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Indicators of Sustainable Development for Scotland
Indicator 10. Biodiversity
Percentages of Biodiversity Action Plan species and habitats which are identified as stable or increasing
| Species | Habitats |
Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage |
Stable or recovering | 92 | 50% | 23 | 56% |
Recovered | 3 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
Signs of recovery | 8 | 4% | 4 | 10% |
No change | 81 | 44% | 19 | 46% |
In decline | 47 | 26% | 5 | 12% |
Lost | 16 | 9% | 0 | 0% |
Insufficient information | 29 | 16% | 13 | 32% |
Total | 184 | 100% | 41 | 100% |
Source: Scottish Natural Heritage
Note: Totals may not add up to 100% because of rounding figures to whole numbers.
The relevance of the indicator
The biodiversity of the planet is a vital resource for our future. Making Biodiversity Action Plans successful is a key task in protecting biodiversity in Scotland.
Detailed definition and source details
Following the introduction of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan in 1995, Lead Partner reports began in 1999 to enable an appraisal of performance against the biodiversity action plans for the key habitats and species. Due to the incomplete adoption of the Action Plans for all species and habitats, this reporting programme was incomplete. The biodiversity figures published in
Meeting the Needs… were based on this reporting programme. However an analysis of the reports relevant to Scotland was made in 2002 to Ministers and the Scottish Biodiversity Forum in
Biodiversity in Scotland23. This is the basis of the present figures. As noted below, an improved reporting process will begin in 2003.
Trends
50% of BAP species and 56% of BAP habitats were identified as stable or increasing in 2001.
Further disaggregation
No further disaggregation is currently possible at this time. The Scottish Biodiversity Forum
24 intends to develop a full suite of indicators to cover the biodiversity process in Scotland.
Target
No current target - targets to be developed as part of ongoing work identified below.
Action
An improved reporting process has been developed and will be piloted in 2003 for adoption in the next scheduled reporting round in 2005. Analysis of the 2003 pilot data may allow some intermediate appraisal of progress.
The Scottish Biodiversity Forum will submit a draft Strategy for Scotland's Biodiversity to Ministers at the next meeting of the Forum in February 2003. A full consultation is envisaged thereafter. The strategy will establish the framework for the development of targets for the biodiversity process to 2010 and beyond.
The key strategic aim of the Strategy for Scotland's Biodiversity is to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction in the current loss of biological diversity in Scotland. This accords with international commitment made at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. Measuring changes against targets for key species and habitats will provide a measure of the success of how biodiversity in Scotland is being protected and sustained.
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