The Scottish Soil Framework
This framework is aimed at government policy leads, delivery partners, environmental and business NGOs, research organisations and other key stakeholders with an interest.
CHAPTER 7 : FUTURE FOCUS, OUTCOMES & ACTIONS
7.1 Scotland's soils are one of the Nation's greatest natural assets. The purpose of the Framework is to ensure more sustainable management of this asset. In this Chapter, specific outcomes are listed that ensure continued ability of Scottish soils to contribute to environmental as well as economic and societal interests. The Framework also sets out a range of actions to which Scottish Government and delivery organisations are already committed. These will contribute towards achieving the soil outcomes. Additional actions are expected to be identified by the future Soil Focus Group.
7.2 The publication of the Scottish Soil Framework will be the first step in raising awareness of the need for sustainable management of soils, in line with the National Outcome on Natural Resource Protection and Enhancement.
Outcomes
7.3 This Framework has identified 13 Soil Outcomes and explains the threats which they address (Table 7.1). There is a high degree of connectivity between the outcomes: for example, the protection of soil organic matter will help reduce erosion, maintain soil structure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Soil organic matter content is key to the delivery of most soil functions ( Chapter 2), as well as reduction of threats to soils ( Chapter 4). Protection of soil organic matter is therefore one of the key outcomes of the Scottish Soil Framework.
Actions contributing towards outcomes
7.4 In order to achieve the 13 Soil Outcomes, a range of actions and the responsible lead organisations are outlined in Table 7.2. Several actions have a number of owners, indicating that joint effort is required. Scottish Government, through the Soil Focus Group will report publicly on progress on the actions and achievement.
Soil Focus Group
7.5 The realisation of the outcomes will depend critically on all stakeholders and delivery agents working jointly, sharing knowledge, information and resources, aligning roles and responsibilities for soil protection. To this end, a Soil Focus Group will be established, which will act as a platform for liaison amongst stakeholders. The Group will advise on policy review and development in areas relevant for sustainable soil use and management.
It is expected that the Group will contribute to the delivery of outcomes through
- awareness raising
- policy integration
- improving accessibility of information and data
- knowledge exchange and research.
Soil Focus Group - Programme of Work
7.6 The Group will work together to develop and build on the activities set out on this Framework, agreeing a detailed programme of work to be taken forward jointly by members. However, the following key areas are important priorities for Scotland, and will need specific consideration:
- Climate Change - soils are affected by a changing climate, and can themselves contribute to climate change through greenhouse gas emission.
- Flooding - soil management plays a central role in sustainable flood management.
- National Food Policy - there is a need for Scotland's soils to retain their capacity to produce sufficient and high quality food.
- Water Quality - soil management and water quality are intrinsically linked.
7.7 The Soil Focus Group will be flexible to adapt and respond to changes in the policy context at both national and European level, where negotiations on the proposed Soil Framework Directive are ongoing, and will provide advice to Scottish Government accordingly. It is also expected that the Group will revisit the information contained in the expert reports produced during the development of the Soil Framework ( a). Terms of Reference for the Soil Focus Group are set out in Annex B.
Research - Links to Soils Research Consultative Group
7.8 The use of sound information and evidence to underpin our actions is essential to achieving the Soil Outcomes. Continued engagement between stakeholders and the research community is key to this. Scottish Government funds a substantial research portfolio Protecting the Nation's Soils. This reflects not only the key role that soils play in delivering both economic and environmental benefits, but also the lack of knowledge and scientific uncertainty on many fundamental soil processes.
7.9 As part of this research portfolio, the Soils Research Consultative Group provides a forum for key stakeholders and Scottish Governments Main Research Providers. It aims to facilitate communication between scientists and research users: for scientists to provide information on key research outputs on a regular basis; for the stakeholders to advise the research community on their priorities and to support their activities where appropriate. Given the key role which evidence plays in policy making, the Soils Research Consultative Group will be closely linked to the Soil Focus Group. Some key research outputs from Scottish Government funded research are set out in Box 7.1.
| Box 7.1: Key Research Outputs |
|---|
|
Table 7.1 Soil Outcomes identified in the Scottish Soil Framework & the threats which they address.
