5.1 Introduction
This plan was prepared by the SBF Rural Land Use Working Group to address all rural areas of Scotland. This is defined as areas not intimately tied in to urban environments (which are addressed by the Urban Implementation Plan). Due to the size and complex nature of rural areas with its strong sectoral drivers, the Working Group approached the task by convening sectoral subgroups consisting of key stakeholders including those who are responsible for land use policies and programmes. Actions were developed according to the following five sectors4:
The plans were devised through firstly assessing the challenges to progress with HAP and SAP actions and targets and then identifying the main issues opportunities and constraints relevant to achieving the Strategy’s overall goals for rural biodiversity.
There are many initiatives already underway in all rural land use sectors which are benefiting biodiversity. The following chapter does not attempt to list these fully here but rather to give a brief flavour of current action to set the scene for proposed actions in the plan.
Many of the actions in the first three years of the plan are about taking opportunities to integrate biodiversity consistently and comprehensively into the key mechanisms for change which will operate over the period, notably CAP reform and the Water Framework Directive.
5.2 Issues and Rationale
In this section we outline the issues facing the rural biodiversity of Scotland in each of the above sectors and give a rationale for the actions that have been identified. The issues facing rural biodiversity identified here were largely drawn from an analysis of Lead Partners’ responses provided in the 2002 UKBAP reporting round,
5.2.1 Agriculture, Crofting and Rural Development
The vision of this part of the Rural Land Use Plan is a profitable agriculture, set in a wildlife-rich, diverse and dynamic countryside, where farming and biodiversity conservation go hand in hand.
Of the Lead Partners that reported in the 2002 UKBAP reporting round, 32 habitats and 102 species identified agricultural-related issues as important factors causing loss or decline. The most frequently identified factors are associated with inappropriate grazing levels (26% of factors), agro-chemical pollution and nutrient enrichment (25%) and drainage (9%). Together, these factors account for 60% of all agricultural impacts in Scotland. Other impacts include intensive crop regimes or grassland management and conversion to arable land.
Agricultural land accounts for 5.5 million hectares in Scotland, 85% of which is in Less Favoured Areas. Of this a total of 6,700 farmers and crofters (2,365,000 ha, or 43% of farmland) are covered by Agri Environment agreements as at 2004.
The Custodians of Change Report, produced by The Agriculture and Environment Working Group had its origins in A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture. Custodians identified the environmental issues of greatest importance to on farming over the next 5-10 years:
The Scottish Executive’s commitment to securing a sustainable approach to farming, including biodiversity, was set out in the Executive’s response to the Custodians Report, published in January 2003 and The Executives Partnership Agreement, published in May 2003. The latter contains a High Level Commitment to the development of Land Management Contracts as well as a number of other commitments aimed at securing a sustainable future for agriculture.
The meeting of these commitments needs to be tailored to help to achieve biodiversity goals such as halting the long term decline in the numbers of farmland birds, insects and wildflowers; halting losses and improving condition of farmland habitats such as hedges, ponds, field margins and farms woods; improving the condition of semi natural habitats such as grassland and heath damaged through agriculture; and maintaining and enhancing cultural landscapes, such as machair habitats and wood pasture, with benign traditional practices,. 5
A number of actions are already underway to address these challenges identified above. There is for example work to develop agri-environment schemes including the introduction of guaranteed continued agri-environment support to farmers and crofters whose Environmentally Sensitive Area agreement is coming to an end, along with the substantial revision of the Rural Stewardship Scheme to enable more farmers to participate, to ensure that appropriate prescriptions with appropriate flexibilities are included in the Scheme, and to facilitate collaborative applications to support concerted action to address local environmental priorities.
The Scottish Executive is committed to the development of Land Management Contracts and the recent announcements on CAP reform provide opportunities to develop Pillar II schemes, with an increased budget through increased Modulation.
The Implementation Plan of the Biodiversity Strategy in rural Scotland is designed to assist the decision makers and policy makers for the coming 3 years as they seek to ensure the sustainable management of the biodiversity of agricultural landscapes. The review of the SRDP in 2006 will present a major opportunity to meet the objectives contained in this Strategy.
At the same time advisors and consultants should seek to ensure that every opportunity is taken in their advisory work to facilitate and build on Crofters and Farmers’ understanding of biodiversity and resultant actions.
5.2.2 Uplands and Mountains
The vision for uplands and mountains is to enhance the ecological resilience and natural processes operating at a landscape-scale in order to maintain or enhance mosaics of semi-natural upland habitats that will be able to adapt to climate change and socio-economic change and still retain their characteristic species.
