARY
4
DESCRIPTION
6
HERITAGE
INFLUEN CES
16
VISION
22
OBJECTIVES
26
S TAKEHOLDERS
40
KEY
Natural Heritage Futures
Natural
Heritage
Futures
INTRODUCTION
This is one of a suite of publications which Scottish
Natural Heritage has prepared to guide the future
management of the natural heritage towards 2025,
within the wider context of sustainable development. Our
landscapes and wildlife are highly valued assets which
have often been shaped by human activity. Under
sensitive management, the natural heritage also has the
potential to enhance people’s lives and provide
Scottish Natural Heritage’s Natural Heritage
substantial economic benefits, of particular value to
Futures is our contribution to putting sustainable
fragile rural populations. As far as possible, these
development into practice. It will ensure that we
documents aim to identify common goals and encourage
take an integrated approach to our work across
an integrated approach in which all sectors work
our whole remit and, at the same time, provide the
together to achieve them.
basis for our engagement with other stakeholders.
Caring for the natural heritage is a long-term
Covering the North East Coastal Plain, this is one of
business and we have deliberately taken a more
21 local documents which, together, cover the whole of
visionary approach in setting goals for the natural
Scotland, each presenting a vision for sustainable use of
heritage and society’s use of it. Also, SNH cannot
the local natural heritage and the action required to
do everything itself: it does not have the powers, or
achieve it. The 21 areas each have their own identity
the resources, or the desire to do so. Many other
resulting from the interaction of geology, landforms,
public, private and voluntary organisations have
landscapes, wildlife and land use – and hence are
an important role to play. It is our hope that,
affected by distinct issues. There are also six documents
through engagement on Natural Heritage Futures,
detailing national objectives for different settings: Forests
together we shall have a substantial, positive and
and Woodlands, Hills and Moors, Coasts and Seas,
long-lasting impact on the management and use of
Settlements, Farmland, and Fresh Waters. Data
the natural heritage and the benefits which society
underpinning these local and national objectives are
derives from it.
provided in a series of National Assessments which are
available on CD-ROM.
“a bold and imaginative
way of establishing
some high-level
objectives for the
natural heritage
of Scotland”
2
THE NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Introduction
This suite of publications is intended to assist all
organisations and individuals which have an influence
on the natural heritage. The priorities presented will be
used to inform SNH’s input to plans and strategies for
various sectors and geographical areas such as
Development Plans, Community Planning, Indicative
Forestry Strategies, access, tourism and renewable
The objectives for the natural heritage set out in this
Plans, integrated catchment management, integrated
document link to a wide range of other plans, strategies
coastal zone management and National Park Plans.
and initiatives, including local development plans,
community planning, access strategies, Indicative
The documents take account of the views of a wide
Forestry Strategies, the North East Scotland Biodiversity
range of partner organisations, which were sought
Action Plans, shoreline management plans and the
through consultation carried out during 2001. These
Moray Firth Partnership Action Programme. The wider
included local authorities, public agencies, and
policy context also includes the Scottish Forestry
representatives of private interests, and voluntary bodies
Strategy, A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture,
concerned with conservation, rural development,
Rural Scotland: a New Approach, the EC Rural
recreation and land management. There was
Development Regulation, Water Framework Directive,
considerable agreement with the visions, objectives and
Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, Bathing Waters
actions, but SNH recognises that there are also some
Directive, Habitats and Birds Directives, the review of the
issues where further discussion is needed: the roles of
Common Fisheries Policy, land reform legislation and
different parties in taking action and the ability to agree
national Biodiversity Action Plans.
Natural Heritage Futures
energy strategies, local and national Biodiversity Action
a shared vision being examples. We will be working
with partners to achieve agreement and to identify any
Natural Heritage Futures does not seek to replace
actions which are not currently being taken forward.
existing administrative boundaries. It does, however,
emphasise the need for flexibility across all systems of
The vision statements and associated objectives set out
governance in order to work towards sustainable
through this programme remain essentially those of
development, acknowledging that natural systems do not
SNH, although shared to a greater or lesser extent by a
recognise administrative boundaries and that integrated
wide range of partners. A key function of these
action across those boundaries is essential.
published documents is to stimulate the wider debate
necessary to establish a broader vision for sustainable
The framework of 21 areas is intended to be used to
development in Scotland, and to translate it into action.
promote integrated approaches to the natural heritage
at the local scale; it is a means to facilitate discussion on
The objectives and actions in these documents will be
areas that share essentially similar natural heritage. The
refined and translated into detailed targets through the
boundaries should be viewed as indicative, with places
plans and strategies which will take them forward. Local
lying close to a boundary having transitional character
biodiversity action plans, for example, will identify
with adjacent areas.
detailed targets for species and habitats. Also the
framework provided through Natural Heritage Futures
can help determine spatial priorities in, e.g. development
plans and community plans. SNH will also review its
own work programmes against the objectives and
actions in these documents, and make the necessary
adjustments.
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Introduction
3
mm
SSuu m
maar ry y
Forestry:
sea and on the third by the foothills of the Grampian
commercial woodland planting on better quality
Highlands. Inland, it has an open, rolling, lowland landscape
agricultural land to promote farm diversification, and
and is intensively farmed, with relatively little woodland and
provide for landscape diversity and access.
small, isolated surviving fragments of semi-natural vegetation.
By contrast the coast is often visually dramatic and contains, in
a narrow band, a range of areas of near-natural habitat. These
include rugged sea cliffs, extensive sand dunes and small,
undeveloped estuaries.
With a population in the region of 220,000, Aberdeen is the
dominant settlement, acting as the service centre for an
extensive hinterland and the focus for communication routes.
On average this is a relatively prosperous part of Scotland.
However, there are still significant areas, both rural and urban,
suffering low incomes and social exclusion. Several rural
Fishing:
Summary
The North East Coastal Plain is bordered on two sides by the
evidence of overfishing leading to the reduction of
commercial fish stocks within the North Sea, and fishery
closures within the Moray Firth.
Development pressure:
major expansion of settlements within commuting
distance of Aberdeen with impacts upon their local
character and landscape setting; and
attrition of semi-natural habitats.
communities have lost local services to the dominance of
Aberdeen and are affected by the costs of travel and the
Among the key challenges facing those concerned with the
availability of public transport. In the 1970s the area had a
natural heritage of this area are to:
thriving base in agriculture and fishing, supporting a variety of
increase the natural heritage value of agricultural land,
food processing industries. To this was added further wealth
from the development of the North Sea oil and gas fields.
Traditional industries have declined or closed and both
agriculture and fishing are currently less prosperous and
employ fewer people. The oil industry is subject to often
unpredictable phases of expansion and contraction and faces
a severe decline in the longer term as resources become
uneconomic to exploit.
including the raised bog and woodland resources;
improve the quality of fresh waters and associated
biodiversity;
improve the stewardship of the marine and coastal natural
heritage;
ensure development pressure and other land uses enhance
the value and distinctiveness of local landscapes; and
increase awareness and understanding of the role of the
The key trends and influences on the natural heritage in recent
natural heritage as a basis for sustainable development.
times include:
Agricultural intensification and simplification leading to:
reduced permanent/rotational grazing in favour of arable
land;
increased sowing of winter crops with a reduction in
winter stubbles;
diminished diversity and quality of landscapes, habitats
and species;
increasing fragmentation and isolation of remaining
semi-natural habitats;
nutrient enrichment of rivers and lochs; and
neglect and cutting of remaining lowland raised and
intermediate bogs.
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Summary
5
DDeessccrr ii ppttiioonn
A description of the main
features of the natural
heritage and its enjoyment
Description
GEOLOGY
In contrast with the rest of lowland eastern Scotland the area is
composed mainly of metamorphic and igneous rocks. The
metamorphic rocks are part of the Dalradian Supergroup,
originally sands, silts and muds laid down between 750 and
600 million years ago. Internationally important examples of
their type occur along the Whitehills to Melrose coast and at
Cove. These Dalradian rocks have been invaded by intrusions
of two types of igneous rock: ultrabasic rock, such as the Insch
intrusion; and acidic granites, notably at Peterhead, Kemnay
and Rubislaw, which have been much valued as building
Plant stems fossilised in Rhynie chert
materials.
Buchan has the best-preserved pre-glacial land surface in
Scotland. It has: the deepest and most intensely weathered
rocks, with good examples at Pittodrie and Hill of Longhaven;
inselbergs (isolated hills which arise abruptly from their
surroundings) at Bin of Cullen and Mormond Hill; and preglacial gravels on the Buchan Ridge at Windy Hills and Moss
of Cruden. The occurrence of such an assemblage of preglacial features within a glaciated area is unique in Britain and
of international importance. The low intensity of glacial erosion
in north-east Scotland implied by the preservation of these preglacial features is matched by a longer record of Quaternary
glacial and non-glacial events than has been found anywhere
else in Scotland.
LANDFORMS
Glacial deposits have provided an ample sediment supply for
the development of an extensive area of raised beach and
sand dune development, as at Rattray and Forvie. Intervening
areas of coastline show well-developed cliffs and shore
platforms developed in a variety of rock types.
Along the east coast the dune systems dominate, attaining
the highest mean elevation in Scotland – approximately 11m.
A broad range of beach- and dune-related features is
preserved including: dune ridges, parabolas, blowouts,
deflation plains and, at Forvie, large expanses of drifting bare
Granite building, Aberdeen
sand. The dune system at Forvie is the fifth largest in Britain,
one of the most active and possibly the least disturbed.
Sedimentary rocks of Devonian age (formed between 360
to 410 million years ago) outcrop between Pennan and Fyvie
These dunes are broken by lengths of rocky, cliff coastline
and in the vicinity of Rhynie and include some outstanding
whose landforms may be exceptional, as for instance, at the
fossil resources. Lake bed deposits at Gamrie contain a rich
imposing granite cliffs of the Bullers of Buchan where geos,
and diverse fauna including fossil fish. At Rhynie, chert deposits
caves, arches, blowholes, stacks, stumps and linear reefs all
preserve fossils of the world’s oldest known land plants, early
occur. In contrast to the east, the north coast is dominated by
terrestrial arthropods, and the world’s earliest known insect. It
a rugged, cliff coastline interspersed with a few sandy or stony
is a site of international importance.
bays.
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Description
7
Description
COASTAL HABITATS
The extensive coastal dune systems include areas of
conservation importance. Forvie is of European importance for
its range of dune grassland types, dune heaths and slacks.
Foveran and Strathbeg are nationally important for their
variety of dune habitats. Foveran, like Forvie, is dominated by
habitats associated with acidic sands, while at Strathbeg the
floral composition is enhanced by the influence of calcareous
sands. The Loch of Strathbeg, at 200ha, is the largest dune
slack pool in Britain. The loch is very shallow and slightly
brackish, and its naturally nutrient rich status has been
enhanced by artificial inputs. It is of international importance
for its wintering wildfowl.
Findon Moor is the largest local example of maritime cliff top
heath. Although small in relative terms, it is nevertheless of
national importance for its exceptional diversity of heathland
types. Other notable remnants of coastal heath are found on
the Gamrie and Pennan Coast, the Bullers of Buchan, Redhythe
Point, Cove and Muchalls. Agricultural improvements since the
18th century have been responsible for reducing what was
once extensive heathland to these fragmentary remnants,
which are now at risk of nutrient enrichment from adjacent
agricultural land, with consequent loss of diversity.
Rocky coast north of Cruden Bay
Inland, the low lying, and gently rolling landscape is in
marked contrast to the hills and deep glens of neighbouring
areas. The few hills within the area are noted landmarks, and
the river valleys provide additional diversity. Glacial deposits
(kames and eskers) form low hills and ridges across much of
the interior, with a few kettle-hole lochs. Glacial meltwater
channels are also a characteristic feature of the landscape.
