Forth Rivers Trust - Keeping Rivers Cool, River Larig Flyover

A flyover of the River Larig tree planting project.

Keeping rivers cool is important for a number of reasons, mostly due to fish being susceptible to high water temperatures which causes stress and disease in fish, which will ultimately result in death or damage. Many rivers across Scotland are heating up due to lack of tree cover and climate change. Riparian trees also provide cover for fish from predators, giving them a better chance in the wild.
The Trust has recently joined up with Marine Scotland Science to monitor water temperatures across the Forth and Teith catchments, this will help identify “hot spots” and support targeted planting of trees to provide shade and cover in the future.
As we have just started this monitoring, we have decided to highlight areas which lack trees to begin with and work with landowners to boost riparian woodlands. We have been working with Inverlochlarig farm to boost riparian trees along the River Larig. Most of the land along the River Larig is upland grazing with cattle and sheep present. There is also deer in the area, all of which causes issues when establishing riparian woodland.
The Trust secured funding from Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Marine Scotland and received a donation from CMSS Ltd to install 240 small triangle enclosures which protects 1200 trees. We have used the enclosures elsewhere and they are based on the guidance provided by Forest & Land Scotland (previously Forestry Commission Scotland) for agro forestry tree protection.
The design provides protection against livestock and deer but still allows grazing to take place around the pods. This negates for fencing which would need to include water gates, all of which is more costly in the long run.
It is hoped to establish pockets of woodland along the river using this method whilst working with the land management currently underway in the glen.
The River Larig is a long river needing many trees and it is hoped that over the coming years, we will be able to continue to secure funding and work with the landowner to boost riparian trees along the river for the benefit of wild fish and other wildlife.
A massive thanks goes out to the landowner, all of our funders and the amazing volunteers who have come out to help on the project so far.

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