| ARG08 | "A halt in the loss of biodiversity and reverse previous losses through targeted action" (a Scottish Biodiversity Strategy objective) through management that restores, conserves or enhances Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species and habitats, with an initial emphasis on management which will deliver by 2010. For example: through maintenance and enhancement of ancient, long established and semi-natural woodlands, restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), particularly where ancient plant communities are most at risk; organic conversion or organic maintenance; and, actions in Local Biodiversity Action Plans. Particularly proposals that: - deliver management necessary to restore or enhance habitats and species for which Argyll is a significant stronghold and also identified as being of priority in UK, Scottish and Local Biodiversity Action Plans particularly species and habitats associated with the following:
- native woodland - particularly upland oak dominated woodland and native pine woodlands particularly where they support rich ground Flora and/or diverse Lichen and Bryophyte Flora, Red Squirrel, Black Grouse, Song Thrush, Nightjar, Capercaillie, White-tailed Eagle, Chequered Skipper and Bat Roosts
- in-bye improved grassland and semi-improved rush pasture particularly managed for Brown Hare, Corncrake, Chough and Corn Bunting
- arable crops managed for internationally and nationally important birds particularly Black Grouse, Corncrake, Corn Bunting, Skylark and Linnet
- species rich grasslands - particularly coastal sand dunes, heath, machair, salt marsh, mudflats and/or particularly where they support Chough, Corncrake, Burnet Moths, Pearl Bordered Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-Moth, Northern Colletes, Greater Yellow Bumblebee, Dune Gentian
- peat dominated habitats - particularly species rich bogs and acid grasslands And/or where they support Hen Harrier, Golden Eagle and Skylark
- wetlands - particularly fens and reed beds and/or where they support Irish Ladies Tresses, Red Necked Phalarope, Reed Bunting, Priority Dragonflies and Damselflies
- freshwater - particularly oligotrophic lochs, standing water, rivers and streams supporting important populations of Salmonids, Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Medicinal Leach, Slender Naiad, Pillwort, Pondweeds, Black Throated Diver and Whooper Swan
- restore and maintain ancient woodland sites that have previously been commercially under planted.
| 7-26 |
| ARG09 | The special features on Scotland's nationally important nature sites ( SSSIs, SACs, SPAs and Ramsar sites) being in 'favourable condition' (95% by 2010). Particularly proposals that: - deliver management necessary to maintain and restore the special features of Argyll's internationally and nationally important nature sites
- involve management, especially herbivore management, out with important nature sites which is necessary to ensure special features within sites are maintained or move towards 'favourable condition'
- involve collaboration across areas of deer range to help maintain sustainable wild deer populations at a level compatible with natural heritage, landscape and access interests in order to ensure the special features of nature sites move towards 'favourable condition'
- involve collaboration in water catchments which will address pollution issues in order to ensure the special features of nature sites move towards favourable condition.
| 7-26 |
| ARG10 | Viable populations of rare and/or endangered species, through improved conservation of the 32 species listed for priority action in the Species Action Framework for Scotland, and through targeted action identified in priority Species Action Plans. Particularly proposals that: - help to maintain viable populations of species for which Argyll is a major stronghold particularly: Black Grouse, Capercaillie, Red Squirrel, White-tailed Eagle, Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Great Yellow Bumblebee, Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, Pearl-bordered Fritillary Butterfly, Slender Scotch Burnet Moth, Lesser Butterfly Orchid and Hazel Gloves Fungus.
| 7, 9-18, 25 & 26 |
| ARG11 | Reduced threat from non-native species, through action to eradicate or control target species, e.g. grey squirrels, rhododendron, and particularly those listed in the Non-Native species Framework Strategy for GB. Particularly proposals that: - involve strategic, collaborative and site-specific control of Rhododendron ponticum, Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam where they significantly impact on a priority native species/habitat or identified as a priority by the Argyll Rhododendron Action Group, Argyll invasive species forum and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Invasive Species Audit
- involve Grey Squirrel control which support Red Squirrel recovery in line with the Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan 2007-2011
| 7, 10, 14-16 & 25 |
| ARG12 | Increase in the area of connected natural habitats and ecological features, through collaboration between land managers to adopt a landscape scale, whole ecosystem approach to helping biodiversity, particularly where the threat from climate change is most acute, or, offering desirable species the opportunity to increase their range by taking advantage of changing climatic factors. For example, by expanding the area of native woodland in preferred locations, organic conversion or organic maintenance. Particularly proposals that: - involve co-operative cross-unit management of priority habitats and species involving minimal fencing of management compartments especially to maintain:
1. river corridors 2. upland native woodland/moorland mosaics 3. coastal grassland/wetland/woodland mosaics 4. freshwater margins. - involve low intensity grazing of open priority habitats including woodland/upland, wetland and species rich grasslands within habitat mosaics particularly by cattle and with minimal use of fences (to safeguard landscape and access priorities)
- follow the principles of Woodland and other Semi-Natural Habitat Networks for habitat expansion and recovery particularly those recommended by the Argyll Islands Woodlands partnership and other similar landscape scale woodland partnerships
- help deliver river basin management plans
- that involve conversion to or maintenance of organic production methods according to the industry best practice standards.
| 5-8 & 15 |