Coastal margin habitats (sand dunes and beaches, machair, saltmarsh, shingle and beaches, maritim... more Coastal margin habitats (sand dunes and beaches, machair, saltmarsh, shingle and beaches, maritime cliffs) constitute a transition zone between terrestrial and marine habitats. They are doubly sensitive to climate change, experiencing changes in rainfall, temperature, storminess, etc., but also habitat loss due to coastal erosion and sea-level rise. Sediment supply and sediment transport are key natural processes these habitats require for a natural, dynamic state, on which their unique biodiversity depends. Coastal erosion and sea-level rise may increase or reduce sediment supply, depending on local context. However, change in the character or extent of these habitats is certain, requiring proactive management response. Where fixed landward assets prevent natural migration, habitat loss will occur due to coastal squeeze; in other locations rollback or managed realignment should be considered as management options. Coastal water tables may rise due to sea level rise, or fall due to ...
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 2020
The well-known local tradition that the lochs of South Uist and Benbecula were navigable prior to... more The well-known local tradition that the lochs of South Uist and Benbecula were navigable prior to their drainage is reviewed using a combination of published sources, place-names, modern Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) and aerial imagery. Reconstructions of lochs to likely pre-drainage surface levels via DTMs identified extensive navigable loch systems in western Benbecula and in four main loch basins in South Uist, one of which stretched 40% of the length of the island. Connections between the South Uist basins were also examined and it was concluded that while such past connections are theoretically possible, such evidence as is available suggests that they were not linked. Though the possibility of a continuous navigable link between Baghasdal in South Uist and the north end of Benbecula cannot be ruled out, the evidence suggests that it is unlikely to have existed, though several portages would be all that was required to establish a functional transport link from Baghasdal to Bal...
Coastal margin habitats (sand dunes and beaches, machair, saltmarsh, shingle and beaches, maritim... more Coastal margin habitats (sand dunes and beaches, machair, saltmarsh, shingle and beaches, maritime cliffs) constitute a transition zone between terrestrial and marine habitats. They are doubly sensitive to climate change, experiencing changes in rainfall, temperature, storminess, etc., but also habitat loss due to coastal erosion and sea-level rise. Sediment supply and sediment transport are key natural processes these habitats require for a natural, dynamic state, on which their unique biodiversity depends. Coastal erosion and sea-level rise may increase or reduce sediment supply, depending on local context. However, change in the character or extent of these habitats is certain, requiring proactive management response. Where fixed landward assets prevent natural migration, habitat loss will occur due to coastal squeeze; in other locations rollback or managed realignment should be considered as management options. Coastal water tables may rise due to sea level rise, or fall due to ...
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 2020
The well-known local tradition that the lochs of South Uist and Benbecula were navigable prior to... more The well-known local tradition that the lochs of South Uist and Benbecula were navigable prior to their drainage is reviewed using a combination of published sources, place-names, modern Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) and aerial imagery. Reconstructions of lochs to likely pre-drainage surface levels via DTMs identified extensive navigable loch systems in western Benbecula and in four main loch basins in South Uist, one of which stretched 40% of the length of the island. Connections between the South Uist basins were also examined and it was concluded that while such past connections are theoretically possible, such evidence as is available suggests that they were not linked. Though the possibility of a continuous navigable link between Baghasdal in South Uist and the north end of Benbecula cannot be ruled out, the evidence suggests that it is unlikely to have existed, though several portages would be all that was required to establish a functional transport link from Baghasdal to Bal...
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