Journal of Practical Ecology and Conservation, 1998
A questionnaire was issued to off-road motorcyclists unofficially using a derelict brickworks on ... more A questionnaire was issued to off-road motorcyclists unofficially using a derelict brickworks on the Greater Manchester/Cheshire boundary. The majority of respondents were local, aged under 21, and used specialist off-road bikes that were transported to the site. Most were regular users coming mainly at weekends. Although only a minority were members of recognised motorcycle clubs, 80% of respondents expressed an interest in helping to manage the site on a more formal basis. The formation of a core of regular users at a site where the sport was tolerated may have helped develop more responsible attitudes than are sometimes credited to off-road motorcyclists. However, the loss of the site in 1992 was followed by a marked increase in problems caused by illegal motorcycling elsewhere in the area.
The peninsula of Barry Buddon, on the east coast of Scotland, is
one of the largest and most impo... more The peninsula of Barry Buddon, on the east coast of Scotland, is one of the largest and most important sand dune systems surviving in a near-natural condition in the UK. For more than a century it has served as a dedicated army training ground - a use which ensured its survival, but also limited scope for studies of the area. Barry Buddon has seen many changes over the centuries. The inland portion formerly supported arable agriculture, while much of the seaward portion was mobile bare sand dunes. However, the dunes today are mostly vegetated and immobile. The coastline itself is naturally dynamic, but recent decades have seen the major part of it fixed in position too, by artificial coastal defences. This paper describes the natural history and human history of the area, based primarily on a comprehensive literature review, and attempts to explore some of the ways in which, even in this seemingly near-natural environment, the two subjects have been closely intertwined.
Abertay Historical Society Publication No. 65, 2024
Founded in 1874, the Dundee Naturalists’ Society grew quickly to become one of the largest and mo... more Founded in 1874, the Dundee Naturalists’ Society grew quickly to become one of the largest and most prestigious organisations in Dundee, and amongst the most significant and progressive scientific societies in Scotland. It brought to Dundee some of the most notable scientists of the late 19th century and introduced groundbreaking scientific ideas. Its reputation was founded largely by a series of remarkable conversaziones and exhibitions important far beyond its membership, and beyond Dundee. Its influence was felt in the promotion of education, including in the early development of University College Dundee. Although less influential in the 20th century, its early involvement in nature conservation leaves a legacy in the designation of one of Britain’s first National Nature Reserves, at Tentsmuir. While the Society remains active after 150 years, its antecedents stretch back more than 300 years to the earliest days of natural history studies, and its predecessors are also discussed in the book.
Scottish Biodiversity Information Forum Commissioned Report No. 1, 2018
In response to concerns about the efficacy and sustainability of the biological recording infrast... more In response to concerns about the efficacy and sustainability of the biological recording infrastructure in Scotland (the Infrastructure), the SBIF Review set out to determine its current limitations and how it could be transformed so that the business case for such a transformation could be determined. Key findings: • No one can easily provide, access or use all of the biodiversity data collected in Scotland. Although the advent of the NBN Atlas and other online recording tools and resources has been beneficial, poor data flow remains problematic. The plethora of apps and routes for data submission causes confusion rather than simplification of the data flow pathway. Much of the data collected is never made available for use. • Those involved with the collection, management and sharing of biodiversity data are under-resourced. As a result, they are struggling to maintain the status quo, let alone improve the Infrastructure. This precarious state has been exacerbated by expectations that Open Data should be made freely available and by ever-tightening public funding. • Volunteer energy is stifled by the shortcomings of the Infrastructure. People are happy to participate but their contributions and ease of operation are then curtailed by the frustrations encountered. Some of the volunteers we rely on most heavily experience fatigue and burnout. • Services to support data flow, public engagement and decision-making are not sustained in all areas of Scotland. Geographic and taxonomic gaps in the availability and currency of data make the provision of services and appropriate regard for biodiversity duty difficult. Where services are provided, there is no consistency on how these services are delivered locally. • Against the backdrop of global threats to nature and biodiversity declines, these problems hamper our contribution to global biodiversity aspirations (the Aichi Targets). There is an urgent need for a step change to increase the sustainability of the biodiversity sector and to maintain its momentum and optimism.
