Little Gruinard River

General site character

• Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (90%)
  
• Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (10%)
  

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

• Not Applicable

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

• Not Applicable

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

• 1106 Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

  The Little Gruinard River supports a high-quality salmon Salmo salar population in a Scottish west coast spate river fed by a chain of large lochs. It is oligotrophic, with low levels of species diversity and productivity. In contrast to many west Highland systems, the catch of salmon in the Little Gruinard has not shown the same level of decline as has been reported in other areas. It is likely that the enlightened policy of catch and release which operates on the river has been significant in protecting it from the worst effects of the problems affecting many other rivers throughout the region. The stock of adult salmon in the Little Gruinard is dominated by grilse which return to the river having spent one winter at sea, although smaller numbers of adults which have spent two winters at sea also return to the river in the late spring and summer. The catch and release policy is complemented by a range of other management initiatives, including a riparian enhancement scheme, all of which have contributed to the river’s wellbeing.

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

• Not Applicable