Acidification and other (Lutra lutra) distribution in Scotland

The influence of acidification on otters (Lutra lutra) was assessed in three regions of Scotland. A total of 72 stretches of 1000 m of riverbank were searched for all signs of otters on three occasions. Water chemistry was determined and habitat was assessed for its suitability to otters. A further series of water samples were collected after a period of very heavy rain in midwinter; conductivity and pH were measured and total Al was determined on a filtered, acidified sample. Otters were recorded at all sites. There were highly significant correlations between use by otters of stretches (measured in terms of marking intensity) and both pH and conductivity, with pH accounting for the greatest proportion of variation in otter signs in a stepwise multiple regression. The relation between otter signs and water quality was greatest in Galloway, the region with significantly more acid waters. There were significantly fewer signs of otters in stretches with minimum pH thought to be detrimental to fish populations for two regions, Galloway and Sutherland.