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Protected areas and species

The greatest challenge facing nature conservation in Scotland is climate change. How does protecting special areas, protecting endangered species and conserving biodiversity in the wider countryside help adaptation to climate change? 

Protecting areas

Protected areas represent the very best of Scotland's landscapes, plants and animals, rocks, fossils and landforms. Their designation alerts planners, developers and land managers to the presence of particularly valued natural resources. Further information on protected areas can be found on the Scottish Natural Heritage website.

The Scottish Government has set a target for bringing nature conservation sites into favourable condition. This makes them more resilient to change by reducing the other pressures on them. Nature conservation sites cover around 18% of Scotland's land area (SNH, 2011 ). As well as providing core areas for threatened wildlife and plants, protected areas provide a range of natural services such as flood water storage in wetlands and carbon capture in peatlands.

Protecting species

Some of our most vulnerable species, such as bats, badgers and dolphins, are protected by law. This means that people need to take steps to avoid activities that might kill or disturb them. Further information on protected species can be found on the Scottish Natural Heritage website.

The legislation is reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure that vulnerable species remain protected in the face of changing pressures.

Conserving biodiversity in the wider countryside

Protecting special places and vulnerable species on their own is not enough.

  • Nature conservation sites need to be connected by a network of corridors and stepping stones that allow species to move and adapt to climate change. Local Nature Conservation Sites can provide stepping stones whilst the development of green infrastructure  helps improve connectivity between sites.
  • Farmlands and forests need more wild corners and less intensively managed margins to make space for once common birds, plants and insects. Agri-environment schemes external site and conditions on direct payments to farmers have begun to reverse the decline in farmland birds.
  • Some species will require additional work to help them recover. Initiatives like the Species Action Framework prioritise funding towards those species in most urgent need of help.
  • Other species need to be controlled to manage their impacts on biodiversity and other economic interests. Wildlife management is an important aspect of managing for biodiversity in the wider countryside as is controlling on invasive non-native species .