Category Archives: Ecology
Defining your home region
The “bioregion” as is currently defined is too big. It is possible to conceive of “meta” regions based on river catchments/watershed boundaries (essential for ecosystem management purposes) but an individual’s lived experience is of a much smaller, “sub-region” within the
Defining your home region
The “bioregion” as is currently defined is too big. It is possible to conceive of “meta” regions based on river catchments/watershed boundaries (essential for ecosystem management purposes) but an individual’s lived experience is of a much smaller, “sub-region” within the
Resilient Land 1 – Peat bogs
This is the first in a series of themed posts in which I set out a new policy framework for how we use land in the Highlands of Scotland. The first ecosystem I want to highlight is our boglands, which
Resilient Land 1 – Peat bogs
This is the first in a series of themed posts in which I set out a new policy framework for how we use land in the Highlands of Scotland. The first ecosystem I want to highlight is our boglands, which
Hinterland
Hinterland is originally a German word meaning “beyond land” and was first used to describe the land on the edge of a port. It has subsequently evolved and is often now used metaphorically, referring to that which is outside the
Hinterland
Hinterland is originally a German word meaning “beyond land” and was first used to describe the land on the edge of a port. It has subsequently evolved and is often now used metaphorically, referring to that which is outside the
The power of Phragmites
I was on my local Chleit beach (west coast of Kintyre) on 20 November and was surprised to see tender young reeds growing there. Normally at this time the plant is under siege from below as winter winds scour away
The power of Phragmites
I was on my local Chleit beach (west coast of Kintyre) on 20 November and was surprised to see tender young reeds growing there. Normally at this time the plant is under siege from below as winter winds scour away
Scottish Centre for Geopoetics
A couple of years ago a friend of mine introduced me to the Scottish Centre for Geopoetics, part of an international institute begun by the Scottish poet and thinker Kenneth White. I quote from its website: “It seeks a new
Scottish Centre for Geopoetics
A couple of years ago a friend of mine introduced me to the Scottish Centre for Geopoetics, part of an international institute begun by the Scottish poet and thinker Kenneth White. I quote from its website: “It seeks a new
On the Deep Wealth of this Nation
Newton Harrison is an artist practising in California. Recently he responded to a request from the Barn Arts centre, Aberdeenshire, to produce a work on the Don and Dee catchments where the Barn is located. He flew over the catchments
On the Deep Wealth of this Nation
Newton Harrison is an artist practising in California. Recently he responded to a request from the Barn Arts centre, Aberdeenshire, to produce a work on the Don and Dee catchments where the Barn is located. He flew over the catchments
Firth of Lorn
I was talking to Carina (my partner) about how the various Firths of Scotland form natural regions, and she suggested an area I hadn’t thought big enough: The Firth of Lorn. Today we were on Gigha and my old friend
Firth of Lorn
I was talking to Carina (my partner) about how the various Firths of Scotland form natural regions, and she suggested an area I hadn’t thought big enough: The Firth of Lorn. Today we were on Gigha and my old friend
Mapping the Clyde bioregion
It’s not possible to encapsulate a bioregion in a single map. In 2015 McCloskey created one for “Cascadia”, the name given to the huge bioregion of a mighty part of the western seaboard of the USA and Canada. However, in
Mapping the Clyde bioregion
It’s not possible to encapsulate a bioregion in a single map. In 2015 McCloskey created one for “Cascadia”, the name given to the huge bioregion of a mighty part of the western seaboard of the USA and Canada. However, in
Scottish bioregions
I have had a go at mapping Scotland’s bioregions. Certain regions have longstanding historical and cultural associations eg. The Lothians, Moray and Fife. Others are archipelagos: the Orkneys, Shetlands and Hebrides. I see these island groupings as a key pattern,
Scottish bioregions
I have had a go at mapping Scotland’s bioregions. Certain regions have longstanding historical and cultural associations eg. The Lothians, Moray and Fife. Others are archipelagos: the Orkneys, Shetlands and Hebrides. I see these island groupings as a key pattern,
Storm and stress
The more I wander through Ferry Wood, the more I realise that its many oaks are supremely adapted to the challenging environment. The wood is on a ridge only a mile from the Atlantic ocean, and around this ridge the
Storm and stress
The more I wander through Ferry Wood, the more I realise that its many oaks are supremely adapted to the challenging environment. The wood is on a ridge only a mile from the Atlantic ocean, and around this ridge the
bioregioning 