Scottish Government

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE CENTRAL RESEARCH UNIT

Countryside and Natural Heritage Research Programme Research Findings No. 21

Natura 2000 Scoping Study

Dr. Nonie Coulthard

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Key Findings

• The study identifies a wide range of innovative examples of community development initiatives which depend on the natural heritage values of N2k sites and associated areas across Scotland.
• Key constraints on the development of such socio-economic activity include small rural populations; lack of skills or infrastructure; and the fragility of some types of natural heritage or culture.
• The study suggests tourism based on the natural heritage offers the best opportunity for the development of socio-economic activities and benefits associated with areas of high quality natural heritage.
• The study identifies considerable potential for collaborative work between agencies, NGOs and local communities, to promote socio-economic benefits linked to N2k sites in Scotland; and that an integrated approach to the promotion of the N2k network across Europe and the UK would assist in this development process.

Main Findings

The principal output from this study is a list of thirty-four 'Areas', each containing one or more N2k sites, selected through a process of consultation with SNH and Local Enterprise Company staff, other relevant projects, and voluntary bodies. For each Area, a list is given of the main socio-economic activities linked to the natural heritage values of the N2k site(s), together with comments on the potential for and/or constraints on development of further activities. Areas are loosely defined as the area around the N2k site(s) within which the linkages can be made between natural heritage value and socio-economic activity. Socio-economic activities are identified in four broad categories: direct conservation management; other land or water use; ecological services; and marketing or branding of products or services derived from the natural heritage values of the N2k sites.

Clear links were found between the natural heritage interest and a variety of socio-economic activities, and the study includes examples of innovative community development initiatives which depend on natural heritage values. However key constraints to developing similar opportunities included small rural populations; lack of skills or infrastructure; problems with matching European funding sources; and the fragility of some types of natural heritage or culture, or the 'wilderness' experience which visitors are seeking.

The study suggests that tourism based on the natural heritage offers the best opportunity for the development of socio-economic activities and benefits associated with areas of high quality natural heritage. Consultees and respondents also identified considerable potential for collaborative work between agencies, NGOs and local communities, to promote such development.

This study suggests that the development of a real 'network' of Natura 2000 sites in Scotland, or the marketing of products from associated areas, would require support at a European and national level: without such commitment it would be difficult to promote individual sites or areas in Scotland as part of a network, of 'the very best of European nature conservation sites'.

About the Study

The study was combination of a desk study and expert consultation conducted in 1999 by Dr. Nonie Coulthard of Logical Cobwebs Ltd.