‘Uplands and mountains’ has been taken to include all the predominantly unenclosed and unwooded landscapes of upland and mountainous areas of Scotland. There are overlaps with agriculture, as grazing is a key factor in maintaining open sub-montane habitats, and also with forestry and freshwater sectors in order to plan for biodiversity at the landscape scale. But the importance of upland areas is such that they merit distinct treatment. Mountain habitats cover over half of Scotland's land surface. Their importance for biodiversity conservation is shown by the fact that they include 42% of Special Areas of Conservation and 27% of Special Protection Areas designated by the European Commission in Scotland. Most of the uplands are also covered by Habitat Action Plans for montane heath, blanket and raised bog, upland heath and calcareous grassland.
The main objectives for biodiversity are to enhance achievement of HAP targets and designated site objectives and the main challenges in doing so are how to plan and manage these upland landscapes on a large enough scale and how to get land managers to adapt land-use practices to enhance biodiversity value.
The most frequently identified factors associated with upland species and habitats are pollution and nutrient enrichment, largely runoff from acid deposition (18% of factors), inappropriate grazing (14%), and glob al warming (6%). For those species and habitats found in Scotland, 263 upland related actions are identified as key areas where change could positively influence the delivery of the species and habitat targets. These actions encompass information gathering, habitat management and species conservation with developing or populating survey databases as the most frequently cited action type. Other actions include undertaking baseline survey, developing good practice and advice, securing favourable site management and the continuing development of Agri-environment schemes.
Current action for biodiversity is centred on Rural Stewardship Schemes and Natural Care incentives and LIFE funds for managing designated sites. LIFE projects in SACs and SPAs also fund some interesting restoration work such as blanket bog restoration in the Flow Country. The challenge for the future is to encourage land-managers to adopt best practices that harness biodiversity to sporting and land management aims, and to extend the scope of agri-environment and other schemes and enhancing the emphasis on larger scale planning and co-ordinated management across several ownerships.
Many of the major stakeholders concerned with upland environments are members of Scotland's Moorland Forum, which published its Principles of Moorland Management in 2003. Upland recreation is a major contributor to local economies, and the Access Forum is directly concerned with this. Given that nearly all of Scotland's rivers rise in the uplands, and often flow for considerable parts of their length through them, the development of appropriate policy instruments under the Water Framework Directive is of significant importance for their management to achieve environmental, economic, and social goals. Collaborative RSS schemes and Land Management Contracts are also key mechanisms. The place of woodlands in upland landscapes needs to be planned together with moorland land uses for best overall results for biodiversity, so that forest habitat networks, Scottish Forestry Grant Schemes and private and public sector forest design plans are also important mechanisms which need to be influenced. Thus a key emphasis in this implementation plan will be fostering a close co-operation amongst the diverse stakeholders concerned with our uplands and mountains.
5.2.3 Freshwater
The vision of this plan for freshwater biodiversity is to achieve water quality and quantity, and sustainable management practices, in a way which also achieves the Scottish targets in the UK Biodiversity Action Plans related to freshwater and other appropriate targets in LBAPs across Scotland.
Of the Lead Partners that reported, 11 habitats and 44 species found in Scotland identified freshwater related issues as important factors causing loss or decline. The most frequently identified factors are associated with pollution and nutrient enrichment, largely runoff from agricultural land (29% of factors), habitat loss from flood defence works, construction and river engineering (27%), and water abstraction (13%). These factors account for 69% of all freshwater related impacts. Other impacts include tourism and water sports and industrial or commercial pollution of freshwater habitats.
For those species and habitats found in Scotland, 1009 freshwater related actions are identified as key areas where change could positively influence the delivery of the species and habitat targets. These actions encompass information gathering, habitat management and species conservation with developing or populating survey databases as the most frequently cited action type. Other actions include undertaking further survey and monitoring, conducting autecological research, securing site protection and the continuing development of the Agri-environment schemes.
A number of these actions are under development in many areas, including schemes like the 4-Point Plan to limit diffuse pollution, SEPA's Habitat Enhancement Scheme, and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) which can create freshwater biodiversity in their own right. However a number of blockages to achievement of freshwater BAP targets still exist.
The aim of the Freshwater sector of the Rural Land Use plan is to identify current legislative and policy challenges to implementing freshwater and wetland BAPs in Scotland, and to suggest actions for the next three years to address these issues. The Plan covers water quality, water quantity, habitats, species, and the more cross-cutting issues of integrated catchment management, awareness & education and research & monitoring. It sets aspirational long-term targets for freshwater and wetland biodiversity, and then addresses these through specific actions and responsibilities at national and regional levels.
