Cairngorms National Park LTSER - United Kingdom

The Cairngorms National Park is one of 15 National Parks in the UK (one of two in Scotland) and is Britain's largest National Park. It is the location for some of the most spectacular landscapes in Britain and is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife and plants. http://cairngorms.co.uk/the-park/facts-figures/ The aims of the National Park are: • To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area; • To promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area; • To promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public; • To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s communities. Cairngorms National Park, seven broad habitats can be identified: • Enclosed farmlands • Woodlands • Open waters (rivers, lochs, wetlands and floodplains) • Mountains • Moorland • Semi-natural grasslands • Urban • Population of c17,500 • 25.8% of population over 60 (higher than Scottish average) • Average health index in top 25% of Scotland (based on deprivation indices) • Extensive core paths network • 55 Munros including 5 summits over 4000 feet • 3 ski centres • National Cycle Network Route 7 • 1 Long Distance Route (Speyside Way) • Relatively low atmospheric pollution • Annual precipitation over 2250mm on summits and under 900mm in straths • Average annual snow cover 200 days on summits and 50 days on low-ground • Prevailing winds from south-west

Last modified

2021-03-11 11:03:17

General Characteristics and Status

Site Status

Operational

Year Established

2013

Observed properties

agricultural parameter

actual crop transpiration

amount of nitrate leaching

carbon harvest index

concentration of nitrogen in the entire plant

crop growth rate

crop solute content

crop transpiration

dissolved organic carbon in soil

nitrate flow in drain

nitrogen symbiotic fixation

nitrogen volatilisation from fertiliser

nitrogen volatilisation from organic fertiliser

nutrient concentration

nutrient content

potential crop transpiration

relative growth rate

seedling growth rate

seedling survival rate

soil fertility

surface air temperature

atmospheric parameter

diffuse radiation intensity

diffuse solar radiation intensity

incoming radiation intensity

irradiance

maximum temperature

mean annual air temperature

mean annual precipitation

mean annual temperature

minimum temperature

net solar radiation irradiance

reflected radiation intensity

total radiation irradiance

wind direction

wind direction (mean and gust)

wind speed

wind speed (mean and gust)

annual net primary production

biological diversity

breast height diameter

canopy height

change in population size over time

seedling survival rate

sexual dimorphism

sexual size dimorphism

tree diameter at breast height

tree height

tree mortality

chemical parameter

air nitrogen oxides concentration

available phosphorus

below ground autotrophic respiration

carbon dioxide flux per soil horizon

carbon to nitrogen ratio

chemical composition

chemical composition of water

concentration of nitrogen in the entire plant

dissolved nutrient

dissolved organic carbon in soil

dissolved organic carbon in water

dissolved organic nitrogen

dissolved organic phosphorus

inorganic carbon content

inorganic nitrogen content

inorganic nutrient content

insoluble organic carbon content

leaf nitrogen concentration

leaf nutrient

microbial biomass carbon

mineral nitrogen mineralised from humus

mineral nitrogen mineralised from organic matter

nutrient availability

nutrient concentration

above ground net primary production

animal species abundance

animal species presence

bacteria abundance

bacteria presence

bacterial diversity

bacterial respiration

bare soil cover

below ground autotrophic respiration

bryophytes species coverage

change in population size over time

community composition

floristic composition

habitat heterogeneity

habitat structure

habitat use

inorganic nutrient content

microbial respiration

plant development stage

plant distribution

plant diversity

plant nutrient

plant species abundance

plant species composition

plant species presence

plant species richness

population density

population size

soil macrofauna abundance

soil microbial diversity

tree diameter at breast height

tree distribution

tree height

vegetation layer composition

vegetation layer structure

vegetation layer type

vegetation pattern

vegetation structure

environmental parameter

abiotic heterogeneity

altitudinal gradient

environmental heterogeneity

ground surface temperature

ground temperature

land surface temperature

landscape composition

landscape configuration

landscape connectivity

landscape fragmentation

landscape heterogeneity

breast height diameter

remote sensing parameter

albedo

net solar radiation irradiance

ozone concentration

solar radiation

soil parameter

carbon-to-nitrogen ratio

conductivity

dissolved organic nitrogen in soil

electrical conductivity

inorganic carbon content

inorganic nitrogen content

percent carbon

percent nitrogen

reflected global radiation irradiance

soil moisture content

soil volumetric water content

soil water content

soil water holding capacity

soil water potential

thickness of soil horizon

total carbon

water parameter

ammonium nitrate concentration

available phosphorus

dissolved organic carbon in water

electrical conductivity

Photos

Cairngorms National Park

A winter scene in Cairngorms National Park

Winter recreation in Cairngorms National Park

Carrbridge Packhorse Bridge, Cairngorms National Park LTSER

typical winter scene Cairngorms National Park

Geographic

Size

452800.00ha

Elevation (average)

