Scientific study in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs area, Scotland

Abstract

The natural environment of the Loch Lomondside area, Scotland is exceptionally well-studied. Here we describe a project to catalogue publications that describe these studies, and to form a living database of references. We recorded 1,436 references from the mainstream scientific literature and reports from the “grey literature”. The taxonomic groups and habitats studied were highly skewed. Faunal studies were considerably commoner than those of flora; studies on vertebrate species were commoner than those on invertebrate species; fish and birds were more commonly studied than other vertebrate groups. Reports of studies on terrestrial ecosystems were more frequent than those on aquatic systems. Amongst freshwater species, some groups were very poorly represented (e.g. Rotifera, Hydracarina, Diptera, Nematoda, Microturbellaria and Tardigrada). Many studies have made very significant contributions to understanding the mechanisms that operate in the natural environment. The underlying reasons for the important contributions that the Loch Lomondside area has made to natural science are discussed.