Scottish Government

Regional Priority Code

Biodiversity Priorities

Relevant Packages

TAY08

"A halt in the loss of biodiversity and reverse previous losses through targeted action" 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 that:

• deliver management necessary to restore or enhance habitats and species for which Tayside is a significant stronghold and also identified as being of priority in the Scottish and Tayside Local Biodiversity Action Plans
• within the Cairngorms National park management that restores or enhances the species and habitats in the Cairngorms Habitats and Species Priority List
• support the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park BAP
• promote the protection and enhancement of Regionally Important Geological Sites in Tayside.

TAY09

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

• bring special features of sites into 'favourable' or moving towards 'favourable condition'
• encourage collaborative proposals across areas of deer range to help maintain wild deer populations in balance with natural heritage interests in order to ensure the special features of key sites move towards 'favourable condition'
• encourage collaborative proposals in water catchments in Tayside affecting sites and which will address pollution issues in order to ensure or move the special features towards favourable condition
• involve management, especially herbivore management, outwith important nature sites which is necessary to ensure special features within sites are maintained or move towards 'favourable condition'.

TAY10

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 that:

• maintain or improve viable populations of the 14 species listed for priority action in the Species Action Framework and which occur in Tayside - Red Squirrel, Capercaillie, Black Grouse, Great Crested Newt, Wildcat, Water Vole, Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Lesser Butterfly Orchid, Small Cow-Wheat, Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Intermediate Wintergreen, Hen Harrier, Native Deer, and Woolly Willow.

TAY11

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:

• encourage Grey Squirrel control and support Red Squirrel recovery in line with the Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan 2007-2011
• support actions to eradicate/control the following species listed in the draft Non-Native species Framework Strategy for GB - invasive Rhododendron, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam.

TAY12

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:

• follow the principles of Forest Habitat Networks for woodland expansion and recovery in line with the existing plans for Forest Habitat Networks in Tayside including tree line or montane scrub, riparian woods, and wood pasture
• apply the principles used for FHN to other types of habitat networks to deliver specific and regional habitat benefits
• help deliver river basin management plans via collaborative cross-unit management of priority riparian habitats
• support joined-up networks of organic conversion and maintenance and/or traditional forms of farming and land management with demonstrable biodiversity methods
• support wider habitat links such as hedgerows and high-altitude tree lines
• contribute to the connectivity of habitats in the Tayside LBAP, including calcareous grassland, hedgerows and treelines.