This dataset provides assessment of over 5600 watercourse along the west coast of Scotland for their nationally/internationally important water-loving oceanic bryophyte (moss and liverwort) communities. The approach is applied in line with Scottish Natural Heritage’s 'Planning for Development - Service Statement'. The aim of the database is therefore to help users take account of Europe's most important watercourses for these species before selecting sites for potential hydro development. Individual watercourses, or sites that contain multiple watercourses, have been assessed for either their known (categories A-C) or potential (categories D-E) importance.
The category descriptions provide clear guidance as to whether a watercourse is known to hold bryophytes or likely to be of low bryological importance, and whether further survey is recommended. This assessment only considers the impact of water abstraction on water-loving oceanic bryophytes and additional consideration should be given to direct impacts of construction on important bryophyte habitats (e.g. springs/flushes, ancient woodland, deadwood, bogs).
The full methodology is described in SNH Commissioned Report 449b: Bryological assessment for hydroelectric schemes in the West Highlands (2nd edition) - https://www.nature.scot/doc/naturescot-commissioned-report-449b-bryological-assessment-hydroelectric-schemes-west-highlands-2nd.
For more information visit https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/planning-and-development/planning-and-development-advice/renewable-energy/hydroelectric-power/hydroelectric-development-planning