2020 vision for Scotland’s biodiversity targets

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham launched the report today at Holyrood Park, a Site of Special Scientific Interest at the heart of Edinburgh actively managed for people and nature by Historic Environment Scotland.

The report is the first annual report on the progress of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy: a Route Map to 2020. SNH has prepared the report as part of their lead role to co-ordinate and champion the strategy on behalf of Scottish Government

Achievements include restoring peatlands throughout Scotland in almost twice the area set for the 2020 target – crucial work to battle the effects of climate change, among other things – and Manx shearwaters and storm petrels being recorded on the Shiant islands for the first time in recent years.

Two 2020 targets have already been exceeded: the area of Scotland’s seas now safeguarded for nature as part of the marine protected area network now stands at 16%, and 80% of our important nature sites on land, and in rivers and lochs are in good condition.

Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Roseanna Cunningham said:

“There can be no doubt that our stunning natural environment is one of Scotland’s most precious assets. How we own, manage, control and conserve it matters hugely to this Government’s ambitions for our country.

“We must ensure that this important natural asset remains in good condition now and for the future. Our work to protect and increase biodiversity is a key part of that. Healthy forests, moors, rivers and burns and our distinctive coastal plains, machair – to name but a few – deliver a huge range of benefits for the natural environment and for the health and well-being of communities across Scotland.

“That is why it is so encouraging to learn that Scotland is well on track to meet its commitments to increase biodiversity by 2020, and in fact has already exceeded many goals in key areas such as restoring peatlands, safeguarding our seas and the welcome reappearance of some species of seabird to the Shiant islands, near Lewis, for the first time in recent years.

“We will continue to champion improved biodiversity as an integral part of Scotland’s natural environment - protecting it now and encouraging future growth.”

SNH chairman, Ian Ross, said:

“These projects are important as they both enrich nature and also being wider benefits to people across Scotland. Examples include the work on peatlands, which is absolutely crucial in tackling climate change – our peatlands are estimated to store ten times more carbon than in all of the UK’s trees and restoring them increases this contribution. Peatlands are one of the world’s rarest habitats and support unique wildlife. Closer to home, improving greenspace at hospitals has now been shown to benefit patients, visitors and staff who work there through the opportunities it provides for treatment, restoration, relaxation and exercise.

“We depend on healthy nature in our daily lives for clean water, clean air, flood protection, recreation and enjoyment and so much more. So although we’ve already made a real difference on the ground, we still have a great deal of work to do to make sure we reach or exceed all our 2020 targets and keep Scotland’s nature flourishing.”

In the first year, nearly three-quarters of the Biodiversity 2020 projects are either on-track or – as with restoring peatland and protecting special places – exceeding targets. Work restoring pearl mussels, wild cats, red squirrels, golden eagles and other key aspects of Scotland’s wild life are also making good progress. Projects are also providing lots of opportunities for people to get close to nature, improving their physical and mental health through recreation, environmental volunteering and outdoor learning.

Areas where work needs to be done to reach the 2020 targets include expanding and restoring our native woodland through increasing the rate of new planting and helping it recover naturally by improving deer management planning. A SNH report on deer management, to be published in October, will also provide a more detailed insight into the issues faced in increasing the rate of natural regeneration. Some progress has already been made though: an example cited in the report is the 1,000 hectares of Caledonian pinewoods recovering at Glenmore Forest in Strathspey – which has also increased the number of capercaillie in the area.

For the full report, see www.snh.gov.uk

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) purchased the forager harvester machine (attached to this news release) this year to manage protected grassland in the park. Ideally, the grassland would be managed through grazing animals, but as Arthur's Seat is well used by the public, this isn't possible. The harvester can cut and remove grass from very hard-to-reach places, dominated by acidic grassland - the result of volcanic rock. The machine mimics the effects of grazing, helping keep the nutrient status of the soil low and allowing acid grassland species to flourish.

ENDS

MEDIA QUERIES - For more information, contact SNH press & public relations officer, Vicki Mowat, on 0131 316 2659 or vicki.mowat@snh.gov.uk.