Shifting dunes at Forvie, near Newburgh
8
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Description
TERRESTRIAL HABITATS
cliffs, back beaches or coastal ravines. Notable examples
occur at Gardenstown and Pennan Head, where the dens (a
The peatlands on the North East Coastal Plain comprise the
series of moist, narrow ravines) contain outstanding examples
most important terrestrial habitat type in terms of conservation
of herb-rich grassland, flushes and scrub. The coastal slopes
priority. In particular, this is one of three areas in Scotland
and raised beaches between Cullen and Stake Ness also
renowned for raised bogs, a vulnerable habitat that has
contain coastal grasslands that have escaped agricultural
declined markedly across Britain. These sites represent the drier
improvement, as do the cliffs to the east of Portsoy and south of
end of the geographical gradient for this habitat type and are
Aberdeen.
an important part of the remaining British resource.
Description
Coastal grasslands likewise survive only as fragments on the
Intermediate bogs, possessing qualities that are in between
The most significant estuary is that of the River Ythan. The
those typically associated with raised and blanket bogs, also
fairly extensive intertidal area supports large mudflats and
occur in the area and complement the raised bog resource.
areas of saltmarsh, a habitat surviving elsewhere only as tiny
Among these peatland sites, the best still possess areas of
fragments. The estuary is affected by extensive growths of
uncut primary bog, but all have suffered from various degrees
green algae, as a consequence of the increasing trophic status
of cutting, much of it by hand for domestic use.
of the catchment, now designated a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.
Rocky and sandy foreshore are particularly extensive from
Rosehearty to Fraserburgh where they support large
populations of wintering waders.
Three of Scotland’s largest fishing ports are found locally, at
Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Aberdeen. Whitefish, herring and
mackerel are all targeted within the North Sea, but many
boats now have to fish farther afield in the Atlantic owing to
serious declines in stocks of herring, cod, haddock and plaice,
with many of the fish landed being juveniles or small adults.
Netting for salmon occurs around some estuary mouths for fish
Turclossie Moss, a raised bog near New Pitsligo
returning from the sea to spawn in the rivers. Crabs, lobsters
and shellfish are taken from around the coast, the fishermen
mainly being based at the smaller harbours.
Despite this, many still support bog vegetation and are
capable of active growth should management permit, although
The Moray Firth hosts one of only two British populations of
a few have been irreversibly damaged by commercial
bottlenose dolphin, which are of international importance.
exploitation. The main concentration of sites is around New
These spend most of their summers within the Inner Firth, but
Pitsligo, but other more isolated examples are found across the
are often seen in Aberdeen Bay, and travel as far as St
area. Sites of international importance are Turclossie Moss and
Andrews. Harbour porpoises also occur and there is evidence
Reidside Moss with Moss of Crombie, Rora Moss and Red
that the numbers of grey seals have been increasing. Common
Moss of Netherley nationally important. Owing to the severe
seals are a regular sight within harbour mouths and around
loss of raised bog sites across Britain as a result of cutting,
estuaries, breeding in some of the less accessible bays.
agricultural reclamation and afforestation, all remaining sites
capable of active peat growth are regarded as of conservation
importance.
There are also several surviving examples of lowland basin
mires within the North East Coastal Plain. Wartle Moss is an
example of one of the largest and least disturbed. It is less
nutrient poor than the acidic mires prevalent in this area. Other
basin mires of national importance are Red Moss – Oldtown
and Moss of Kirkhill.
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Description
9
Description
Moorland survives on some low hills such as Brimmond Hill
and Mormond Hill, and patchily on lower ground, as at
Garlogie and Scotstown Moor. The Tore of Troup is of national
importance as the largest relatively undisturbed area of
lowland moorland in the area, although the interest is
enhanced by its association with species-rich scrub, grassland
and flushes on the more open slopes of the wooded dens.
These sites represent remnants of a formerly extensive cover
across much of the area.
Very little mixed broadleaved woodland remains, although
circumstances have combined to preserve a few remnants.
Yellowhammer on scrub
Only two woods: Gight Woods, which constitutes some of the
largest and least disturbed native woods, and The Old Wood
century, are considered to be of national importance in their
of Drum, with a documented history dating from the 13th
own right. Small areas of fen woodland with alder, willow
and birch frequently occupy drier ground within wetlands and
along rivers, and the shingle islands
of the lower River Dee contain open,
scrub and woodland habitats. Scrub
of gorse and broom, with some
blackthorn and hawthorn, is found
along the coast as well as inland on
uncultivated slopes among farmland,
providing habitat for stonechat,
yellowhammer and other farmland
birds.
Footholds for native plants and
animals exist in managed and
artificial habitats. Mixed and
conifer plantations, shelterbelts and
policy woodlands are often
important refugia for native species.
On arable land, uncultivated
headlands, set-aside, improved
grassland and even the crop itself
can be of value to some wildlife,
although the comparatively high level
of disturbance and the temporary
nature of the habitats limit their value.
Urban areas can be surprisingly
rich in niches for wildlife. Parks and
gardens provide scope for natural
woodland species of birds and
mammals, such as red squirrels,
urban foxes and many species of
songbirds. Buildings provide nest sites
Distribution of semi-natural woodland, scrub, peatland and marsh (footnote: Data from Land
Cover of Scotland 1988)
10
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Description
for gulls, raptors, pigeons and
oystercatchers.
rivers, with silty, relatively slow-flowing waters, and well-
railway lines, watercourses (including ditches), drystone dykes
developed meanders in their lower reaches. These latter rivers
(especially as lichen habitats) and shelterbelts have some value
are probably naturally nutrient rich, but land management
as wildlife habitats in their own right, but also as important
practices in their catchments have added to this significantly.
links between plant and animal communities otherwise isolated
While parts of the Deveron, Don and Dee have good riparian
in intensively, managed countryside.
tree cover, rivers such as the Ugie and Ythan are relatively
lacking in such habitat.
Description
Linear habitats such as hedgerows, road verges, disused
FRESHWATER HABITAT S
SPECIES
With many small water bodies lost through agricultural
drainage in the 19th century, freshwater lochs are scarce. The
Cliff-nesting seabirds in internationally and nationally
best remaining examples include Loch of Skene and Meikle
important numbers are found between Collieston and the
Loch. Most of the lochs are nutrient-rich reflecting underlying
Bullers of Buchan, and around Troup Head. These include:
geology and enrichment from agricultural run-off. The overall
kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, puffins, shags and herring
number of small lochs and ponds has increased in recent
gulls, and the only breeding colony of gannets on the Scottish
years, as new water bodies are created for ‘put and take’
mainland. The largest breeding colony of eider ducks on
fisheries and for wildlife.
mainland Britain occurs at Forvie together with internationally
important numbers of sandwich, common and little terns.
Five main river catchments dominate. The Deveron (and its
Significant numbers of Arctic and common terns also nest at St
main tributary the Bogie), Don and Dee rise outwith the area
Fergus gas terminal, though numbers of the latter have
and in certain reaches possess the characteristics of upland
fluctuated. Skeins of geese and swans are regular sights
rivers, with boulders, riffles and gravel beds, as well as
with internationally important roosts of wintering and migrating
sections of deeper water. The entire length of the Dee is
wildfowl. The main roosts are on and around the Loch of
internationally important for nature conservation. The Ugie,
Strathbeg, Meikle Loch, the Ythan estuary and Loch of Skene,
Ythan and Urie (main tributary of the Don) are contained
with smaller numbers occurring elsewhere. These include
entirely within the area, and are characteristic of lowland
wintering greylag geese, Greenland and Icelandic pink-footed
geese, barnacle geese (at Strathbeg only) and whooper
swans. All of these species (with the exception of barnacle
geese which remain close to Strathbeg) range widely in search
of food, relying greatly on arable stubble, winter-sown crops
and improved grasslands. The latter two food sources can
cause conflict with farmers when high concentrations of birds
feed in fields. Wintering teal, tufted duck, golden eye,
goosanders and common gulls are also notable on the lochs.
Skein of geese
The shore between Rosehearty and Fraserburgh supports
wintering turnstone, purple sandpiper, eider and curlew. The
inshore waters between the mouths of the Rivers Don and
Ythan are the most important moult site for eiders in the British
Guillemots and kittiwakes on granite cliffs
Isles; they are also a major moult site for common scoters.
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Description
11
Description
Rooks occur in greater numbers and nesting densities in
moorland, and the small blue butterfly of coastal grassland.
Buchan than anywhere else in Britain. This area is the Scottish
The thrift clearwing occurs at coastal locations south of
stronghold for corn bunting, a farmland bird species that is
Aberdeen and is a national rarity. There are historical records
declining in many parts of Britain. It is also the largest area in
for freshwater pearl mussel in many rivers, but only the River
Scotland where linnets breed at relatively high densities, and
Dee retains a healthy breeding population.
grey partridge are still fairly common.
Coastal dunes and cliffs, woodlands, mires and fens, and
Information on the distribution and numbers of mammals is
riverbanks and shingle islands support the most interesting
sparse, but otters are distributed throughout at densities that
flora. Characteristic of northern coasts, Scots lovage and
are probably high compared to other parts of eastern
roseroot occur widely on cliffs. Oysterplant appears to be
Scotland. Brown hares are widely distributed, although rare or
withdrawing northwards but specimens still occur locally on
absent along the north coast and around Turriff and
beaches along the north coast and at Forvie. The rare lichen
Aberchirder. Red squirrels are widespread in suitable habitat
Cladonia mitis and the rare moss Hamatocaulis vernicosus
but are sparse in Buchan owing to lack of suitable habitat.
occur at Forvie. The very rare Dickie’s bladder fern occurs in a
Grey squirrels are established in the Aberdeen area and parts
sea cave near Aberdeen. Local lochs contain two nationally
of Lower Deeside and Donside. Parts of Buchan have quite
scarce plants, waterwort and least yellow waterlily, and two
high densities of badgers relative to elsewhere in Scotland.
regionally rare plant species, water sedge and flat-stalked
Pipistrelle, brown long-eared bats and Daubenton’s bats tend
pondweed. The spread of non-native species such as giant
to be found mainly along the river valleys. Small populations of
hogweed has locally major impacts on floral biodiversity.
water voles survive along smaller streams and ditches around
the periphery of the River Ythan catchment, and at isolated
Wychelm in the north-east of Scotland has so far escaped the
sites elsewhere, including a few coastal areas. In common with
worst effects of Dutch elm disease. The only record of the
the rest of Britain water vole numbers have declined
otherwise western-distributed hay-scented buckler fern is in
dramatically and populations have become isolated.
woodland at Tore of Troup.
The nationally scarce moss Dicranum polysetum is found in
raised bogs and wet woodland in the area and the scarce
sedge Carex diandra, which occurs in nutrient-rich fens in
northern Britain, has been recorded. Two rare lichen species
Caloplaca luteoalba and Bacidia impacta grow on mature
elms at Haddo. Both species have suffered severe national
declines in the 20th century.
Seeds of montane plants washed down from the mountains,
including wood cranesbill, northern bedstraw, globeflower,
northern rock cress and spignel, find temporary homes on the
Water vole
river-banks and shingle islands of the lower River Dee. The
northern quality of the Moray Firth coast is shown by the
Few species of freshwater fish are recorded but all the rivers
presence of the montane plants, purple and mossy saxifrages
contain trout and most contain Atlantic salmon, these fisheries
on the shore near Gamrie.
being of economic importance. Two species of lamprey also
occur. The River Dee is of European importance for salmon,
LANDSCAPE
otter and freshwater pearl mussel.
