Category Archives: Ecology
Rock Art: Ancient acts of bioregioning
Here is one of the many ancient rock carvings found around the Kintyre peninsula. Some archaeologists think that they are located at transition points between lowland and upland, perhaps as waymarkers at what were then regarded as liminal spaces (more
Rock Art: Ancient acts of bioregioning
Here is one of the many ancient rock carvings found around the Kintyre peninsula. Some archaeologists think that they are located at transition points between lowland and upland, perhaps as waymarkers at what were then regarded as liminal spaces (more
Seagrass meadows: mangroves of the north
In our northern latitudes we may not have mangroves, but we have seagrass instead to protect our coasts and provide a nursery for the likes of pipefish and sea horses (in England anyway). Back in the summer Action West Loch
Seagrass meadows: mangroves of the north
In our northern latitudes we may not have mangroves, but we have seagrass instead to protect our coasts and provide a nursery for the likes of pipefish and sea horses (in England anyway). Back in the summer Action West Loch
Nature-based solutions
At last we have a balanced ecological approach to Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) thanks to a new report by the British Ecological Society. Until now lobbyists and special interest groups have been jumping on the NbS bandwagon, claiming their business/industry will
Nature-based solutions
At last we have a balanced ecological approach to Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) thanks to a new report by the British Ecological Society. Until now lobbyists and special interest groups have been jumping on the NbS bandwagon, claiming their business/industry will
New Paradigm for West Scotland – Part 2
Fenton’s strategy for the uplands of West Scotland is a wilderness one: freeing up natural systems to evolve without interference. He is concerned about how sitka plantations here are freely seeding into open moorland, changing the natural ecology. He is
New Paradigm for West Scotland – Part 2
Fenton’s strategy for the uplands of West Scotland is a wilderness one: freeing up natural systems to evolve without interference. He is concerned about how sitka plantations here are freely seeding into open moorland, changing the natural ecology. He is
New Paradigm for West Scotland – 1
The next couple of posts are based on the work of James Fenton, an ecologist living in the Oban area who has worked in the Antarctic and the Falklands as well as the Scottish Highlands. In a paper called: “Towards
New Paradigm for West Scotland – 1
The next couple of posts are based on the work of James Fenton, an ecologist living in the Oban area who has worked in the Antarctic and the Falklands as well as the Scottish Highlands. In a paper called: “Towards
Wheel of Life – Part 2
Fleming then produces a hexagonal diagram that creates an additional two phases: the Release phase is followed by “Break-up”, while exploitation is followed by “Reconnection and Growth”, which then leads into the conservation phase. He defines the period of greatest
Wheel of Life – Part 2
Fleming then produces a hexagonal diagram that creates an additional two phases: the Release phase is followed by “Break-up”, while exploitation is followed by “Reconnection and Growth”, which then leads into the conservation phase. He defines the period of greatest
The Wheel of Life – 1
All systems go through various phases or stages. I first came across the cycle of exploitation-conservation-release-reorganisation- in the field of ecology where it is known as the cycle of succession), but then came across it again in the work of
The Wheel of Life – 1
All systems go through various phases or stages. I first came across the cycle of exploitation-conservation-release-reorganisation- in the field of ecology where it is known as the cycle of succession), but then came across it again in the work of
Before and After
It is great to track changes in the wood, especially in relation to rhododendron clearance. Look at the two pictures below: the upper was taken a week ago (June 2020) and shows an oak in full leaf, plus oaks behind,
Before and After
It is great to track changes in the wood, especially in relation to rhododendron clearance. Look at the two pictures below: the upper was taken a week ago (June 2020) and shows an oak in full leaf, plus oaks behind,
Home patch
As a result of the Corvid-19 lockdown I am getting to know my home patch. I’ve been cycling to the glen immediately to the south, known as Clachaig. I remembered a small hazel wood there, tucked a couple of miles
Home patch
As a result of the Corvid-19 lockdown I am getting to know my home patch. I’ve been cycling to the glen immediately to the south, known as Clachaig. I remembered a small hazel wood there, tucked a couple of miles
Glen Orchy: Caledonian Pinewood Reserve
On our way back from Crianlarich Youth Hostel we paused in beautiful Glen Orchy, following in the footsteps of Steven and Carlisle, who – back in the 1950’s – alerted the world to one of Scotland’s unique ecosystems: the Caledonian Pinewoods. A
Glen Orchy: Caledonian Pinewood Reserve
On our way back from Crianlarich Youth Hostel we paused in beautiful Glen Orchy, following in the footsteps of Steven and Carlisle, who – back in the 1950’s – alerted the world to one of Scotland’s unique ecosystems: the Caledonian Pinewoods. A
bioregioning 