Glen Tanar

General site character

• Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (10%)
  
• Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (30%)
  
• Dry grassland, Steppes (5%)
  
• Coniferous woodland (55%)
  

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

• 4010 Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix

  Glen Tanar supports, adjacent to and above the native 91C0 Caledonian forest, extensive stands of dry and wet heath, and smaller areas of 7130 blanket bog. The wet heath comprises representative examples of both of the main northern Atlantic wet heath communities, i.e. M15 Scirpus cespitosus – Erica tetralix wet heath and, in particular, M16 Erica tetralix – Sphagnum compactum wet heath.

• 4030 European dry heaths

  Glen Tanar supports, adjacent to and above the native 91C0 Caledonian forest, extensive stands of dry and wet heath, and smaller areas of 7130 blanket bog. The dry heath comprises representative examples of the main European dry heath communities of north-east Scotland, i.e. H12 Calluna vulgaris – Vaccinium myrtillus heath and H16 Calluna vulgaris – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi heath. There are also transitions to heath communities more typical of western Scotland, including both H10 Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea heath and H21 Calluna vulgaris – Vaccinium myrtillus – Sphagnum capillifolium heath. Species occurring here which are associated with dry heaths in north-east Scotland include petty whin Genista anglica, intermediate wintergreen Pyrola media, and interrupted clubmoss Lycopodium annotinum. Transitions to more alpine heaths are also present, mainly at higher altitude.

• 91C0 Caledonian forest  * Priority feature

  Glen Tanar is representative of the North East biochemical region. It is the largest Caledonian forest area in this region and is the third-largest pinewood in the UK. Although genetically part of the North East region, ecologically the site may be considered part of the adjacent Cairngorms complex. Unlike most pinewoods in Scotland, Glen Tanar retains a wide range of age-classes of trees, exhibiting active colonisation of open areas by young trees, and with significant areas of juniper Juniperus communis understorey. The site contains nationally important populations of capercaillie Tetrao urogallus and black grouse T. tetrix, and is probably the most important locality in Britain for Scottish crossbill Loxia scotica.

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

• 7130 Blanket bogs (* if active bog)  * Priority feature

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

• Not Applicable

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

• 1355 Otter Lutra lutra