Scotland has lost 97% of its original native forest. Many river catchments that would have once been covered with a rich mix of pine, willow, downy birch, rowan and alder have been stripped, leaving the riverbanks bare, exposed and less resilient. Additionally, peatlands have been drained and degraded, so they emit carbon and allow heavy rainfall to rapidly run off, contributing to both flooding and drought conditions.
This has impacted the rivers’ health, making them more susceptible to drought and flooding caused by climate change, and reducing their ability to provide a home for wild Atlantic salmon, trout, and freshwater pearl mussels. Temperatures as high as 26 degrees Celsius are now regularly recorded in these Highland headwaters, causing thermal stress and even death of fish at all stages in their life cycle.
To save the salmon from regional extinction, it is critical that we act now to restore the river catchment ecosystem.
If we’re to ensure Scotland still has salmon in the future, we have to ensure that whole river catchments are healthy.
Much of the native Caledonian Forest of Scots pine, willow, downy birch, rowan, and many other species, has been lost. Without vegetation stabilising the soil and intercepting the flow of water, floods and droughts are more likely, reducing the rivers’ ability to support the huge salmon runs that once flourished. Without the cooling shade that trees provide on riverbanks, temperatures in rivers in the Highlands are reaching critical levels for Atlantic salmon, trout and freshwater pearl mussels. Key to saving these iconic species is restoring the function of the ecosystems they form an essential part of.
By taking a catchment-scale approach to river health, we can restore their natural ecology, boost biodiversity, sequester carbon, and benefit communities.
Woodland shades rivers in hot summers. This helps salmon grow and develop. Roots and deadfall provide refuge for young salmon, while organic matter adds nutrients to the system, supporting more invertebrates that sustain a balanced ecosystem. Restored peatland and growing trees draw carbon in from the atmosphere. The ecosystem becomes more complex and biodiverse, while trees and functioning peatlands slow the flow of rain from headwaters, reducing the impact of floods and droughts. The improvement in salmon and trout numbers supports a sustainable economy, enjoyed by local people and visitors from across the world.
TENT's Riverwoods: Catchment Restoration initiative aims to mitigate the impact of climate change and reverse the loss of biodiversity across the catchment ecosystem.
