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

2020-06-29 10:06:07

General Characteristics, Purpose, History

Site Status

Operational

Year Established

2013

Purpose

The Cairngorm National Park has four aims which 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. In order to fulfil this purpose It is neccessary to obtain high quality data and knowledge about the socio-ecology of the park and as many research efforts are concentrated in the Park we view LTSER platform as practical vehical to focus our activities

History

A memorandum of understanding to formally create an LTSER platform signed 2013 but the parties had been working collaboratively for many years previously (cira 1980)

Parameters

agricultural parameter

carbon harvest index

actual crop transpiration

crop solute content

crop transpiration

concentration of nitrogen in the entire plant

nitrate flow in drain

nitrogen symbiotic fixation

nitrogen volatilisation from fertiliser

nitrogen volatilisation from organic fertiliser

crop growth rate

dissolved organic carbon in soil

amount of nitrate leaching

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

sunshine duration

incoming radiation intensity

irradiance

reflected radiation intensity

solar radiation

diffuse solar radiation intensity

net solar radiation irradiance

total radiation irradiance

wind direction

wind direction (mean and gust)

wind speed

wind speed (mean and gust)

mean annual precipitation

maximum temperature

mean annual air temperature

mean annual temperature

change in population size over time

annual net primary production

biological diversity

breast height diameter

sexual size dimorphism

tree basal area

tree mortality

tree diameter at breast height

leaf area ratio

seedling survival rate

chemical parameter

nutrient availability

below ground autotrophic respiration

dissolved nutrient

available phosphorus

carbon dioxide flux per soil horizon

inorganic carbon content

inorganic nitrogen content

soil pH

dissolved organic phosphorus

dissolved organic carbon in water

air nitrogen oxides concentration

carbon to nitrogen ratio

chemical composition

chemical composition of water

dissolved organic nitrogen

inorganic nutrient content

insoluble organic carbon content

concentration of nitrogen in the entire plant

dissolved organic carbon in soil

leaf nitrogen concentration

leaf nutrient

microbial biomass carbon

mineral nitrogen mineralised from humus

mineral nitrogen mineralised from organic matter

nutrient concentration

nutrient content

ecosystem parameter

tree distribution

above ground net primary production

inorganic nutrient content

community composition

vegetation layer composition

vegetation layer structure

vegetation layer type

plant species composition

soil macrofauna abundance

soil microbial diversity

fish abundance

bacterial diversity

bacterial respiration

bare soil cover

biodiversity loss

bryophytes species coverage

dry matter content

floristic composition

animal species presence

animal species abundance

habitat complexity

habitat disturbance

habitat heterogeneity

microbial respiration

percent carbon

percent nitrogen

plant density

plant development stage

plant distribution

plant diversity

plant nutrient

plant species abundance

plant species presence

plant species richness

tree diameter at breast height

below ground autotrophic respiration

change in population size over time

environmental parameter

abiotic heterogeneity

altitudinal gradient

environmental heterogeneity

ground surface temperature

ground temperature

land surface temperature

landscape composition

landscape configuration

landscape fragmentation

landscape connectivity

landscape heterogeneity

breast height diameter

remote sensing parameter

albedo

net solar radiation irradiance

carbon-to-nitrogen ratio

soil volumetric water content

soil water holding capacity

soil water potential

soil moisture content

soil temperature

soil respiration

dissolved organic nitrogen in soil

soil texture

thickness of soil horizon

soil water content

conductivity

electrical conductivity

inorganic carbon content

inorganic nitrogen content

percent carbon

percent nitrogen

reflected global radiation irradiance

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

UK Environmental Change Network

GLORIA

UK Upland Waters Monitoring Network

EUROPARC

SEPA water level monitoring site network

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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

Urban

Biogeographical Region

Atlantic Bio-geographical Region

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

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) » Low density buildings (J2)

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

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

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

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) » Mesic grasslands (E2)

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

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) » Alpine and subalpine grasslands (E4)

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) » 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) » 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)

Habitat complexes (X)

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

Habitat complexes (X) » Snow patches (X05)

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

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

Habitat complexes (X) » Large parks (X11)

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) » Treeline ecotones (X20)

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

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

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) » Blanket bog complexes (X28)

Inland surface waters (C)

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

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

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 dystrophic lakes, ponds and pools (C1.4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats (H)

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)

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)

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) » Raised bogs (D1.1)

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

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

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)

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) » 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) » Broadleaved deciduous woodland (G1) » Highly artificial broadleaved deciduous forestry plantations (G1.C)

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

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) » Coniferous woodland (G3) » Highly artificial coniferous plantations (G3.F)

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 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)

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) » 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) » 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) » 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)

Design and Scale of Site

Site Type (Spatial Design)

Platform

Design of Experimentation

partly experimentation

Scale of Experimentation

beyond catchment scale

Design of Observation

mainly observation

Scale of Observation

beyond catchment

Infrastructure

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

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

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

Data infrastructure » Data services » Other data services

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

Data infrastructure » Data storage » Graph or object database

Maintenance infrastructure » Snow clearing equipment

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

Supporting infrastructure » Lodging at site » Unknown number of beds

Supporting infrastructure » Transportation » Vehicle 4WD

Supporting infrastructure » Transportation » Vehicle 2WD

Supporting infrastructure » Transportation » Boat

Supporting infrastructure » Transportation » Snow mobile

Infrastructure 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

Accessible All Year

Yes

All parts of Site Accessible

Access Type

dirt road (4WD)

Permanent Power Supply

Yes

Operation

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 Notes

The LTSER platform contains many LTER sites which all have different data protocols. The harmonisation process has commenced

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.

Data Storage Location

Distributed over multiple institutions

Data Services

Web Catalog Service (CSW)

Web Feature Service (WFS)

Web Map Service (WMS)

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.