800.00msl

Elevation (min)

200.00msl

Elevation (max)

1309.00msl

Affiliation and Network Specific Information

Affiliation

Projects

Natura 2000

Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC)

UK Upland Waters Monitoring Network

eLTER (H2020)

eLTER catalogue

Teabag

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Download

Site information [.json]

Centroid coordinates [.shp] [.kml]

Bounding Box [.shp] [.kml]

Boundaries [.shp] [.kml]

Site Details

Ecosystem and Environmental Characteristics

GEO-BON Biome

Terrestrial

Biome

Mixed Forest

Ecosystem and Land Use

Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests

Temperate coniferous forests

Grasslands

Montane grasslands and shrublands

Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands

Large river headwaters

Large rivers

Small rivers

Urban

Biogeographical Region

Atlantic Bio-geographical Region

EUNIS habitat

Constructed, industrial and other artificial habitats (J)

Constructed, industrial and other artificial habitats (J) » Buildings of cities, towns and villages (J1)

Constructed, industrial and other artificial habitats (J) » Extractive industrial sites (J3)

Constructed, industrial and other artificial habitats (J) » Highly artificial man-made waters and associated structures (J5)

Constructed, industrial and other artificial habitats (J) » Low density buildings (J2)

Constructed, industrial and other artificial habitats (J) » Transport networks and other constructed hard-surfaced areas (J4)

Constructed, industrial and other artificial habitats (J) » Waste deposits (J6)

Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens (E)

Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens (E) » Alpine and subalpine grasslands (E4)

Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens (E) » Alpine and subalpine grasslands (E4) » Acid alpine and subalpine grassland (E4.3)

Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens (E) » Alpine and subalpine grasslands (E4) » Alpine and subalpine enriched grassland (E4.5)

Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens (E) » Alpine and subalpine grasslands (E4) » Moss and lichen dominated mountain summits, ridges and exposed slopes (E4.2)

Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens (E) » Alpine and subalpine grasslands (E4) » Vegetated snow-patch (E4.1)

Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens (E) » Mesic grasslands (E2)

Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens (E) » Mesic grasslands (E2) » Agriculturally-improved, re-seeded and heavily fertilised grassland, including sports fields and grass lawns (E2.6)

Grasslands and lands dominated by forbs, mosses or lichens (E) » Mesic grasslands (E2) » Low and medium altitude hay meadows (E2.2)

Habitat complexes (X)

Habitat complexes (X) » Blanket bog complexes (X28)

Habitat complexes (X) » Domestic gardens of city and town centres (X24)

Habitat complexes (X) » Domestic gardens of villages and urban peripheries (X25)

Habitat complexes (X) » Intensively-farmed crops interspersed with strips of natural and/or semi-natural vegetation (X07)

Habitat complexes (X) » Land sparsely wooded with broadleaved deciduous trees (X13)

Habitat complexes (X) » Land sparsely wooded with coniferous trees (X15)

Habitat complexes (X) » Land sparsely wooded with mixed broadleaved and coniferous trees (X16)

Habitat complexes (X) » Large non-domestic gardens (X23)

Habitat complexes (X) » Large parks (X11)

Habitat complexes (X) » Pasture woods (with a tree layer overlying pasture) (X09)

Habitat complexes (X) » Raised bog complexes (X04)

Habitat complexes (X) » Small city centre non-domestic gardens (X22)

Habitat complexes (X) » Snow patches (X05)

Habitat complexes (X) » Treeline ecotones (X20)

Inland surface waters (C)

Inland surface waters (C) » Surface running waters (C2)

Inland surface waters (C) » Surface running waters (C2) » Films of water flowing over rocky watercourse margins (C2.6)

Inland surface waters (C) » Surface running waters (C2) » Permanent non-tidal, smooth-flowing watercourses (C2.3)