Apart from Aberdeen and the other main settlements this is not
12
Nationally important and rare invertebrate species are
a heavily built-up area, the majority of the landscape being
found, e.g. in rivers, old woodland and bogs. With the lack of
dominated by intensively managed farmland. The overall
relevant information it is only possible to comment on a few
characteristics include wide views and a general openness.
species. These include the small pearl-bordered fritillary and
Towards the west, low, rounded hills grade into the foothills of
the large heath, both butterflies of lowland mosses and damp
the more upland areas further inland, while much of the interior
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Description
retains a high proportion of dykes, including very broad
consumption dykes consisting of retaining walls enclosing
collected stones. Elsewhere fewer dykes have survived, with
many removed to create larger arable fields and others
replaced with fences. The trend towards larger fields has
added to a feeling of wide open space, and a certain degree
Description
The farmland used for livestock to the west of Aberdeen still
of bleakness, especially on the flatter farmland to the northeast. Local landscape diversity is provided by remnants of
heathland, bog and rough pasture that survive on pockets of
Drystone dyke network, south of Echt
is typically gently undulating, with much flatter ground in the
north-east. The few hills to the east, such as Mormond Hill by
Fraserburgh, and Elrick and Brimmond Hills by Aberdeen, are
important landmarks hosting remnants of formerly widespread
habitats, especially heathland. The well-defined river valleys
provide notable variation in the landscape, with some of them
being well wooded, especially the Deveron and parts of the
Don and Dee. Distant views, both out to sea and inland
towards the hills, are an important feature of this landscape.
The farmland landscape varies from permanent pasture to
large arable fields, with some rotation. Traditional field
boundaries are drystone dykes built in the late 18th and early
19th centuries from the stones cleared to improve the fields.
poorer uncultivated soil, together with scrubby whins, broom
and rose on steep field margins.
Native woodland is scarce but shelterbelts and policy
woodlands are found throughout the district as the result of
private estate plantings close to the ‘big house’. Plantations of
spruce and other non-native conifers are more common
towards the south and west and can be a locally prominent
landscape feature. New plantings under the Grampian Forest
scheme are beginning to make landscape impacts elsewhere in
the area.
The built heritage is very distinctive. There are fortified tower
houses and castles, a large number of 18th- and early 19thcentury planned villages and towns, and mansions set within
landscaped gardens and policy woodlands. Many of the
Portsoy harbour
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Description
13
Description
designed landscapes and gardens surrounding historic houses
RECREATION AND ACCESS
are of national importance and greatly valued by the public.
New expansion of settlements around and within the reach of
Access for outdoor recreation, mainly walking, but including
Aberdeen, and in the hinterland of other centres of
cycling and horse riding, is limited by the nature and pattern of
employment such as Inverurie and Fraserburgh, is markedly
the area’s main land use. Hence, recreation tends to be
different from the traditional. In many cases it comprises large
concentrated on the coast, in the limited areas of woodland,
numbers of close-packed houses laid out in modern suburban
forest and open moorland, and in more formal settings such as
style with little reference to the original settlement pattern or
gardens, country parks and parkland managed for the public
architectural design. Many single houses have also been built
by the National Trust for Scotland, the local authorities, and
in the countryside, again employing kit-house design that has
some private owners. Old railway lines provide additional
no regard to the north-east vernacular. There is a dense
opportunities for recreation through the intensively managed
network of minor roads but the former rail network is reduced
countryside, most notably between Aberdeen, Peterhead and
to one line. Some hard rock quarries and sand and gravel pits
Fraserburgh on the Formartine and Buchan Way, and to the
have a strong local visual impact. The towns, and some larger
west from Aberdeen on the old Deeside line. The opening of
villages, have golf courses that add variety to the local arable
new path networks through farmland around settlements, under
landscape. The open, low, rolling landscape allows local
the Paths for All initiative, is beginning to increase the
industrial development to be visible over long distances; thus
availability of accessible land, although this is still at an early
Peterhead power station and the St Fergus natural gas terminal
stage. Touring by car is also popular with visitors and
are both prominent landscape features.
residents alike. Off-road driving sites cater for 4 x 4 vehicle
owners. Golf is a popular outdoor pursuit with several
The cliffs and dunes of the coast are particularly widely
renowned links courses.
appreciated features of the landscape. Many coastal stretches
are noted by the local authorities as areas of regional or local
The exposed nature of the coast limits its use for marine
landscape significance. Some small fishing villages are located
recreation. Despite this, sailing, wind surfing, canoeing, scuba
within small bays flanked by steep cliffs. The orientation of
diving, power boating and pleasure cruising take place.
houses gable-on to the sea, and their style of architecture, are
Anglers fish from the shore, on the estuaries and from boats.
highly distinctive characteristics.
Wildfowling occurs in season and climbing on the sea cliffs is
an all-year activity. Dolphin-watching in the Moray Firth is also
very popular.
Away from tidal waters, wildfowling is privately controlled in
the same way as the shooting of other game, pheasant being
the chief quarry species. Bird watchers use all habitats but
tend to concentrate on bodies of open water and on the coast.
Most of the bigger rivers and tributaries have salmon and
sea trout fisheries, but the Dee and Deveron are particularly
well known for salmon, the Don for brown trout and the Ythan
for sea trout. Brown trout and rainbow trout are fished on
Fishing on River Don
several lochs and on a number of recently established fish
ponds. Some rivers are used for canoeing, and there is an
annual raft race on the Ythan, and rowing on the Dee estuary.
14
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Description
Description
Farmland and woodland near Benachie
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Description
15
K eKye y i innffll uu eennccees s
o no nt ht hee NN aa ttuurraal l
HHee rr iittaagge e
An outline of how the natural
heritage has changed, how it is
changing and the key factors
influencing change. The changes
described are both positive and
negative and, together with the
Description, provide the basis
for the Vision.
drift. The release of nitrogen, particularly from livestock wastes,
activities at various scales over thousands of years.
has contributed to atmospheric pollution. Fertiliser and
Deforestation and developments in agriculture, in particular,
sediment run-off has caused diffuse pollution and nutrient
have progressively modified the effects of geology and
enrichment of rivers, with those that rise within the area being
changing climate, giving rise to the landscape and wildlife
worst affected; the River Ythan catchment has recently been
features of today. Understanding both past effects and current
designated as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone in recognition of this
influences is vital if we are to identify how the area’s rich
problem. The Ugie suffers similar enrichment as the catchment
natural heritage can be cared for and used by future
is also dominated by arable agriculture. Industrial sized farm
generations, and is essential if we are to implement national
buildings, silos, Dutch barns, poultry and pig units and rows of
commitments to biodiversity and European and international
black plastic silage bags can also adversely affect the visual
conservation law.
amenity of the countryside. The prospect of the widespread
introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) poses
AGRICULTURE
a whole new set of issues, with as yet unknown implications for
farming and the natural heritage. The widespread practice of
Twenty-five per cent of Scotland’s arable land is contained in
spraying livestock slurries on land not only causes direct
the North East Coastal Plain, which constitutes only 4% of
environmental damage but also affects local amenity, air
Scotland’s land surface. The impact of intensification in
quality and potential spread of disease organisms.
farming on the natural heritage has consequently been
profound. A formerly balanced arable-pasture farming system
FRESH WATERS
has shifted towards greater emphasis on arable crops. An
increase in winter-sown crops has had both negative and
Many lochs are also subject to human influence. Although the
positive impacts on wildlife. Oilseed rape is widely grown, its
waters of most are naturally nutrient rich reflecting the soils in
visual impact during May and June being considerable. Much
which they occur, this has been increased significantly as the
less hay is cut; instead grass is mainly managed for silage. Soil
result of nutrient run-off from farmland, and to a smaller degree
quality has been degraded under intensive agriculture. Fields
the input of sewage effluent. The extent of eutrophication of
have been enlarged and hedges and stone dykes removed
the Loch of Skene is such that it is prone to serious algal
often to accommodate large machinery. Marginal habitats
blooms each summer. These have depleted the aquatic flora of
(including riverbanks and floodplains) have been claimed,
the loch, and mean that summer sailing is discontinued due to
damp areas drained, and small streams cleaned, straightened
their toxic nature.
Key influences on the Natural Heritage
The natural heritage has been strongly influenced by human
and canalised. Conversely, the natural heritage value of some
remaining marginal and wetland areas suffers from a lack of
The numbers of spring-run salmon have declined in all the
grazing due to reduced livestock numbers.
salmon rivers. This is thought to be the result of a number of
factors including past pollution, over-exploitation in the
Greenland fisheries and changing sea temperatures, all of
which reduce survival rates at sea. Local land management
can also affect the spawning rivers. Forestry can release
sediment from bare ground during preparation for planting,
and after harvesting, and sediment loads from agricultural runoff are thought to clog salmon redds and thus reduce their
potential numbers in the Ugie and Ythan. Projects addressing
these issues are under way on several lowland rivers, within a
long-term trend of major improvements to the quality of surface
waters. The EC Water Framework Directive will support efforts
Intensive agriculture in the heart of Buchan
to enhance water quality, through integrated catchment
management, setting freshwater natural heritage targets, and
The routine use of biocides and artificial fertilisers has
regulatory changes. Recent evidence suggests that salmon
caused a decline in many weed species and insects, with
numbers in east coast rivers are improving, although long-term
knock-on effects on birds and mammals. Many remaining
fluctuations must be taken into account.
hedgerows and hedgerow trees suffer damage from spray
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Key influences on the Natural Heritage
17
Key influences on the Natural Heritage
SEA FISHERIES
broadleaves. Successful schemes are required to meet the UK
Forestry Standard and, particularly, are designed to fit well
Overfishing of white fish, herring, and mackerel over a period
into the landscape and provide opportunities for access.
of decades has led to major falls in stocks. Many boats now
fish the Atlantic as fishing effort in the North Sea and Moray
Forest Design Plans are now obligatory for all Forestry
Firth is being controlled by measures such as fishery closures,
Commission forests. Private woodland owners will be
reduced fishing periods, larger net sizes and quotas on
encouraged to follow suit to ensure that landscape,
landings. Netting for salmon around estuary mouths has
environmental and site factors are taken into account when
declined greatly in the last decade, due to buy-outs from rod
felling and replanting. Some older plantings dominated by
fishermen wishing to continue angling along rivers.
Scots pine have retained good habitats for species such as
creeping lady’s tresses. Few of the mature tree belts, mostly
FORESTRY AND WOODL AND
of beech and sycamore, have been actively managed in recent
DEVELOPMENT
years and there is now an urgent need for restoration as many
are becoming over-mature and declining.
Woodland occupies only a small part of the North East
Coastal Plain but generally has a high visual impact. With very
The Community Woodland supplement available in the
few semi-natural woods surviving, much woodland was until
Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) has encouraged woodland
recently broadleaved or mixed policy woodland and
establishment at Tullos Hill by Aberdeen, Peterhead,
shelterbelts. In the last 60 years, forestry blocks of non-native
Aberchirder and at Newbigging, near Inverurie.
conifers have been planted and now occupy over 5% of the
area. The balance between woodland and other land uses is
PEAT AND MINERAL EXTRACTION
critically affected by the relevant subsidy regimes. Recent
18
economic pressures on farming, and a relatively favourable
The bogs and lowland mires have been heavily exploited for
forestry grants regime have led to an increase in commercial
peat, particularly within the 20th century. Agricultural
planting including some farm retirals. Low timber prices and
improvement, forestry and domestic and commercial peat
high land values have reduced this effect, but the Grampian
extraction have been the principal causes of destruction of
Forest initiative, supported by a Forestry Commission
peatland. St Fergus Moss, the most recent site to be exploited,
Challenge Fund, continues to be over-subscribed. This
had the largest surviving intact dome surface in Buchan, but is
promotes new forests on the better farmland, comprising
now beyond repair. Although direct exploitation is now less on
mainly non-native species, but including significant areas of
many sites, these bogs are still vulnerable to a range of
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Key influences on the Natural Heritage
settlements to rivers, streams and other inland waters is subject
to a high level of treatment. This aims to protect environmental
quality as well as public health, with the EC Urban Waste
Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) and Nitrates Directive
providing a mechanism for introducing nutrient removal at
plants in the area. Although waste water from some coastal
settlements is still currently discharged to sea without biological
treatment, the UWWTD and Bathing Water Directive are
prompting a programme of developments introducing such
treatment.
Commercial peat cutting in Buchan
RIVER ENGINEERING
management activities including cutting and drainage (on and
adjacent to the site). In addition, they can be affected by
atmospheric deposition of nitrogen from surrounding intensive
agriculture. Bogs require positive action to bring about active
peat growth and thus safeguard their contribution to the
conservation of an internationally scarce habitat. The Water
Framework Directive is likely to provide some protection of the
hydrology of wetland sites.
