Launch of new SNH Protected Nature Sites web tool

The ‘Protected Nature Sites’ interactive database was launched by SNH last week (29 October). It is a powerful new way of accessing and viewing this wealth of information on Scotland’s Environment Web (SEWeb).

It searches through habitat type (woodland, upland, wetlands), species (birds, plants, mammals), geographically (by local authority, national park, or by site).

And it can identify the condition of special features, associated pressures, and underlying trends within Scotland’s protected nature sites.

SNH uses Site Condition Monitoring (SCM) as its flagship dataset to record the condition of almost 2,000 sites of national and international importance for wildlife and geodiversity.

This technique is used in tracking policy delivery through Scotland’s Planning Policy, Biodiversity Strategy, Land Use Strategy and Rural Development Programme.

SCM can also inform the National Indicator in the Scottish Government National Performance Framework and in assessing the health of the environment, such as for Scotland’s biodiversity assessment 2010 and to inform policy and action towards 2020.

It is expected that the interactive website tool will mainly be used by land managers and estates, and those with an interest in land management.

Andrew Bachell, SNH’s director of policy and advice, said: “The Protected Nature Site marks a breakthrough in putting important environmental results into practical use in Scotland, without the need for sophisticated equipment or technical know-how.

“It is bound to be of interest to anyone who cares about the natural environment of Scotland.

“We want to make information accessible to those who need it, to improve understanding of what makes Scotland so special, and to foster wider appreciation of sites designated for wildlife and earth heritage interest.”

The interactive tool presents site information using maps, charts and data downloadable to spreadsheet to provide a valuable web based information resource.

And it is intuitive, as filters and tabs allow users of any level to delve into aspects or locations of interest.

Answers to questions through maps and charts include:

• coastal sites
• sites important for birds / fish / earth science
• sites where plants are in favourable condition
• upland sites with notified features that have declined in condition
• recovering features within a National Park or Local Authority area
• pressures arising from invasive non-native species
• woodland in unfavourable condition and the reasons why

http://www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/get-interactive/data/protected-nature-sites/