Important alder woodland in Sutherland 'declining'

The Mound Sluices and alder woodland at Loch Fleet

An internationally important woodland has fallen into decline, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has said.

A fungus-like pathogen has caused an infection affecting alders at Loch Fleet in Sutherland.

SNH believe the problem to be linked to how a nearby sluice gate system has been managed for the last 12 years.

Built in the 1800s, the sluices form part of a causeway and bridge designed by engineer Thomas Telford that carried a light railway and now a road.

Called <link> <caption>The Mound Sluices</caption> <altText>Link to details on the sluice on Am Baile website</altText> <url href="http://www.ambaile.org/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=118920" platform="highweb"/> </link> , the system allows the waters of the River Fleet to flow into the loch and out to sea, but prevents salt water travelling upstream at high tide.

Until about 12 years ago, a gate keeper was employed and would open the sluices when the river was in spate to ease flooding.

This no longer happens and, while alders grow on marshy ground, the flooding has been suspected of spreading the harmful pathogen through the woodland.

SNH has been working with Transport Scotland, which manages the sluices, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) and Forest Research on finding a solution.

Steven Hendry, of Forest Research, said: "Detailed investigations found some trees were suffering from a lethal disease caused by the fungus-like pathogen phytopthora alni which can be spread through flood water.

"The Mound is the most northerly site at which this disease has been recorded in Britain."

<bold>Wolf of Badenoch</bold>

Jeanette Hall, SNH's woodland specialist, said the health of the trees was of concern.

She said: "The Mound is recognised as one of the country's best examples of alder woodland growing on a floodplain.

"It is the largest estuarine woodland in the UK and is designated as a site of European importance.

"There is a legal requirement to avoid deterioration of these European sites."

Meanwhile, Highland Council has warned of that the water of Lochindorb, near Grantown-on-Spey, has been affected by blue green algae.

Some forms of the toxic algae can cause skin rashes, eye irritations, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever and pains in muscles and joints.

It can also kill livestock, dogs, birds and fish.

An island in Lochindorb has the ruins of the stronghold of notorious 14th Century lord Alexander Stewart, who was known as the Wolf of Badenoch.

He earned notoriety for destroying Elgin Cathedral in 1390.