Journal of Practical Ecology and Conservation, 1998
A questionnaire was issued to off-road motorcyclists unofficially using a derelict brickworks on ... more A questionnaire was issued to off-road motorcyclists unofficially using a derelict brickworks on the Greater Manchester/Cheshire boundary. The majority of respondents were local, aged under 21, and used specialist off-road bikes that were transported to the site. Most were regular users coming mainly at weekends. Although only a minority were members of recognised motorcycle clubs, 80% of respondents expressed an interest in helping to manage the site on a more formal basis. The formation of a core of regular users at a site where the sport was tolerated may have helped develop more responsible attitudes than are sometimes credited to off-road motorcyclists. However, the loss of the site in 1992 was followed by a marked increase in problems caused by illegal motorcycling elsewhere in the area.
The peninsula of Barry Buddon, on the east coast of Scotland, is
one of the largest and most impo... more The peninsula of Barry Buddon, on the east coast of Scotland, is one of the largest and most important sand dune systems surviving in a near-natural condition in the UK. For more than a century it has served as a dedicated army training ground - a use which ensured its survival, but also limited scope for studies of the area. Barry Buddon has seen many changes over the centuries. The inland portion formerly supported arable agriculture, while much of the seaward portion was mobile bare sand dunes. However, the dunes today are mostly vegetated and immobile. The coastline itself is naturally dynamic, but recent decades have seen the major part of it fixed in position too, by artificial coastal defences. This paper describes the natural history and human history of the area, based primarily on a comprehensive literature review, and attempts to explore some of the ways in which, even in this seemingly near-natural environment, the two subjects have been closely intertwined.
Abertay Historical Society Publication No. 65, 2024
Founded in 1874, the Dundee Naturalists’ Society grew quickly to become one of the largest and mo... more Founded in 1874, the Dundee Naturalists’ Society grew quickly to become one of the largest and most prestigious organisations in Dundee, and amongst the most significant and progressive scientific societies in Scotland. It brought to Dundee some of the most notable scientists of the late 19th century and introduced groundbreaking scientific ideas. Its reputation was founded largely by a series of remarkable conversaziones and exhibitions important far beyond its membership, and beyond Dundee. Its influence was felt in the promotion of education, including in the early development of University College Dundee. Although less influential in the 20th century, its early involvement in nature conservation leaves a legacy in the designation of one of Britain’s first National Nature Reserves, at Tentsmuir. While the Society remains active after 150 years, its antecedents stretch back more than 300 years to the earliest days of natural history studies, and its predecessors are also discussed in the book.
Scottish Biodiversity Information Forum Commissioned Report No. 1, 2018
In response to concerns about the efficacy and sustainability of the biological recording infrast... more In response to concerns about the efficacy and sustainability of the biological recording infrastructure in Scotland (the Infrastructure), the SBIF Review set out to determine its current limitations and how it could be transformed so that the business case for such a transformation could be determined. Key findings: • No one can easily provide, access or use all of the biodiversity data collected in Scotland. Although the advent of the NBN Atlas and other online recording tools and resources has been beneficial, poor data flow remains problematic. The plethora of apps and routes for data submission causes confusion rather than simplification of the data flow pathway. Much of the data collected is never made available for use. • Those involved with the collection, management and sharing of biodiversity data are under-resourced. As a result, they are struggling to maintain the status quo, let alone improve the Infrastructure. This precarious state has been exacerbated by expectations that Open Data should be made freely available and by ever-tightening public funding. • Volunteer energy is stifled by the shortcomings of the Infrastructure. People are happy to participate but their contributions and ease of operation are then curtailed by the frustrations encountered. Some of the volunteers we rely on most heavily experience fatigue and burnout. • Services to support data flow, public engagement and decision-making are not sustained in all areas of Scotland. Geographic and taxonomic gaps in the availability and currency of data make the provision of services and appropriate regard for biodiversity duty difficult. Where services are provided, there is no consistency on how these services are delivered locally. • Against the backdrop of global threats to nature and biodiversity declines, these problems hamper our contribution to global biodiversity aspirations (the Aichi Targets). There is an urgent need for a step change to increase the sustainability of the biodiversity sector and to maintain its momentum and optimism.
