Scotland update

Greg Mudge, SNH

Chair, Action Coordination Group

Challenges in adoption of an ecosystem approach to biodiversity delivery:

• Converting concept into practical meaning

• Shifting traditional emphasis on species and habitats

ACTION COORDINATION GROUP

PEOPLE GROUP

SCOTTISH BIODIVERSITY COMMITTEE

Upland ecosystems

Woodland

SCIENCE GROUP

Marine & Coastal ecosystems

Freshwater & Wetland

Lowland & Farmland

BIT

Cross-cutting :

LBAP network

Scottish Lead Partners

Working Group structure

The suite of biodiversity targets for Scotland

1. Scotland’s 2020 targets

2. Ecosystem health targets

3. Priority habitat targets

4. Priority species targets

5. Other targets

What is Ecosystem Health ?

A healthy ecosystem is one whose structure and functions enable it to continue to deliver its full range of services into the foreseeable future

So ecosystem health targets need to address:

• Ecosystem structure

• Functional processes

• Services

And they must be SMART

Relevant parameters include:

• Extent

• Condition

• Connectivity

• Sustainable use

• Pollution

• Resilience

Other considerations

• Climate change adaptation

• Keystone species

• INNS

• Mix of key services

Timber

Recreation

Flood regulation

For practical purposes targets need to be set within the context of broad ecosystems but be relevant at a range of geographical scales, for example: whole of Scotland, WFD river basin sub-catchments (11 in Scotland), or Natural Heritage Futures Areas (15 in Scotland).

SCALE

Steps in the process

1. Define scale of the target.2. Establish a vision for the broad ecosystem within

which to set the targets (with stakeholder involvement).

3. Establish SMART targets for: – Extent– Condition = structure + function + species diversity– Ecosystem services.

4. Develop actions to deliver targets. 5. Establish progress tracking mechanisms:

– Indicators– Surveillance – Site condition monitoring.

Uplands

Challenge: managing grazing / burning in upland ecosystems

Carbon Storage

Water Regulation

Erosion Control

Aesthetic Values

Vision for the broad ecosystem

Recreation & ecotourism

Way ahead

• Establish ecosystem demonstration / pilot projects in a range of settings

• Develop broader initiatives using tools like the Land Use Strategy and agri-environment developments