This guide contains:

1.     Contents of the Biodiversity (Species) National Assessment

2.     User notes and abbreviations

3.     Bibliography

This National Assessment consists of the following spreadsheets:

Mammals, reptiles and amphibians

• General information
• Management requirements

Birds

• General information and management requirements

Freshwater fish

• General information
• Management requirements

Invertebrates

• General information
• Management requirements

Vascular plants

• General information
• Management requirements

Mosses

• General information
• Management requirements

Liverworts

• General information
• Management requirements

Algae

• General information
• Management requirements

Fungi

• General information
• Management requirements

Lichens

• General information
• Management requirements

2. USER NOTES & ABBREVIATIONS

(a) General

The spreadsheets provide information for each of the 21 zones used in Natural Heritage Futures and for Scotland as a whole.

The spreadsheets include all species which occur in Scotland and are listed in Annexes 1 and 2 of the EC Wild Birds and Habitats Directives, or as Biodiversity Action Plan Priority species. Additional entries are also included for some taxonomic groups, including species which are highlighted as Red or Amber in Red Data Books, or which are otherwise of conservation concern. Some spreadsheets also include relatively common species which are characteristic of particular habitats or zones.

Data are compiled from a range of published and unpublished reports and other sources (see bibliography).

Zone boundaries cut across 10km squares, possibly resulting in some incorrect attributions of species to particular zones. Zones include adjacent inshore marine waters.

IUCN red list categories:

Targets:

Pressures:

NB: Pressures listed are indicative and include some potential as well as current influences.

(b) Mammals, reptiles and amphibians

Reliability estimates:

With improved census techniques;

(c) Birds

• Data on distribution and status of all species draw heavily on Atlas accounts of breeding and wintering birds in Britain and Ireland and carry the caveats on geographical coverage, sampling distortions, analytical bias etc contained in the original work. Many bird populations are highly mobile and their status within individual zones can change relatively rapidly.

• Presence in 10km squares in Scotland & GB only includes confirmed breeding attempts from both geographic areas.

• The presence of either classified or proposed SPAs for particular species does not necessarily equate with species presence within SPAs.

• Much of the standard reference material on birds uses a standard taxonomic order starting with divers and ending with buntings. The numbers in the first column allow sorting into this order if preferred.

• RDB status is listed as Red, Amber or Green.

Qualifying criteria for Red status are as follows:

1. Decline in UK breeding population over previous 25 years > or = 50%

2. Contraction in UK breeding range over 25 years > or = 50%

3. Historical population decline during 1800 - 1995

4. Decline in UK non-breeding population over previous 25 years > or = 50%

5. Species of Global Conservation Concern (in Scotland, corncrake and Scottish crossbill) (Collar et al. 1994)

Qualifying criteria for Amber listing are as follows:

1. Decline in UK breeding population over previous 25 years between 25 - 49%

2. Contraction in UK breeding range over 25 years between 25 - 49%

3. Decline in UK non-breeding population over previous 25 years 25 - 49%

4. Five year mean of between 0.2 and 300 breeding pairs in UK

5. UK holds > or = 20% of European breeding population

6. UK holds > or = 20% NW European (wildfowl), East Atlantic Flyway (waders) or European (others) non-breeding populations

7. >50% of UK breeding population at ten or fewer sites (but not 4 above)

8. >50% of UK non-breeding population at ten or fewer sites

9. Species with unfavourable conservation status (Collar et al. 1994)

European Threat Status (ETS):

NB: All population size thresholds refer to minimum population estimates. Based on Tucker & Heath (1994).

Insufficiently known

Suspected to be localised, declining, rare, vulnerable or endangered (as below) but insufficient information available to attribute an ETS.

Secure

Population more than 10,000 breeding pairs or 40,000 wintering birds, and neither in moderate or large decline nor localised.

Localised

Population more than 10,000 breeding pairs or 40,000 wintering birds, and neither in moderate or large decline but with more than 90% of the population occuring at 10 or fewer sites.

Declining

Population in moderate decline and more than 10,000 breeding pairs or 40,000 wintering individuals.

Rare

Population neither in moderate nor large decline but fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs and not marginal to a larger non-European population; or European wintering population and entire flyway population less than 40,000 birds.

Vulnerable

Any of the following:

1. Population in large decline and of more than 10,000 breeding pairs or 40,000 wintering individuals.

2. Populations in moderate decline and population fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs and not marginal to a larger non-European population, or European wintering and entire flyway population fewer than 40,000 birds.

3. Population neither in moderate or large decline but fewer than 2,500 breeding pairs and not marginal to a larger non-European population; or European wintering and entire flyway population fewer than 10,000 birds.

Endangered

Any of the following:

1. Population in large decline and  population fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs and not marginal to a larger non-European population, or European wintering and entire flyway population fewer than 40,000 birds.

