Scottish Biodiversity Strategy 2022

I believe strongly that there is a biodiversity crisis in Scotland as shown by the decline in flying insects reported by Buglife, the increase in red listed butterflies as reported by Butterfly Conservation, the decline in coastal birds reported by the BTO, and the State of Nature Report produced by various environmental organisations. Puffins, gannets and guillemots continue to decline due to overfishing, without the added threat of birdflu. Raptors continue to disappear around grouse hunting estates while millions of birds bred for hunting are released into depleted ecosystems. Our marine protected areas continue to be scoured by bottom trawling.

I see a key challenge to be developing renewable energy, in particular windfarms, while offering protection to bird and sealife. This is an opportunity however, to develop a system that tackles renewable energy while conserving wildlife.
Another challenge is to reduce or preferably remove the use of insecticides in farming in order to slow the decline of beneficial invertebrates and prevent run off of contaminants into waterways by a reform of farming methods, especially by addressing monoculture and factory farming.
I think more needs to be done to hold companies accountable for waste and emissions, and more incentives need to be available to help people adjust to more energy saving practices.

No.

I think one of the key drivers is farming practices that damage the environment, and more should be done to help farmers conserve the countryside.
Additionally, the removal or burning of peat is a key driver. Highland estates should be prevented from burning large areas of peatland and more should be done to rewild estates for the improvement of the environment.
I think it should be more difficult for planning permission to be given for development of land that is environmentally important, and the sale of large estates to private owners should be restricted if it would lead to environmentally damaging development.

Opportunities include reforming farming practices, reducing CO2 emissions and protecting rare ecosystems by conserving peatland, and protecting land from irresponsible development.

Key challenges are persuading parts of the farming community, the hunting community, hunting estate owners and unscrupulous developers of the benefits.

Yes

Key drivers of biodiversity loss include pollution including noise pollution, overfishing and harmful fishing practices such as bottom trawling and factory ships.

To conserve our marine ecosystems, to have clean water that does not contaminate humans as well as sealife, to provide an environment where cetaceans can communicate and live naturally, and to have healthy fish stocks.

Plastic pollution including microplastics, discarded fishing nets, fuel spillages. Reducing noise from military activities, drilling, installation of wind farms. Have a fishing industry that does not encourage overfishing, destruction of marine environments and bycatch.

Yes

Key drivers include pollution from farm run off, pollution from factories, pollution from sewage treatment, clearing of vegetation from river banks, drainage of land, building on floodplains.

To stop chemical and effluent pollution and to incorporate natural methods of flood control.

Making people accountable for the pollution they cause. Restricting development on flood plains.

Yes

Rising sea levels, infrastructure that prevents natural flood control, pollution including plastic pollution that harms wildlife and contaminates water, coastal erosion.

To reinstate natural methods of mitigating flooding such as conserving wetlands. To have water that is safe for bathing and for wildlife.

Preventing plastic pollution. Coastal erosion and rising sea levels.

No.

Fragmented habitats, too many hard surfaces, lack of investment in providing space for nature, not enough space.

Provision of more green spaces connected by wildlife corridors, allowing space for nature to thrive by providing suitable habitat as part of building development, replacing hard surfaces where possible with nature friendly substrate, introducing vertical gardens.

Changing attitudes towards development and living with nature.

Yes.

Fragmented habitats causing unsustainable populations, overdevelopment of natural areas that would otherwise be natural carbon sinks or floodwater soakaways.

To link up wild populations leading to greater breeding success and biodiversity. To provide green areas that would enhance mental and physical health. To reduce carbon emissions and flood risk.

To change attitudes towards living with nature.

I think if the outcomes can be delivered it will work if people can be shown that it is to their benefit to make changes.

Reports from wildlife and environmental organisations. Reports from independent air quality and water quality agencies. Public opinion.

Yes, definitely.

Not known.

Education is needed to inspire children and young people to care for and value the natural world, delivered alongside anti discriminatory and equal opportunity learning.