Biodiversity - threats and safeguards
Last updated | 25/04/2012
Although Perth and Kinross is rich in biodiversity, the
quality and extent of many habitats, such as hedgerows,
wetlands and semi-natural grasslands, and the species they contain,
have declined, particularly in the last fifty years.
Loss of habitats and species
Habitats are degraded, reduced in size or broken up by
agricultural intensification, land drainage, buildings
and roads and by pollution effecting air, water and
soil quality.
Threats from non native species
The spread of highly successful species of foreign plants like
Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam threatens to replace or
dominate some of our Scottish plants, and will affect the native
animals and insects that depend on them. Introduction of
foreign animals can also have a devastating effect on our local
wildlife. One example is how the american grey squirrel has
displaced the active red squirrel.
Illegal activities
Deliberate persecution also threatens some species. Sadly,
Perthshire is the hotspot for wildlife crime in the UK, although
Tayside Police have made real progress and are actively trying to
address this through initiatives like Operation Country Watch and
the excellent work of their Local Wildlife Liaison Officers.
Climate change
Climate change is likely to have a major impact on our
biodiversity. The longer-term ecological effects are difficult to
predict, but as our weather changes we may lose some of the species
that are adapted to the colder higher areas of Perthshire such as
ptarmigan and snow bunting.
How can we safeguard species and habitats?
There are a lot of positive actions being taken to safeguard our
habitats and species for the future by farmers, developers,
organisations and volunteers to protect our biodiversity and
environment.
Legal Protection and the role of Public Bodies
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 gives legal
protection and places duties on public bodies to improve
provisions for wildlife in their policies, operations and within
their properties. The Scottish Executive's Scottish
Biodiversity Strategy has performance indicators and actions
to provide national guidance.
Public bodies are involved with implementing the Tayside Local
Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) which
has information on local habitats and species, the threats to
them, and practical actions for individuals, businesses and
organisations to take to protect and enhance biodiversity. The LBAP
was produced by the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership which covers
the Council areas of Angus, Dundee and Perth & Kinross. Other
partners include Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Forestry
Commission Scotland (FCS) and the Scottish Environment
Protection Agency (SEPA).
For further information contact Catherine Lloyd (Coordinator:
Tayside Biodiversity Partnership, c/o Perth & Kinross Council
Environment Services, Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth PH1
5GD. Tel 01738 475000, or email her at tayside@biodiversity.ukf.net
Greener Business
Businesses can play an important role in protecting local
biodiversity through improving premises to encourage wildlife. This
makes industrial estates and business
premises attractive and is good for staff and customer morale.
Sponsorship of to wildlife projects is also a great way to
help. Ideas and good practise are given within the Businesses
with Land section of the Tayside Local Biodiversity Action
Plan.
People Power
There are simple things we can do to improve
biodiversity in our own gardens and local communities.
Placing nest and hibernation boxes for birds, bats and other
mammals, and insects, planting shrubs to encourage
butterflies and leaving a space for native plants are just a few
ideas. Please view the other pages for further information, or
visit the Perth & Kinross Eco-Schools programme to find out
what going on in schools. Those without gardens may want to
consider joining the local 'Bloom
Committee'
Conservation organisations such as the National Trust
for Scotland, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and
the Scottish Wildlife Trust all have lots of other
ideas on their websites.
