|
Major gaps and constraints
A major constraint to the production of this plan was the lack of a
biodiversity audit summarising available information on habitats and
species for Sutherland. The Highlands lack a properly funded and staffed
Biological Record Centre, and there are enormous gaps in our knowledge of
the biodiversity
of Sutherland.
A major obstacle to land managers
wishing to undertake biodiversity projects is the complexity of
environmental and forestry grant schemes, as well as the lack of resources
available for agrienvironmental works.
How much can we do locally?
It is true that some of the most pressing threats to the biological
richness of Sutherland may seem to be due to forces that are out of our
control. Examples include global climate change, changes to
agricultural support mechanisms, shipping and West Atlantic oil
exploration. Some species, notably salmon, cetaceans and migratory birds,
may be threatened by actions taken in other parts of their range.
Solutions to these problems must be
agreed at national and even international levels. However, this should
encourage us to do the best we can within those activities that we do
control, or from using our voice to call on those who could make national
and international agreements. Whilst we have divided the Plan into
six broad habitat types for administrative reasons, the land and water of
Sutherland should be managed together. That said, we should be careful of
generalising for an area the size of Sutherland, what might improve
biodiversity in Central Sutherland may not be applicable for the East
Coast. As a guiding principle, land managers are encouraged to consider
the impacts actions have on all the habitats within the river catchment. |
Ox-eye daisy
Next steps
This plan has been prepared under the auspices of the Highland
Biodiversity Project, which is a two year project led by The Highland
Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlands & Islands Enterprise,
Caithness & Sutherland Enterprise and RSPB Scotland. The partner
organisations have agreed to work towards a second phase of the Highland
Biodiversity Project focusing on the delivery of a range of Highland-wide
projects and initiatives, and it is hoped that this second phase could
begin in 2004. In the meantime, it is envisaged that the partners listed
above and in the ‘Future Actions’ sections of this report will work
towards the delivery of many of the outputs suggested in the ‘Future
actions’ sections. |