Scottish Government

Regional Priority Code

Biodiversity Priorities

Relevant Packages

D+G08

"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. Proposals that support joint working between land managers, communities and environmental facilitators will be encouraged. Particularly proposals that:

• deliver management necessary to restore or enhance habitats and species for Dumfries and Galloway which is a significant stronghold and also identified as being of priority in Scottish and Local Biodiversity Action Plans ( Scottish Biodiversity List and Dumfries & Galloway Local Biodiversity Action Plan)

• support for the management of the Local Wildlife Sites identified in the Local Development Plans.

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.

D+G09

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:

• will help to bring special features on Dumfries and Galloway's nationally important nature sites ( SSSIs, SACs, SPAs and Ramsar sites) into favourable condition or maintain them in favourable condition
• collaborate proposals across whole deer ranges to help special features on Dumfries and Galloway's nationally important nature sites ( SSSIs, SACs, SPAs and Ramsar sites) to maintain or reach favourable condition
• collaborate proposals to address pollution issues and help special features on Dumfries and Galloway's nationally important nature sites ( SSSIs, SACs, SPAs and Ramsar sites) to maintain or reach favourable condition
• involve management, especially herbivore management, outwith important nature sites which is necessary to ensure special features within sites are maintained or move towards 'favourable condition'.

D+G10

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:

• will maintain or improve viable populations of some of the species listed in the Species Action Plan Framework which occur in Dumfries and Galloway namely Red Squirrels, Great Crested Newts, Black Grouse, Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Pearl-Bordered Fritillary Butterfly, Lesser Butterfly Orchid, Hen Harrier, Red and Roe Deer.

D+G11

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:

• eradicate and/or control populations of invasive non-native species which occur in Dumfries and Galloway namely: Rhododendron ponticum, Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed or Grey Squirrel (Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan 2007-2011), also identified in the Catchment Management Plans.

D+G12

Increase in the area of connected natural habitats and ecological features, through collaboration between land managers to adopt a landscape scale, whole ecosystem approach following the principles of Habitat Networks to helping biodiversity, 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. Particularly proposals that:

• co-operate with other land managers to manage priority habitats and species to maintain:

1. riparian corridors

2. upland native woodland/moorland

mosaics

3. coastal grassland/wetland/woodland

mosaics

4. freshwater margins

5. species rich grasslands and

woodland/scrub strips and hedges

6. wetlands and peatlands

• Involve low intensity grazing within mosaics of open priority habitats especially upland, wetland, coastal grasslands and wood pasture within habitat mosaics by cattle and with minimal use of fences to safeguard landscape and access priorities
• Can be achieved for example by expanding the area of native woodland in preferred locations in hand with organic conversion or organic maintenance farming, through delivery of actions in River Basin Management Plans which support the delivery of catchment management plans and following the principles of Woodland and other Semi-Natural Habitat Networks/Forest Habitat Networks (D&G Ashwood Plan for habitat expansion and recovery).