Nature is in decline, both globally and locally within Perth and Kinross. Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and the most recent State of Nature Scotland Report revealed that one in nine species in the country are at risk of extinction.
A key driver of biodiversity loss is land-use change, which has led to habitat loss and fragmentation. Fragmented habitats are often isolated, less resilient, and struggle to support healthy species populations. A robust Nature Network is essential for reversing this trend and restoring biodiversity.
What is a Nature Network?
A Nature Network connects nature-rich sites, restoration areas, and other environmental projects through a series of areas of suitable habitat, habitat corridors and stepping stones. As well as supporting regional and national approaches to protect and restore nature, they provide local benefits to wildlife and people.
Nature networks focus on two key aspects:
- connecting all sites to contribute towards the 30 by 30 initiative (protecting 30% of our land and water by 2030)
- connecting biodiversity within and across urban, and peri-urban landscapes, ensuring that wildlife can move from place to place and enables the natural world to adapt to change, providing plants and animals with places to live, feed and breed wherever they are
The Council's immediate focus will be on mapping the connectivity of 30 by 30 sites. Connecting (and enhancing) biodiversity within and across urban and peri-urban landscapes will be addressed through our Open Space Strategy.
National context
The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy aims for Scotland to restore nature by 2045. To support this goal, each local authority in Scotland will have a Nature Network in place by 2030. These networks will work together to halt and reverse biodiversity loss at a national scale.
The Nature Networks Map will form an essential part of the next Local Development Plan (LDP) as required by the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). The next LDP is due to be adopted in 2027, and we are beginning the process of mapping the network now to guide future developments and restoration efforts.
The goal is to work with landowners, communities, and organisations to promote nature recovery across the Perth and Kinross area. The Council will not dictate how land should be managed but will highlight areas with high potential for nature restoration. Nature Network delivery will depend on collaboration with landowners and the availability of funding, with the Council playing a supportive role.
Under National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), developers are required to consider how their projects affect, and can contribute to, nature connectivity. The Nature Networks map will provide valuable guidance in selecting appropriate biodiversity enhancements for sites and ensuring that new developments align with broader conservation goals.
About the map
The Nature Networks map is an aspirational plan that outlines how we can restore biodiversity by connecting nature-rich sites across Perth and Kinross. The map highlights nature-rich sites known as Core Sites and suggests ways to link these areas through corridors. These corridors act as pathways that allow wildlife to move between Core Sites, ensuring a healthier, more diverse ecosystem. The goal is to create a network of interconnected natural habitats, improving biodiversity over time.
Key components of the map
Core Sites
Core Sites are the foundation of the Nature Network. These are existing areas rich in nature, actively managed for biodiversity, and often protected by law. Core Sites include:
- protected areas like Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), and Special Protection Areas (SPA)
- non-designated sites of local importance: these include Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS) and managed nature-rich sites such as National Trust for Scotland and Woodland Trust sites that are managed for biodiversity; we also hope to identify additional managed nature-rich sites that would benefit from being supported by a Nature Network
While Core Sites are essential for biodiversity, they may not always be in optimal condition and might need restoration efforts to become more biodiverse.
Corridors
To connect Core Sites, we need corridors: pathways that allow wildlife to move between habitats. An example is Buglife's B Lines which identifies strategic routes for pollinators across the landscape. Corridors would link existing and potential natural habitats, corridors and stepping stones including:
- existing natural habitats: native woodland, species-rich grasslands, and wetlands can provide connectivity and stepping stones
- existing natural corridors: existing natural corridors such as rivers and riparian woodlands already provide a nature network; rivers are valuable habitats and form an existing corridor through the landscape; rivers are key to connecting habitats and supporting biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems
- existing nature restoration projects: by including nature restoration work in a corridor, this may help the project benefit more
- nature restoration opportunities: deliverable restoration opportunities can provide multiple benefits by being included in a nature network; these areas will focus on enhancing or restoring habitats to create large areas of habitat and connections between them; this could involve improving existing sites or restoring areas where biodiversity is currently low; for example, by including natural flood management opportunities, we may be able to improve aquatic habitat quality while also reducing the risk of flooding in surrounding areas; other opportunities include degraded bogs and peatlands, riparian buffers, natural flood management works, and opportunities identified by willing communities and landowners
- buffers: Nature Networks may include providing protective buffers around Core Sites to help support the qualifying features; these transition habitats reduce negative impacts and protect the integrity of the Core Sites; the depth of the buffer will depend on the needs of the site and its supporting habitat
Corridors may include a mix of existing natural corridors and stepping stones as well as nature restoration opportunities to best help species move freely between the Core Sites.
Funding opportunities for landowners and communities
There are various funding opportunities available to support landowners and community groups in nature restoration and connectivity projects. These include government schemes and grants like the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme, Forestry Grant Scheme, Nature Restoration Fund and Peatland ACTION. The Council's own Nature Restoration Fund prioritises projects that support nature networks. The Council also provides advice on how to link up a restoration project to support nature network development.
