Action Plan Front Page

Caithness Biodiversity Index

Nature & Environment Index

Dornoch Firth at Sunset

This plan is divided into two sections, each of which is subdivided into six chapters according to the following broad habitat types: sea & coast; river, loch & wetland; croft & farm land; forest & woodland; mountain & moor; and town & village.  The first Section is the new material, the ‘Local Biodiversity Action Plan’, and it identifies the major issues, lists current projects and suggests future actions for each of these broad habitat types.

Section Two contains a very basic biodiversity audit, the supporting information that describes priority habitats and species from both national and local perspectives, again for the six broad habitat types.  The main issues identified in the Sea and Coast section are grouped under the headings ‘fishing’, ‘aquaculture’, ‘pollution and litter’, ‘coastal management’ and ‘wildlife tourism’. Suggested projects include the designation and management of
a Marine Reserve within inshore waters in Sutherland; a lobster survey, restocking and vnotching project; raising awareness of priority habitats and species in Environmental Impact Assessments; a project to reduce marine litter; a project to reduce disturbance to beach-nesting birds and the development of Coastal Management Plans.

Under River, Loch and Wetland, the main issues are ‘pollution’, ‘habitat modifications’, ‘reduction in fish populations’, ‘flood protection’; ‘species introductions’ and ‘land of awareness’. Future actions include a project to raise awareness of pollution issues and encourage local communities to install reed bed systems; the restoration of riparian habitats and spawning beds; unblocking of some water courses to improve spawning habitats for migratory fish; the management of wetland areas to reduce flooding downstream; the production of a Freshwater Atlas recording the location and condition of all national and local priority species; and a project to monitor and remove mink from North West Sutherland.

Foindle

Opportunities for future action include a project to enhance the links between agriculture and biodiversity through tourism and produce marketing; the provision of business advice tailored to the needs of crofters and farmers; the enhancement and increased entry into the Rural Stewardship Scheme; encouraging more local people to rear cattle through the use of demonstration sites; and the provision of training courses on the management of boundary features.

Under the Forest and Woodland section, several issues have been identified under the ‘management of semi-natural woodlands, coniferous plantations, riparian woodlands, and policy and urban fringe woodlands’. Projects that encourage woodland managers to leave more standing deadwood; raise awareness and encourage woodland managers to plant or regenerate riparian woodlands; and encourage community involvement in the management of coniferous plantations are welcomed.

‘Overgrazing and inappropriate burning’, the ‘balance between moorland and woodland land uses’, ‘other management issues’, ‘recreation and path maintenance’ and ‘renewable energy’ have been identified as issues under the Mountain and Moorland section. Suggested projects include a project to tackle the issue of unmanaged muirburning; enhanced support for the production and implementation of Deer Management Plans; the initiation of local access forums to help manage and provide for access to mountain and moorland areas; and a review of the potential sites for the generation of renewable energy to guide development away from sensitive areas.

Suilven

Finally, under the Town and Village section, ‘lack of resources’ and ‘lack of awareness on biodiversity issues’ have been identified as key issues, in addition to the ‘threat of fungal infections’ and ‘road verge and hedge maintenance’. Suggested projects include encouraging local people to garden for wildlife; more ‘Know Your Own Patch’ initiatives; and the incorporation of biodiversity into future roadside maintenance contracts. The main partners that will be involved in the delivery of the plan, be they Council departments, agencies, organisations, interest groups, local communities or individuals, are listed in Annex 1, and Annexes 2 and 3 provide a list of references and a glossary.