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It is now over seven years since the Rio Earth Summit. Much has been done in that time including the establishment of Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs). These plans have provided, and will continue to provide, biodiversity targets and objectives for all of Scotland.
This Biodiversity Action Plan sets down the Scottish Executive's commitment to protecting Scottish biodiversity on the trunk road network.
The purpose of this document is twofold:
Using this document
This Trunk Road Biodiversity Action Plan (TRBAP) sets a challenge for all those who work on the trunk road network - landscape architects, planners, managers, engineers, maintenance staff and ecologists. The challenge is to incorporate the protection of biodiversity into normal working practices by adopting an approach of working with nature.
The plan is also intended to act as a stimulus and a source of ideas for other groups who work to protect and enhance the diversity of plants, animals and habitats across Scotland. It is an attempt to raise general awareness and to allow everyone involved to contribute in a practical and positive way.
The Plan is an introduction to biodiversity action and its application to the operation of the road network. It contains objectives and targets designed to promote biodiversity, and practical measures to achieve them. The Plan is designed to integrate with and help deliver the objectives of relevant LBAPs. It is also a "signpost" document, acting as a link to other environmental initiatives and to more detailed sources of guidance. Where appropriate, these other documents and guidance notes are referenced in the text.
The TRBAP does not attempt to supersede other trunk road environmental objectives. However it helps to ensure that the right level of consideration is given to the protection of biodiversity within any landscape solution. The TRBAP is intended to make everyone ask 'What can my work do for biodiversity?'.
The TRBAP is presented in three parts:
Part A - Background Information, explains what biodiversity means and outlines the national and local initiatives that are underway. It includes a description of Scottish trunk roads, their management and potential for influencing biodiversity. The purpose and aims of the TRBAP are set out, along with how the Plan will be implemented and reviewed.
Part B - The Toolkit, contains simple, practical information on how biodiversity aims and objectives can be achieved. This part of the Plan is particularly aimed at those involved in the management of roads. It has been developed to enable management staff and contractors to incorporate biodiversity objectives into everyday working practices. It outlines what managers are required to do, how they should go about doing it, and where they can obtain expert advice and support. The Toolkit sets out guidance on specific actions that can be taken to protect and maintain wildlife and its habitats.
Part C - Area Action Plans, gives more specific regionally focused information on biodiversity action appropriate to individual road routes. This section is only in outline form at present, but it will be expanded to incorporate area-specific information such as LBAP objectives. The actions have been set out within the context of the Natural Heritage Zones (NHZ) of Scotland, which Scottish Natural Heritage has established to provide a strategic approach to planning and development in relation to Scotland's natural heritage. How these actions are implemented, and the lessons learned from them, will form part of an ongoing process of review and the development of improved working practices.
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