Biodiversity Week 2023 – ‘A golden opportunity for biodiversity and woodlands’
As we celebrate Biodiversity Week 2023, Nathan Bryceland, SLE’s new Policy Adviser (Biodiversity and Woodlands), takes a look at some of the big challenges and opportunities facing land managers across Scotland, who are playing their part in tackling the climate and nature emergencies.
A few weeks ago my wife and I enjoyed a lovely week in a holiday cottage, nestled amongst the pinewoods of the Cairngorms. As we sat down for lunch on Easter Sunday, we were surprised to see a pine marten, looking rather pleased with itself, tearing through the daffodils in the garden, with a rabbit wedged firmly between its jaws.
Scottish biodiversity in action, you might say, but not an easy sell to our three young kids, who had been full of the joys of the morning’s easter egg hunt and the ubiquitous easter bunny!
It made me think of all the amazing wildlife experiences I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy with friends around Scotland over the years – from being dive-bombed in the dead of night by ground-nesting Manx Shearwaters whilst summiting Hallival mountain on the Isle of Rum, to sea kayaking amongst playful otters, seals and dolphins off the Ardnamurchan peninsula.
We’re truly blessed with some world-class wildlife in this country.
I’m well aware from my time working in countryside management and education over the last 20 years that it’s an exciting time for land managers in Scotland, and a big moment for our biodiversity and woodlands.
It gives me great pleasure to be joining Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) at this time, and I’m glad to see biodiversity and woodlands combined as a focus of this role – we know that on land the two go together hand in hand.
There are undoubtedly big opportunities and challenges ahead for all of us, but let’s focus on the positives for now.
Scotland’s rural sector is in a really strong position to make the most of these opportunities and play a central role in tackling the nature and climate emergencies.
Reversing biodiversity loss through nature-based solutions and integrated land use is hugely important. The benefits of combining agriculture and forestry include animal welfare improvements, biodiversity gain, carbon offsetting, diversification of crops, soil erosion reduction and flood risk management.
There’s a growing school of thought that traditional agricultural and land management practices (such as wood pastures and orchards) have real merit, and it’s something I’ll be exploring more with members.
Enhancing community engagement, connecting people with place and striking a positive balance between social and environmental benefits is also increasingly important - and the role that our estates and national parks can play in supporting the well-being economy is now widely recognised.
Many Scottish landowners and land managers have successfully gained accreditation through Wildlife Estates Scotland (WES), which is part of a Europe-wide scheme that aims to promote the best habitat and wildlife management practices, build recognition and raise standards. WES accreditation is vital in encouraging more land managers to strive for better outcomes.
Growing interest and awareness in natural capital and carbon offsetting amongst business and private investors has led to increased demand for woodland creation and suitable land.
Likewise the Scottish Government is aiming to make it easier for landowners to get planting trees and offers financial support for the creation of new woodland and the sustainable management of existing woodland.
Currently just under 20% of Scotland is tree-covered.
However, less than 5% is native woodland – from our ancient Atlantic hazelwoods, rainforest and wet riverwoods, to the mixed ash, birch and oakwoods of the uplands – unfortunately, all have been diminished in scale and quality over time, and are now under threat.
Indeed, only 1% of our iconic native pinewoods are left.
Serious efforts are now being made to redress this balance.
Due to detrimental effects on biodiversity, we must be careful not to replicate the well-publicised mistakes of the 20th century, rushing headfirst into covering the entire country in thick, dark blankets of non-native conifers (whatever the perceived short-term carbon-related benefits).
Invasive non-native species and over-exploitation of resources are two of the biggest drivers of biodiversity loss both locally and globally (together with changing land use, climate change and pollution).
If we are to reverse the worrying trends that have seen significant declines in freshwater species, vertebrates, insect and avian species over the last 50 years, then we need to encourage and allow our trees the time and space to spread naturally.
In doing so, we’ll give our woodlands and biodiversity a real helping hand – especially our rare and endangered species such as capercaillie, pine marten, red squirrel and Scottish wildcat.
And during Biodiversity Week 2023 we have been showcasing some fantastic examples of members who have done just that. Our national Helping it Happen Awards recognize the role of forward-looking estates, farms, rural businesses and individuals who are helping rural Scotland thrive.
Scottish Land & Estates is committed to supporting our members – through effective representation and policy advice – as we work together to enhance Scotland’s woodlands and restore biodiversity across the country.
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