S2 Status of BAP Priority Habitats
reef Loch Creran, Argyll
Serpula vermicularis
Scottish trend for BAP priority Habitats
The status of BAP priority habitats in Scotland reported in the 2005 assessment
TREND: BASELINE | DATA CONFIDENCE: SATISFACTORY |
Biodiversity Action Plans ( BAP) have been prepared for habitats and species considered threatened within the UK. They include 41 'priority' habitats that occur in Scotland. The habitats are 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 habitats, 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
- 6 habitats (15%) were increasing.
- 8 habitats (20%) were stable.
- 12 habitats (29%) were declining (slowing) and 1 (2%) was fluctuating - probably declining.
- For the remainder, the trend was unclear for 3 (7%) or unknown for 11 (27%).
Evidence
The web-based Biodiversity Action Reporting System ( BARS) is a central data repository that enables integrated national and local reporting on BAP habitats. Assessments for BARS are made by Lead Partners, who report on each of the BAP priority habitats according to their specialist expertise and the data available.