Networks and land managers

There are a variety of references to habitat networks in Scottish policy and legislation.  This section looks at:

• the Scottish Rural Development Programme
• Natura sites
• the Nature Conservation Act
• Scottish Planning Policy
• the Scottish Forestry Strategy

The Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) - this makes specific reference to habitat networks in some of the regional priorities listed in the Rural Priorities scheme.  Priority 12 (in most regions) includes text along the following lines:

"Increase in the area of connected natural habitats and ecological features, through collaboration between land managers to adopt a landscape scale, whole ecosystem approach to helping biodiversity, particularly where the threat from climate change is most acute, or, offering desirable species the opportunity to increase their range by taking advantage of changing climatic factors."

In the Grampian area, this Priority (Priority GRA12) also goes on to state:

"For example, by expanding the area of native woodland in preferred locations, organic conversion or organic maintenance.  Particularly proposals which:

• demonstrate contribution to agreed moorland Habitat Networks woodland expansion and restoration in line with the existing Grampian Forest Habitat Network models
• help deliver the Dee and Spey Catchment Management Plans and objectives of the forthcoming North East River Basin management plan via collaborative cross-unit management."

This Grampian priority can be delivered through a variety of management options available under the scheme, including management of hedgerows; creation of grass margins and beetlebanks; and woodland creation and improvement, amongst others.

Natura sites - the SRDP also seeks to improve the status of the special features found on designated sites and nature reserves, particularly those designated under European legislation (known as Natura sites). The relevant European legislation (the Habitats directive and the Birds directive) mention these sites and also the importance of the area adjacent to each designated site, so if you manage land a Natura site or even land near to it, you could discuss with SNH whether or not there are actions you can undertake that may be of benefit to the site (follow this link to see the relevant contact in your area).

Article 3 and Article 10 of the Habitats Directive make reference to member states improving the ecological coherence of designated sites.  Although this will include actions on the sites themselves, it is also likely to require actions in the area surrounding the sites, to ensure that species and habitats can maintain favourable condition in the long term.

Article 10 mentions some specific features which may contribute to that ecological coherence: "Such features are those which, by virtue of their linear and continuous structure or their function as stepping stones are essential for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of wild species."

However, from an ecological perspective, implementing Article 10 won't be limited to just these specific features, but should encompass any features which may improve the coherence of sites.

Article 3 of the Birds Directive also makes reference to the need to undertake conservation actions both within and outside designated sites.  It asks member states to ensure that the:

"preservation, maintenance and re-establishment of biotopes and habitats shall include the following measures: (b) upkeep and management in accordance with the ecological needs of habitats inside and outside the protected zones".

The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 - this is of relevance if your land is owned or managed by a public body, and the act    places a specific duty on all public bodies to further the conservation of biodiversity and to have regard to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.  That strategy, published in 2004, aims to achieve by 2030 a landscape where, amongst other things:

"Organisms can move, feed, reproduce and disperse effectively, and are better able to adapt to changing circumstances of land use and climate change"

Scottish planning policy - the new Scottish Planning Policy  also makes reference to habitat networks and will be taken into account by planning authorities when they are preparing future development plans and making decisions on current applications.  Planning authorities should adopt:

"A strategic approach to natural heritage in which wildlife sites, landscape features and other areas of open space are linked together in an integrated habitat network can make an important contribution to the maintenance and enhancement of local biodiversity.  Planning authorities should seek to prevent further fragmentation or isolation of habitats and identify opportunities to restore links which have been broken."

For those in the central belt, the Central Scotland Green Network has been included in the second National Planning Framework  as one of the fourteen developments considered essential to Scotland's long term development.  Paragraph 95 refers to creating a network:

"capable of delivering a step change in the quality of the environment for the benefit of people, landscape and nature" where woodlands and other habitats could "counter fragmentation and assist species migration".

Additionally, paragraph 96 refers to the aspiration to create 'national ecological networks' which:

"potentially encompassing large strategic habitat restoration projects, could make a major contribution to safeguarding and enhancing biodiversity and landscape, make it easier for species to adapt to climate change and create a better environment and new opportunities for local communities".

The Scottish Forestry Strategy - SRDP also contains a range of forestry options, which are related to habitat networks. The Scottish Forestry Strategy  states that an objective is to 'promote a landscape-scale approach to habitat networks'.  This strategy is the starting point for regional forestry strategies and their associated implementation plans. These are highlighted within the Rural Priorities system as one of the landscape priorities which the SRDP aims to deliver (priority 14 in most regions).