National Nature Reserves: Habitat Restoration

A National Nature Reserve (NNR) is an accolade awarded to the best nature reserves in Scotland. They are places which are home to nationally, and internationally important nature.

In this StoryMap, we aim to illustrate the changes that have happened to the natural habitats on a selection of our NNRs in the Highlands of Scotland, using repeat photography.  This involves re-taking historical photos at the same location, and at the same time of year, which can reveal visual changes of the natural and cultural landscape over several years or decades. 

NatureScot has been managing NNRs for over 70 years, since Beinn Eighe became the first NNR in the UK. NatureScot's NNRs are publicly owned land, allowing people to visit and value these special places which are managed to protect and restore nature.

On our NNRs, based in the Highlands of Scotland, we are looking to restore nature to allow it to function naturally; bringing benefits of increased biodiversity, carbon storage and resilience. On many sites, this has been sustained through low-intervention management, meaning that habitats can behave naturally and drive ecosystem restoration.

(part of Abernethy NNR)

Even when we are very familiar with an area of land, it is sometimes difficult to appreciate change especially when it happens slowly.  Repeat photography gives us this insight to show dramatic and sometimes unnoticed changes in our natural and cultural heritage over time (Moore 2011).  Of course the images only show a visual representation of the change, and it is important to acknowledge that this may be localised to the view in question and may not be representative of the wider landscape not seen in the photograph(s).  The images are also unlikely to explain the reason for any changes seen, so it is important to reference other sources of information to validate these.  However, the ability to look back in time is fascinating and easily understandable by a wide range of people, requiring little or no associated interpretation to recognise and appreciate change in the landscape.  

• Moore P.R. (2011) in Marrs, Foster et al The Changing Nature of Scotland. TSO.  Using Rephotography to Record Changes in Scotland’s Natural and Cultural Heritage.