River engineering works and industrial pollution in the past
considerably modified the River Don in Aberdeen. However,
following stringent efforts, the reach is now much improved
and retains a natural character. Other rivers have been
affected by management activities to varying degrees. Bank
protection works to prevent erosion occur widely. The
construction of various types of croy, boulder placement within
river beds, and mechanical clearance of pools to create fishing
Many hard rock granite and slate quarries are no longer in
use, but a few continue to operate, mostly under old planning
consents that have had little regard to impacts on the
landscape and wider environment. While operators are now
required to renew permissions through recent legislation, the
obligation upon local authorities to provide compensation for
any loss of revenue arising from changes to planning
conditions means that there is a reluctance to limit the scope of
existing operations. Amended consents will affect restoration
but not extent. Sand and gravel pits are widespread, utilising
the abundant sand and gravel left by glacial meltwaters. Both
lies can directly smother the habitat of riverbed organisms,
such as freshwater pearl mussels and lampreys, and can even
Key influences on the Natural Heritage
At present waste water discharged from larger inland
damage salmon redds. Further disruption can be caused by
sediment release during construction, and as the result of
changed flow patterns. In some rivers, these activities have
caused habitat damage and erosion problems downstream.
These issues are being addressed by guidance from the
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and other
bodies, in local authority codes of practice promoting
sustainable engineering where such works are necessary, and
within the Water Framework Directive.
active and disused workings supplement natural exposures and
provide a window on the area’s glacial history. Demand for
POLLUTION
sand and gravel remains high and these developments can
have significant visual impacts. Some proposed quarries
threaten geomorphological features of importance for
understanding the nature of past glaciations.
Minor oil spills at sea have occasionally had serious localised
effects on seabirds and sea duck off the north-east coast, but
no major incident has occurred. Oil spill contingency plans are
kept up to date by the local authorities to ensure that, in the
WAS TE MANAGEMENT
event of a spill, clean up operations are undertaken in a way
that does not in itself pose additional threat to vulnerable
Virtually all solid waste in Aberdeenshire goes to landfill
sites, and little is recycled. A shortage of landfill sites may
arise soon if major new sites are not developed within local
authority waste strategies. Illegal tipping can also be a local
problem, both within disused quarries, where geological
interest and wildlife habitat may be lost, and in the countryside
generally where amenity and wildlife habitats are affected.
conservation interests. Marine litter is a significant issue locally
where it damages the aesthetic and amenity value of the
coastal zone. On land, oil pipelines traverse the area from St
Fergus en route to Grangemouth. Escapes of animal slurry,
sewage and trade effluent have contaminated rivers and
streams in the past, causing local kills of fish and other
freshwater organisms. However, to date only short-term effects
have been identified.
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Key influences on the Natural Heritage
19
Key influences on the Natural Heritage
predominance of intensive agriculture has meant that many
villages have had little scope for local recreation off the road.
These limitations have been recognised and are being actively
addressed through a number of initiatives. Disused railway
lines have been developed as paths, offering opportunities for
more extensive journeys on foot or cycle, with some provision
for horse riding. These are the Formartine and Buchan Way
and the Deeside Way. The Causey Mounth path south of
Aberdeen is in preparation, utilising an old drovers’ road.
The local authorities are in the process of creating a series of
Modern housing development
DEVELOPMENT
coastal walks, which it is hoped will eventually link up to form
a continuous route. The Paths for All Initiative began in 1996
with the purpose of creating networks of paths around
settlements both for cities and towns, and around rural villages.
A recent forecast to the year 2011 is for 18,100 new houses
The Aberdeenshire, Moray and Aberdeen City access
in Aberdeen and its hinterland, the main targets for these being
strategies have been produced to guide the implementation of
the City, Kingswells, the Inverurie area, Kintore, Westhill and
the initiative. As a result, a number of new off-road path
Stonehaven. Current Structure Plan policy is to direct new
networks have been created, and more are planned. The
housing to settlements and avoid scattered housing in the
most successful have been actively supported by the local
countryside. New housing is encouraged on brownfield sites,
communities that they have been designed to serve. These
but owing to the magnitude of new housing required it is
access strategies will be important in enabling local authorities
inevitable that much will be constructed on greenfield sites.
to implement the proposed new right of access, and to ensure
Such developments may be insensitive to local landscape
it is exercised widely and responsibly by local people and
character, and can fail to address the need for trees or scrub
visitors.
as urban wildlife habitats. Urban surface water run-off can
pollute watercourses, so SEPA and the local authorities are
Forest Enterprise has provided trails for cyclists, walkers and
developing the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
horse riders within its forests, and many of the new plantings
(SUDS), which attenuate flow rates and provide passive
associated with the Grampian Forest are making provisions for
treatment to reduce sediment and nutrient loads before
access. A North East Cycle Route between Peterhead and
discharge.
Cullen is in preparation as part of the Sustrans scheme. Aden,
Haddo and Balmedie Country Parks help to protect habitats
Industrial development has been limited and is centred on
and are an important focus for environmental education as
Aberdeen and a few of the larger settlements such as Inverurie
well as public enjoyment. These, together with estates
and Fraserburgh. Supply bases and industrial estates linked to
managed by the National Trust for Scotland and some private
the offshore oil and gas industry have built up in Aberdeen
landowners, are popular destinations as visitors know that they
and Peterhead. The main direct effects of local industry on the
are welcome to wander, and a variety of countryside
natural heritage are habitat loss in new developments,
experiences are provided. In recent years guides have been
landscape impacts, with particular impacts on the landscape
published covering Gordon’s Archaeological Trail and Castle
setting and character of the associated settlements, and
Trail, and the North East Coastal Trail aimed at the car-based
occasional pollution incidents.
visitor. Greater wealth has also led to an increase in horse
ownership and riding schools and a growth in off-road driving
RECREATION , ACCESS AND
by 4 x 4 owners.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUC ATION
The Aberdeen Green Belt aims to protect the landscape
20
There has been a growing interest in outdoor leisure activities
setting of the city and provides scope for recreation in close
among Scotland’s population, and this area is no exception.
proximity to the urban area. The interface between the
Walking is especially popular with many people going to the
Aberdeen urban fringe and agricultural land faces particular
coast or inland to the hills. The North East Coastal Plain has
problems in relation to pressures for access close to the city,
very few traditional footpaths. This combined with the
and the proposed Western Peripheral Route could affect
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Key influences on the Natural Heritage
and by Fraserburgh play a particular role in providing
opportunities for the enjoyment of the countryside and its
wildlife. Bird-watching and natural history continue to be
popular. While these can be enjoyed throughout the area,
particular attraction is provided by the coast and the reserves
operated by SNH, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
(RSPB) and Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT). Walks, talks and
classes provided by Rangers and non-governmental
organisations such as RSPB, SWT, National Trust for Scotland,
the Buchan Countryside Group and the Aberdeenshire
The north coast is included within the area of the Moray Firth
Partnership. This Partnership was established in 1996 to
improve communication between the users and managers of
the Firth and to develop integrated and co-ordinated
management. It is made up of public bodies, private
companies, representative groups and private individuals who
have helped to place natural heritage priorities into context
with social and economic activity in the area. Through its
Management Guidelines and Action Programme produced in
1999, the Partnership has helped to develop a strategic and
integrated approach to coastal management across the Moray
Firth.
Environmental Forum, increase the opportunities for
understanding and enjoying the area’s wildlife and habitats.
CLIMATE C HANGE
C O N S E RVAT I O N P O L I C Y A N D
INITIATIVES
Over the last century global warming, resulting from human
activities, has compounded the natural variation in the earth’s
climate. In the next 50 years, average temperatures are
expected to rise by 0.5-1.5 °C, with wetter, windier and
cloudier weather. However, local seasonal variations are likely,
including increased summer drought in north-east Scotland
due to evaporation exceeding rainfall. It is difficult to
accurately predict the effects of climate change. The harder,
rocky coasts will be little affected by the expected rise in sea
level, but there will be increasing erosion of soft coasts,
increased salt water intrusion into groundwater and rivers, and
flooding of farmland along estuaries. Apart from these coastal
effects, climate-induced ecological changes in the lowland
areas are likely to be smaller than those in the mountains, and
less significant than the anticipated effects of changes in land
use and management. However, seasonally increased
precipitation could induce increased flooding and riverbank
erosion; increased summer drought could significantly affect
not only some habitats, especially raised bogs, but also crops
and cropping patterns. It is important that human responses
respect changing ‘natural’ processes; e.g. any irrigation
required is obtained through winter storage not groundwater
extraction.
Many of the best sites for nature conservation have been
notified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI); those of
international importance have also been designated under
relevant EC Directives as Special Protection Areas or Special
Areas of Conservation, or under the Ramsar Convention on
Wetlands of International Importance. Management plans
have been developed for each and a programme of condition
monitoring is under way to determine whether management
needs to be changed in order to maintain favourable
condition. There is potential to further promote the important
role of non-statutory designated sites, such as Aberdeenshire
Council’s Sites of Interest to Natural Science and Scottish
Wildlife Trust Wildlife Sites.
Outside legally protected sites there are a number of initiatives
to promote positive environmental management. The North
East of Scotland Local Biodiversity Action Plan, well developed
as a partnership initiative, has produced an Audit of priority
habitats and species. Work is also under way to develop a
Biological Record Centre for the North East to increase
knowledge and understanding of the needs of the nature
conservation resource. Other partnership schemes manage
rivers to help reduce nutrient loads and sedimentation and to
improve riverine, riparian and floodplain habitats. Agrienvironmental schemes are also in place to try to increase the
natural heritage interest of lowland farmland. While these are
popular, they are over-subscribed, and can be of limited value
in comparison with the impacts of intensive farming that
continue around them. Schemes are also under way to
promote the positive management of the remaining native
woodlands, especially the birchwoods and shelterbelts, as
multi-purpose woods for timber, wildlife and landscape. Takeup is limited due to other priorities, such as using woods as
winter shelter for livestock, and because of the poor prices for
local timber. Accordingly, much of the remaining resource
continues to be neglected.
Key influences on the Natural Heritage
existing greenspace. Local Nature Reserves close to the city
The Government’s renewable energy policy in the Scottish
Renewables Obligation is meant to stimulate the development
of renewable energy wherever prospects are economically
attractive and environmentally acceptable. For example, the
area’s relative exposure makes it an attractive prospect for
wind farms, especially on relatively high ground. Windfarm
schemes that are sensitively located and carefully designed
can be accommodated without detriment to the natural
heritage. Few have been built to date, but the pressures are
increasing, and concerns have been aroused that turbines
placed on prominent sites with greatest wind exposure could
have a profound impact on landscape character. Other
sources of renewable energy, such as coppicing for biofuels,
have specific potential impacts within broader land-use
management.
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Key influences on the Natural Heritage
21
VVii ss iioonn
- what the natural
heritage could look
like based on better
stewardship of
natural resources
The Vision sets out how the North East Coastal Plain could look based upon
sustainable use of natural resources. It is an illustration of a possible scenario
based on fulfilling the Objectives and Actions in this document. It is neither a
‘Utopia’ nor a ‘blueprint’, but the basis for developing a shared vision between all
parties with a responsibility for, or an interest in, the natural heritage of the North
East Coastal Plain and a consensus on the way forward.
It is written in the present tense, as if in the year 2025.
AGRICULTURE
The re-creation of features such as hedgerows, boundary trees
and farm woodlands has created greater diversity in the
landscape and enhanced valued farm landscapes. Restored
boundary habitats and field margins provide corridors
between the restored and well-managed existing woodlands,
thus providing new opportunities for linking previously isolated
wildlife habitats. They also provide opportunities for greater
integration of access for informal recreation.