2.  Population in moderate decline and  population fewer than 2,500 breeding pairs and not marginal to a larger non-European population, or European wintering and entire flyway population fewer than 10,000 birds.

3. Population neither in moderate or large decline but fewer than 250 breeding pairs and not marginal to a larger non-European population; or European wintering and entire flyway population fewer than 1000 birds.

Trends:

NB: Based on change maps included in the Breeding Atlas and other information on non-breeding numbers.

(d) Freshwater fish

• No Red Data Book for freshwater fish has yet been produced in Britain. The threat categories therefore update the assessment of Maitland & Lyle (1991) using the IUCN (1994) criteria.

Habitats:

NB: Fish which occur regularly in fresh water can occupy a variety of habitats - including estuaries and the sea - at various times in their life histories.

Broad habitats                                                            

Key habitats

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Note: This bibliography does not include include uniform coverage across all taxa and will therefore be expanded in subsequent editions.

Balharry, E. A., McGowan, G.M., Kruuk, H. & Halliwell, E.  1996.  Distribution of pine martens in Scotland as determined by field survey and questionaire.  (SNH Research, Survey and Monitoring Series Report 48)

Church, J.M., Coppins, B.J., Gilbert, O.L., James, P.W. & Stewart, N.F. (1996).  Red Data Books of Britain and Ireland: lichens.  Volume 1: Britain.  Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough

Coppins, B.J. &. Coppins, A. M.  (1999).  Hypogimnia vittata (ach.) Parvique (1898).  British Lichen Society Bulletin 84 (in press)

Easterbee, N., Hepburn, L.V. & Jefferies, D.J.  (1991).  Survey of the status and distribution of the wildcat in Scotland, 1983 -1987.  Edinburgh, NCCS

Fryday, A.  (1995).  Buellia papillata (Sommerf) Tuck.  British Lichen Society Bulletin 76, p. 48

Fryday, A. & Coppins, B.J.  (1996).  Three new species in the Catillariaceae from the Highlands of Central Scotland. Lichenologist 28(6), 507-512

Gibbons D., Avery M., Baillie S., Gregory R., Kirby J., Porter G., Tucker G. and Williams G. (1996) - Bird species of Conservation Concern in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man: revising the Red Data List. RSPB Conservation Review 10. RSPB

Gibbons D.W., Reid J.B & Chapman R.A (1993) - The New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland: 1988-1991. Poyser

Green, R. & Green, J.  1997.  Otter Survey of Scotland 1991-1994.  London, Vincent Wildlife Trust

Greven, H.C.  (1994).  Grimmia tergestina Tomm., new to Britain.  Journal of Bryology 18: 368

Harris, S., Morris, P., Wray, S. & Yalden, D.  (1995).  A Review of British Mammals.  Peterborough, JNCC

Haddow, J. (unpublished): data supplied on behalf of the Scottish bat groups supplemented by SNH bat roost data

Hill, M.O., Preston, C.D. & Smith, A.J.E. (1991).  Atlas of Bryophytes of Britain and Ireland: Volume 1, liverworts.  Harley Books, Colchester

Hill, M.O., Preston, C.D. & Smith, A.J.E. (1992).  Atlas of Bryophytes of Britain and Ireland: Volume 2, mosses (except Diplolepideae).  Harley Books, Colchester

Hill, M.O., Preston, C.D. & Smith, A.J.E. (1994).  Atlas of Bryophytes of Britain and Ireland: Volume 3, mosses (Diplolepideae).  Harley Books, Colchester

Hodgetts, N. (1997).  The Pink Book of Plants: Lists of Vascular and Non-Vascular Plant Species Which Are Nationally Threatened, Localised or Protected in Great Britain.  JNCC, Peterborough

Irvine, L.M. & Chamberlain, Y.M. (1994).  Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 1 Rhodophyta, Part 2b Corallinales, Hildenbrandiales.  Natural History Museum, London

IUCN (1994 and 1996). Red List categories. IUCN, The World Conservation Union, Gland, Switzerland

Lack P (1986) - The Atlas of Wintering Birds in Britain and Ireland. Poyser

Lyle, A.A. & Maitland, P.S. (1992). Conservation of freshwater fish in the British Isles: the status of fish in National Nature Reserves. Aquatic Conservation. 2, 19-34

Lyle, A.A. & Maitland, P.S. (1994). The importance of Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve for fish. Hydrobiologia. 290, 103-104

Lyle, A.A. & Maitland, P.S. (1995). A questionnaire survey of inshore catches of shad, smelt and sturgeon in Scotland. Report to Scottish Natural Heritage, Edinburgh

Lyle, A.A. & Maitland, P.S. (1998). Conservation of Arctic Charr in southern Scotland by translocation to additional sites.  Proceedings of the 7th ISACF Workshop on Arctic Charr. 1992, 75-85