The authors of the Plan are keen to highlight a number of key actions for the Plan over and above those enabled by the Water Environment and Water Services Act, although this is undoubtedly an important policy tool for benefiting freshwater and wetland biodiversity.
5.2.4 Woodland and Forestry
The key aim for the Forestry and Woodlands sector is to conserve and enhance biodiversity by strengthening the role of natural processes within Scotland’s forest and woodland resource. This means taking action not just for species, habitats and special sites, but also focussing on restoration, expansion and habitat network development at a landscape scale.
A number of key issues and blockages affecting biodiversity in forests and woodlands were identified during the development of this Implementation Plan. These include: the breakdown in the natural functioning of forest systems due to fragmentation of the native woodland resource, limited structural diversity (in both native and non-native woodlands), direct loss of woodland through development and degradation, the spread of invasive species, inappropriate grazing levels, decline in traditional management practices, comparatively low land values for woodlands, and inadequate biodiversity management advice and incentives.
UK BAP lead partner reporting also identified a number of key issues affecting biodiversity. A total of 13 HAPs and 50 SAPs identified forestry and woodland management related issues as important factors causing loss or decline. The most frequently identified factors were associated with woodland expansion or planting of inappropriate tree species (36% of factors), felling and loss of trees (24%) and lack of woodland regeneration.
There are a number of ongoing constraints in tackling some of these key issues, most notably the current depressed prices for timber associated with global markets, and distortions caused by the relatively lower levels of public funding that are available to help private woodland owners to provide public benefits, in comparison with agricultural subsidies.
However, numerous initiatives have been developed in recent years to begin to diversify plantation forests and reverse the trend of loss of biodiversity in Scotland’s native woodlands. A suite of good practice guidelines is well established and linked to regulation and incentives. Many areas have Indicative Forestry Strategies or Forestry Frameworks and some are now developing forest habitat network plans. Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, private landowners and landowning NGOs (such as Woodland Trust Scotland, RSPB and Scottish Wildlife Trust) have progressed many examples of good-practice biodiversity management.
The Scottish Forestry Strategy, published in 2000, sets out the policies and priorities for forestry in Scotland, seeking to ensure that forestry and woodlands produce economic, environmental and social benefits and these are integrated with other sectors and land uses. Conserving and enhancing woodland biodiversity and encouraging involvement and enjoyment by people are important themes addressed by a number of priority actions, which also contribute to UK Biodiversity Action Plan targets. These include: improving the management of semi-natural woodlands; extending and enhancing native woodlands by developing forest habitat networks; increasing the diversity of the farmed landscape; aiding recovery of acidified rivers and improving riparian habitat; encouraging alternatives to clear-felling.
The Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme, launched in 2003 has been designed to address these priorities, and the management of the national forest estate is also geared to implementing them. The forestry and woodlands actions in this Plan suggest additional actions to facilitate further enhancement of biodiversity. These are consistent with the priorities set out in the Scottish Forestry Strategy.
Priorities for action in the first 3 years of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy include: restoration of natural processes within forest ecosystems through the development of forest habitat and other semi-natural habitat networks, restoration and condition improvement of ancient and semi-natural woodlands, restructuring of production woodlands to increase biodiversity, improving protection of ancient and native woodlands and understanding of the nature and condition of the woodland resource. This will be achieved through completing a series of short to medium term actions to be reviewed and revised every 3 years.
5.2.5 Sustainable Rural Development: Access, Planning
Efforts to conserve and enhance biodiversity should be integrated into the responses to the rural social and economic issues that affect us today. There also needs to be greater co-ordination of sectoral rural policies to enable a joined up approach right across the rural environment.
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and the implementation of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive in Scotland are important tools contributing towards the goal of sustainable development and, within that, the sustainable use of biodiversity.
Actions resulting from Custodians of Change will help drive the integration of biodiversity into agricultural land management, but greater integration with other land management policies and incentives should be sought in the medium term.
National planning policies have embraced biodiversity within guidance and advice but delivery at the local level needs to be the emphasis.
Access legislation provides opportunities for awareness raising and education through people getting out and experiencing nature first hand but education is vital to avoid conflicts of interest.
