Strategic Biodiversity Framework Delivery Plan 2024–2030

Objective 4: Protect and Support the Recovery of Vulnerable and Important Species and Habitats

Scotland has approximately 90,000 species, which are often of international importance. These include many species of mosses, liverworts and lichens, seabirds, raptors, waders, marine mammals, the elasmobranchs (more commonly known as sharks, skates and rays) and wild Atlantic salmon.

We recognise that our climate is changing irreversibly, which is leading to the loss and degradation of key habitats, which leaves many species vulnerable. We also recognise the impact that outbreaks of disease can have. A recent example was the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) which first hit Scotland in 2021 causing unprecedented mortality across wild bird populations. Since the start of the outbreak in excess of 30,000 dead seabirds have been reported from locations across Scotland, with this reported number likely to be but a small fraction of actual mortalities. The highest levels of mortality in seabird species were seen in gannets, great skuas, common guillemots, kittiwakes, terns and large gulls. Important wintering populations of wildfowl were also severely affected, in particular barnacle goose, with over 18,000 birds estimated to have died across the Svalbard and Greenland migratory populations.

Restoring and regenerating ecosystems and habitats (Objective 1) is the foundation for regenerating and strengthening the resilience of biodiversity at scale. But this will take time – time which many vulnerable species do not have. We will therefore complement our actions to regenerate our seas and landscapes with actions targeted at specific species. This will build on recent success in this area with the recovery of sea eagles, golden eagles and the recent translocations of beavers.

Priority Actions

The most significant actions to realise Objective 4 are set out below.^[4] More detail on supporting actions is set out in Annex 1. We will:

• Revise the Scottish Biodiversity List of species and habitats that Ministers consider to be of principal importance for biodiversity conservation in Scotland. By identifying the species and habitats that are of the highest priority for biodiversity conservation, the Scottish Biodiversity List helps public bodies apply their biodiversity duty. NatureScot and eNGOs have collated data on species vulnerability in Scotland into the Species at Risk database. This work provides an evidence-based link between vulnerable species, known pressures driving decline and their ecosystems, and is a strong foundation for prioritising species based on risk of extirpation or extinction of endemics. Revision of the Priority Marine Feature (PMF) list is a separate process. Inclusion of habitats and species on the PMF list helps to focus marine conservation action, with policy to protect PMFs provided through Scotland’s National Marine Plan 2015.
• Develop effective species recovery, reintroduction and reinforcement programmes. The Species at Risk database will support an evaluation of actions to deliver biodiversity recovery through ecosystem management or targeted species action. This includes an assessment of likelihood of success and level of investment required. This work will inform the development of a prioritised list of species conservation, recovery, reintroduction and reinforcement programmes including support for surveillance and monitoring to manage pathogens and disease, for example as identified by the Avian Flu Task Force. The Species on the Edge programme is an outstanding example of partnership working to restore biodiversity.
• Manage existing and emerging pressures to improve the conservation status of seabirds, marine mammals, elasmobranchs and wild salmon. Work is ongoing to complete the Scottish Seabird Conservation Strategy. The Strategy will set out the actions required to address the key pressures on seabird populations, including those related to climate change. The UK dolphin and porpoise conservation strategy is being revised following public consultation and once published it will provide the framework for taking forward key actions. Alongside seabirds and marine mammals, elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays) make up the top three globally threatened marine species groups. Targeted research and management actions will be developed to help improve the status of elasmobranchs in Scotland’s seas. We will also continue to work on implementing measures to protect and recover Scotland’s wild Atlantic salmon and migratory fish populations. The Scottish Wild Salmon Strategy sets out the vision, objectives and priority themes for action to ensure the protection and recovery of wild Atlantic salmon populations in Scotland. It is supported by an Implementation Plan.