The Scottish Government

Regional Priority Code

Biodiversity Priorities

Relevant Packages

OHE08

"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 that:

• deliver management necessary to maintain, restore or enhance habitats and species for which the Outer Hebrides is a significant stronghold and also identified as being of priority in UK, Scottish and Local Biodiversity Action Plans (links)
• LBAP priorities for the Outer Hebrides include Native Woodlands, Saline Lagoons, Great Yellow Bumblebee, Corn Bunting, Corncrake, Dunlin, Irish Lady's Tresses, Cereal Fields
• ancient semi-natural woodland - particularly Aspen, Alder, Birch and Hazel Remnant Woodlands with a diverse Lichen and Bryophyte Flora.

OHE09

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:

• deliver management necessary to maintain and restore the special features on Outer Hebrides' internationally and nationally important nature sites
• involve collaboration across areas of deer range to help maintain sustainable wild deer populations at a level compatible with natural heritage, landscape and access interests in order to ensure the special features of nature sites move towards 'favourable condition'
• collaborative proposals in water catchments across sites and which will address pollution and water resource management issues in order to ensure or move towards favourable condition.

OHE10

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:

• help to maintain viable populations of species listed in the Species Action Framework for which the Outer Hebrides is a major stronghold particularly: White-tailed Eagle, Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Great Yellow Bumblebee, Lesser Butterfly Orchid and Birds Nest Stonewort (found in North Uist lochs).

OHE11

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:

• support strategic, collaborative and site-specific control of invasive non-native species identified as a clear threat to the integrity of key habitats. Proposals for control of American Mink and Hedgehogs will not be considered, as there are existing funded programmes in place
• support actions to deal with non-native species identified in the West Highland River Basin Management Plan.

OHE12

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:

• co-operative cross-unit management of priority habitats and species involving well designed management compartments in order to maintain Riparian corridors, moorland mosaics, coastal grassland/wetland mosaics and freshwater margins
• low intensity grazing of open priority habitats including upland, wetland, coastal grasslands within habitat mosaics particularly by cattle and with minimal use of fences (to safeguard landscape and access priorities)
• proposals that help deliver the West Highland River Basin Management Plan
• protect and expand key native woodland sites as identified by the Western Isles Native Woodland Restoration strategy.