We should also further develop and promote sustainable tourism in Scotland which provides opportunities for people to enjoy, understand and help conserve and enhance biodiversity
5.3 Key Priorities and Resources
The key priorities for implementation during the first three years of the Strategy under each main strategy objective are described in this section. Overall for the first three years there is a strong emphasis on integrating biodiversity into existing plans and programmes and taking advantage of developments which are already in the pipeline. The additional resource cost of measures in this three year plan is therefore expected to be modest although it has not been possible to cost the proposals in any depth. Further enhancement of resources to deliver biological targets on the ground may well be needed however; but this will only emerge on a consistent basis from the review of HAP and SAP targets and progress planned for 2005/6.
(i) Species and Habitats
Key actions to facilitate the delivery of targets for HAPs and SAPs and LBAP priorities apply across all three plans as outlined in Chapter 2. Within the rural plan key measures for the first three years are to promote better sharing of good habitat management practice, and take opportunities to integrate HAP/SAP/LBAP targets more fully into some key programmes (Water Framework Directive, Natural Care Schemes, SFGS). The direct costs are likely to be modest over the first three years but could increase in the medium term by increasing resources required for incentive schemes.
The native woodlands survey will have significant resource needs over a five year period, but will provide a greatly enhanced basis for planning and monitoring achievement of targets in the medium term.
(ii) People
The priorities for the first three years are to increase awareness of biodiversity and the role of land management practices in each sector in conserving and enhancing it. Measures are aimed both at land managers such as farmers and foresters and also the public. Resource implications are modest in cash terms but significant in terms of staff time to develop and deliver programmes.
(iii) Landscapes and ecosystems
The main thrust of action is to develop landscape and regional scale planning and delivery mechanisms to integrate biodiversity at larger scales into land use. Resource needs for the first three years are moderate focussed on development and co-ordination of planning mechanisms.
(iv) Integration and Co-ordination
Key measures are for integration of biodiversity into development of agri-environment schemes (Tier 2 and 3 measures post CAP reform), enhancing the management of deer populations to reduce impacts on biodiversity, and development of market-pull mechanisms to encourage sustainable management sympathetic to biodiversity. The resource costs of further incentive schemes could be significant, but other measures are more concerned with re-focussing staff costs in public bodies perhaps with modest additional costs. Increased access and recreational use of the countryside makes it important to find out how best to combine public use with conservation, and this is another important theme for the first 3 years.
(v) Knowledge
A broad package of measures is proposed to increase and disseminate knowledge and develop monitoring systems.
Basic understanding of ecological functioning in response to environmental change over varied spatial scales, is a key priority for woodlands and uplands sectors, which is likely to last for at least the first and second cycle of the plan. The resource needs for this objective should be capable of being met for most items by refocusing within current overall research and technology transfer budgets, as has been proposed at UK level by the Biodiversity Research Advisory Group.
5.4 RURAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
No. |
Target |
No. |
Action |
Lead |
Supports |
|
Strategy Objective 1: Species and Habitats |
||||||
1.1 |
Develop and share good habitat management practice through local partnerships, to promote biodiversity in farmed landscapes |
1.1a |
Assess and identify existing rural initiatives on good habitat management practice through local partnerships. Best practice identified for rural initiatives |
2005 |
SBF Implementation Team |
Scottish Executive (Wildlife and Habitats Division) |
1.1b |
Scottish (and where appropriate UK) good practice examples of good habitat management in farmed landscapes through local partnerships pulled together and distributed through a handbook and/or seminar |
2005 |
||||
1.1c |
New local farmland initiatives in LBAP areas in support of agri-environment programme developed |
2006 |
||||
1.2 |
Ensure implementation of Water Environment and Water Services Act contributes where practicable towards freshwater and wetland BAP targets |
1.2a |
‘Soft engineering’ risk based methods to enhance and contribute towards freshwater and wetland BAP habitats are designed and implementation started for engineering operations affecting water, contributing where practicable towards the sustainable flood management duty. Monitoring programmes implemented which will monitor progress against freshwater and wetland BAP targets |
2005 |
SEPA |
SNH |
1.2b |
Risk-based measures for controlling point-source and diffuse pollution designed and implemented |
2005/Ongoing |
||||
1.2c |