You can explore additional opportunities and resources through the Nature Networks Toolbox. Opportunities will continue to emerge as new initiatives and funding programs develop.
Developers and private green initiatives are also looking to secure nature restoration. If you have an investment-ready opportunity, add your site to the Nature Restoration Opportunities Map to help others find you.
The Council also provides advice on how to link up a restoration project to support nature network development. For more information, or if you have any further questions or ideas, please contact us at NatureNetworks@pkc.gov.uk.
Past consultation events
The Council, in collaboration with Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust, carried out a series of four consultation events to support the development of the nature network opportunity map. These sessions were designed to gather local knowledge and identify additional areas that may contribute to habitat connectivity across the region. Participants were invited to highlight sites that are:
- nature-rich and managed for biodiversity
- actively undergoing nature restoration
- offering potential for future restoration
Each session included:
- an overview of currently mapped nature sites
- discussion on how local expertise can reveal lesser-known or unmapped areas
- identification of sites that could function as core areas with the Nature Network
The purpose of the consultation was to:
- build a more comprehensive picture of nature-rich areas across Perth and Kinross
- explore opportunities to enhance connectivity between existing sites
- combine practical knowledge, policy perspectives, and on-the-ground experience to inform the mapping process
Through these workshops and the accompanying online consultation, a longlist of sites was gathered. Of these, 63 could be spatially mapped. These sites represented a range of habitat types and projects, including:
- native woodland creation
- species-rich grassland enhancement
- riparian corridor restoration
- wetland creation
- larger landscape-scale restoration initiatives
- community woodlands and smaller-scale local projects
After mapping these areas, we reviewed how they could be incorporated into the nature network. The sites broadly fell into three categories:
- clear connectivity potential - sites with obvious links to existing core areas,
- opportunities for connection - sites with good potential but require thought for placing them in the network
- isolated or unsuitable sites - locations where ecological or spatial limitations restrict their role in network connectivity.
This consultation process significantly strengthened the robustness of the nature network mapping, ensuring it reflects both local priorities and on the ground realities.
Current and future plans for Perth and Kinross
Perth and Kinross Council are developing a draft Nature Network map to show opportunities for improving habitat connectivity across the region. This map brings together information on core nature sites, local biodiversity areas, and community projects, alongside corridors that link these habitats.
What's happening now?
- We are creating a draft map using local data and consultation feedback.
- The map highlights existing nature-rich areas and identifies where connections could be strengthened to support wildlife movement and climate resilience.
Next steps
- Engage with key stakeholders - including land managers, conservation groups, community organisations, and statutory bodies - to review and refine the draft map.
- Gather feedback on proposed corridors and priority areas to ensure the network reflects local knowledge and practical opportunities.
- Update the map based on stakeholder input and further ecological analysis.
Approach to draft mapping
We mapped core sites, local biodiversity sites, and community nature sites, assigning primary and secondary habitat types to understand ecological functions and connectivity needs.
Broad habitat categories:
- Grassland
- Peatland
- Wetland
- Water
- Woodland
- Heathland
- Mixed
Testing the AECOM Corridor Tool
We trialled the AECOM Corridor Tool to model "least-cost paths" for connectivity. The tool was useful for early ideas but not enough on its own. Manual refinement using local habitat data and land management knowledge was needed.
After reviewing the AECOM results, the draft corridor lines were extracted for further assessment. However, the habitat-based networks frequently overlapped or contradicted one another. In many places, the model mapped overlapping lines that did not correspond to logical ecological pathways.
Grouping connections into three network types
To resolve this, the Council grouped connections into three higher-level networks:
Riparian network
- The Tay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) forms a natural riparian corridor across Perth and Kinross.
- It already provides strong connectivity, but improvements can enhance its ecological role.
- Opportunities include riparian buffer strips, restoring floodplains, and planting native riparian woodland while maintaining open habitat integrity.
Open habitat network
- Open habitats such as grasslands, heathlands, and wetlands form mosaics that wildlife move through depending on season and resources.
- Many species (pollinators, reptiles, waders, invertebrates) rely on a mix of these habitats for feeding, breeding, and shelter.
- Creating one open habitat mosaic network avoids overlapping routes and reflects real ecological connectivity.
Woodland network
- The Woodland network will consist of corridors that link native and ancient woodlands, supporting species that depend on forest habitats.
- Mapping woodland and open habitats separately ensures both networks function effectively.
- Connectivity prioritises linking woodland core sites with Local Biodiversity Sites, using ancient woodland as the backbone, and enhancing links through riparian planting where appropriate.
Get involved
Further consultation events will be planned, and details will be updated here. If you know of a site you think should be taken into consideration in the Nature Network, you can add your site to Nature Networks Mapping. In the meantime, please email NatureNetworks@pkc.gov.uk for all enquiries.
Additional resources
- Nature Networks Toolbox - a resource from NatureScot providing further guidance on developing and supporting nature networks.
- 30 by 30 and Nature Networks - information on the NatureScot 30 by 30 initiative and how nature networks are integral to achieving this national goal.
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