| Milestones | Pre 2010 - Ecological network modelling to be developed and disseminated, to include the development and testing of a land-use decision support toolbox. Pre 2010 - Assessment of habitat fragmentation and landscape permeability for selected key designated locations, to identify concrete, cost-effective and appropriate measures to reduce fragmentation. Links to be strengthened with River Basin Management Planning and Regional Assessment Proposal Committee (RPAC) priorities to facilitate dissemination of findings. Pre 2011- Development of an accessible, quality assured web-based data portal for ecological modelling, to facilitate consistent modelling and joined-up planning decisions Pre 2011 - Inclusion of National Ecological network considerations in relevant development plans and associated action programmes, potentially encompassing large strategic habitat restoration projects. Pre 2011 - Local actions such as projects with potential to encompass large strategic habitat restoration to be taken forward through development plans, associated Action Programmes, supplementary planning guidance and partnership agreements. Consider the need for environmental assessment, appropriate assessment and detailed scheme level mitigation at plan or project level. |
Lead Partner(s)/Delivery Bodies | SNH
FCS, SEPA, Forest Research, Central Scotland Green Network partners, Local Authority partnerships, Planning Authorities, Strategic Development Planning Authorities, Scottish Water, British Waterways, RSPB, Central Scotland Forest Trust, Green Network Partnerships, Scottish Government (Environmental Quality Directorate, Rural Directorate, Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate, Climate Change and Directorate for the Built Environment) |
| Progress | Ecological network modelling is being piloted by Highland Council and SNH for the A96 corridor east of Inverness. Revised mapping of habitat networks is underway through the CSGN partnership. This will identify critical areas of fragmentation to enable targeted action and will inform development plans. A landscape scale habitat restoration project is being explored in the upper Forth area. Under the title of the Inner Forth Futurescapes project, RSPB Scotland is using EU LIFE Programme funding to promote the vision of a network of new wetland habitats, including saltmarsh, mudflat and reedbed, across an area of 2,000 ha. centred on its Skinflats nature reserve. |