Risk-based measures for controlling abstraction and impoundment are designed and implementation begun |
2005/Ongoing |
||||
1.2d |
Water bodies and wetlands characterised in terms of Good Ecological Status (GES) and monitoring systems developed which contribute where practicable towards freshwater and wetland BAP systems and targets at every opportunity |
2007 |
||||
1.2e |
System implemented to ensure no deterioration in status under WEWS applies to all BAP freshwater and coastal habitats, covered by the Water Framework Directive. |
2007 |
||||
1.3 |
Encourage natural disturbance processes in Scottish forests and maintain and restore traditional management practices beneficial to biodiversity |
1.3a |
Introduce woodland grazing incentives within Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme and integrate these with Rural Stewardship Scheme provisions |
2006 |
FCS |
Scottish Executive (Farm Business Restructuring Division) |
1.3b |
Initiate research and trial conservation grazing regimes with cattle for native woodlands and wood pasture |
2007 |
||||
1.4 |
Encourage positive management under the Natural Care Scheme, to contribute to biodiversity targets on all designated sites |
1.4a |
Integration of activity between Natural Care development teams and others responsible for monitoring progress towards biodiversity targets |
2007 |
SNH |
NPA |
1.4b |
Closer collaboration with LBAPs at external consultation stage of Natural Care Scheme development |
2007 |
||||
1.4c |
At scheme development identify Natural Care measures which will achieve biodiversity targets |
2007 |
||||
1.5 |
Enhance current implementation of native woodland Habitat Action Plans |
1.5a |
An enhanced inventory of Scottish native woodlands is initiated to inform reporting, review and further implementation and monitoring of HAP targets |
2005 |
FCS |
Native Woodlands Partnership for Scotland |
1.5b |
An enhanced new suite of training products and events for native woodlands in Scotland developed, piloted and made fully available |
2006 |
||||
1.6 |
Enhance the implementation of woodland Species Action Plans |
1.6a |
A strategy has been developed, in partnership with SAP lead partners, identifying key SAPs for pro-active action in SFGS woodlands and on the FCS estate. These are included in corporate planning targets and performance measures |
2006 |
FCS |
SNH |
1.6b |
Advisory information sheets about woodland related SAP species are extended and updated, to cover key species |
2007 |
||||
1.7 |
Develop and implement a policy for the management and conservation of woodland genetic diversity, which achieves both conservation and sustainable use of genetic diversity |
1.7a |
Policy for genetic conservation and management in forestry in Scotland published contributing to the overall policy framework for genetic diversity in Scotland |
2007 |
FCS |
SBF Member Organisations |
Strategy Objective 2: People |
||||||
2.1 |
Increase public awareness of biodiversity in the rural land use sector through encouraging best practice in farming and other forms of land management |
2.1a |
Review existing SBF RLUWG relevant awareness-raising work to date |
2005 |
SBF RLUWG |
RHET |
2.1b |
Improve understanding of farming and other land management issues through visits to appropriate sites |
Ongoing |
||||
2.1c |
Identify appropriate mechanisms to disseminate best practice in land management to target audiences |
2006/Ongoing |
||||
2.2 |
Raise awareness of the sustainable use of the freshwater biodiversity resource by ensuring that the freshwater and wetland biodiversity process is fully integrated into the public participation required by the Water Environment and Water Services Act |
2.2a |
Sub-basin plan advisory groups set up. Freshwater and wetland BAP targets integrated into mechanisms for public participation in RBMPs and sub-basin plans |
2007 |
SEPA |
All Relevant Authorities |
2.3 |
Raise awareness of specific issues affecting freshwater biodiversity through targeted education initiatives, training and information |
2.3a |
Key Messages regarding issues affecting freshwater biodiversity and target audiences agreed. Current work reviewed. New work needed and communications means agreed |
2005 |
SNH |
Scottish Executive |
2.3b |
Information programmes on issues affecting freshwater biodiversity developed and delivered. Programmes revised and reviewed |
2006 |
||||
2.3c |
Information programmes on issues affecting freshwater biodiversity further delivered and overall programme reviewed |
2007 |
||||
2.4 |
Encourage school children to appreciate biodiversity of woodlands |
2.4a |
A national campaign to encourage school children to plant native trees has been implemented. Children and the wider public are provided with the opportunity to plant trees throughout Scotland |
2005 |
WTS |
LAs |
2.4b |
The project will raise awareness of biodiversity issues through a web-site and education materials on the benefits of planting native trees to people and biodiversity |
2005 onwards |
||||
2.4c |
A Nature Detectives website will be launched and developed to encourage children to explore, understand and monitor changes in the countryside linked to Climate change (phenology) |
2005 onwards |
||||
2.4d |
Report produced to show the results of the WTS initiative |
2005 annually |
||||
2.5 |