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Papers by Colin McLeod
one of the largest and most important sand dune systems surviving in a near-natural condition in the UK. For more than a century it has served as a
dedicated army training ground - a use which ensured its survival, but also
limited scope for studies of the area. Barry Buddon has seen many changes over the centuries. The inland portion formerly supported arable agriculture, while much of the seaward portion was mobile bare sand dunes. However, the dunes today are mostly vegetated and immobile. The coastline itself is naturally dynamic, but recent decades have seen the major part of it fixed in position too, by artificial coastal defences. This paper describes the natural history and human history of the area, based primarily on a comprehensive literature review, and attempts to explore some of the ways in which, even in this seemingly near-natural environment, the two subjects have been closely intertwined.
Books by Colin McLeod
While the Society remains active after 150 years, its antecedents stretch back more than 300 years to the earliest days of natural history studies, and its predecessors are also discussed in the book.
Key findings:
• No one can easily provide, access or use all of the biodiversity data collected in Scotland. Although the advent of the NBN Atlas and other online recording tools and resources has been beneficial, poor data flow remains problematic. The plethora of apps and routes for data submission causes confusion rather than simplification of the data flow pathway. Much of the data collected is never made available for use.
• Those involved with the collection, management and sharing of biodiversity data are under-resourced. As a result, they are struggling to maintain the status quo, let alone improve the Infrastructure. This precarious state has been exacerbated by expectations that Open Data should be made freely available and by ever-tightening public funding.
• Volunteer energy is stifled by the shortcomings of the Infrastructure. People are happy to participate but their contributions and ease of operation are then curtailed by the frustrations encountered. Some of the volunteers we rely on most heavily experience fatigue and burnout.
• Services to support data flow, public engagement and decision-making are not sustained in all areas of Scotland. Geographic and taxonomic gaps in the availability and currency of data make the provision of services and appropriate regard for biodiversity duty difficult. Where services are provided, there is no consistency on how these services are delivered locally.
• Against the backdrop of global threats to nature and biodiversity declines, these problems hamper our contribution to global biodiversity aspirations (the Aichi Targets). There is an urgent need for a step change to increase the sustainability of the biodiversity sector and to maintain its momentum and optimism.
one of the largest and most important sand dune systems surviving in a near-natural condition in the UK. For more than a century it has served as a
dedicated army training ground - a use which ensured its survival, but also
limited scope for studies of the area. Barry Buddon has seen many changes over the centuries. The inland portion formerly supported arable agriculture, while much of the seaward portion was mobile bare sand dunes. However, the dunes today are mostly vegetated and immobile. The coastline itself is naturally dynamic, but recent decades have seen the major part of it fixed in position too, by artificial coastal defences. This paper describes the natural history and human history of the area, based primarily on a comprehensive literature review, and attempts to explore some of the ways in which, even in this seemingly near-natural environment, the two subjects have been closely intertwined.
While the Society remains active after 150 years, its antecedents stretch back more than 300 years to the earliest days of natural history studies, and its predecessors are also discussed in the book.
Key findings:
• No one can easily provide, access or use all of the biodiversity data collected in Scotland. Although the advent of the NBN Atlas and other online recording tools and resources has been beneficial, poor data flow remains problematic. The plethora of apps and routes for data submission causes confusion rather than simplification of the data flow pathway. Much of the data collected is never made available for use.
• Those involved with the collection, management and sharing of biodiversity data are under-resourced. As a result, they are struggling to maintain the status quo, let alone improve the Infrastructure. This precarious state has been exacerbated by expectations that Open Data should be made freely available and by ever-tightening public funding.
• Volunteer energy is stifled by the shortcomings of the Infrastructure. People are happy to participate but their contributions and ease of operation are then curtailed by the frustrations encountered. Some of the volunteers we rely on most heavily experience fatigue and burnout.
• Services to support data flow, public engagement and decision-making are not sustained in all areas of Scotland. Geographic and taxonomic gaps in the availability and currency of data make the provision of services and appropriate regard for biodiversity duty difficult. Where services are provided, there is no consistency on how these services are delivered locally.
• Against the backdrop of global threats to nature and biodiversity declines, these problems hamper our contribution to global biodiversity aspirations (the Aichi Targets). There is an urgent need for a step change to increase the sustainability of the biodiversity sector and to maintain its momentum and optimism.