Snow 'may boost ice age plants'

Alpine Gentian (Pic from the National Trust for Scotland)

Alpine Gentian can be found at the Ben Lawers national nature reserve

Conservationists are hoping the extreme weather will give an unexpected boost for some of Scotland's rarest plants.

Arctic alpines are relics of the last ice age and many depend on snow cover to survive.

In Scotland, they can only be found in the most mountainous parts, where their tolerance of extreme weather allows them to survive the harsh conditions.

But there is evidence that in recent winters reduced snow cover has led to a declines in some of these plants.

Arctic alpines depend on deep and persistent snow cover to provide a protective blanket, minimising the impact of fierce winds and severe frosts.

However, the cold start to this winter has given conservationists some hope for the future of the plants.

'Give hope'

Experts at the National Trust for Scotland, who monitor their survival rate, said changing weather patterns are not the only threat and that other factors, such as overgrazing, must be controlled.

NTS conservation specialist Helen Cole said: "One cold month is unlikely to make much difference in the long-term but it does give some hope that we may occasionally get the harsh weather to which these beautiful rarities are supremely adapted."

Arctic alpines can be found at several of the National Trust for Scotland's properties.

In the Southern Uplands, Grey Mare's Tail nature reserve is home to Alpine Foxtail and Black Alpine-sedge.

In Glencoe, Drooping Saxifrage and Highland Saxifrage grow on rocky outcrops.

And the Ben Lawers national nature reserve is known for its important populations of Snow Pearlwort, Alpine Gentian and Wooly Willow.