The targeted use of agricultural fertilisers within field-scale
nutrient budgeting has resulted in a reduction in their
application. Combined with an increase in the use of
processed livestock wastes this has led to improvements in
soil quality, while the use of integrated pest management
practices has reduced the use of biocides. These changes have
significantly benefited both air and water quality in the area.
There is longer retention of weedy stubbles, increased spring
sowing of crops, and later cutting of silage. These, together
with the wide-scale adoption of unsprayed field margins, recreation of wetland areas and rushy pastures, and the return of
more marginal land to rough grassland and scrub, has
provided more suitable habitats for insects, birds and
mammals. Corn bunting populations have increased markedly,
and corncrakes now breed in several locations. The growing of
sacrificial crops and the longer retention of stubble to support
bird populations is widely supported by agri-environmental
payments.
Vision
The general adoption of environmentally sustainable
practices in agriculture through targeted incentives for
conservation, access and landscape management, has created
many benefits for the natural heritage. Most farms now adopt
best practice management, which has seen the re-establishment
of pockets and corridors of undisturbed semi-natural vegetation
adjoining the majority of fields. There has also been an
upsurge in conversion of farms to organic status, and in
farmers’ markets and other local initiatives that minimise longdistance product movements. The fact that agri-environmental
schemes are better resourced and sensitive to their local
environment has enabled farming practices to be tailored to
local wildlife requirements and to harmonise with the distinctive
local landscape. This has also encouraged farmers to develop
and share their skills in environmental farming practices; one
example is the further development of machinery rings, which
use state-of-the-art technology to maximise returns by
minimising loss of inputs to crops, which in the past has caused
damage to the environment.
Riverside buffer strip created within the Ugie Wetland Project
The adoption of more environmentally friendly practices has
led to the development of food production standards that have
increased consumer confidence in Scottish products and
created a premium market for Scottish produce throughout
Europe. Farming is now less intensive than in previous years,
not only as a result of greater environmental awareness and reevaluation of traditional farming practices, but also through the
introduction of new technology.
Recognition of the contribution of local peatlands to the
conservation of an internationally important resource led to
action some years ago. The value of such bogs as carbon
sinks, and the value of their palaeo-environmental records,
have also been recognised and promoted. Cutting of domestic
and commercial peat from raised bogs has now ceased and
most sites now have conservation management plans. These
efforts have borne fruit with significant areas of active peatforming vegetation being found on most sites. Several sites that
were too badly damaged for restoration of bog vegetation,
and which might formerly have been converted to low-grade
agricultural land, are managed as semi-natural habitats,
including fen lands and wet heathland. There has also been a
noted increase in associated insects, birds and mammals.
COASTAL AND MARINE
The success of the Moray Firth Partnership and new sister
initiatives, implementing Integrated Coastal Zone
Management (ICZM), has placed effective partnerships at
the forefront in managing and developing coastal areas.
The increased understanding of coastal processes has fostered
a more strategic and ecologically sustainable approach to
coastal protection. Defences are only used where no
alternative exists for the protection of economically important
developments erected over 25 years ago; ‘hard’ defences are
the exception. Elsewhere, cycles of erosion and deposition are
unhindered; developments for commerce and recreation are
not permitted in areas where they could be vulnerable to
coastal erosion. Approved developments near the coast are
sensitively located, and in keeping with the character of the
local landscape.
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Vision
23
Vision
Managed realignment of soft coastlines has taken place on
some farmland and links golf courses, in response to changing
sea levels and ongoing coastal erosion. Areas of international
and national importance are recognised for their valuable
wildlife and are managed with their natural heritage interests
as the priority. The coast has become increasingly popular for
recreation, with paths and cycleways integrated with core path
networks established by local authorities and others.
from source to mouth and the important role that riverine
habitats play in ameliorating floods, planning strategy has
changed. Building for both housing and industry has for many
years not taken place on river flood plains. Where practicable,
floodplains have been reinstated, ‘hard’ engineering works
removed, and highly modified watercourses restored to enable
more natural river flows. This has helped to reduce the flooding
of properties in rural, urban and suburban areas.
Improved coastal water quality has been achieved through
stricter controls on effluent disposal and the completion of
waste water treatment upgrades. Reduced agricultural and
industrial source pollution, as a result of implementation of
ICZM and integrated catchment management, the success of
Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Management and the general
reduction in fertiliser use on farms, has also contributed to this
higher coastal water quality.
Most freshwater habitats have benefited from restoration,
including the creation of new small water bodies, and
recognition of the importance to wetlands of ground waters.
Riverbanks, loch shores, and other wetland areas have seen an
increase in wildlife as a result of new tree planting and
allowing rough grassland to develop. Freshwater species are
thriving in the cleaner waters, and water vole populations have
recovered on many watercourses. This has been helped by
effective control of American mink.
The fishing industry has seen considerable change in its
practices, the most significant being the adoption of a whole
ecosystem approach to fishery management planning.
Fishermen support national and local fisheries policies with
catch limits sensitive to the entire ecosystem in which
commercial fish are found. The sea is zoned, with areas set
aside to serve as fish nurseries and marine reserves with no
fishing; others are trawled using selective fishing methods that
minimise damage to the seabed, waste and by-catch. With
fisheries policy now focused on maintaining a quality marine
environment with sustainable fish stocks, greater economic
stability has returned to important fishing communities in the
area.
FRESH WATER
As a result of the Water Framework Directive freshwater
management is now addressed using river basins and
catchments to ensure acceptable standards of water quality
and quantity. Within catchments, integrated and appropriate
land use and management ensures that Good or High Status
has been achieved for most watercourses. The Rivers Ythan
and Ugie in particular have seen a reduction in the levels of
diffuse sediment and nutrient inputs and subsequent
improvement in water quality. These improvements, coupled
with more effective controls on the exploitation of salmon at
sea, have led to a higher and more stable salmon population
in all rivers, helping to support an economically sustainable
salmon fishery. Summer sailing has returned to Loch of Skene
since the introduction of new techniques has significantly
reduced algal blooms. The reduction in discharges of
agricultural fertilisers and effluent into Loch of Strathbeg has
helped reduce nutrient levels to those maintained by wildfowl.
By considering river management in an integrated manner
24
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Vision
FORESTS AND WOODL ANDS
Conifer plantations have continued to be managed for their
economic value, but have increasingly taken greater account
of natural heritage benefits, including opportunities for informal
recreation. Forest Design Plans have promoted better felling
management; restructuring and new plantings are sensitive to
existing priority habitats and landscape character, and there is
a much greater proportion of native trees. As a result of
restoration, most native woodlands are now part of a
recovering network of habitats that includes all types of
woodlands: shelterbelts, plantations, hedgerows, community
woodlands, mature treelines and riverine trees. This has been
encouraged through targeted grant incentives, support for
Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAP), and effort put into
developing marketing opportunities for native wood products.
DEVELOPMENT
Development in recent years has taken on board the need to
take a balanced view of natural heritage requirements and
socio-economic demands. This can be seen in new
developments that are designed to enhance the local
landscape and other natural heritage aspects, and in local
authority zoning, which has e.g. preserved stretches of
undeveloped coastline. The audit of open areas and green
spaces within settlements, supported by local communities, has
allowed for development while retaining a range of open
areas for various community uses.
Building upon the high quality of life and the environment in
the north-east as a key factor in attracting inward development,
industry has continued to be innovative in reducing and in
some cases discontinuing its use of non-renewable resources.
RECREATION , ACCESS AND EDUC ATION
Energy efficiency, pollution prevention and waste minimisation
are all part of industrial environmental standards, and are
widely seen as ways to improve market share.
Development of renewable energy technologies has
continued apace. Wind farms, on and offshore, wave energy,
solar energy and hydrogen have steadily increased their
market share and helped reduce the production of carbon
dioxide, hence assisting in the reduction of greenhouse gases.
The location, scale and design of these facilities uses
guidelines backed up by effective planning policies. All are
sited and designed to minimise impacts upon landscape,
conservation and recreational interests, thus balancing local
needs with national priorities to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
Sand and gravel pits that have come to the end of their
working life have taken on a new role for wildlife and
recreation, especially in demonstrating their earth heritage
interests. They have been well restored and are integrated
within the surrounding landscape. The increased reuse and
recycling of aggregates and construction waste has meant
significant reductions in new extraction. Where new sites have
been opened, they avoid damage to key geomorphological
interests, and also minimise impacts on the landscape and
other natural heritage interests.
Vision
Sensitive housing development can minimise effects on the
landscape
Accessibility of land for a variety of informal recreational
activities has improved considerably as a result of the change
in access legislation, which provides a right of responsible
access to the countryside. A network of core paths has
extended availability and accessibility of access in both urban
and rural areas. Farmers assist the enjoyment of responsible
public access across their land, through the provision and
waymarking of informal routes, along riverbanks and in once
marginal areas – now rough grassland – and woodlands
within their land. These also link to the enhanced networks of
paths and green spaces within settlements, including the City of
Aberdeen. Increased access provision through a combination
of linear paths and green space has also benefited the
development of an integrated and sustainable transport
strategy and is nowadays making a major contribution to
economic development, particularly tourism. The Scottish
Outdoor Access Code ensures greater accord and respect
between the public seeking access to the countryside and land
managers. An enhanced Ranger service also helps to increase
the enjoyment offered by the established access opportunities.
A greater understanding of the natural heritage has been
created through ongoing education and new Community
Action Plans. Community involvement and empowerment is
encouraged through a wide range of initiatives including Local
Biodiversity Action Plans and Local Authority Community Plans,
Ranger services and facilities such as those at Country Parks,
the expanded network of Local Nature Reserves, and other
reserves all help to raise environmental awareness, providing
excellent environmental education opportunities and, in many
cases, recreational opportunities. This is reflected in a greater
level of respect for the countryside, its responsible use for
recreation, and the adoption and management of green
spaces in settlements to provide more pleasant areas for quiet
and relaxation. An increasing tourist market has also
developed in response to these activities. There is wide
appreciation that the value to society of the natural heritage
includes sustainable economic development.
Through implementation of the Landfill Directive and national
and local waste strategies, waste is now dealt with through a
range of measures with reduction, reuse and recycling being
the primary choices. Fly-tipping and marine and coastal litter
have reduced as environmental awareness has increased and
there has been greater involvement of communities in
environmental management projects.
The Formartine and Buchan Way, near Mintlaw
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
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25
OObbjj ee cc ttiivvees s
- priorities for the
natural heritage, and
action required
These are objectives for the natural heritage and indicate
what needs to be done to ensure that we use the natural
heritage sustainably. The objectives indicate the priorities
relevant to the natural heritage in the light of current
changes. Once agreed, these priorities can inform the
development of relevant action plans with more specific
objectives and resource implications: relevant Actions are
identified under each Objective. Changes to national or
international policies will depend on action at a national level
and these are identified in the relevant National documents.
Objectives
Objective 1
Manage and restore all raised and
intermediate bogs capable of active
peat growth
Given the significant loss of lowland raised and intermediate
bogs across Britain, those that remain within the North East
Coastal Plain are a high priority for conservation. The principal
cause of the loss has been domestic peat cutting which has
taken place over a long period when peat was an essential
and cheap source of fuel. The introduction of electricity
supplies and other more convenient fuels, has meant that
domestic cutting has ceased on almost all sites. Cutting causes
the direct loss of peat, and the disruption of the water table in
the remaining surface with consequent drying. Drying reduces
the cover of bog mosses and other specialist bog plants that
actively form peat, in favour of heather. Bog growth slows or
halts accordingly. The ditch networks dug to drain water away
from the cutting areas continue to function long after the cutting
has ceased, and the cut faces themselves also act as long-term
open-sided ditches. Commercial peat extraction causes
serious disruption over much shorter periods and can be more
comprehensive in its destruction of a site, leaving little or no
bog peat to restore. Other activities that can damage bogs
include drainage for agriculture, burning, overgrazing, and
afforestation. Protection of remaining peatlands could be
achieved through a peatland strategy, restricting development
of peat to existing sites that have little conservation importance,
and promoting active positive management of the rest.
