The Scottish Government

Priority Code

Biodiversity Priorities

Relevant Packages

AYR08

"A halt in the loss of biodiversity and reverse previous losses through targeted action" (a Scottish Biodiversity Strategy objective) through management that restores, conserves or enhances Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species and habitats, with an initial emphasis on management which will deliver by 2010. For example: through maintenance and enhancement of ancient, long-established and semi-natural woodlands, restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), particularly where ancient plant communities are most at risk; organic conversion or organic maintenance; and, actions in Local Biodiversity Action Plans.

Particularly proposals which:

• deliver management necessary to restore or enhance habitats and species for which Ayrshire is a significant stronghold and also identified as being of priority in Scottish and Local Biodiversity Action Plan including: upland heather moorland and blanket bog, grassland, field margins and hedgerows, native woodland, wetlands and, scrub, wood pasture, tree line and montane scrub
• focus on habitats and species types highlighted in the recent Ayrshire Biodiversity Action Plan February 2008 which targets actions on 2 species types; water vole and farmland birds and 2 habitats; lowland raised bogs and coastal habitats.
• manage grazing and browsing pressure from wild and domestic animals to allow the restoration of habitats and to maximise biodiversity benefits
• help to mitigate, or where appropriate take advantage of, changes in biodiversity arising from climate change

AYR09

The special features on Scotland's nationally important nature sites ( SSSIs, SACs, SPAs and Ramsar sites) being in 'favourable condition' (95% by 2010).

Particularly:

• action which will help to bring special features on Ayrshire's nationally important nature sites ( SSSIs, SACs, SPAs and Ramsar sites) into favourable condition or maintain them in favourable condition
• proposals which ensure the protection and active management of designated sites(SSSIs, SACs, SPAs and Ramsar sites)
• collaborative proposals to address pollution issues and help special features on Ayrshire's nationally important nature sites ( SSSIs,SACs, SPAs and Ramsar sites) to maintain or reach favourable condition.

AYR10

Viable populations of rare and/or endangered species, through improved conservation of the 32 species listed for priority action in the Species Action Framework for Scotland, and through targeted action identified in priority Species Action Plans.

Particularly proposals which support the conservation of the following key species:

• Black Grouse, Hen Harrier, Northern Brown Argus, Bat Species, Otter, Brown Hare, Red Deer,

AYR11

Reduced threat from non-native species, through action to eradicate or control target species, e.g. Grey Squirrels, Rhododendron, and particularly those listed in the Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for GB.

Particularly proposals that:

• control Grey Squirrels through measures which support Red Squirrel recovery in line with the Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan 2007-2011

AYR12

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. For example, by expanding the area of native woodland in preferred locations, organic conversion or organic maintenance.

Particularly proposals that:

• create and enhance habitat networks to ensure ecological connectivity. Habitat networks include coastal habitats, water courses, woodlands and hedgerows.