Habitats and Species

The Dee catchment is of exceptional conservation value. The biota of the catchment includes mainly natural communities, relatively little influenced by man. Flora and fauna are typical of an uncontaminated highland system, typically low in diversity, especially compared to lowland areas .

The River Dee has a unique assemblage of plants. The vegetation is a main contributor to the appearance of the landscape, but is also a reservoir for animal species .

The size and chemical nature of the River Dee set it apart from many other rivers; it is regarded as relatively unmodified and this is rare and itself worthy of conservation .

The River Dee and its tributaries qualify as a SAC due to their internationally important populations of Atlantic salmon, freshwater pearl mussel and European otter.