SCOTTISH BIODIVERSITY LIST

The Scottish Biodiversity List is a list of flora, fauna and habitats considered by the Scottish Ministers to be of principal importance for biodiversity conservation.  The list has been developed with the involvement of a number of specialists and enthusiasts, in a project which was overseen by a sub-group of the APSG (Action Plan and Science Group) of the Scottish Biodiversity Forum.  Its publication satisfies the requirements of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, and it will be relevant  to all authorities in their consideration of the Biodiversity Duty.

The List is provided in an interactive way, which allows users to search for species and habitats in a specific geographic area, by species group or by habitat type, with links to a broad range of information already available via the National Biodiversity Network.  The full Scottish Biodiversity List consists of four spreadsheets (Terrestrial and Freshwater Species, Terrestrial & Freshwater Habitats, Marine Species & Habitats, and the Species and Habitats identified as important by the Scottish Public in a Social Survey).

The Scottish Biodiversity List was developed using the data available at the time.  Users should be aware that there are inevitably gaps in the list, due in many cases to poor data/information.  It is likely the list will need to be updated over time as data improves, and to reflect changes, for example where species no longer qualify for inclusion.

The publication of the Scottish Biodiversity List places no additional expectations on public bodies beyond those which result from the Biodiversity Duty.

To download the Scottish Biodiversity List and Guidance on Biodiversity Duty.