NatureScot Research Report 1199 - A survey of the distribution and abundance of Scottish small-reed Calamagrostis scotica at Loch of Durran SSSI, Caithness.
Abstract
This report presents a comprehensive survey conducted in July 2019 to assess the distribution and abundance of the endemic Scottish small-reed (Calamagrostis scotica) at Loch of Durran SSSI. The survey involved recording the number and location of flowering culms along parallel transects. A total of 3,945 culms of C. scotica were mapped across the SSSI, significantly exceeding the numbers recorded in the most recent previous survey in 2013. The distribution of the species also appeared to be more extensive than previously documented. No specimens of the narrow small-reed (Calamagrostis stricta) were found during the survey. Additionally, the principal species and vegetation types associated with C. scotica are described in this report.