Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2009
Annual publication containing summary of key statistics on environmental trends in Scotland
Biodiversity
Status of UK BAP Habitats in Scotland: 2008
Status of UK BAP Habitats
Based on 39 UK BAP priority habitats in Scotland
Number of Habitats |
Percentage of Habitats |
|
|---|---|---|
Increasing |
5 |
13 |
Fluctuating (probably increasing) |
1 |
3 |
Stable |
8 |
20 |
Fluctuating (probably stable) |
3 |
8 |
Fluctuating (probably declining) |
2 |
5 |
Declining (slowing) |
10 |
25 |
Declining (continuing/accelerating) |
1 |
3 |
No clear trend |
1 |
3 |
Unknown |
8 |
20 |
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life. The conservation and enhancement of our rich and varied natural heritage of plants and animals, habitats and ecosystems, is essential to the quality of our lives and for a sustainable future.
In 1992, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity recognised the need to protect biodiversity. The UK was one of the 150 countries to sign up to the convention, and in 1994 the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) 4 was launched. The plan aims to conserve and enhance the populations of species and habitats which are considered threatened within the UK. The Scottish Biodiversity Forum is responsible for implementing the objectives of the UK BAP in Scotland. 5
Between 1995 and 1999, action plans were developed for 45 habitats in the UK6 ,39 of these occurred in Scotland. As at 2008, of these 39, 15% of the habitats were increasing 7, 28% were considered stable 7 and 33% were in decline 7. For the remainder, 20% had an unknown trend and for 1 habitat the trend was unclear.
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