Scottish Biodiversity Strategy

The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 places a statutory duty on all public sector bodies in Scotland to further the conservation of biodiversity. The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 also introduced a requirement for all public bodies to make a report publicly available on their compliance with biodiversity duty. Biodiversity duty reports are required every three years. 

Historic sites can be special for biodiversity. Many have been protected from development, particularly agricultural improvement, which has allowed the preservation of local habitats and species. Historic sites can therefore be reservoirs of wildlife which can support conservation initiatives, with important local populations of plants and animals. Larger sites and linear features, such as the Antonine Wall, are important contributors to the wildlife corridors which allow plants and animals to migrate and spread as a result of pressure from development and climate change.

SNH in its leadership role of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, on behalf of Scottish Government, has requested HES to confirm how it will contribute to the objectives of the 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity through this Delivery Statement, as our contribution to Scotland’s Biodiversity Strategy (SBS).