Moine Mhòr
Moine Mhòr National Nature Reserve | |
---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)[1] | |
Location | Argyll and Bute, Scotland |
Coordinates | 56°04′51″N 5°29′59″W / 56.080833°N 5.499753°W |
Area | 492.5 ha (1,217 acres)[2] |
Established | 1987[1] |
Governing body | NatureScot |
Moine Mhòr National Nature Reserve |
Moine Mhòr ("Great Moss" in
Around 8,000 people visit the Moine Mhòr NNR every year, with the reserve being popular with local people and school groups, as well as tourists visiting the nearby attractions of Kilmartin Glen and the Crinan Canal.[5] A 600 m nature trail has been constructed at the northern edge of the reserve; other visitor facilities include a car park and picnic area.[6]
History
The Moine Mhòr began to form after the
Moine Mhòr lies to the west of Kilmartin Glen, one of the most important prehistoric landscapes in Scotland, however the boggy conditions prevented these prehistoric people from living or farming on the moss. It is nonetheless likely that they would have used the bog to cut peat for fuel, and to collect berries and lichens for food, drinks, dyes, and potions. Core samples have shown that the bog was regularly burnt to maintain open grazing for animals.
Flora and fauna
235 bird species have been recorded at the reserve, with the bog itself supporting species such as
Conservation designations
The national nature reserve is classified as a Category IV protected area by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.[1] Moine Mhòr also holds other national and international conservation designations for its natural heritage, being both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC): these designations cover a wider area than the NNR (c. 11.5 km2).[13][14] Moine Mhòr lies within the Knapdale national scenic area (NSA)[15]
References
Citations
- ^ a b c "Moine Mhòr". Protected Planet. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ^ "Moine Mhòr NNR". NatureScot. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ The Story of Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve. p. 1.
- ^ a b The Story of Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve. p. 5.
- ^ a b "Moine Mhor NNR management plan 2017-2027" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
- ^ "Visit Moine Mhòr National Nature Reserve" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
- ^ The Story of Moine Mhòr National Nature Reserve. p. 12.
- ^ The Story of Moine Mhòr National Nature Reserve. p. 13.
- ^ The Story of Moine Mhòr National Nature Reserve. p. 8
- ^ The Story of Moine Mhòr National Nature Reserve. p. 9.
- ^ The Story of Moine Mhòr National Nature Reserve. p. 10.
- ^ The Story of Moine Mhòr National Nature Reserve. p. 11.
- ^ "Moine Mhòr SSSI". NatureScot. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ "Moine Mhòr SAC". NatureScot. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ "Knapdale NSA". NatureScot. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
Bibliography
- "The Story of Moine Mhòr National Nature Reserve" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 7 March 2019.