Lyle, A.A., Maitland, P.S. & Sweetman, K.E. (1996). The spawning migration of the Smelt Osmerus eperlanus in the River Cree, S.W. Scotland. Biological Conservation

Lyle, A.A., Maitland, P.S. & Winfield, I.J. (1997). Re-introduction of Vendace: Phase I. Report to Scottish Natural Heritage, Edinburgh

Lyle, A.A., Maitland, P.S. & Winfield, I.J. (1998). Re-introduction of Vendace: Phase II. Report to Scottish Natural Heritage. Edinburgh

Maitland, P.S. (1966). Present status of known populations of the Vendace, Coregonus vandesius Richardson, in Great Britain. Nature, London. 210 216-217

Maitland, P.S. (1966). The fish fauna of the Castle and Mill Lochs, Lochmaben, with special reference to the Lochmaben Vendace, Coregonus vandesius Richardson. Transactions of the Dumfriesshire & Galloway Natural History & Antiquarian Society. 43 31-48

Maitland, P.S. (1967). The artificial fertilisation and rearing of the eggs of Coregonus clupeoides Lacepede. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 70 82-106

Maitland, P.S. (1967). Echo sounding observations on the Lochmaben Vendace, Coregonus vandesius Richardson. Transactions of the Dumfriesshire & Galloway Natural History & Antiquarian Society. 44 29-46

Maitland, P.S. (1969). The reproduction and fecundity of the Powan, Coregonus clupeoides Lacepede, in Loch Lomond, Scotland. Proceedings of the  Royal Society of Edinburgh. 70 233-264

Maitland, P.S. (1980). Review of the ecology of lampreys in northern Europe. Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences  37 1944-1952

Maitland, P.S. (1980). Scarring of Whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) by European River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) in Loch Lomond, Scotland. Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences 37 1981-1988

Maitland, P.S. (1983). The Arctic Charr in Scotland. Proceedings of the 2nd ISACF Workshop on Arctic Charr. 1982 102-106

Maitland, P.S. (1985). Criteria for the selection of important sites for freshwater fish in the British Isles. Biological Conservation 31 335-353

Maitland, P.S. (1985). The potential impact of fish culture on wild stocks of Atlantic Salmon in Scotland. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology Symposium 15, 73-78

Maitland, P.S. (1986). Conservation of threatened freshwater fish in Europe. Report to the Council of Europe, Strasbourg

Maitland, P.S. (1989). The genetic impact of farmed Atlantic Salmon on wild populations. Edinburgh: Nature Conservancy Council

Maitland, P.S. (1989). The mysterious whitefishes. Salmon, Trout & Sea-trout. Nov. 1989, 34-35

Maitland, P.S. (1989). The run of the mayfish. Salmon, Trout & Sea-trout. Dec. 1989, 36-38

Maitland, P.S. (1990). Cause for concern? The need for sensible management of our Atlantic salmon stocks. Discover Scotland 37 1037

Maitland, P.S. (1991). Climate change and fish in northern Europe: some possible scenarios. Proceedings of the Institute of Fisheries Management, Annual Study Course. 22, 97-110

Maitland, P.S. (1992). The status of Arctic Charr, Salvelinus alpinus L., in southern Scotland: a cause for concern. Freshwater Forum 2 212-227

Maitland, P.S. (1993). Sites in Great Britain for freshwater and estuarine fish on the EC Habitats and Species Directive. Report to JNCC, Peterborough

Maitland, P.S. (1995). The ecological requirements of threatened and declining freshwater fish species in the United Kingdom. Report to JNCC, Peterborough

Maitland, P.S. (1995). Powan Coregonus lavaretus and Arctic Charr Salvelinus alpinus in Loch Eck, Argyll. Report to Scottish Natural Heritage, Clydebank

Maitland, P.S. (1995). World status and conservation of the Arctic Charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.). Nordic Journal of Freshwater Research. 71, 113-127

Maitland, P.S. (1996). Spawning habitat of Vendace Coregonus albula: a review and management options for Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwentwater. Report to English Nature, Windermere

Maitland, P.S. (1997). Species Action Plans for lampreys in England. Report to English Nature, Peterborough

Maitland, P.S. (1998). Species Action Plan: River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis). Report to Edinburgh District Council, Edinburgh

Maitland, P.S. (1998). Conservation and management of Arctic Charr in Scotland: wise use of a valuable resource. Proceedings of the 7th ISACF Workshop on Arctic Charr. 1992, 95-110

Maitland, P.S. (1999). Freshwater fishes of Britain and Europe. Hamlyn, London

Maitland, P.S., Greer, R.B., Campbell, R.N. & Friend, G.F. (1984). The status and biology of Arctic Charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), in Scotland. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Arctic Charr, Winnipeg. 1981, 1, 193-215