Table 7.2 Summary of Actions
| ACTION |
DETAIL |
DELIVERY DATE |
RELATED SOIL OUTCOMES |
OWNER |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overarching |
||||||||
| Establishment of Soil Focus Group |
Soil Focus Group, an informal group consisting of stakeholders including SNH, HS, FCS, SEPA, SRPBA, NFUS, Crofters Commission, Environment LINK, local authorities and SG policy leads and other key stakeholders will define the programme of work to be taken forward in the context of the Soil Framework |
2009 |
Primary : |
SG Soils Team |
||||
| Awareness raising in policy development |
The Scottish Government together with the Soil Focus Group will identify ways to increase the awareness of soils during all stages of policy development to safeguard Scottish soils and encourage increased linkage with other policy development. |
Ongoing |
Primarily : |
SG Soils Team |
||||
| Reporting & review |
||||||||
| Five year review of Framework |
This document will be reviewed and updated as appropriate after 5 years. |
By 2014 |
Primary : |
SG Soils Team |
||||
| Progress reports |
Regular reports will be produced to update stakeholders on relevant developments, where progress has been made and where next efforts need to lie. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
SG Soils Team |
||||
| Knowledge exchange and awareness raising |
||||||||
| State of Scotland's Soil report 2011 |
The Scottish Government will support SEPA in publishing a State of Scotland's Soils report in partnership with external organisations in 2011. |
2011 |
Primary : |
SEPA, SNH, SG Soils Team in conjunction with Soil Focus Group, |
||||
| Conference on the outcomes of existing research programme |
The Scottish Government will host a conference to publicise the outcomes of the programme of research 'Protecting the Nation's Soils' |
By 2012 |
Primary : |
Main Research Providers, SG Soils Team, SG RERAD |
||||
| Training on soil protection |
The Scottish Government will continue to support SEPA in providing training on soil protection to their staff and to other organisations. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
SEPA |
||||
| Raising the public awareness of soil |
The Scottish Government will work with others to develop novel materials that help to create a better public awareness of soils. |
By 2011 |
Primary : Secondary : |
SG Soils Team |
||||
| Research, information and soil monitoring |
||||||||
| Information availability |
Web delivery of soil information will be available from the National Soils database at the Macaulay Institute allowing stakeholders the ability to compare their soils data with National data. |
Piloted during 2009 |
Primary : |
Main Research Providers, SG Soils Team, SG RERAD |
||||
| Scottish soil monitoring network |
The Scottish Government will help to develop a soil monitoring network, taking account of recommendations on suitable tools, methods, & procedures for soil monitoring in Scotland from Scottish Government funded research as well as findings of the UK Soil Indicators Consortium. |
By 2011 |
Primary : |
SG Soils Team in conjunction with Soil Focus Group, |
||||
| Land use and management |
||||||||
| Common Agricultural Policy Health Check |
The Scottish Government will consult on the implications for Scotland of the Health Check of the Common Agricultural Policy, in consultation with external stakeholders, to deliver an effective outcome for Scotland. This will include proposed changes to Cross Compliance requirements. |
2009 |
Primary : |
SG Rural Group |
||||
| Scotland Rural Development Programme review |
The Scottish Government will evaluate the effectiveness of existing measures and, in the light of emerging research evidence, review soil measures as part of the SRDP. This will focus on measures helping to maintain and enhance carbon storage in soils, restore and protect peatlands and also measures to protect water quality. |
To be confirmed |
Primary : |
SG Rural Group |
||||
| Revision of the PEPFAA Code |
The Scottish Government will revise the Prevention of Pollution From Agricultural Activities Code, including specific soil protection advice. |
Late 2009 |
Primary : |
SG Rural Group |
||||
| Review Land Capability for Agriculture Assessment |
The Scottish Government will review the Land Capability for Agriculture ( LCA) Assessment in the light of implications of climate change and produce an updated and fully digital LCA assessment. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
SG RERAD, |
||||
| Use of land for development - data collection |
The Scottish Government will explore mechanisms to collect reliable data on the use of land (in particular prime agricultural land) for new development, and in the light of this information consider whether the existing policy for prime agricultural land needs to be reviewed. |
To be confirmed |
Primary : |
SG RERAD |
||||
| Review of Sewage Sludge Directive |
The Scottish Government will participate fully in the proposed review of the Sewage Sludge Directive taking into account latest research results on the impacts of metals on soils. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
SG Waste & Pollution Reduction Division; SEPA |
||||
| Review controls on Sewage Sludge for land restoration |
Guidance on the use of sewage sludge for land restoration and in forestry will be completed in 2010 |
2010 |
Primary : |
SEPA |
||||
| Support annual reporting of monitoring of organic material to soil regulated activities |
The Scottish Government will support SEPA in the delivery and annual reporting on risk based soil compliance monitoring of regulated activities involving use of organic materials on soils. |
Ongoing/ annual |
Primary : |
SEPA |
||||
| Ensure forestry good practice guidance to promote sustainable soil management ( SSM) remains fit for purpose |
Forestry Commission Scotland will continue to work through Forest Research to develop best practice guidance to promote the understanding and delivery of SSM measures in the forestry sector. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
Forestry Commission Scotland |
||||
| Review UK Forestry Standard and the supporting Guidelines |
