A major report revealing that almost one in ten Scottish species are at risk of extinction has been published today.
The State of Nature 2016: Scotland is a follow up to the first State of Nature report, which was published in 2013. It has been compiled by a coalition of 53 wildlife organisations including the Scottish Wildlife Trust and represents the clearest picture to date of the status of native species across land and sea.
While some species have increased there are declines within many groups. These include more than half of vascular plants, such as juniper, and 39% of butterflies.
There are also serious concerns for a quarter of Scotland’s birds including upland species such as dotterel and curlew, and seabirds such as puffins and kittiwakes.
Across Great Britain 19% of plants, 11% of invertebrates and 11% of fungi are now at risk of extinction, and specialist butterflies, which are most sensitive to changes in habitat, have decreased by 32%.
The Trust's Head of Policy and Planning Dr Maggie Keegan is one of the authors of the report. She said: “The State of Nature report shows an urgent need to address the decline of Scotland’s wildlife. It is vital that people and organisations work together now to restore native habitats for future generations.
“Nature is important in its own right but it also provides a huge range of essential services, ranging from the clean air that we breathe to the pollination of our crops. The value of many of the services that nature provides is immeasurable, but a recent estimate of those that can be measured shows that nature is worth between £21 – £23 billion per year to Scotland’s economy.
“The findings in the new report support the creation of a National Ecological Network that would link up protected areas and fragmented semi-natural habitats, helping wildlife move more freely and become more resilient to threats such as climate change. Increasingly we will need to deliver conservation on a landscape scale through initiatives such as our Living Landscapes, and ensure that people are better connected with nature.
“We also have to radically reform Scottish agriculture to ensure that the billions of pounds of public funding that are spent on it are used in a way that allows wildlife to thrive alongside food production and bring benefits for many people and not just a few.”
Sir David Attenborough said: “The natural world is in serious trouble and it needs our help as never before.
“The rallying call issued after the State of Nature report in 2013 has promoted exciting and innovative conservation projects. Landscapes are being restored, special places defended, struggling species being saved and brought back. But we need to build significantly on this progress if we are to provide a bright future for nature and for people.
“The future of nature is under threat and we must work together; governments, conservationists, businesses and individuals to help it. Millions of people in the UK care very passionately about nature and the environment. I believe that we can work together to turn around the fortunes of wildlife.”