Maitland, P.S., Morris, K.H., East, K., Schoonoord, M.P., Van der Wal, B. & Potter, I.C. (1984). The estuarine biology of the River Lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis, in the Firth of Forth, Scotland, with particular reference to size composition and feeding. Journal of Zoology, London  203, 211-225

Maitland, P.S. & Lyle, A.A. (1990). Practical conservation of British fishes: current action on six declining species. Journal of Fish Biology. 37, 255-256

Maitland, P.S. & Lyle, A.A. (1990). Conservation of Sparling and other fish in Scotland. Journal of the Edinburgh Natural History Society. 1990, 16-18

Maitland, P.S. & Lyle, A.A. (1991). Conservation of freshwater fish in the British Isles: the current status and biology of threatened species. Aquatic Conservation. 1, 25-54

Maitland, P.S. & Lyle, A.A. (1992). Conservation of freshwater fish in the British Isles: proposals for management. Aquatic Conservation. 2, 165-183

Maitland, P.S. & Lyle, A.A. (1996). The smelt in Scotland. Freshwater Forum. 6, 57-68

Maitland, P.S. & Lyle, A.A. (1995). Shad and smelt in the Cree estuary, S.W. Scotland. Report to Scottish Natural Heritage, Edinburgh

Maitland, P.S., May, L., Jones, D.H. & Doughty, C.R. (1991). Ecology and conservation of Arctic Charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), in Loch Doon, an acidifying loch in southwest Scotland. Biological Conservation. 55, 167-197

Maitland, P.S., Morris, K.H. & East, K. (1994). The ecology of lampreys (Petromyzonidae) in the Loch Lomond area. Hydrobiologia. 290, 105-120

NERC (1997) Advice on the status of British common seal populations, 1997.  (Confidential report)

NERC (1997)  Advice on the status of British grey seal populations, 1997.  (Confidential report)

Ochyra, R.  (1989).  Animadversions on the moss genus Cratoneuron (Sull.) Spruce.  Journal of the Hattori Botanical Laboratory 67: 203-242

Purvis, O.W., Coppins, B.J., Hawkesworth, D.L., James, P.W. & Moore, D.M. (Editors). (1992).  The Lichen Flora of Great Britain and Ireland.  Natural History Museum, London

Reading C J, Buckland S T, McGowan G M, Gorzula S, Jayasinghe G, Staines, B W, Elston D A and Ahmadi S  1994  Status of the adder (Vipera berus) in Scotland.  SNH Research, Survey and Monitoring Series No.38

Seaward, M.R.D. (Editor). (1995).  The Lichen Atlas of the British Isles. Fascicle 1: Parmelia.  The British Lichen Society, London

Seaward, M.R.D. (Editor). (1996).  The Lichen Atlas of the British Isles.  Fascicle 2: Cladonia.  The British Lichen Society, London

Seaward, M.R.D. (Editor). (1998).  The Lichen Atlas of the British Isles.  Fascicle 3: The foliose Physciaceae (Anaptychia, Heterodermia, Hyperphyscia, Phaeophyscia, Physcia, Physonia, Tornabea), Arctomia, Lobaria, Massalongia, Pseudocyphellaria, Solorina, Sticta, Teloschistes..  The British Lichen Society, London

Smith, A.J.E. (1978).  The moss flora of Britain and Ireland. Cambridge University Press

Smith, A.J.E. (1990).  The liverworts of Britain and Ireland.  Cambridge University Press

Stewart, N.F. (1995).  A survey of Orkney stoneworts.  Unpublished report to SNH

Stewart, N.F. & Church, J.M. (1992).  Red Data Books of Britain & Ireland: Stoneworts.  Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough

SNH (unpublished): Natterjack Toad and Marine Turtles Species Action Plans; datasets relating to great crested newt and red squirrel (incorporating data from SNH, Forestry Commission and BRISC).

Townsend, C.C.  (1994).  Bryum archangelicum B. S. & G in Scotland: new to Britain  Journal of Bryology 18: 277-280

Tucker G.M. and Heath M.F (1994) - Birds in Europe: their conservation status. Birdlife International, Cambridge

Vincent Wildlife Trust (1996-1998): water vole survey data, supplemented by additional SNH survey data (Aberdeenshire) and R. Cottis (Skye)

Vincent Wildlife Trust (1998)  The Polecat

Walters R.J., Cranswick P.A., Musgrove A.J. and Pollitt M.S. (1998) - The Wetland Bird Survey 1996-97: Wildfowl and Wader Counts. BTO/WWT/RSPB/JNCC, Slimbridge

Wilson, G., Harris, S. & McLaren, G.  (1997).  Changes to the British badger population, 1988 to 1997.  People's Trust for Endangered Species, London.