The Scottish Wildlife Trust manages a network of 120 wildlife reserves across Scotland. Their main aim is to aid in preserving and maintaining healthy ecosystems throughout Scotland’s land and seas. Possil Marsh is one of such wildlife reserves, located in the north of Glasgow. Ecology and Conservation students from the University Glasgow visited the reserve on Friday the 14th of October 2016. The intention of this excursion was for students to see first-hand the variety of wildlife which inhibits the reserve and take into consideration the processes of management. This refers to preserving the area whilst still making it accessible to the public.
With an area of 78.2 acres, Possil marsh contains a large quantity and variety of habitats to support the inhabiting species. The reserve has a shallow freshwater loch, providing suitability for water birds and many other animals. This water is surrounded by a combination of vegetation including marsh, swamp and fen, with areas of willow scrub and grassland. The fen and swamp areas support locally rare plants specific to this site. The reserve is also proved to be an important staging post during the spring and autumn migration for warblers and waterfowl. There is path accessible from the Forth & Clyde towpath and around the perimeter of the reserve which is available for visitors to use. (SNH, 2007)
Upon arrival of the reserve my initial expectations were already contradicted. Although I was aware that the reserve was near the city centre of Glasgow I did not comprehend just how close the area is to urban life. To the south east of Possil marsh you can see the nearby housing and to the west lies Balmore road which leads right into the city. The other side of this road contains Lambhill cemetery and crematorium.
Knowing that the reserve was managed I was surprised when walking alongside the boundary hedge (along Balmore road) to see litter which had been disposed nearby. This could have been from passing traffic from the road or from visitors of the reserve. Possil loch may be of threat from this human disposal as litter can cause water pollution and lead to algal blooms. Algal blooms have been found in several cases to cause the killing of many fish and invertebrates because of the depletion of oxygen. (Hallegraeff, 1993)
Bog-mosses (Sphagnum spp.) would be an example of a species of plant which could be seriously affected by such pollution. Unlike similar species, bog mosses can dominate extensive areas of vegetation, and aid in creating bogs. These are wetlands which have specific species of animal, fungal and plant species that are of high importance for biodiversity. This is particularly important in a landscape like Possil marsh, to maintain the high numbers of animals and plants. (Kennedy, 2010)
As mentioned, the reserve supports many species, some of which would not normally be seen in most urban wildlife spaces. Species such as the Gallinago gallinago, or Snipe have been rated as ‘amber status’ by the Royal Society for the protection of birds. This is because the UK have seen steep declines in the species in lowlands and wet grasslands in recent years. Even though they are not common breeding birds, a breeding pair was spotted during a census on Possil marsh in 2002. In addition, recent years have seen 32 species were recorded to have bred on site (Norden,2002). 26 pairs of Phylloscopus trochilus (willow warbler) were recorded breeding during this census, which shows that the reserve is certainly a popular site among breeding birds. I think that it is vital to be able to preserve this area so that species such as the willow warbler which is also at an amber status continue to breed and begin to rise in numbers. (RSPB, 2016)
There are several mammals present at Possil marsh including rare spotting of Lutra lutra, or otters. Otters are on the IUCN red list classed as near threatened. (IUCN, 2016) As mentioned water which is free from pollutants, such as results from human impacts, is crucial in creating suitable habitats for animals such as the otter. The Lutra lutra is also listed as a priority species in the UK Biodiversity action plan, which further amplifies the importance of protecting the ecosystem which supports these species. (UKBAP, 2016)
Arvicola amphibius, commonly known as water voles are also a threatened species of mammal which can be found at Possil Marsh. As the name suggests, the water voles’ habitat was thought to be primarily close to water. A recent study has seen a rise in the number of water voles in the East end of Glasgow. (Stewart, 2015) I think this highlights yet another example of urban wildlife which should be protected through management of Possil marsh to maintain biodiversity. Arvicola amphibius are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, and are also classified as a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. (SWT,2016)
Amphibians such as frogs, toads, newts and great crested newt have also been recorded on the reserve. During the excursion, students spotting many small common frogs among the long grass while walking through the dry grassland. When witnessed, the thought occurred to me that human impacts could have a serious effect on species such as the amphibians while merely walking through the reserve. Although there are measures taken such as fences and pathways in some areas, it was dry grassland such as this that the public can walk through which would cause damage.
When first entering Possil marsh you could see the grassland which had been in contact with humans as it was flattened. This created a pathway for students to walk on during the visit, but it is a pathway which interferes with inhabiting species nearby. The underlying substrate would have been compacted, and many plants surrounding are most likely vulnerable to such disturbance. I think that placement of boardwalks and similar path management strategies would be able to imply a restriction of access or alternative routes. By this, I mean that the public would use the path to explore the marshes rather than unknowingly disturbing vegetation and small species. This would be another process of management, to protect the area while making it accessible to visitors.
As previously mentioned, an anthropogenic landscape surrounds the reserve. At first I believed that this was a disadvantage. My reasoning for this was that the already fragile ecosystems within Possil marsh could become easily stressed by its surrounding area. This could be through possible water pollution from the river Clyde, or from air pollution from residential areas and nearby traffic. However, these unique circumstances of location mean the land has been relatively untouched for many years, and well preserved. By this, I mean that the surrounding areas such as the cemetery and residential housing can be classed as permanent fixtures. With the reserve in the middle of these areas, it providing a degree of safety for the marsh’s future.
With the topics of endangered species and habitats mentioned and the negative presence of human impacts from the public, it is difficult to reach a decision as to what is best for the reserve. If there was further maintenance provided at the reserve for example more paths constructed or more bins provided, it could be argued that the reserve would be in better health than it is now. However, if that was the case, it may attract more visitors who may see it is a public park rather than a natural environment which the Scottish wildlife trust are striving to keep it as natural as possible. Another option could be to simply let nature take its course and have the habitat thrive and adapt in whichever way it chooses. However, this could leave many species declining in the area if they are not receiving the protection that they once had.
The main negative human impacts which have been mentioned could be prevented simply through education. By promoting the natural reserve to the public and developing awareness of the species and habitats in Possil marsh, the Scottish wildlife trust would be able to highlight the importance in maintaining the natural order of the reserve with minimum interference. Projects like this are already taking place.
Adaptation Scotland is a project which was designed in recent years for developing awareness in the community of the impacts of climate change. The project is working alongside the Scottish wildlife trust as well as Scottish Natural heritage to engage with the community to educate and work together in preserving their local wildlife. (Adaptation Scotland, 2016)
With hundreds of organisms inhabiting the Possil marsh nature reserve, there are many reasons for the Scottish wildlife trust to protect this area. The Scottish Wildlife Trust will hopefully continue to maintain the network of wildlife reserves they have including Possil marsh to protect a broad representation of wildlife which can be found throughout Scotland, and to allow the public benefit through enjoyment, information and education.