Habitats and Species: The Action Plans

Below are the complete lists of Priority Species and Habitats in North East Scotland. A small proportion of these have local action plans, shown further down the page under habitat or species headings.

The action plans are written for habitats and species that are nationally or locally important. The members of the biodiversity partnership work together on the agreed actions in the plans. Community partners have developed Area Action Plans (AAP) for some local areas, shown under the relevant habitat heading.

Habitat

Most of the North East Action for Biodiversity is addressed through the Habitat Action Plans (HAPs), which incorporate action for associated priority species. These HAPs are grouped under the broader habitat headings of Coastal & Marine; Farmland & Grassland; Woodland; Montane, Heath & Bog; Wetland & Freshwater; and Urban.


1. Coastal & Marine

The 250km coastline of North East Scotland is home to a rich variety of coastal habitats, many of which are important in the UK context. The coastal area supports a particularly wide range of species, dependent on both land and sea water habitats. Protection of these habitats is a top priority for North East LBAP.

2. Farmland & Grassland

Agriculture is the primary land use over about 70% of the North East area. Farmland wildlife is still relatively plentiful, due to the mixed cropping and livestock production typical of this region. Intensively managed grasslands have very limited species diversity, so non-agricultural habitats such as road verges have become increasingly important refuges for species-rich grassland.

3. Woodland

Around three quarters of Scotland was once forested, but woodlands have been reduced to a tiny fraction of their former extent. Riparian woodland provides the only remaining native tree cover in the landscape in some areas of the North East. 23% of the UK’s native pine woodlands are found in the Cairngorms area of the North East, therefore the Cairngorms HAP is adopted for action on this habitat.

4. Montane, Heath & Bog

North East Scotland holds 19% of Scotland’s Lowland Raised Bog, although much has been lost, with all sites having been damaged to some degree due to peat cutting, agricultural reclaim or afforestation. Upland heathland is one of the most extensive habitat types in the west and south of the area, whereas lowland heathland survives in small pockets along the coasts of Aberdeenshire and Moray.

5. Wetland & Freshwater

The freshwater features of North East Scotland sustain a rich variety of habitats and species, many of which are distinctive in international terms. Rivers, such as the Spey, Dee and Don and their associated wildlife provide a wide range of benefits to society, and contribute greatly to the landscape character of the area. North East lochs are important both ecologically and in terms of their landscape and amenity value and local wetlands include various habitats, such as fens, carrs, marshes and reedbeds.

6. Urban

Most North East residents live or work in an urban area. There are many settlements in the region, ranging in size from the City of Aberdeen, population over 200,000, to small rural villages. Action for wildlife in urban areas brings nature closer to people in their home and work environment, and so encourages a wider understanding of biodiversity and sustainable development.

Species

North East Scotland LBAP Partnership has designated 195 local priority species, 80 of which are also UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Species. Action for most species is carried out through the relevant Habitat Action Plans. However, specific Species Action Plans are being implemented for those species where habitat action alone will not fully address the needs of that particular species.