Appendix 2 Earth science conservation

By J A McCurry

The dramatic coastline and landscapes of south-west Scotland are the product of almost 500 million years of geological evolution. Increasingly it is recognised that our ancient rock foundation provides the basis of an intricate ecological system upon which our soils, flora and fauna depend. In seeking to conserve a part of that system, whether it be the golden eagles of the Merrick or the salt marshes of the Solway, it is important to conserve the working system intact. To alter a part of the system is to affect the whole of it. This holistic approach to conservation is governed by the principle of sustainability: those activities we choose to operate within a landscape (agriculture, recreation, industry) should not permanently alter the systems already operating within that landscape. We face a choice whether to manage the landscape sustainably for present and future generations or to exploit it for short-term gain.

Within our landscape are geological and geomorphological features of particular importance to our understanding of how that landscape formed and operates. These locations are recognised as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Prior to 1977 geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest were identified on an ad hoc basis with no systemised selection procedure. The Geological Conservation Review (GCR), completed between 1977 and 1989, was an attempt to rationalise the site selection process in Britain. Over 90 different subject areas were identified within British geology and, after wide consultation, the key sites critical to our understanding of each subject area were selected. A prerequisite for selection was that each site be of national or international importance. Over 50 geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest were identified in south-west Scotland as a result of this process (Figure 68). These sites are listed in (Table 6) under the Geological Conservation Review interest for which they were selected. Some sites such as the Girvan to Ballantrae Coast SSSI have multiple interests and appear in a number of categories. Other sites such as the Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SSSI are of joint geological and biological interest. By early 1994 all but three of the sites had been notified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and as such are afforded a measure of legislative protection from activities that may damage their geological interest. Designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest does not entail an automatic right of access and the landowners permission should be sought in the normal way before visiting a site. A detailed account of the geology of each site is being published in a series of volumes covering each of the Geological Conservation Review subject areas. Two volumes incorporating sites in south-west Scotland have already been published: Caledonian Structures of Britain (Treagus, 1992) and Quaternary of Scotland (Gordon et al. 1993). Although the network of sites selected as SSSI's will remain broadly intact, it is envisaged that through time advances in research will necessitate a re-evaluation of the network. The effects of such progress in research on the status of two pre-GCR Sites of Special Scientific Interest in south-west Scotland, at Portayew Bay and Corsewall Point, have recently been examined (McCurry, 1994).

(Figure 68) Location of geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in south-west Scotland. Full details are listed in (Table 6).

(Table 6) Geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest, south-west Scotland SSSI (located by number in (Figure 68)) For explanation of geological lines see (Figure 67)

Sites listed under the Geological Conservation Review interest for which they were selected. These are located on (Figure 68). The excursion number is given where an SSSI is included in one of the itineraries.

Any questions about our earth science heritage in south-west Scotland should be directed to the relevant SNH Area Office or the Earth Science Branch in Edinburgh.

Dumfries and Galloway Area, Scottish Natural Heritage, 106 High Street, 9 Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire, DG5 4HB

Earth Science Branch, Research and Advisory Services, Scottish Natural Heritage, 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh, EH6 5NP Tel: 01556 610086 Tel: 0131 447 4784

Note added in proof A recent addition to this list is Morroch Bay on the west coast of the Rhins of Galloway (Wigtown District), [NX 017 525]. The conservation review interest is Caradoc—Ashgill stratigraphy and the locality is examined by Excursion 18 (3).

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