Wildlife groups seek support to protect Loch Ness wildlife

 

 

The British Lichen Society has joined with local community groups and other national wildlife organisations to protect one of Scotland’s most iconic lochs and landscapes. Wildlife organisations are concerned about the threat posed by proposals for the Loch Kemp Pumped Hydro Scheme- one of four existing or proposed such schemes for Loch Ness. These threats include direct threats to the Ness Woods Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which includes the Easter Ness Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which lies on the eastern shore. This unbroken stretch of woodland has trees covered with mosses and lichen, and are home to internationally important communities of lichen, including the second largest British population of Nevesia sampaiana, while these rich lichen assemblages in turn provide suitable habitat for invertebrates, such as the Nationally Rare and superbly camouflaged Lichen Running Spider (Philodromus margaritatus). 

 

With a planning inquiry imminent this spring to gather more evidence on the proposals, a ‘Protect the wildlife of Loch Ness and Loch Kemp’ crowd funder has been launched through CrowdJustice by the wildlife groups. This will allow them to get the expert legal advice needed to navigate the examination and ensure the best arguments possible are made to defend the habitats and species of Loch Ness.

 

See full press release Link