Increase the current resources and use of recreational, countryside and forest rangers services to help people, including schools and community groups, to appreciate woodland biodiversity through visits, conservation projects etc, linking to the SBF interpretive strategy |
2.5a |
Programme for encouraging appreciation of woodland biodiversity has been developed and is underway |
2007 |
FCS |
SNH |
2.6 |
Develop targeted information programmes for local communities and the wider public (visitors and off site) on the biodiversity values of uplands and how individual and community actions can contribute to or decrease the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation |
2.6a |
Key messages regarding biodiversity values of uplands and target audiences agreed. Currently available upland promotional material identified and reviewed |
2005 |
SNH |
Deer Management Round Table |
2.6b |
Communication mechanisms and information programmes on raising awareness of upland biodiversity issues developed for each audience. Information programmes delivered |
2006 |
||||
2.6c |
Programmes on raising awareness of upland biodiversity issues further delivered and overall programmes reviewed for effectiveness |
2007 |
||||
2.7 |
Develop an approach among colleges and universities to create greater awareness among future land managers, researchers etc of upland and mountain issues in Scotland |
2.7a |
Current understanding and content of courses reviewed for upland/mountain issues content. Workshops held with target audiences to identify needs |
2006 |
Scotland's Moorland Forum |
Scottish Agricultural College |
2.7b |
Programme of talks, seminars, field visits and information resources developed to create greater awareness of upland issues among future land managers |
2006 |
||||
2.7c |
Programme to create greater awareness of upland issues among future land managers implemented and reviewed |
2007 |
||||
2.8 |
Actively promote Scottish Outdoor Access Code message to users and managers, e.g. sections on "Looking after the environment", and develop opportunities for further promotion of biodiversity awareness |
2.8a |
Report produced and implementation begun on mitigation measures relating potential impacts on biodiversity arising from recreational access to field and water margins (including work carried out under agri-environment schemes and regulations) |
2005 |
SNH |
Access Officers |
2.8b |
Target audiences agreed. Mechanisms for promotion agreed and developed, including training of advisors as required |
2006 |
||||
2.8c |
Promotion of Access Code begun and feedback gathered and incorporated |
2007 |
||||
2.8d |
Access Code further promoted |
|
||||
2.9 |
Further develop and promote sustainable tourism in Scotland which provides opportunities for people to enjoy, understand and help conserve and enhance biodiversity |
2.9a |
Investigate how existing Visit Scotland Quality Assurance Scheme relating to Visitor Attractions might be modified/adapted to attract and include nature based tourism operators and further enhance the integration of biodiversity into this scheme. |
2005 |
Visit Scotland |
SNH |
Strategy Objective 3: Landscapes and Ecosystems |
||||||
3.1 |
Develop effective collaborative RSS applications which link to recommendations in Custodians of Change. |
3.1a |
Suitable Pilot areas in the lowlands, uplands and crofting areas selected by the Agri-Environment |
2005 |
Scottish Executive (Farm Business Restructuring Division) |
Farmers and Land Managers |
3.1b |
Technical Working Group |
2006 |
||||
3.1c |
Effectiveness of collaborative RSS arrangements reviewed and considered for new rural development plan and wider landscape planning |
2008 |
||||
3.2 |
Conserve and enhance biodiversity at the landscape scale by developing, refining, and implementing forestry and woodland spatial planning mechanisms |
3.2a |
Targets agreed and published for developing Strategic Forest Habitat Networks with implementation underway in priority areas |
2005 |
FCS |
FCS / Forest Research |
3.2b |
Recommendations of the 2003 review of Forest Plans implemented to improve the use of long-term forest plans in private sector forests (under Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme) to increase biodiversity at a landscape scale |
2006 |
||||
3.2c |
‘Decision support tools’ developed based on existing models and case studies to help the development of Strategic Forest Habitat Network Plans |
2007 |
||||
3.3 |
Minimise losses of biodiversity occurring through fragmentation and loss of woodland due to development and other land uses |
3.3a |
Review measures to ensure biodiversity is fully taken into account, including adequate protection for ancient and semi-natural woodlands |
2007 |
FCS |
SNH |
3.3b |
WTS to develop the Woods Under Threat website to raise awareness of threats from inappropriate development to ancient woodlands at a local level |
|
WTS |
|||
3.4 |
Improve regional coordination of LBAPs across local government boundaries with regard to shared |
3.4a |
Annual cross-boundary meetings set up by LBAP partnerships to agree on co-ordinated management of shared habitats and species, particularly in relation to grazing management (deer and sheep) and muirburn practices |
2005 |
COSLA |
LAs |
3.5 |
Develop soil management strategies/policies, which will promote conservation and enhancement of biodiversity interests |
3.5a |
