Laird's Loch

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 56.5080, -3.2047

Condition (NatureScot)

Favourable (2)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Mesotrophic loch Favourable 2012-11-23
F2 Open water transition fen Favourable 2005-03-31

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Peatland

Peat habitats store centuries of carbon and depend on a stable, waterlogged water table. Warmer, drier summers dry out peat, making it far more vulnerable to wildfire and to carbon release — a pressure that can undo years of restoration work regardless of how well the site is otherwise managed.

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Peatland / Mire

Description

LAIRD’S LOCH Laird’s Loch is situated approximately 6km southeast of Coupar Angus in the Sidlaw Hills. The site is of importance for its open water, aquatic plant communities and extensive fringing acidic mires. Laird’s Loch is a small, shallow mesotrophic (moderately nutrient-enriched) loch with associated mire forming a transition between the open-water and flushed meadow communities. An exceptionally large number of the plant species associated with these habitat types occur.