Inland surface waters (C) » Surface running waters (C2) » Springs, spring brooks and geysers (C2.1)

Inland surface waters (C) » Surface running waters (C2) » Temporary running waters (C2.5)

Inland surface waters (C) » Surface standing waters (C1)

Inland surface waters (C) » Surface standing waters (C1) » Permanent dystrophic lakes, ponds and pools (C1.4)

Inland surface waters (C) » Surface standing waters (C1) » Permanent eutrophic lakes, ponds and pools (C1.3)

Inland surface waters (C) » Surface standing waters (C1) » Permanent oligotrophic lakes, ponds and pools (C1.1)

Inland surface waters (C) » Surface standing waters (C1) » Temporary lakes, ponds and pools (C1.6)

Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats (H)

Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats (H) » Miscellaneous inland habitats with very sparse or no vegetation (H5)

Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats (H) » Miscellaneous inland habitats with very sparse or no vegetation (H5) » Burnt areas with very sparse or no vegetation (H5.5)

Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats (H) » Miscellaneous inland habitats with very sparse or no vegetation (H5) » Trampled areas (H5.6)

Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats (H) » Screes (H2)

Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats (H) » Screes (H2) » Temperate-montane acid siliceous screes (H2.3)

Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats (H) » Screes (H2) » Temperate-montane calcareous and ultra-basic screes (H2.4)

Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats (H) » Snow or ice-dominated habitats (H4)

Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats (H) » Snow or ice-dominated habitats (H4) » Snow packs (H4.1)

Mires, bogs and fens (D)

Mires, bogs and fens (D) » Raised and blanket bogs (D1)

Mires, bogs and fens (D) » Raised and blanket bogs (D1) » Blanket bogs (D1.2)

Mires, bogs and fens (D) » Raised and blanket bogs (D1) » Raised bogs (D1.1)

Mires, bogs and fens (D) » Sedge and reedbeds, normally without free-standing water (D5)

Mires, bogs and fens (D) » Sedge and reedbeds, normally without free-standing water (D5) » Beds of large sedges normally without free-standing water (D5.2)

Mires, bogs and fens (D) » Sedge and reedbeds, normally without free-standing water (D5) » Swamps and marshes dominated by soft rush or other large rushes (D5.3)

Mires, bogs and fens (D) » Valley mires, poor fens and transition mires (D2)

Regularly or recently cultivated agricultural, horticultural and domestic habitats (I)

Regularly or recently cultivated agricultural, horticultural and domestic habitats (I) » Arable land and market gardens (I1)

Regularly or recently cultivated agricultural, horticultural and domestic habitats (I) » Cultivated areas of gardens and parks (I2)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Broadleaved deciduous woodland (G1)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Broadleaved deciduous woodland (G1) » Highly artificial broadleaved deciduous forestry plantations (G1.C)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Broadleaved deciduous woodland (G1) » Mixed riparian floodplain and gallery woodland (G1.2)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Broadleaved deciduous woodland (G1) » Non-riverine woodland with birch, aspen or rowan (G1.9)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Coniferous woodland (G3)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Coniferous woodland (G3) » Highly artificial coniferous plantations (G3.F)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Coniferous woodland (G3) » Scots pine woodland south of the taiga (G3.4)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Lines of trees, small anthropogenic woodlands, recently felled woodland, early-stage woodland and coppice (G5)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Lines of trees, small anthropogenic woodlands, recently felled woodland, early-stage woodland and coppice (G5) » Early-stage natural and semi-natural woodlands and regrowth (G5.6)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Lines of trees, small anthropogenic woodlands, recently felled woodland, early-stage woodland and coppice (G5) » Recently felled areas (G5.8)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Lines of trees, small anthropogenic woodlands, recently felled woodland, early-stage woodland and coppice (G5) » Small broadleaved deciduous anthropogenic woodlands (G5.2)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Lines of trees, small anthropogenic woodlands, recently felled woodland, early-stage woodland and coppice (G5) » Small coniferous anthropogenic woodlands (G5.4)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Lines of trees, small anthropogenic woodlands, recently felled woodland, early-stage woodland and coppice (G5) » Small mixed broadleaved and coniferous anthropogenic woodlands (G5.5)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland (G4)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland (G4) » Mixed forestry plantations (G4.F)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland (G4) » Mixed Scots pine - birch woodland (G4.4)

