How the results of SCM are used

The results of Site Condition Monitoring are used by Scottish Natural Heritage and partner Government Agencies in a variety of ways:

where features are not in favourable condition, to inform discussions and decisions between land managers and Scottish Natural Heritage on remedial actions which can be taken, where these are possible;
to enable Government policy makers to determine whether current legal measures and incentives are proving effective in protecting the natural features on designated sites;
to detect trends in the condition of threatened habitats and species within national and international site series
to enable Scottish Natural Heritage to report on these trends to both the Scottish Government and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee aggregates the information with that from other United Kingdom Nature Conservation Agencies, and uses it to report on international nature conservation obligations, such as European Directives.
the results from Site Condition Monitoring form the baseline against which the Scottish Government determines the progress being made towards the Scotland Performs National Performance Indicator 37. This Indicator is to:

Increase to 95% the proportion of protected nature sites that are in favourable condition.

If you would like more information on SCM and the progress made towards the Condition Target, please see the Favourable condition targets page.