Scotland's Earth Heritage and Landscape
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Scotland’s rocks, fossils, landforms and soils
Protecting our Earth Heritage
Designated sites – protecting the best
SNH is responsible for the conservation and enhancement of a network of Earth science Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), which includes the very best Earth heritage features in Scotland. They were chosen to represent the key stages in the growth and development of Scotland’s landscape over its three billion year history. The selection of Earth science SSSIs is based on the Geological Conservations Review (GCR) undertaken by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). More information on the GCR can be found on the JNCC website
When required, SNH provides advice on the management of SSSIs to land owners, local authority planners and other government agencies. Where appropriate, SNH supports work to enhance the value of SSSIs, for example through the clearance of rubbish from rock exposures.
Some developments are potentially damaging to Earth science SSSIs, but if consultations take place at an early stage, SNH may be able to offer advice on ways to safeguard the key interests.
Besides the statutory protection of SSSIs, informal schemes help conserve other important localities. The most systematic is the Regionally Important Geological/ Geomorphological Sites initiative (RIGS). The RIGS initiative is run on a voluntary basis through the participation of wildlife trusts, museums, geological societies, teachers, planners and site owners. More details of this initiative may be found on the scottishgeology.com website.
The wider landscape – beyond designated sites
Our Earth heritage is not confined within the narrow boundaries of SSSIs but is present across the whole landscape where the same pressures apply. As part of its Natural Heritage Futures (formerly Natural Heritage Zones) programme, SNH is working to describe the geology and landforms of Scotland on a wider area basis and to promote holistic management of the natural heritage. This means working with landowners, planners and other government agencies to ensure that the value of the Earth heritage is recognised in land management and planning decisions and that these decisions are based on the best understanding of physical processes.
What can I do to help?
Everyone: As an individual you may have a favourite site which the owner may allow you to manage. You can also campaign for conservation with politicians, in the media, or with friends and colleagues. In addition, anyone can join or start a RIGS group.
Site Owners: The success of Earth heritage conservation depends on the goodwill of site owners. If you own a site with Earth science interest, you can make a major contribution if you manage the site sympathetically and allow access for study. If you would like to do more or are willing to support site improvements, your help will be warmly welcomed.
Museums: As the storehouses of the nation’s rock and fossil collections, museums can actively promote responsible fossil and mineral collecting, through interpretive and educational projects.
Universities: Universities are centres of excellence in Earth sciences and can have an important role in the conservation of sites in their area. Staff and students can participate in RIGS groups, with departments providing advice and support for Earth science conservation nation-wide.
Planners: Planners and councillors have a vital role in protecting geological and geomorphological sites. When preparing development plans and assessing applications for planning permission, you have an important opportunity to ensure the protection of our Earth heritage. Contact you local SNH area office for advice.
Quarry Operators: Access to sites by properly equipped researchers, working within agreed safety rules, is vital for the study of Earth science. But final faces of quarries are often left as steep rock-covered slopes. This makes research difficult and dangerous. Limited smooth blasting can produce a clear and accessible rock face at little extra cost. Ideal study sites can be created by leaving selected parts of a face as five-metre steps. If this is planned when the interest of the site is realised, costs and disruption can be kept to a minimum. Contact you local SNH area office for advice
Landfill Operators: Landfill in pits of quarries can bury unique geological features. Total loss can often be avoided by leaving a face clear, but this costs money and has to be properly designed. Making a financial or practical contribution in this way helps conservation and in some cases SNH can also assist. Contact you local SNH area office for advice
Geologists and Geomorphologists: As a specialist you are probably keen to conserve sites. Here are some of the many ways you can help.
- Join or start a local RIGS group
- Give SNH the benefit of your knowledge of particular sites – this is invaluable and much appreciated.
- Always respect the interests of owners when visiting a location. Ask permission to visit and remember time spent explaining the significance of a site and the need for its conservation to owners, planners and other interested groups is never time wasted.
- Think before you hammer and leave the site in the condition you found it. Respect others’ wish to visit the site and make the same discoveries.
More information may be found in the Geological Field Work Code, and guidance on responsible fossil collecting: Fossil Collecting in Scotland: SNH Information and Advisory Note 110 ; JNCC fossil collecting policy statement ; and on the scottishgeology.com website