Soil biodiversity conservation interests included in the development of sustainable soils strategies/policies for Scotland |
2007 |
Scottish Executive (Air, Climate and Engineering Division) |
SNH |
Strategy Objectives 4: Integration and Co-ordination |
||||||
4.1 |
Ensure the continued development of agri-environment schemes provides increased potential for the schemes to deliver biodiversity benefits for both species and habitats |
4.1a |
Inclusion of 4 Point Plan in RSS applications ranking system |
2005 |
Scottish Executive (Farm Business Restructuring Division) |
SNH |
4.1b |
Continuing development of agri-environment schemes incorporates biodiversity goals |
2006 |
||||
4.1c |
Consideration of soil protection plan towards ranking in RSS application ranking system |
2006 |
||||
4.1d |
Information gathering to help identify best practice within agri-environment schemes |
2006 |
||||
4.2 |
Continue monitoring and evaluation of Agri-Environment schemes. |
4.2a |
Final ESA 10 year Report completed |
2005 |
Scottish Executive (Farm Business Restructuring Division) |
SEPA |
4.2b |
Review effectiveness to inform design of future monitoring process |
2006 |
||||
4.2c |
Performance of schemes reviewed following initial RSS, CPS, OAS 2-year report |
2006 |
||||
4.2d |
Summary report produced in 2006 and subsequent years, to contribute to BAP Reporting |
2006 |
||||
4.3 |
Ensure that biodiversity is an important theme in each of the 3 tiers of Land Management Contracts |
4.3a |
Assess biodiversity outputs of Tier 1 through ongoing monitoring |
ongoing |
Scottish Executive (Farm Business Restructuring Division) |
Farmers and Land Managers |
4.3b |
Ensure design of Tier 2 measures reflects biodiversity needs as far as possible |
2005 |
||||
4.3c |
Ensure that the environmental element of Tier 3 of LMCs takes account of BAP targets |
2005 |
||||
4.3d |
Develop in wide consultation, and introduce LMC structure, which furthers the conservation of biodiversity in all tiers |
2007 |
||||
4.4 |
Farmers to be provided with appropriate levels of training and advice on biodiversity management to enable them to comply with legislative requirements |
4.4a |
Training under the LMC Menu Scheme introduced. List of training options includes biodiversity |
2005 and ongoing |
Scottish Executive (Agriculture Policy) |
Farmers and Land Managers |
4.5 |
Strengthen deer management policies and practice to meet biodiversity conservation objectives |
4.5a |
DCS completes review of their capacity and responsibilities to further biodiversity conservation goals in light of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and the Deer Act Scotland 1996 |
2006 |
DCS |
FCS |
4.5b |
Report prepared investigating ways to enhance efforts to manage deer populations in ways consistent with biodiversity objectives and the achievement of woodland HAP targets for expansion, restoration and improvement |
2007 |
||||
4.6 |
Promote certification of forests and woodland in private and public ownership |
4.6a |
Certification of woodland (by both private woodland owners and public bodies) promoted through a Joint Action Plan aimed at demonstrating the benefits and removing any barriers to entry |
2007 |
UKWAS Steering Group |
FCS |
4.7 |
Integrate the biodiversity aspects of the National Inventory of Woodlands and Trees (NIWT) and new Scottish native woodlands survey to enable a more comprehensive assessment of Scottish woodland biodiversity |
4.7a |
Indicators selected, sampling methods trialled and main survey programme started |
2007 |
FCS |
SNH |
4.8 |
Develop existing Scottish Rural Development Plan (SRDP) biodiversity measures and consider new biodiversity measures that could be incorporated within the next SRDP |
4.8a |
Stakeholder group to ensure that biodiversity considerations are fed in to the SRDP review, and incorporated into the next SRDP |
2007 |
Scottish Executive (Farm Business Restructuring Division) |
ASIG |
4.9 |
Encourage the introduction and enhancement of biodiversity standards into existing or new quality assurance schemes |
4.9a |
Freshwater and wetland biodiversity objectives and targets incorporated into criteria for Quality Assurance Schemes (for both agriculture and aquaculture sectors). |
2006 |
SBF RLU WG |
SNH |
Strategy Objective 5: Knowledge |
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5.1 |
Provide a consistent and co-ordinated approach to the communication of biodiversity advice and guidance to farmers |
5.1a |
Broad stakeholder engagement in developing an outline strategy/framework for advice, training and demonstrations for farmers on biodiversity |
2005 |
SNH |
Scottish Executive (Farm Business Restructuring Division) |
5.1b |
Review of current provision of advice and guidance to farmers and the audiences, and gaps in information which need to be filled |
2005 |
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5.1c |
Framework agreed for the provision of advice, training and demonstrations, taking on board recommendations in Custodians of Change, and experiences from the implementation of CAP reform — priority issues to be covered, audiences, resourcing |
2005/06 |
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5.1d |
Implementation of biodiversity advice for farmers, training and demonstration framework |
2006 |
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5.2 |
All SEERAD Agricultural Staff provided with training in the biodiversity requirementsof current and future schemes |