Review UK Forestry Standard and the supporting Guidelines - Forestry Commission Scotland will undertake a comprehensive review of the UK Forestry Standard and its associated suite of Guidelines (such as the Forests & Soils Guidelines and Forests & Water Guidelines), to ensure that they remain fit for purpose. |
By 2012 |
Primary : |
Forestry Commission Scotland |
||||
| Delivery of sustainable forest management |
FCS will work to ensure the effective implementation of the UKFS and its associated suite of Guidelines. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
Forestry Commission Scotland |
||||
| Delivery of the Scottish Forestry Strategy |
FCS will work with its partners to deliver the actions laid down in the Scottish Soils Framework and the annual SFS implementation plans to promote and deliver the sustainable management of soils. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
Forestry Commission Scotland |
||||
| Stump harvesting guidance |
Publish interim guidance on site selection for stump harvesting. |
2009 |
Primary : |
Forestry Commission Scotland |
||||
| Water Quality and Flooding |
||||||||
| Consider role of soils in flood risk management |
As part of draft legislation on Flood Risk Management introduced to Parliament in 2009, SEPA and responsible authorities will specifically consider the role soil management plays as part of sustainable flood risk management. |
By 2010 |
Primary : |
SG Flooding Policy Team; |
||||
| Formalise links between soil management and water protection measures |
A formal linkage will be made between the SSF and the WFD River Basin Management Plans for the Scotland and Solway Tweed basin districts to ensure maximum benefit for both soil and water quality is realised from the proposed measures. |
2009 |
Primary : |
SEPA |
||||
| Conservation & Biodiversity |
||||||||
| Soils within designated sites |
SNH and the Scottish Government will consider how soils and below ground biodiversity can be given more consideration in the management of sites designated for their nature conservation interest. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
SNH |
||||
| Peat protection |
Scottish Government together with key stakeholders will consider ways to coordinate peat protection and restoration in Scotland. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
SG Soils Team in conjunction with Soil Focus Group |
||||
| Soils as part of broader geodiversity management |
Development of Scottish geodiversity framework activities will give appropriate consideration to soils' values and functions. |
ongoing |
Primary : |
|
||||
| Pollution |
||||||||
| Review of policies to prevent acidification & eutrophication |
The Scottish Government will participate fully in both the National Emission Ceilings Directive and the Protocols under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ( UNECE) Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution these reviews to achieve an effective outcome for Scottish soils. |
2009 |
Primary : |
SG Air Noise & Nuisance Team |
||||
| State of Contaminated Land Report |
The Scottish Government will support SEPA in the preparation and publication of a State of Contaminated Land Report in 2009. |
2009 |
Primary : |
SEPA |
||||
| Cultural Heritage |
||||||||
| Specific and general historic environment guidance review |
The Scottish Government, through Historic Scotland, will consider the need for specific historic environment guidance on soils and for more reference to soils in historic environment guidance in general. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
Historic Scotland |
||||
| Proposed EU Soils Framework Directive |
||||||||
| Active participation in Soils Framework Directive negotiations |
The Scottish Government will actively participate in the negotiation of the EU Soil Framework Directive to achieve a proportionate and effective outcome for Scotland. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
SG Soils Team |
||||
| Climate Change |
||||||||
| Enhance knowledge on carbon dynamics in soils |
The Scottish Government will continue to support research on trends in soil organic matter and greenhouse gas emissions from soils as affected by climate and/or land use and management. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
SG RERAD |
||||
| Identify soil management practices that optimise soil carbon sequestration |
Produce guidance for the sustainable use of soils and protection of soil carbon including an assessment of the realistic potential for Scottish soils to sequester carbon and to contribute to the SG 80% GHG emissions reduction target. |
Ongoing |
Primary : |
SG Soils Team in conjunction with Soil Focus Group and main research providers |
||||
| SNH guidance on soil carbon in peatlands |
SNH will review its involvement in activities and policies relating to the soil, taking into account of the need to protect soil organic carbon, as a means of mitigating climate change. |
2010 |
Primary : |
SNH |
||||
| Forest Carbon Standard and Climate Change Guidelines |
The Forestry Commission will produce new Forests and Climate Change Guidelines which will provide over-arching principles of good carbon management and standards for the industry. |
2010 |
Primary : |
Forestry Commission Scotland |
||||
| Forest Carbon review |
Forest Research will publish a review to summarise the key information on the stocks and fluxes of carbon and the fluxes of other greenhouse gases in UK forests and how these are affected by forest dynamics, management and operations. This will include forest soil considerations. |
2009 |
Primary : |
Forestry Commission Scotland |
||||
| Climate Change Action Plan |
FCS will work with its partners to deliver the actions identified in the Climate Change Action Plan to contribute to the sustainable management of forest soils. |
By 2012 |
Primary : |
Forestry Commission Scotland |
||||
| Sustainable Forest Management |
Publish guidance on the use of Lower Impact Silvicultural Systems ( LISS) as a climate change adaptation measure, including soil considerations. |
In 2009 |
Primary : |
Forestry Commission Scotland |
||||
Contact
Email: EQCAT@gov.scot
Telephone: 0131 244 7250
Post:
Scottish Government
Environmental Quality Division
Area: 1-D (North)
Victoria Quay
EDINBURGH
EH6 6QQ
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