3. The Purpose of Local Nature Conservation Sites
Local biodiversity sites
3.1 To contribute fully to this legislative and policy context, local biodiversity sites must recognise places of substantive importance for biodiversity, where protecting and enhancing biodiversity can make an important contribution to the objectives of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. Each local biodiversity site may also contribute to the quality of the local environment, and may provide opportunities for local people to find out about, and take pride in, their local biodiversity. It is through a Local Biodiversity Action Plan that LNCS can most effectively be co-ordinated with other complementary mechanisms. Local geodiversity sites
3.2 The legislative and policy context for local geodiversity sites indicates that they can fulfil a similar role to that of local biodiversity sites. These sites provide examples of geology and geomorphology of substantive regional and local importance, where the resource can be conserved so that people can enjoy and find out more about Earth heritage. They can contribute to the quality of local environments, and provide opportunities for informal recreation. Preparation of a Local Geodiversity Action Plan (see box) will guide the identification of local geodiversity sites, and identify other mechanisms contributing to geodiversity conservation.
Local Geodiversity Action Plans: West Lothian Pilot Study In West Lothian, the British Geological Survey, Scottish Natural Heritage, West Lothian Council and Lothian & Borders RIGS Group have formed a partnership to develop good practice in geodiversity auditing and action planning, and to look at ways to incorporate this into the planning system and the Local Biodiversity Action Plan process. The geodiversity audit will pull together all available knowledge of the area’s geology, soils, and landforms, together with the processes that form them, and an assessment of current pressures and threats. This will form the basis for a Local Geodiversity Action Plan (LGAP), which will also identify sites of local importance for geodiversity, and opportunities for enhancement, education, recreation and community involvement. It will promote the free availability of geodiversity data to inform the decisions of the planning authority and of land managers. The LGAP will highlight the interdependance between geodiversity and biodiversity. It will identify management action which will benefit both, and will identify opportunities for people to find out more about how geodiversity and biodiversity interact.
A combined approach for biodiversity and geodiversity
3.3 Although establishing local biodiversity and geodiversity site systems requires different types of expertise, and the systems are at different stages of development in Scotland, both systems have a common foundation in recognising local importance through a locally-driven process. Both have the potential to contribute to local environmental quality, education and wellbeing, and so there are benefits to be gained from developing the systems in parallel, and within a similar policy framework.
3.4 Local Nature Conservation Sites should form part of an overall approach to delivering the Local Biodiversity or Local Geodiversity Action Plan, with the following purpose:
To identify biodiversity and geodiversity of at least local importance, and to assist efforts to protect and enhance these interests.
3.5 If LNCS systems conforming to this purpose are established in all local authority areas, LNCS can collectively make a significant contribution to the conservation of our national biodiversity and geodiversity resource.
3.6 Within the LNCS system, a limited number of sites will also be suited to providing a range of additional benefits for the people of Scotland, including opportunities to enjoy and take pride in local biodiversity and geodiveristy.