The Scottish Government

Priority

Code

Biodiversity priorities

Relevant Packages

HIG08

"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.

Priority within Highland will be given to the following:

• across Highland (but outwith the Cairngorms National Park) management that restores, conserves or enhances priority Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species and habitats for which Highland is important to achieving national objectives

• within the Cairngorms National Park, management that restores, conserves or enhances the species and habitats in the Cairngorms (CNP) Habitats and Species Priority List

• action to interpret or raise awareness of Highland biodiversity

• planted Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS).

HIG09

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

• In particular, proposals for well founded and effective action which contributes to the special features on nationally important nature sites in Highland achieving 'favourable condition' as determined by Scottish Natural Heritage's programme of Site Condition Monitoring
• This to include proposals which involve collaboration across areas of deer range to help maintain sustainable wild deer populations at a level compatible with nature conservation interests in order to ensure the special features of nature sites move towards "favourable condition".

HIG10

Viable populations of rare and/or endangered species, through improved conservation management 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.

In particular, proposals that focus on the conservation management of the 19 species listed for priority action in the Species Action Framework and which occur in Highland, namely:

• Black Grouse, Capercaillie, Great Crested Newt, Red Squirrel, Wildcat, Water Vole, White-tailed Eagle, Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Great Yellow Bumblebee, Pearl Bordered Fritillary Butterfly, Pine Hoverfly, Intermediate Wintergreen, Lesser Butterfly Orchid, Small Cow-Wheat, Woolly Willow, Hazel Gloves Fungus, Hen Harrier and Native Deer (Red and Roe).

HIG11

Reduce the 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.

• In particular, proposals which will eradicate and/or control populations of invasive non-native species which occur in Highland namely: Rhododendron ponticum, Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed, or Grey Squirrel.

HIG12

Increase 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. This, particularly where the threat from climate change is acute, or, where it is possible to offer 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, by organic conversion or through organic maintenance.

In particular proposals which will result in an increase in the area of connected natural habitats and ecological features associated with:

• riparian/wetland corridors and woodland (including montane scrub) habitat networks
• landscape scale approaches to deer management for biodiversity
• improvement to extensive peatland sites.

Given the scale of some land holdings within Highland it is recognised that actions of the scale required may be delivered through one extensive land holding alone.