15 May, 2015
The Proportion of Scotland's Protected Sites in Favourable Condition 2015
Statistical News Release
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
15th May 2015
Scottish Natural Heritage has today released the latest figures tracking the proportion of Scottish protected natural features in favourable condition.
The main findings show that of the over 5,000 Scottish natural features on protected nature sites, 79.3% are in favourable condition. This figure represents a 0.5 percentage points rise in the proportion of natural features in favourable condition between 2014 and 2015. There has been a 7.9 percentage points increase since assessment reporting began in 2005.
There are three broad types of protected features: earth science, which covers geological outcrops and landforms, fossil beds and caves (97.7% in favourable condition); species (76.2% in favourable condition) and habitats (77.2% in favourable condition). All saw an increase in the proportion of features in favourable condition since last year (species less than 0.1 percentage points; earth science 0.3 percentage points; and habitats 1.1 percentage points). Of the individual feature types which are monitored, some feature types showed an increase in the proportion of features in favourable condition, some remained stable, whilst others decreased. Of particular note were woodland features where the proportion of natural features in favourable condition rose by 2.5%.
Invasive species and over-grazing are the main challenges to improving condition from unfavourable to favourable. The proportion of assessments recording invasive species as a negative pressure has risen for the past 3 years to 19.7% in 2014/15. This includes both non-native species, such as rhododendron in woodlands, and native species, such as birch encroaching on to raised bog habitats.
The fall in the proportion of assessments recording over-grazing by wild herbivores and/or domestic stock to 18.1% is a mark of the improving condition of woodland features during 2014/15.
1. The full statistical publication can be accessed at: http://www.snh.gov.uk/publications-data-and-research/official-statistics/official-stats/sites-favourable/
2. Features protected are species, habitats and earth science features considered to be important at the national (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), European (Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area) and international (Ramsar) levels.
3. The data used in the report primarily come from Scottish Natural Heritage’s Site Condition Monitoring programme http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/site-condition-monitoring/
4. Official statistics are produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics (http://www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/code-of-practice/index.html)
Contact information
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- SNH Media
- snhmedia@snh.gov.uk
NatureScot is Scotland's nature agency. Responding to the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, we work to protect and restore nature by inspiring everyone to value our natural world. Our goal is a nature-rich, net-zero future for Scotland. For more information, visit our website at www.nature.scot
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