Invasive, non-native species present significant risks to Scotland's native wildlife. Often widespread and abundant, they can lead to a serious decline in the abundance and diversity of our native wildlife. Their control can also be undertaken for other purposes; to benefit landscapes and improve public access routes.
This guidance highlights Options that can help you to control 5 non-native, invasive species. Please check the Regional Priorities to see which non-native species, if any, are a priority for control in your area. The Rural Priorities mechanism supports the control of two species, the grey squirrel and Rhododendron ponticum (and its hybrids), that are included as Species for Control in Scotland's Species Action Framework (SAF).
Control, or removal, of invasive, non-native species can have a beneficial effect on a range of animals, ground flora, mosses, liverworts and other species. If you choose to apply for any of these Options please tell us which native species will benefit.
To be effective, it is often essential that the control of non-native species is coordinated across ownership and administrative boundaries and that follow-up action is sustained to prevent recolonization of cleared areas. If you choose to apply for these Options please tell us how your efforts will be co-ordinated with those of others.
We suggest the following Options may all be appropriate.
These Options will only help achieve the desired outcome in specific circumstances. If you choose any Option for this Package, the application system will ask you to explain how you see this Option helping to achieve the outcome. You can select as many, or as few, Options as you think you will need. You must judge which Options will most effectively deliver the desired outcomes taking account of your circumstances.
These Options will help to achieve the desired outcome in specific circumstances:
List of links to relevant technical guidance
A list of the species from this group that are listed as Priority Species in UK Biodiversity Action Plan and/or included in the Species Action Framework for Scotland.
A list of the Habitats that are listed within UK Biodiversity Action Plan and/or included in the Species Action Framework for Scotland.
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