Climate change could have serious implications for bog
conservation especially if there is increased frequency of
summer drought. It is likely that further drying of bogs will
occur and the peat is likely to start to oxidise. Peat bogs are an
important store of carbon; oxidation would release this as
carbon dioxide adding to global warming pressures.
Consequently, there is a need to do as much as possible to
reduce artificial drainage pressures and to restore sites to a
condition where they have the greatest potential to withstand
the consequences of climate change. A peatland strategy
should protect important conservation sites, promote active
A successfully blocked ditch on a raised bog
In recent years, a number of ways of restoring damaged
peatlands have been developed. The cessation of activities
that damage the site, coupled with drain blocking and if
necessary removing any tree cover, have been successful in
promoting an increase in the cover of bog mosses and the
active growth of peat. At many sites the creation of a managed
buffer zone would better maintain the water table than
measures within the site’s core. A management scheme would
be desirable to encourage owners to implement positive
management plans for lowland raised and intermediate bogs
still capable of restoration. This could draw upon the
experience of positive initiatives in other parts of Britain.
However, some sites are too seriously damaged for the
restoration of active bog vegetation, due to severe loss of peat
and the irreversible disruption of the delicate hydrological
balance necessary for bog formation. Some of these could be
managed as fen type wetlands subject to the influence of
ground water, but even those that are covered in dense
heather represent significant areas of semi-natural vegetation
within a countryside dominated by improved grassland and
cereal farming. Those few still subject to exploitation and
incapable of being restored to bog could continue to provide
a peat resource until exhausted. Plans for after-use and
restoration could encourage the development of wetland
habitats that would be of natural heritage benefit.
ACTIONS
Develop a peatland management strategy for
bog growth and thereby limit releases of carbon. Such a local
lowland raised and intermediate bogs, in connection
strategy would facilitate the practical implementation of the
with National and Local Biodiversity Action Plans,
national raised bog habitat action plan, and of Local
which includes:
Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAP).
peatland management schemes developed with
landowners; and
site specific, costed management plans.
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Objectives
27
Objectives
Ensure Development Plans reflect the peatland
strategy to ensure that development pressures are
removed from peatlands identified to be of nature
conservation value.
Ensure that local priorities for agri-environmental
schemes and agricultural support include the positive
management of peatland.
Promote the value of peatlands for wildlife through
the development and implementation of LBAP.
Work with local authorities and landowners to ensure
appropriate restoration of worked sites for natural
Diverse arable field margin
heritage benefit.
Identify sites for visitor access and interpretation and
develop schemes for implementation.
Initiatives can be set up now to protect and increase
biodiversity, such as halting the drastic decline in farmland
birds. On cultivated land, Integrated Farming Systems would
help to reduce damage to wildlife by providing more targeted
Objective 2
agricultural inputs. Creating an appropriate balance between
Increase the natural heritage value of
the agricultural land
spring and winter sowing, timing grass cutting to permit
successful breeding by ground nesting birds, positive
management of set-aside and greater retention of stubble
fields over winter would all contribute considerably to the
As farming is the predominant land use, the implementation of
biodiversity of farmed land. In addition they would provide
environmentally sustainable management practices would
winter feed for birds such as corn bunting and geese.
greatly benefit the wildlife of farmed land and address general
Discouraging any ploughing on land adjacent to rivers,
water quality issues. Agri-environmental schemes need to
combined with re-establishment of riparian woodland, would
take better account of local biodiversity needs and be locally
help to reduce soil erosion and run-off and benefit breeding
sensitive, allowing for the variation and individuality of farms.
waders. The wide-scale reinstatement and maintenance of
Raising awareness and understanding will not on its own solve
boundary habitats, including drystone dykes, hedgerows,
the problems; radical changes are required to agricultural
boundary trees and unsprayed margins, the restoration and re-
policy and practices, such as the incorporation of natural
creation of areas of wetland and rushy pastures, along with
heritage concerns into production standards, and more
management to regenerate and expand farm woodlands and
considered cross-compliance between existing production
encourage more marginal scrub, would restore valued
subsidies and agri-environmental schemes. Natural heritage
landscape diversity and wildlife, and contribute to increased
considerations need to be emphasised in training for farmers,
habitat connectivity. Implementation of LBAPs and Species
and for consultants and administrators involved in agri-
Action Plans will also assist; e.g. sensitive ditch maintenance
environmental schemes.
would safeguard the potential for water vole occupation.
Integrated Farming Systems, following the example of the
The concentration of overwintering geese in the vicinity of
programme known as Targeted Inputs for a Better Rural
roost sites, can result in adjacent farmland bearing the brunt of
Environment (TIBRE), offer an approach which focuses on the
intensive grazing by large numbers of birds. This is especially
‘carrying capacity’ of the land. Sponsorship of farms to
the case during the spring passage when large flocks can
explore and demonstrate integrated rural land-use
remove the early growth of grass, or damage early crops.
management would provide practical examples of this
Targeted management schemes to both protect the geese,
approach along with valuable learning opportunities that can
particularly near roosts, and to ameliorate their impact on
be shared and adapted to meet local requirements.
agriculture should be developed in line with guidance from the
National Goose Forum. These would protect the internationally
important populations of geese without imposing an unfair
burden upon local farmers.
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could offer the opportunity for diversifying farm businesses
while benefiting wildlife. The use of farmland for field sports
can also increase biodiversity by creating a greater range of
Objective 3
Maintain freshwater habitats and
improve the quality of fresh water
food crops and cover for game; there is scope to develop this
The natural heritage value of rivers and lochs in the North East
practice.
Coastal Plain is vulnerable to change. The main source of
Objectives
The encouragement of markets for farm woodland products
change is from the surrounding land uses. Intensive arable
ACTIONS
Encourage farming compatible with the natural
heritage, including organic farming.
Develop more effective, better funded and locally
agriculture and forestry close to river courses can result in the
input of sediments to waters (with progressive soil loss), and
nutrient inputs from agricultural run-off can cause species
requiring high water quality to decline. There is a need to
sensitive agri-environmental schemes that result in the
identify areas of land which, due to slope and/or soil type, are
adoption of environmentally sensitive farming actions
especially prone to erosion. Lack of vegetation cover after
across all farmland, promote biodiversity, and
ploughing increases both the rate of run-off and the trend
minimise agricultural pollution.
towards spate flows and potential flooding. This in turn can
Implement LBAP programmes that target the specific
lead to pressure for bank protection works to resist erosion
management needs of species especially vulnerable
caused by increased flow rates and the loss of natural
to changes in agricultural practices, such as corn
bankside vegetation. The loss of riparian and floodplain
buntings, skylarks, yellow hammers, grey partridge,
habitats to agriculture constitutes a loss of wildlife habitat in its
water voles, and brown hare.
own right, but also of food supply to some aquatic life in the
adjoining water body, and a reduction in flood retention
Promote schemes that reduce nutrient inputs and
capacity. Impacts can arise from built development where
sediment loss through nutrient budgeting, and more
water run-off from impermeable surfaces is rapidly channelled
sustainable management of soils, e.g. TIBRE.
down drains to watercourses, carrying sediments and nutrients.
Develop guidance and practice for better
Sewage discharge from inland settlements can also cause
management of livestock wastes, so that alternatives
nutrient enrichment where appropriate treatment upgrades are
to the use of artificial fertilisers are environmentally
not in place.
sustainable.
Sponsor farms to:
provide centres of self-learning, engagement of colearning, and study;
promote the professional skills of farmers, and
their participation in developing sustainable
farming practices;
trial innovative habitat management and creation
schemes;
incorporate multi-purpose woodland management
into farm businesses; and
incorporate game management into farm
businesses.
Develop management schemes in accordance with the
National Goose Forum guidelines, for the
management of goose grazing impacts upon
farmland close to roosts.
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Objectives
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Objectives
River engineering works can have a number of impacts
depending on their purpose and method of design. Most are
designed to try to stabilise or produce river conditions desired
by various managers. They often overlook the fact that rivers
are dynamic, constantly evolving systems, and that intervention
at one point will have knock-on effects downstream and
upstream. Works creating slow water or pools for fishing lies
often disrupt river flow patterns and cause erosion
ACTIONS
Develop and implement integrated catchment
management for all major catchments through the
national River Basin Plans, to achieve high water
quality and promote natural processes in rivers, lochs,
and wetlands. This should address strategic
approaches for:
downstream. They can also result in the direct smothering of
restoration and re-creation of riparian and
gravel beds of value for salmon and trout spawning, and the
floodplain habitats;
destruction of freshwater pearl mussel beds, both directly and
land management practices including agriculture,
by releasing sediment which accumulates further downstream.
forestry and built development;
Bank works and flood defences designed to protect agriculture
and built development disrupt natural river flows and, along
freshwater fisheries management;
with dredging, discourage the occasional inundation that
waste water management and pollution control,
supports particular floodplain habitats.
possibly incorporating the allocation of freshwater
nutrient capacity between point and diffuse
Abstraction of water for drinking could be a cause of concern
on some rivers as it can result in a significant reduction in water
flows especially during the summer. Continued expansion of
sources;
flood appraisal and control; and
Aberdeen and other settlements will increase the demand for
water abstraction for industry, agriculture and
water abstraction unless measures to reduce water use and
water supply.
waste are introduced and enforced. By identifying minimum
flow regimes necessary to support required ecological status in
rivers, the planning of abstraction could be better informed.
The designation of the River Dee as a candidate Special Area
for Conservation (SAC), Meikle Loch and the Lochs of Skene
and Strathbeg as Special Protection Areas (SPA), and the River
Ensure local priorities for agriculture and woodland
incentive schemes include:
reducing fertiliser use and modifying land
management in the catchments of lochs and
watercourses likely to be damaged by soil erosion
and run-off;
Ythan catchment as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone, provides a
establishing buffer zones along watercourses to
clear priority for action. However, other rivers and lochs are in
reduce run-off; and
need of action, whether to stem the input of nutrients and
sediment, reduce damaging engineering works, and/or
promote better water and habitat quality. Formulation of
Integrated Catchment Management plans would assist the
restoring degraded watercourses, and their
riparian and floodplain habitats.
Use Development Plans to:
process, providing they include costed action plans for
encourage appropriate land use and restrict
implementation, and receive support from all affected parties.
development on floodplains, avoiding demands for
This will contribute to the objectives of the Water Framework
flood defence construction; and
Directive. In addition, these plans could provide a vehicle for
implementation of LBAP for key freshwater species such as
freshwater pearl mussel, water vole, otter and salmon.
promote the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage
Systems (SUDS) in all new built developments,
where possible introducing them to existing
Freshwater lochs and rivers are very popular for recreation,
whether for sailing, canoeing, swimming, fishing or walking.
Loss of water quality can reduce this attraction, and conflict
developments which cause pollution of
watercourses.
Promote and implement the river engineering code of
with land managers can also discourage use. Local authorities,
practice to prevent unnecessary river works and
SNH and landowners should be encouraged to draw up
ensure essential works are properly designed and
management plans that can promote responsible use of water
managed to minimise damaging impacts.
bodies while minimising conflict with other land uses.
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and, where necessary, management. The cliffs are resistant to
Guidelines and the Code on the prevention of
erosion, and the main threat to their natural heritage value is
environmental pollution from agricultural activities.
derived from encroachment of agriculture on the cliff tops, and
Develop and implement LBAPs for key habitats and
species associated with freshwater systems,
particularly pearl mussel and water vole.
Develop management schemes for the responsible use
of fresh water for recreation that minimise conflict
to a small degree quarrying. Agricultural encroachment can
also eat into the dune systems of the soft coast, which are also
vulnerable to erosion from wave and wind. It is this part of the
coast that is particularly in need of protection from insensitive
Objectives
Encourage adherence to the Forest and Water
development, which could detract from its natural character
and lead to pressure for hard coastal defences.
with other freshwater users, including fisheries and
wildlife.
Government policy recognises that soft coasts are dynamic
systems with changing phases of erosion and deposition.
