S1 Status of UKBAP Priority Species
Red squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris
Scottish trend for BAP priority species
The status of BAP priority species in Scotland reported in the 2005 assessment (grouped plans excluded)
TREND: BASELINE | DATA CONFIDENCE: SATISFACTORY |
Biodiversity Action Plans ( BAP) have been prepared for habitats and species considered threatened within the UK. They include 153 'priority' species occurring, or known to have occurred, in Scotland until recently. The species are taxonomically and ecologically diverse, and are likely to be sensitive to change in the ecosystems and natural processes on which they depend. They therefore provide indicators of change in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. Trends across the suite of BAP priority species, as reported here, indicate progress towards halting biodiversity loss. The first comprehensive assessment was in 2005. Trends will be reported through the (three-yearly) UKBAP reporting cycle.
Assessment
- 11 species (7%) were increasing/fluctuating probably increasing.
- 49 species (32%) were stable/fluctuating probably stable.
- 27 species (18%) were declining (in three status categories).
- 17 species (11%) showed no clear trend and the trend for 44 (29%) was unknown.
- 2 species (1%) were thought to be no longer present in Scotland and 3 (2%) were no longer considered to be true species.
Evidence
The web-based Biodiversity Action Reporting System ( BARS) is a central data repository that enables integrated national and local reporting on BAP species. Assessments for BARS are made by lead partners, who report on each of the BAP species according to their specialist expertise and the data available.