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Biodiversity

Fungi growing through leaf litter.Biological diversity – or biodiversity – is the term given to the total diversity and variability of life on earth and of the natural systems of which we are all part.

Scotland's forests and biodiversity

Scotland's forests and woodlands occupy just 17% of our land surface but they support a disproportionately high share of our biodiversity.  Forest biodiversity conservation is an integral part of both the Scottish Government's Scottish Forestry Strategy and Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.

Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) plays a strong role in both strategies and we contribute to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as lead partner for 6 native woodland action plans in Scotland.

FCS carries out a wide range of work to enhance or conserve biodiversity, by managing the national forest estate and encouraging good practice and conservation projects in private woodlands.

The Woods for Nature programme

Our current work is summarised in Woods for Nature: Our Biodiversity Programme 2008-2011 (PDF 4Mb).

Woods for Nature annual progress report

The Woods for nature annual progress report 2009-10 (PDF 94k) summarises the progress made in 2008/09 in implementing Forestry the Woods for Nature programme for 2008-2011.

Species Action Notes

As part of our programme we have identified a suite of key threatened woodland species for action and our work for these are described in a series of Species Action Notes

Programme for protected woodland sites

Work to improve designated woodland sites is set out in a Scottish Programme for Protected Woodland Sites.

Further information

For more information on Woods for Nature or our biodiversity policies contact Gordon Patterson.  For information on biodiverisyt work on the national forest estate, please contact Moira Baptie.

 

What's of interest

Help us find out more about woodland birds in Scotland

Volunteers are needed to survey sample areas across Scotland to add to our knowledge of the populations and habitats of breeding birds in Scottish woodlands. Find out more on the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) website.

Related pages

Useful sites