Radiocarbon dating of a composite multi-period debris cone stratigraphy in the Lochan na Lairige, Ben Lawers

An early stage in formation of a composite debris cone in the glacial trough of the Lochan na Lairige, on Ben Lawers, is 14C dated to 6398–6225 cal BP. A large proportion of the fan comprises a structureless gravel with boulders, possibly deposited in a single event. Blanket peat formed on the fan surface at 3820–3496 cal BP. Sediment slurries are recorded across the peat after this time, at c. 3950 to c. 3100 cal BP, c. 2000 and c. 1400 cal BP, and at c. 1200 to c. 1100 cal BP. They were much less significant events. They can be related to periods of higher effective precipitation in the region.

STAGES OF PEAT BOG DEVELOPMENT OF BOLSHOI SHANTAR ISLAND ACCORDING TO DIATOM DATA

Приведены результаты изучения эколого-таксономического состава диатомовой флоры покровного торфяника северной части острова Большой Шантар с целью биоиндикации экологических условий, существовавших на болоте в зависимости от гидроклиматических изменений в конце позднего плейстоцена-голоцене. The results of the study of the ecological-taxonomic composition of the diatom flora of the blanket peat bog located in the northern part of Bolshoy Shantar Island are presented. The aim is bioindication of environments occurring in the bog, connected with hydroclimatic changes at the end of the Late Pleistocene-Holocene.

Beneath the Blanket: Towards a better understanding of stream ecology in blanket peat covered catchments.

<p>Water quality forms an essential abiotic factor underpinning the functioning and status of aquatic ecosystems. Despite dominating uplands across of much of North western Europe, the inter relationship between water draining Atlantic blanket bog ecosystems and aquatic ecological receptors remains poorly defined. In Ireland many blanket bog covered catchments have hosted high status streams which, over the past decade, experienced significant degradation and are now in need of programmes of measures to comply with Water Framework Directive Legislation. Defining restoration goals requires an improved understanding of stream hydrology and the water quality regime draining intact peatlands if realistic targets are to be established. <br>In an attempt to address this shortcoming, the EPA study “Quantification of Blanket Bog Ecosystem Services to Water (QUBBES)” aimed to evaluate abiotic conditions supporting aquatic ecosystems in relatively undisturbed blanket peat-covered catchments. Following a survey of 341 the most intact catchments across the island of Ireland, of which all were discovered to display some physical damage from anthropogenic activity, QUBBES researchers selected three sites, considered among the least damaged, to characterise the flow regime and water quality of their draining streams. The sites lie along a climatic gradient, locally containing significant thicknesses of peat (0m to >5m) with similar (peat) groundwater quality, yet are underlain by geochemically distinct inorganic subsoil and bedrock substrates. <br>Runoff monitoring over a two-year period revealed flashy flow regimes in all three catchments, while high frequency water quality monitoring showed the streams contained acidic, nutrient-poor acidic waters, comparable to those encountered in bog groundwater, during energetic high flow hydrological events. This contrasted with water quality observed in samples collected during lower (base) flow. Under these conditions water quality in each catchment differed strongly from peak flow, as well as from one catchment to another. Quality in the catchment underlain by limestone bedrock (, overlain by a glacial till containing erratic crystalline rock,) was dominated by alkaline, calcium carbonate rich waters, while relative abundances in water samples collected from a stream draining an area underlain by sandstone and shale, overlain by locally derived till, were more acidic and dominated by silica; samples from the stream draining a catchment underlain by basalt bedrock and basalt-rich till were dominated by calcium and silica-rich alkaline waters. <br>Study findings revealed the dominance of peat substrate-derived groundwater inputs to base flow and can help explain the biological variability of upland streams in areas covered by blanket peats, containing similar groundwater. Furthermore, findings suggest that aquatic biological metrics for peat covered catchments should give greater consideration to the significance of substrate composition.    </p>

Are Trichostrongylus tenuis control and resistance avoidance simultaneously manageable by reducing anthelmintic intake by grouse?

Benzimidazole-based anthelmintics bound to grit (medicated grit) are annually prescribed on request by veterinary practices to grouse managers to control Trichostrongylus tenuis an intestinal parasite of red grouse Lagopus lagopus scotica. Those prescribing medication typically do without knowledge of parasite loads and hence often prescribe when loads are low and unlikely to impact the host. Inappropriate use of anthelmintics in livestock has led to development of parasite resistance to anthelmintics. To encourage grouse managers to reduce anthelmintic use, the authors experimentally withdrew medication from parts of eight moors. The authors monitored parasite and grouse responses by counting eggs and adult worms and grouse mortality and breeding success. Rapid increases in parasite egg counts in early spring culminated in resuming medication at three wet, blanket-peat sites; one in the first spring and two in the second. Medication was restored, despite low parasite counts, at a fourth moor. On the remaining four moors, drier heaths in the east, parasite levels remained low, were not associated with grouse mortality, but breeding success was 16 per cent lower in years without medication. Better parasite monitoring by grouse managers and vets alike may reduce anthelmintic use, helping prevent drug resistance, but this may be off-set by reduced grouse productivity.