Champion Councillors in a race for selection

Councillors in Highland are being asked to be quick of the mark to select their favourite species.  They are being asked to become a “champion” for particular a species; this would mean that they would highlighting its importance and the issues affecting it in relevant debates or where other opportunities arise. Part of the role would also be learning more about that species and also trying to see it in the wild.

There are eighty species in total ranging from the obscure to the well known.  A soil fungus called Scutellospora dipurpurescens which is helps Bluebells absorb phosphate. James Merryweather a local soil expert said, “This species represents the glomeromycota, soil fungi unknown by the majority of people but without which ecosystems as we know them would probably not exist.” This species relies on undisturbed soils and can be adversely affected by development and land management.

At the larger end of the list is the Golden Eagle. A recent poll voted this Scotland’s national bird. A significant proportion of its population is found in the Highlands, so we have a species responsibility for it. The key issue for this species here is the quality of upland habitats and the availability of live prey such as Red Grouse and Mountain Hares, though Golden Eagles are also very partial to Rabbits. This bird is very much part of our landscape too with many Creag na h-Iolaire (crag of the Eagle)to be found on maps.

Perhaps the most palatable species on the list is the Juniper. Its berries are used to make Gin and until the late 1700’s tens of thousands of sacks of berries were exported from Aberdeen to Holland to make this spirit. Closer to home Tomatin (round hill of the Juniper) reminds us of its Gaidhlig name Aitean. The big issues facing Juniper are managing grazing to allow its regeneration and also the new threat of the disease called Phytophthora.

Councillor George Farlow Chairman of the Highland Environment Forum said, “I for one am very keen to become a species champion and I hope that through my fellow elected members efforts we can raise the profile of these well-known and not so well-known species, to benefit them in the long term.”

Chair of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee, Councillor Thomas Prag is torn between the Brown Hare and the Narrow Headed Ant. “It will probably be the Hare because we used to have one visit us from time to time which we loved – they seem to be scarcer now because of changes to the habitat.” he went on: “but I love an underdog and someone needs to cherish the less cuddly things like ants too!”