5.2a |
Training package for SEERAD Agricultural Staff designed and piloted |
2005 |
Scottish Executive (Agricultural Staff) |
SNH |
5.2b |
Training package for SEERAD Agricultural Staff designed and piloted reviewed, refined and available across Scotland. Uptake monitored |
2006 |
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5.2c |
All SEERAD area agri-staff to have had appropriate training |
2006 |
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5.3 |
Promote biodiversity as target for agricultural R&D with funding and research partners |
5.3a |
Biodiversity is taken account of in all relevant research strategies including SRG strategy |
2007 |
Scottish Executive (Wildlife and Habitats Division) |
Scottish Executive (Science and Research Group) |
5.4 |
Promote and advise on habitat restoration and management best practice for freshwater and wetland biodiversity, particularly diffuse pollution control, soft engineering options and alien species management |
5.4a |
Existing and new guidance documents on habitat restoration and management best practice for freshwater and wetland biodiversity produced and disseminated within and outwith SEPA |
2005 / ongoing |
SEPA |
SNH |
5.4b |
Continuation of demonstration site scheme and award scheme |
Ongoing |
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5.5 |
Undertake review of requirements to 2010 for research and monitoring needs in freshwater and wetland BAPs; prioritise and seek funding accordingly |
5.5a |
Priorities for research and monitoring of freshwater and wetland BAPs strategically identified |
2005 |
SNH |
Freshwater HAP Group |
5.5b |
Recommendations incorporated into UK BAP Reporting Round |
2006 |
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5.6 |
Incorporate the ecosystem approach into guidance, training and best practice for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in forestry |
5.6a |
Incorporate ecosystem approach guidance into revision of forestry guidelines for biodiversity, to replace current forest nature conservation guidelines |
2006 |
FCS |
SNH |
5.7 |
Ensure woodland biodiversity and ecosystem functioning research in Scotland is adequate and is integrated into the core research programmes being developed and co-ordinated by UK Biodiversity Research Advisory Group and the Scottish Biodiversity Committee |
5.7a |
Scottish biodiversity research needs included in new FCS research strategy |
2005 |
FCS |
SNH |
5.7b |
Proposals agreed for development of models and indicators to assess landscape scale ecological functioning and its significance for biodiversity conservation of woodlands |
2005 |
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5.7c |
Projects commissioned and underway (assumes completion in next period) |
2007 |
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5.7d |
Lists of priority research topics agreed and promoted to research funders and to UK BRAG |
2007 |
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5.8 |
Develop and disseminate best practice in the business uses of moorland, including moorland management |
5.8a |
Broad areas/subjects regarding business uses of moorland for demonstrations and dissemination have been agreed upon |
2005 |
SNH |
Scotland’s Moorland Forum |
5.8b |
Messages on best practice in the business uses of moorland to disseminate have been agreed upon |
2005 |
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5.8c |
Outline of appropriate means of communicating messages on business uses of moorland, involving representatives of target audience have been developed |
2005/06 |
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5.8d |
Sites selected, including a number on private land holdings, for demonstrations of sustainable upland management |
2006 |
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5.8e |
Programme of dissemination events and publications planned |
2006 |
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5.8f |
Demonstration facilities and management proposals developed |
2007 |
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5.8g |
Demonstration days and workshops held, to discuss best practice on business uses of moorland on appropriate sites |
2007 |
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5.9 |
Research to understand the nature of environmental change affecting biodiversity values in the uplands (especially grazing intensity by different species, restoration, climate change) within a full range of socio-economic aspects; and to develop methods for adaptive management to achieve biodiversity goals (including definition of appropriate levels of management) |
5.9a |
Define a prioritised and co-ordinated research and dissemination strategy relating to biodiversity in upland areas |
2005 |
SNH |
Montane Scrub Action Group |
5.9b |
Conference on environmental change in the Highlands and Islands (UHI Millennium Institute) |
2005 |
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5.9c |
Review of key research on the nature of environmental change affecting biodiversity values in upland areas |
2006 |
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5.9d |
Key research on the nature of environmental change affecting biodiversity values in upland areas included in organisations’ forward work programmes |
2007 |
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