Written Question · S3W-00272 · Session 3
What percentage of features within Scotland’s Special Protection Areas or Special Areas of Conservation, classified under the EU birds or h…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of features within Scotland’s Special Protection Areas or Special Areas of Conservation, classified under the EU birds or habitats directives, are in unfavourable condition; what steps it has taken to identify the management required to rectify this, and how much such measures are estimated to cost.
The answer
Based on the features assessedthrough the Site Condition Monitoringprogramme so far (the following table 1),the proportions of features that are in unfavourable condition and are not recovering(the management of the site hasnot already been adjusted to favour the special features) are:
27% of all Natura features;
20% classified features on SpecialProtection Areas, and
33% of qualifying features onSpecial Areas for Conservation.
the Scottish Executive has set a keytarget for 80% of features to be reported in favourable condition by 2008 progressing to 95%by 2010. The steps taken to identifythe management required to bring the unfavourable Natura features into favourablecondition are:
ScottishNatural Heritage has been looking closely at the management required to bring thesefeatures into favourable condition and is actively taking forward a programme ofvoluntary management agreements to put this in place.
ForestryCommission Scotland is drawing up an action plan for Natura features in unfavourablecondition associated with woodlands within their Scottish Forestry Strategy.
A programme of joint workingis addressing impacts caused by grazing animals mainly on Natura sites.
Public and voluntary bodies whoown land are also seeking to meet the Executive target by addressing Natura featuresin unfavourable condition on their land.
It is anticipated that fundingfor bringing Natura features into favourable condition will be available under the Scottish Rural Development Plan.
However, despite the proactivework underway, it should be noted it is not always possible to address unfavourablecondition of features by on-site changes in management. For example, seabird populationsaccount for many of the unfavourable features on Special Protection Areas. Theseare thought to be influenced by external factors, such as climate change and decliningfish stocks, which may require wider policy changes before recovery in conditionwill be achieved.
Excluding those features whereno on-site action can be taken, there are 258 assessed Natura features where actionis required to bring about recovery. From the feature assessments still to be confirmed,Scottish Natural Heritage estimate that a further 36 features will need action.That makes the total number of unfavourable Natura features requiring action to294.
It is estimated that to put inplace the appropriate management to bring these unfavourable Natura features intofavourable condition, it will cost between £20 to 50,000 per feature (based on experiencefrom established Natural Care Schemes). This gives an estimate of around £10 millionover a five year period or £2 million per year. This is for incentive based measureson terrestrial features and excludes funding needed for the management of marinesites, monitor the features on terrestrial and marine sites and staff costs.
Table 1. Summary of NaturaFeature Condition Assessments
| SAC
| SPA
| Total
Total number of features
| 890
| 598
| 1,488
Features assessments confirmed
| 782
| 571
| 1,353
Favourable
| 59 %
| 78 %
| 67 %
Unfavourable, recovering
|
27% of all Natura features;
20% classified features on SpecialProtection Areas, and
33% of qualifying features onSpecial Areas for Conservation.
the Scottish Executive has set a keytarget for 80% of features to be reported in favourable condition by 2008 progressing to 95%by 2010. The steps taken to identifythe management required to bring the unfavourable Natura features into favourablecondition are:
ScottishNatural Heritage has been looking closely at the management required to bring thesefeatures into favourable condition and is actively taking forward a programme ofvoluntary management agreements to put this in place.
ForestryCommission Scotland is drawing up an action plan for Natura features in unfavourablecondition associated with woodlands within their Scottish Forestry Strategy.
A programme of joint workingis addressing impacts caused by grazing animals mainly on Natura sites.
Public and voluntary bodies whoown land are also seeking to meet the Executive target by addressing Natura featuresin unfavourable condition on their land.
It is anticipated that fundingfor bringing Natura features into favourable condition will be available under the Scottish Rural Development Plan.
However, despite the proactivework underway, it should be noted it is not always possible to address unfavourablecondition of features by on-site changes in management. For example, seabird populationsaccount for many of the unfavourable features on Special Protection Areas. Theseare thought to be influenced by external factors, such as climate change and decliningfish stocks, which may require wider policy changes before recovery in conditionwill be achieved.
Excluding those features whereno on-site action can be taken, there are 258 assessed Natura features where actionis required to bring about recovery. From the feature assessments still to be confirmed,Scottish Natural Heritage estimate that a further 36 features will need action.That makes the total number of unfavourable Natura features requiring action to294.
It is estimated that to put inplace the appropriate management to bring these unfavourable Natura features intofavourable condition, it will cost between £20 to 50,000 per feature (based on experiencefrom established Natural Care Schemes). This gives an estimate of around £10 millionover a five year period or £2 million per year. This is for incentive based measureson terrestrial features and excludes funding needed for the management of marinesites, monitor the features on terrestrial and marine sites and staff costs.
Table 1. Summary of NaturaFeature Condition Assessments
| SAC
| SPA
| Total
Total number of features
| 890
| 598
| 1,488
Features assessments confirmed
| 782
| 571
| 1,353
Favourable
| 59 %
| 78 %
| 67 %
Unfavourable, recovering
|
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-00272 by reference.