Abernethy Forest: The History and Ecology of an Old Scottish Pinewood

Ron Summers writes about a very different ecological history in Abernethy Forest: The History and Ecology of an Old Scottish Pinewood (2018). This is an effort to understand and protect a barely surviving old ecosystem, mostly destroyed by centuries of human activities. This small subject, about 38 square kilometers, or just a bit bigger than Mercer Island, includes the fast-flowing River Spey and Loch Garten, which at 47 hectares is about half the size of Green Lake.

While small, Abernethy includes “the largest of the remaining fragments of the pine forest that once extended across Highland Scotland” and is “incredibly rare in Britain and therefore precious for nature conservation and science.” It is also beautiful, as I have discovered over several visits in the last 20 years, and supports some fascinating animals, including the Capercaillie (the largest member of the grouse family), three species of crossbills that are well-suited for extracting the seeds of pinecones, and the Scottish wildcat, described as resembling a robust domestic tabby.

Published in the December 2018 Leaflet for Scholars, Volume 5, Issue 12.