Accordingly, it encourages the maintenance of these natural
Objective 4
Protect, restore and maintain coastal
habitats
coastal processes and the avoidance of built development
unless essential. Where coastal protection is unavoidable to
protect existing development that cannot be relocated, the
promotion of appropriate soft engineering works is likely to
Natural coastal defences, in the form of sand dunes, mudflats
avoid detrimental knock-on effects upon coastal processes
and saltmarsh, absorb wave energy, helping to protect the
within the vicinity.
coast. These soft coastal habitats are more likely to be lost to
erosion, possibly resulting from global warming, where they
Coastal erosion is likely to increase as a result of sea-level rise
are constrained by artificial coastal defences, built
and increased wave heights and storminess, driven by global
developments, or land-use practices that prevent them from
warming. Thus shorelines will migrate inland across soft coasts.
migrating inland. Evidence also suggests that artificial defences
Prevention of this process would be expensive and its success
merely shift the problem of coastal erosion along the coastline.
in the long term questionable. While erosion would be
Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), through
detrimental to coastal farmland, links golf courses and other
implementation of Shoreline Management Plans, is the key
land uses on soft coasts, managed retreat to allow coastal
to sustainable coastal management.
realignment is likely to be the most cost-effective and
sustainable option, as compared with large scale and costly
Industrial and associated development on the coast is centred
defences. There may be situations where the creation of new
on Aberdeen and the other larger settlements such as
intertidal habitats could be considered.
Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Banff and Macduff. Other than these
and smaller fishing ports and villages, the majority of the coast
Development Plans will need to be flexible enough to take into
remains more or less natural. The most important areas have
account vulnerability to anticipated coastal erosion when
received national and international conservation designations,
identifying suitability for built development. Farming interests
but all retain high natural heritage value requiring protection
also need to be assessed in this regard, with managed
realignment being an option. Enjoyment of the coast can be
promoted through the provision of coastal paths, Ranger
services and appropriate interpretation. Where access is
causing damage to sensitive dune systems, management
techniques should be used to provide more resilient access
routes and surfaces that are sensitive to the surrounding
environment.
Marine erosion of dunes, Cruden Bay
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Objectives
ACTIONS
Objective 5
Establish Integrated Coastal Zone Management linked
to development plan policies, including the
development of Shoreline Management Plans, that
take account of the natural dynamics of the coastline
and identify:
Conserve and, where necessary, restore
marine habitats and species
The seas around the north-east coast are important for their
marine species and commercial fisheries. Unfortunately, stocks
areas of existing development in possible need of
of commercially exploited fish have declined through sustained
protection through sustainable soft defence
overfishing, the North Sea being one of the most heavily fished
systems where possible;
areas in the world. Through the Common Fisheries Policy,
areas vulnerable to erosion to be kept free of new
various efforts have been employed to reduce the impact on
development; and
fish stocks and encourage their recovery. These include closure
of fisheries to protect vulnerable nurseries and spawning
possible areas for managed realignment.
grounds, the imposition of quotas, a ban on certain net types
Undertake research on the extent of shoreline
and mesh sizes, and a reduction of fishing effort. The advent of
habitats and the effects of global warming.
sonar systems to track shoals, and larger boats and nets, have
Implement management plans for designated coastal
sites which safeguard and enhance the natural
heritage value.
meant more effective fishing with large potential catches.
Bottom trawl nets also have considerable impacts upon the
seabed. The impacts upon target species are likely to be
repeated for other species of no economic value; though
Consider incentives for managed realignment of
caught accidentally and thrown back, these may die due to
agricultural land to create coastal habitats in the event
damage sustained while being dragged to the surface. The
of wide-scale erosion resulting from climatic change.
impact of overfishing is particularly significant on long-lived
Develop and implement LBAP for coastal habitats.
marine species, which take a number of years to reach
reproductive maturity. If overfishing continues, the North Sea
Promote the development of new techniques in the
ecosystem will be impoverished, and fishing activity and the
design and siting of sustainable coastal defence
fleets and jobs it supports will be severely curtailed. A whole
systems, to enhance their effectiveness and landscape
ecosystem approach to sustainable fishery management is
fit.
required. This can only be implemented through the cooperation of international governments and the fishermen
themselves.
Bottlenose dolphin
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services for the exploitation of the North Sea. The revenue
generated is essential for the British economy and provides
major employment and economic benefits for the whole of
Scotland. Pollution from associated shipping, support industries
and oil exploration has been localised and small scale to
date. Maintaining the stringent pollution contingency measures,
Objectives
Aberdeen, the oil capital of Europe, provides the land-based
using state-of-the-art technology and remaining ever vigilant
will continue to be the best ways to avoid incidents and ensure
that any impact is minimal.
ACTIONS
Develop and implement Integrated Coastal Zone
Management (ICZM) through the proposals of the
Moray Firth Partnership, and promote the
establishment of similar consensus initiatives on other
parts of the coast.
Promote the development of sustainable commercial
fisheries as part of ICZM, through the regional
management of shared fisheries, and through:
local integrated fisheries management groups;
the adoption of a whole ecosystem approach to
the sustainable exploitation of commercial
Bottlenose dolphins are vulnerable to the impacts of fishing;
fisheries; and
although few are caught in nets, the main threat is loss of prey
the adoption of fishing systems and strategies that
as the consequence of overfishing. While difficult to count with
reduce impacts upon both target and non-target
any degree of confidence, there is some indication that
species.
numbers have been declining. This may be the result of
reduced prey stocks, but could also be due to disease caused
by pollution, particularly from sewage, which can introduce
pathogens, and heavy metals from industrial processes. While
discharges to the sea of all types are regulated, moves to
increase the effective treatment of sewage in response to EC
Directives will help to reduce this risk. The dolphins are also at
risk from boat activity. While they are capable of avoiding
much of the traffic, fast craft which change direction rapidly
can be an especial threat. The ‘Dolphin Space Programme’ is
a code that raises awareness of the dolphin population among
Improve the environmental sensitivity of the oil
industry through:
use of state-of-the-art technology to prevent
spillage and to tackle oil spill incidents;
keeping oil contingency plans under review; and
awareness of ‘Guidelines for Dealing with
Cetaceans in the Event of an Oil Spill in the Moray
Firth’.
Improve knowledge and understanding of the marine
boat operators and promotes boat operation that reduces risks.
heritage through promotional material aimed at
This is especially important among those who provide dolphin-
fisheries managers, boat operators and the public.
watching trips for wildlife enthusiasts. The Moray Firth
Promote guidance designed to reduce stress and risk
Partnership is a good example of the way in which a wide
on dolphins and other cetaceans in the Moray Firth
range of private and public organisations and users can work
and along the north-east coast.
together to safeguard the interests of the coastal and marine
environment in an integrated manner, while recognising each
other’s interests. This approach could be of benefit to other
parts of the coast.
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Upgrade sewage treatment facilities to reduce inputs
of pathogens, nutrients and pollutants to the marine
environment.
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Objectives
33
Objectives
Forest Design Plans for larger forests promote management
Objective 6
Expand the multi-purpose benefits of
forestry
incorporating objectives for landscape and wildlife, including:
integration of native broadleaved woodland elements and
open space within plantations; diversification of age structure;
use of alternatives to clear-felling; and provision of
Woodlands can provide many benefits, not only as economic
opportunities for access and recreation. The use of such forests
resources but also as habitats, landscape features, and
as Community Woodlands not only encourages access and
recreational assets, in both rural and urban settings. By their
recreation close to settlements, but also encourages
very nature they are habitats where management has to be on
community participation in forest management and
a long-term basis to maintain and enhance their natural
conservation. At all times best practice forestry techniques
heritage value. Much of the remaining native woodland in the
should ensure minimum impacts on run-off and watercourses.
area is currently unmanaged as owners do not perceive an
obvious benefit to offset the costs. The development of markets
The pending revision of the Indicative Forestry Strategies for
for products from native hardwood timber, combined with
Aberdeenshire and Moray presents an opportunity. Existing
targeted incentives, could provide necessary encouragement.
areas of natural heritage interest sensitive to forestry can be
Policy woodlands and shelterbelts provide not only shelter
identified and types of forestry that can provide multiple
but remarkable specimen trees, and add diversity to the
benefits can be promoted. The Grampian Forest Initiative is
landscape. They require ongoing management to maintain
a good example of a scheme that promotes multi-purpose
them for the future. Removal of non-native conifers where they
forestry that provides for timber, landscape, conservation and
have been used to underplant native woods, or are
access on less sensitive areas. However, there is a need to
regenerating on ancient and long-established native
determine how much forestry is desired within local farmland,
woodlands, should be encouraged. Development plans can
both to ensure that farming remains a part of the rural
also protect native woods from built development.
economy and to conserve farmland wildlife.
The expansion and creation of new native woodlands is best
undertaken at a strategic scale, using the ancient woodland
inventory to identify and prioritise potential locations. Using
largely local provenance stock, this would increase the quality,
quantity and diversity of woodlands in the area. The creation
of new plantings to create links between existing forestry as
part of a forest habitat network would increase the
availability of this habitat for many other species, including
some noted in the Local Biodiversity Action Plan and covered
by Species Action Plans, such as red squirrel and badger.
Using marginal farmland of low existing conservation value for
new plantings, along with the restoration of hedgerows,
boundary trees and riparian and floodplain trees, would help
to reduce the fragmentation and isolation of woodland habitats
and create corridors for wildlife. There are several schemes
currently available that assist the establishment, restoration and
enhancement of native woodlands.
Community tree planting, Aden Country Park, Mintlaw
ONGOING
34
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
SHORT TERM (0-5 YEARS)
Objectives
M E D I U M T E R M ( 5 - 15 Y E A R S )
LO N G T E R M ( 15 - 2 5 Y E A R S )
Review and use Indicative Forestry Strategies to:
promote woodland conservation objectives; and
incorporate Forest Habitat Networks of linked core
discourage built developments in native
forest areas including native woodland restoration
woodlands.
and expansion;
Increase the area of native woodlands, appropriate to
promote an appropriate mix of benefits from
landscape sensitivities, through targeted incentives
forests and woodlands;
for:
link to targeted incentive schemes;
accommodate sensitive habitats and species;
reflect landscape character based on using
Landscape Character Assessments (LCA);
link to local access strategies, particularly core
path networks; and
integrate forestry with other land uses including
Objectives
Use Development Plans to:
ACTIONS
expansion of existing native woodland, especially
on riverbanks and floodplains;
creation of new native woodlands on ancient
woodland sites; and
creation of new farm woodlands, hedgerows and scrub.
Implement LBAP and Species Action Plans for
woodland species.
Promote Community Woodlands to provide more
agriculture.
Restore existing semi-natural woodlands, through
targeted incentives for:
opportunities for woodland recreation and greater
involvement of local communities in forest
management.
development and implementation of woodland
management plans;
removal of non-native conifers from ancient and
long-established native woodlands; and
restoration of previously existing farm woodlands
and hedgerows; and through increasing the range
of benefits from native woodland, such as
developing markets for products from native
hardwood timber, and providing recreation and
sporting opportunities.
Increase the multi-purpose value of conifer plantations
through:
Objective 7
Restore, maintain and enhance the
landscape
The effects of modern agricultural practices that have led to
reduced diversity in the farmed landscape would be
ameliorated and reversed through the actions noted under
several of the above objectives, especially those related to the
restoration, recreation and ongoing management of natural
habitats. The restoration of traditional farm buildings, and the
siting and design of new farm buildings, could be addressed
incorporation of multi-purpose objectives in Forest
Design Plans and woodland incentive schemes;
through changes to planning legislation and the use of
Landscape Character Assessments and appropriate design
guidance. Both valued farm landscapes and designed
improving links to existing native woodland;
landscapes require positive management to maintain their
increasing the proportion of native woodland
distinctive character, and any development needs to be
species, managed for biodiversity, landscape and
carefully considered to safeguard this character.
timber quality;
diversification of age structure; and
Current planning policy directing new housing to settlements
and avoiding scattered housing in the countryside should help
taking account of landscape issues, including felling
to ensure sensitive siting and design to encourage local
and new roads.
distinctiveness. Development pressure for housing and retail
Provide incentives and advice for the restoration and
management of designed landscapes and policy
needs should be balanced with the need to retain open and
green spaces within existing settlements for their recreational,
amenity and quality of life value. Similarly the need for new
woodlands.
roads, tracks and other transport systems, and improvements to
ONGOING
SHORT TERM (0-5 YEARS)
M E D I U M T E R M ( 5 - 15 Y E A R S )
LO N G T E R M ( 15 - 2 5 Y E A R S )
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Objectives
35
Objectives
existing networks, should be balanced with their effects on the
landscape. Again, the use of Landscape Character
Assessments, along with the use of detailed environmental
impact assessments and design briefs would help to ensure
new developments complement the landscape. Windfarm
developments are desirable in relation to their potential to
ACTIONS
Use Landscape Character Assessments and undertake
landscape capacity studies to inform the location and
design of new developments.
