Our Validation Sites
Find out more about each of the eight field validation sites that were surveyed in the project
Beldorney Estate
Beldorney is a 349-hectare grassland-dominated estate, situated in Aberdeenshire. While much of the woodland are non-native trees planted for timber production, there are also stretches of riparian broadleaf woodland that are undergoing active restoration. Survey data collected by the TaiM project include tree height and canopy cover from drone lidar, grassland species inventory, woodland inventory, and peatland depth and condition.
Bunloit Estate
Bunloit is on the west shores of Loch Ness in Inverness-shire, and is an estate typical of the Scottish Highlands. The site contains a mosaic of habitats from native woodland to peatland, pastures to plantations. Surveys collected include drone lidar, grassland species inventory, woodland inventory, and peatland depth and condition.
Tayvallich Estate
Tayvallich Estate is situated on the Tayvallich peninsula in mid-Argyll and forms part of the stunning Knapdale National Scenic Area. It contains a mosaic of habitats ranging from coastal, marine, wetlands, and salt marsh through to ancient native woodlands and species-rich grasslands. Surveys collected include drone lidar, grassland species inventory, woodland inventory, peatland depth and condition, and extensive habitat survey.
Glensaugh Farm
Glensaugh is managed by the James Hutton Institute as an upland livestock farm, just over 1,000 ha in area, with sheep, cattle, and red deer, improved and extensive pastures, moorland, woodland, and peatland. The Highland Boundary Fault divides Glensaugh into two distinct geological zones. Surveys collected include drone lidar, peatland depth and condition, soil characteristics, and extensive habitat survey.
The Centre for Sustainable Cropping, Balruddery Farm
The Centre for Sustainable Cropping is a long-term field platform for research into sustainable arable systems. Spread across a 42-hectare site on Balruddery Farm, the effects of new cropping systems are tested relative to standard practice over year rotations. Survey data collected by the TAiM project include UKHAB habitat survey, cropping history per field, and tree height and canopy cover collected over the diverse woodlands and hedgerows that are found across the farm.
Annan Farm
Annan is a coastal site that has extensive salt marsh and pasture. Surveys collected include extensive habitat survey.
Caerlaverock Estate
Caerlaverock Estate is a lowland mixed farm on the Solway Firth with extensive pasture and arable land, as well as diverse woodlands, including areas of ancient woodland. Survey data collected includes drone lidar and extensive habitat survey.
Caerlaverock Merse
Caerlaverock Merse is a mudflat and saltmarsh site situated on the Solway Firth. It comprises the terrestrial component of the Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve and WWT Caerlaverock. Survey data collected includes drone lidar and extensive habitat survey.
Field Surveys
Site Locations
