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Refertilising Wester Ross 7th - 9th April 2016

This three day meeting focussed on the issue of nutrient availability and fertility management in Wester Ross and was attended by many local people and visitors from a wide range of organisations. This folder containts presentations from the 'Refertilising Wester Ross' meeting at Gairloch Coimmunity Hall on 8th April 2016 and related documents. Thank you to all who attended!

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  • Refertilising Wester Ross April 2016 Meeting Report
    This report provides a summary of the three-day meeting in April 2016 which focussed on the human ecology of nutrient availability and the need to manage fertility in Wester Ross. The meeting was attended by over 40 participants, including representatives from a wide range of government agencies and NGOs. This report provides links to presentations and other information.  Posted: 22/04/2016 (1.57MB)
  • Report from Field excursion to Beinn Eighe NNR & Glen Torridon on 7th April 2016
    This report is based on photos (GoPro video screenshots) from the excursion to sites by the Pony Path in Beinn Eighe NNR and sites around Loch an Iasgair (Torridon river headwaters) and includes a summary of much of the discussion.  Posted: 22/04/2016 (6.75MB)
  • Mycorrhiza, biodiversity & soil fertility: now you see it, now you don't
    Presentation by Dr James Merryweather about the need to understand mycorrhiza and how these can be damaged by adding too much fertilizer or through physical damage to soil structure. Young trees do best where suitable mycorrhiza are present nearby. Think before you plant!.  Posted: 13/04/2016 (16.54MB)
  • What future for our hill farming and crofting systems?
    Presentation by Prof Davy McCracken head of Scotland's Rural College's Hill & Mountain Research Centre describing the many challenges including opportunities for greater integration between different land uses and the need for a proper debate about 'What do we want from our uplands in the future?'.  Posted: 12/04/2016 (1.54MB)
  • Salmon and the marine nutrient pump
    This presentation by Simon Mckelvey of the Cromarty Firth Fisheries Board and Trust describes how salmon contributed marine nutrients to headwater streams, and outlines the need for forthcoming research to learn more about appropriate nutrient restoration techniques.  Posted: 12/04/2016 (1.24MB)
  • Moorland fertilisation: a wild grouse chase? The Ralia experience
    This presentation by Dr Adam Smith of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust describes work carried out to investigate the role of heather quality, including nutrient content, in determining the breeding success of red grouse on moorland in the central Highlands of Scotland.  Posted: 12/04/2016 (1.43MB)
  • Deer carcasses, scavengers, soil nutrients and invertebrates
    This presentation by Dr Scott Newey of the James Hutton Institute describes some of the results of investigations to find out what happens to deer carcasses when they are left out on the hill as a rewilding and conservation tool.  Posted: 12/04/2016 (1.00MB)
  • Refertilising Wester Ross
    Programme for the workshop on 8th April 2016 and presentation by Peter Cunningham considering long term changes in the availability of the limiting nutrient phosphorus across much of Wester Ross and the need for ecosystem refertilisation.  Posted: 12/04/2016 (8.76MB)