Wildlife Habitats
Ponds
River Log Jam
Pollinators
Ponds are important hotspots for biodiversity. Collectively, they support more species, and more scarce species, than any other freshwater habitat. Overall they contribute more to regional biodiversity than rivers or other habitats. On top of this, ponds are relatively small and easy to manage environments, so that we can improve or restore a great number of ponds.
Pollinators
River Log Jam
Pollinators
Declines in the health and population of pollinators pose a significant threat to the integrity of biodiversity, to global food webs, and to human health. At least 80% of our world's crop species require pollination to set seed. An estimated one out of every three bites of food comes to us through the work of animal pollinators.
River Log Jam
River Log Jam
River Log Jam
By creating pools and depositing sediment log jams provide important fish habitat and spawning grounds. Seedlings and further vegetation grow on the log jam, indicating that trees are engineering their habitat and the flow of the river.
Forest
Dead Wood
River Log Jam
Scotland's forests cover 18% of land surface – but support a high share of our biodiversity. They absorb substantial amounts of carbon, helping to mitigate climate change and are home to a range of species including 172 that are protected. Over 1,000 species have been recorded in Scottish forests.
Birds
Dead Wood
Dead Wood
Birds occupy many levels of trophic webs, from mid-level consumers to top predators. Birds help maintain sustainable population levels of their prey and predator species and, after death, provide food for scavengers and decomposers. Many birds are important in plant reproduction through their services as pollinators or seed dispersers.
Dead Wood
Dead Wood
Dead Wood
The more different microhabitats there are available within a woodland, the greater biodiversity will be. Rotting wood offers different microclimates, food opportunities, architectural structure, camouflage and sheltering opportunities. These allow a great range of organisms to live side by side.