Tree treatment
The alarming news that many of Scotland’s endangered and rare species could be extinct within a generation is extremely worrying. If our Scottish Government is serious about being not only carbon neutral but being seen to be protecting our biodiversity, then maybe they should look at modifying some of the practices used by large estates in the Highlands.
Recent years have seen felling of vast areas of conifers, many of which are now being replanted. If these areas which have been recently replanted or will be replanted in the near future were to have a minimum of 10 per cent, although preferably 20 per cent, indigenous hardwoods then there may be a solution to protect such animal species as seriously endangered wild cats and also pine martens.
By totally enclosing these areas and excluding human intrusion apart from that required for estate management, these areas would act as sanctuaries in which these species would be secure. To encourage such a policy, which would also include that hunting would be banned in such areas (except in the cases where for example red deer
had gained entry and required removal to protect the trees), a period of say 15 years before any access was allowed would be required. Corridors allowing deer migration would also need to be left open. For estates to sign up to such a policy the Government could offer that the areas excluded from hunting would be exempt from any sporting rates.
Not only pine martens and wild cats would benefit, but also other flora and fauna including many of our rarer bird species such as goshawks and Scottish crossbills. Surely any policy which could help our endangered species is worthy of consideration, even if it would remove the “right to roam” from what in reality would be a small percentage of our hills and glens.
It would also be easier to police wildlife crime as anyone within these fenced areas except those authorised by the estates, would in effect be committing a wildlife crime.
PROF ERIC MCVICAR Lecturer in Sustainable Ecology,
Strontian