EditEcological Protection
Overview of drivers and pressures
Human impact on the environment, especially intensive land use in the last 250 years, has led to significant declines in Scotland’s ecological quality and biodiversity. In 2005 nearly 32% of habitats and 18% of species identified under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan were declining, although around 32% of habitats and 39% of species were either stable or showing signs of recovery. Impacts of climate change however, are already evident with some species ranges reducing, others extending and evidence of disruption to food chains. This means attainment of the EU target to halt loss of biodiversity by 2010 will become more challenging. Active management will be necessary to maintain many habitats and species in Scotland. The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy provides a framework for this.
Conversion of farmland and semi-natural habitats through development for housing or industrial developments results in a loss of habitats and associated species. Transport corridors can lead to fragmentation of habitats and isolation of populations of rare or threatened species.
SEPA recognizes that other organisations, such as Scottish Natural Heritage, will take a lead on many of these issues. However, in order to maintain an integrated understanding of the environment, research is required, and SEPA itself has important duties related to protecting and improving biodiversity and ecological functioning.
Focus of research and development interest at UK level
It is likely that the pressures on ecosystems will increase in the future, but the rate of change and its consequence for ecosystem services and biodiversity are unclear. Understanding ecosystems’ structures and functions is a large and complex problem and we need to determine the ecological and environmental consequences of human interventions in freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems. As a consequence, we need to approach these questions in a holistic manner.
Ecological protection research priorities Category PrioritiesImproving understanding and scientific assessment, monitoring, analyses and interpretation
Understanding the ecological impacts of alien species on UK habitats, particularly aquatic and riparian habitats, including those species of risk to WFD status
Improving existing, and developing new, methods for monitoring and classifying the impacts of invasive, non-native species, particularly for aquatic and riparian habitats
Improved modelling and monitoring of large-scale spatial and temporal processes affecting soils, catchment and other large-scale management, and biogeochemical cycling
Development of a Scottish wetland inventory
Developing innovative and sustainable options for environmental protection including development of methods, tools and techniques that will lead to better regulation
Understanding the processes that lead to habitat degradation, loss and fragmentation (pollution, enrichment, climate change, development, land use change, agricultural practice/policy etc)
Understanding the role of RBMP in developing ecological networks through delivery of WFD objectives, and identifying opportunities to demonstrate wider environmental benefits
Understanding the extent, nature, cost and likely impacts of responses to, or measures to address, invasive non-native species, particularly for aquatic and riparian habitats
Develop and test screening tools and regulatory decision-support mechanisms for:
i) tests of likely significant effect on Natural sites and of SSSI damage
, and
ii)for likely impacts on biodiversity priority habitats and species
Modelling habitat restoration and improved ecological networks following adoption of more sustainable flood management practices
Enhancing understanding and influencing values, attitudes, behaviours and decision-making processes that affect the environment and human health
Valuing ecosystem services to allow incorporation into regulation and wider environmental decision-making
Understanding the relationships between environmental quality, the connectivity and use of greenspace and effects on health and well-being
Potential partners for this research topic on Ecological Protection include:
- Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Government; Scottish Working Group on Invasive Non-Native Species; Sustainability through Environment, Nature, Communities and Enterprise (SENCE) partners, Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Implementation partners, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS), Scottish Environment Link, Environment Agency for England and Wales, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Research Councils, Defra, environmental research institutions.