Develop guidelines for the location and design of
provide a more sustainable source of energy and reduce
wind farms to avoid conflicts with landscape and
dependence upon fossil fuels, but guidelines are required to
other natural heritage interests.
assist in their location and design to minimise their landscape,
visual and natural heritage impacts.
Develop appropriate guidance regarding the design
and siting of built developments, including routing of
transport networks, to complement local
distinctiveness.
Promote the development and implementation of
positive management plans to safeguard the
distinctive character of designed landscapes.
Use incentives to improve the diversity of the farmed
landscape while maintaining especially valued
aspects.
Retain accessible open and green spaces within
settlements for landscape and amenity.
Promote the development of local waste strategy that
adopts the recommendations of the National Waste
Urban greenspace – Kincorth Local Nature Reserve,
Aberdeen
Strategy so as to address local issues, and use
The issue of waste management is of great importance, with
with the hierarchy of waste treatment.
Development Plans to direct developments to deal
impacts on landscape principal among the many concerns. The
Government’s ‘National Waste Management Strategy’ sets out
recommendations to address many current concerns by
reducing waste, promoting recycling and energy from waste,
with landfill being the final option. Local waste strategy is
under development that will implement this and provide the
resources necessary to deal with the waste in a sustainable
manner. Development to undertake recycling and energy
production needs to be sited and designed to minimise impacts
upon other natural heritage interests. The re-use of aggregates
and construction waste to minimise new quarrying, and any
selection of quarries and pits for landfill, should be informed
by the need to safeguard earth heritage interests.
ONGOING
36
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
SHORT TERM (0-5 YEARS)
Objectives
M E D I U M T E R M ( 5 - 15 Y E A R S )
LO N G T E R M ( 15 - 2 5 Y E A R S )
Provide and maintain a range of
recreation opportunities
Increasing marine tourism has brought both the benefits of
awareness of the natural heritage and increased access, but
also potential for disturbance. Marinas at key seaside resorts
provide for pleasure craft and growing wildlife tourism, but
The planned approach to the provision and management of
there is a need to provide guidance to ensure that wildlife is
access should continue to provide many new opportunities for
not damaged or disturbed, particularly the Moray Firth dolphin
enjoyment and recreation close to people’s homes. There is
population. Similarly, fresh waters have an intrinsic appeal to
great potential not only to enhance the area as an attractive
people seeking informal or formal recreation. Many water
place to live, work in and visit, but also to provide economic,
bodies host wildlife that is vulnerable to disturbance,
social and health benefits, and improved transport links.
particularly during the breeding season, especially wildfowl,
Existing or new paths could be developed and promoted
but also otters. Fisheries managers are also concerned that
further to provide networks and routes for walkers, cyclists,
recreational users could disturb their fishing clients and reduce
horse riders and the less able.
catches of salmon, thus reducing the economic viability of this
Objectives
Objective 8
activity. Recreational use will require careful management to
Forest Enterprise and some private owners have shown that
minimise potential conflicts.
many forms of outdoor recreation are compatible with the
management of forests provided access can be managed
during harvesting. While many forests within the area are
important for wildlife, careful planned management can ensure
sustainable and varied recreational use. Increasing multi-
ACTIONS
Continue to develop and promote a strategic
approach to access provision including:
purpose use of farmland should include the integration and
core path networks around settlements;
encouragement of informal recreation, e.g. along field
access to popular sites;
boundaries. There is also potential to further develop access to
reservoirs and lochs used for water supply. Such
support for access officers and Rangers; and
opportunities, combined with forthcoming legislative changes
promotion of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code as
which are likely to provide a right of access to the wider
an opportunity to increase understanding of
countryside, will create a need to ensure a common
responsible access and encourage greater
recognition of the responsibilities of recreational users and land
participation in outdoor recreation.
managers. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code provides an
opportunity to increase this mutual understanding, and
Rangers, access officers and Local Access Fora have important
roles. Integration of responsible access with other land uses
will be fundamental to the success of any access policy,
Ensure woodland sites have appropriate recreation
and visitor management opportunities, including links
to core path networks.
Promote the development of sustainable water-based
although country parks and estates managed for public access
recreation for fresh water and the marine
and enjoyment will continue to provide welcome recreational
environment that takes into account potential impacts
opportunities.
on wildlife, habitats and other users such as fisheries.
Ensure that integrated coastal zone management
takes full account of current and potential tourism and
recreational use of the coastal and marine
environment, in a way that does not disturb or
damage this resource.
Develop responsible informal recreation and
enjoyment on and along rivers and lochs.
Provide advice and support for the maintenance of
recreation facilities, including management plans for
country parks and other estates where access is
welcomed.
ONGOING
SHORT TERM (0-5 YEARS)
M E D I U M T E R M ( 5 - 15 Y E A R S )
LO N G T E R M ( 15 - 2 5 Y E A R S )
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Objectives
37
Objectives
ACTIONS
Objective 9
Increase awareness and understanding
of the natural heritage
Promote understanding of the employment and
economic benefits accruing from the natural heritage,
thereby providing justification for increased resources.
Achieving sustainable use and development of the environment
Develop local educational projects.
is dependent on widespread appreciation of both the intrinsic
Promote greater community involvement and
value of the natural heritage and its economic value.
understanding of the local earth heritage including:
Community learning plans should help with the
advancement of this understanding, which may partly be
responsible fossil/mineral collecting;
achieved through better provision of information and its
access to sites of geological interest; and
interpretation. Recreation and tourism provide excellent
opportunities to increase public awareness of the natural
heritage, including geology and cultural heritage, but visitors
interpretation and understanding of these interests.
Develop the concept of ‘geo- and green tourism’, with
often lack information about the area. Community liaison is
interpretation linking geology, soils and landforms
also an important channel of communication that needs to be
with the environmental and cultural history of the
promoted and maintained. Key features of interest could be
area.
promoted through a partnership approach, securing the
necessary resources to ensure adequate publicity, access and
interpretation. Ranger services should continue to provide
Maximise the natural heritage interpretation potential
of key areas such as at Forvie National Nature
Reserve, and Local Nature Reserves.
environmental education and can assist in managing
responsible access. Environmental interpretation and recreation
Improve the management and availability of
should continue to expand through outreach work, alongside
biodiversity data through the ongoing development of
established centres such as Country Parks. Within Local
the Biological Record Centre.
Nature Reserves the focus should be on management of the
Involve and engage local communities in
natural heritage to provide opportunities for formal and
interpretation of the area, including national and non-
informal environmental education and enjoyment of wildlife.
statutory designated sites, and through the LBAP.
Continued support of the Biological Record Centre will further
help to increase and improve knowledge of the natural
heritage, alongside the development and implementation of
Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAP).
Provide training for leisure managers and wildlife
operators in visitor management techniques that
protect the natural heritage resource.
Promote responsible use of land and water for a
range of recreational activities appropriate to
maintaining nature conservation and traditional land
management practices.
38
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Objectives
Objectives
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Objectives
39
Stakeholders
Stakeholders
The stakeholders listed below all have interests in the natural heritage of the area. To work towards the Vision, further
work is required with stakeholders to develop more specific objectives linked, where necessary, to action plans.
Note: For categories which encompass a large number of bodies, e.g. non land-managing environmental NGOs, recreational groups and
private companies, organisations are not listed individually.
Local authorities and other local public bodies
Aberdeen Harbour Board
Aberdeenshire Council
City of Aberdeen Council
Health Boards
Grampian Highlands, Aberdeen and the North East Coast
Tourist Board
Moray Council
Police
Port and harbour authorities
Schools
Scottish Enterprise Grampian
Land and freshwater management groups
District Salmon Fishery Boards (Dee, Deveron, Don, Ugie,
Ythan)
Native woodland initiatives
Private land/marine managers and their representatives
Farmers
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
Fishermen
Forest and Timber Association
Landowners and estates
National Farmers’ Union for Scotland
Community interests and groups
Community councils
Community Planning groups
Community trusts and fora: access, education, environment,
forestry etc.
Local Nature Reserve committees
Local Biodiversity Action Plan partnerships
Local Record Centres
Rural partnerships
National public bodies
Communities Scotland
Crown Estate
Deer Commission for Scotland
Defence Estates
Eastern Scotland European Partnership
Forest Enterprise
Forestry Commission
Health for All Alliance
Historic Scotland
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Paths for All Partnership
Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Executive and Departments
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group
Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Water
Sea Fish Industry Authority
Sportscotland
VisitScotland
40
NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
Stakeholders
Professional institutes
Scottish Gamekeepers Association
Scottish Landowners’ Federation
Recreation, sporting and angling representative bodies
and local clubs
Non-governmental organisations with local land
management interest
National Trust for Scotland
Royal Society for Protection of Birds
Scottish Wildlife Trust
Woodland Trust Scotland
Non-governmental organisations with environmental
interests, including Scottish Environment Link
Private companies and local businesses
Research and advisory organisations
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Fisheries Research Services
Fisheries Trusts
Scottish Agricultural College
Scottish Golfcourse Wildlife Advisory Group
Sea Mammal Research Unit
Universities, colleges and institutes
PICTURE CREDITS
Cover photography
Main photograph:
P&A MacDonald
Inset photographs:
Lorne Gill/SNH; Mark Hamblin; George Logan; Keith Ringland
Aden Country Park Ranger Service:
p34
Hazel Carnegie/SNH:
p23, p26
Lorne Gill/SNH:
p4, p7 (L), p8 (bottom L), p11, p13 (all), p15, p35, p37, p38
Mark Hamblin:
p6, p11 (R), p12, p39
George Lees:
p31
George Logan:
p9, p17, p18 (R), p20, p25 (all), p27, p28, p29, p33
P&A MacDonald:
p8 (top L and R)
Chris Martin/SNH:
p18 (L)
Keith Ringland:
p11, p32
Rynie Research Group,
University of Aberdeen:
p7 (R)
Glyn Satterley:
p14 (L)
SEPA:
p14 (R)
NATURAL
HERITAGE
FUTURES
SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE
is a government body established by Parliament in 1992, responsible to the Scottish Executive and Scottish Parliament.
Our mission:
Our operating principles:
Working with Scotland’s people to care for our natural
We work in partnership, by co-operation, negotiation and
heritage.
consensus, where possible, with all relevant interests in
Scotland: public, private and voluntary organisations, and
Our aim:
Scotland’s natural heritage is a local, national and global
individuals.
asset. We promote its care and improvement, its
We operate in a devolved manner, delegating decision
responsible enjoyment, its greater understanding and
making to the local level within the organisation to
appreciation and its sustainable use now and for future
encourage and assist SNH to be accessible, sensitive and
generations.
responsive to local needs and circumstances.
We operate in an open and accountable manner in all
our activities.
Further copies are available from:
Publications Section, Scottish Natural Heritage,
Battleby, Redgorton, Perth PH1 3EW
T: 01738 444177
F: 01738 458613
E: [email protected]
W: www.snh.org.uk
© Scottish Natural Heritage, 2002
ISBN 1 85397 163 4
LS0.75k0202
Printed on environmentally-friendly paper