Woodland, forest and other wooded land (G) » Mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland (G4) » Mixed Scots pine - thermophilous oak woodland (G4.C)

Air Temperature: Average Annual

7.00°C

Air Temperature Range (Monthly Minimum)

0.00°C

Air Temperature Range (Monthly Maximum)

12.00°C

Precipitation Annual

800.00mm

Precipitation Maximum Monthly

100.00mm

Precipitation Minimum Monthly

400.00mm

Geology

? Granite massif and plateau ? Internationally important landform record ? Coherent identity of landscape across Park from landform and landcover

Vegetation

Cairngorms National Park, seven broad habitats can be identified: ? Enclosed farmlands ? Woodlands ? Open waters (rivers, lochs, wetlands and floodplains) ? Mountains ? Moorland ? Semi-natural grasslands ? Urban

Soils

? SSSIs with soils of international importance ? 12 SSSIs with soils of national importance ? High proportion of undisturbed soils (only 2% cultivated) ? Podzols form 50% of soil cover including internationally significant alpine podzols on the plateau ? Peat forms 13% of soil cover ? Significant Scottish carbon store in soils and peat.

Hydrology

? 81% of streams classified as excellent (A1) or good (A2) (SEPA 2003) ? 20 sq km standing waters ? Catchments of 6 major rivers

Protection Level and Resource Management

Protection Level (IUCN category)

Category II – National Park

Category IV – Habitat/Species Management Area

Category V – Protected Landscape/Seascape/Area

Type, Design and Scale

Site Type

Platform

Design of Experimentation

partly experimentation

Scale of Experimentation

beyond catchment scale

Design of Observation

mainly observation

Scale of Observation

beyond catchment

Equipment

Permanent Power Supply

Yes

Equipment

Data infrastructure » Data services » Other data services

Data infrastructure » Data services » Web Catalog Service (CSW)

Data infrastructure » Data services » Web Feature Service (WFS)

Data infrastructure » Data services » Web Map Service (WMS)

Data infrastructure » Data storage » Graph or object database

Data infrastructure » Data storage » Paper

Data infrastructure » Data storage » Spatial data file (GIS)

Data infrastructure » Data storage » Spatial database (GIS)

Data infrastructure » Data storage » Structured file

Data infrastructure » Data storage » Unstructured file

Data infrastructure » Data storage » XML database

Maintenance infrastructure » Snow clearing equipment

Observation device » Camera traps

Supporting infrastructure » Lodging at site » Unknown number of beds

Supporting infrastructure » Staff room at site » Unknown number of places

Supporting infrastructure » Transportation » Boat

Supporting infrastructure » Transportation » Snow mobile

Supporting infrastructure » Transportation » Vehicle 2WD

Supporting infrastructure » Transportation » Vehicle 4WD

Equipment notes

This LTSER site is a National Park not a simple LTER site. The site is accessible with a range of vehicles and some places only by foot. The majority of these questions are not relevant to LTSER platforms. The answer to most is yes at some places

Operation

Accessible All Year

Yes

All parts of Site Accessible

Access Type

dirt road (4WD)

Permanent Operation

Yes

Operation Notes

Operation cost distributed between Cairngorms National Park Authority and several key research institutions

Site Visit Interval

365

Maintenance Interval

Data Management

Data Policy Notes

Note these options are relevant to LTER site not LTSER platform. The LTSER platform is composed of a number of research organisations and visiting scientists e.g. through transnational access programs have their own data policy.

Network related information

LTER Site Classification

LTSER

Additional data

There is EURO-CORDEX climate scenario data available for this site:

Projected Near Surface Specific Humidity Change	RCP26	RCP45	RCP85
Projected Precipitation Change	RCP26	RCP45	RCP85
Projected Sea Level Pressure Change	RCP26	RCP45	RCP85
Projected Surface Downwelling Shortwave Radiation	RCP26	RCP45	RCP85
Projected Near-Surface Wind Speed	RCP26	RCP45	RCP85
Projected Near-Surface Air Temperature	RCP26	RCP45	RCP85
Projected Daily Maximum Near-Surface Air Temperature	RCP26	RCP45	RCP85
Projected Daily Minimum Near-Surface Air Temperature	RCP26	RCP45	RCP85

You can also download the entire climate scenario dataset for this site from the EUDAT B2SHARE data store.