Planning, Landscape & the Natural Heritage
Biodiversity - Species and Habitats Action Plans
There are 391 priority Species Action Plans and 45 Habitat Action Plans, of
these 189 action plans are relevant in Scotland for (245 species) and
41 habitats are know to occur or have been found in Scotland. Criteria
were established to select Species of Conservation Concern, Priority Species
and Priority Habitats on the basis of threat, rate of decline, proportion
of the international resource and where the UK has an international obligation.
The process identified an additional 94 Species Statements which provide
an overview of the status and conservation requirements. The Statements
do not include actions and targets, though many recommend further survey
and research to determine their conservation status. Of the Statements
41 species are found in Scotland.
All terrestrial, freshwater and maritime habitats of the UK have been
characterised by 27 Broad Habitats which sets the priority habitats in
context, provides a means of identifying new priorities, and framework
for surveillance of the countryside which translates to other UK land
cover classifications. Habitat definitions and statements have been prepared
for all 27 types.
The action plans established biological targets and a programme of actions
for implementation over a 15-20 year timescale. The first action plans
were published in 1995 with second tranche of plans published between
1998 and 1999. The UK Targets Group has signed off the preparation of
a further 2 habitat action plans (Lowland mixed deciduous woodland and
Upland birchwoods) to incorporate additional woodland habitats of conservation
concern. Four proposals (Oligotrophic lakes; Ponds of high ecological
status; Active shingle rivers; Montane heaths) have been supported by
the Targets Group and are being considered by the country groups.
Each action plan has a lead partner or agency (for habitats) to co-ordinate
a partnership to implement the suite of actions and deliver ambitious
targets to address decline and encourage recovery.
SNH leads on 24 species and 6 habitats and we are contact point for 84
action plans. Examples of the SAPs and HAPs we lead on include: Athyrium
flexile (Newman`s lady fern), Thyasira gouldi (northern hatchett shell),
Zygaena viciae argyllensis (New Forest burnet moth), blanket bog, machair
and maerl beds. In conjunction with partners we are responsible for implementing
2066 actions across the suite of UK priority plans.
Visit the UK BAP website for a full list of Species Action Plans,and
Habitat Action Plans.
Alternatively go to the NBN Gateway to search for biological data.