High Level Summary of Statistics Trend Last update: Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Statutory Designated Areas
Sites of Special Scientific Interest ( SSSI) are notified as areas of outstanding quality to protect their flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features. At 31 March 2011, there were 1,447 SSSIs in Scotland, covering a total of 1,023,000 hectares (13% of land in Scotland).
Special Areas of Conservation ( SACs) are designated under the 1992 EC Habitats Directive to protect certain species and habitat types throughout the EU. Special Protection Areas ( SPAs) are designated under the 2009 EC Wild Birds Directive (consolidated version of 79/409/EEC) to safeguard the habitat of a number of wild bird species. Ramsar sites are designated under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. At 31 March 2011, there were 239 SACs, 153 SPAs and 51 Ramsar sites in Scotland.
The area of SACs in the terrestrial and inshore environment rose from 0 hectares in 1995 to 963,000 hectares in 2004 and has since remained stable. In 2010, the UK Government's nature conservation functions under the EC Birds and Habitats directives in Scottish offshore waters were devolved to Scottish ministers. In 2011, there were six offshore SACs in Scottish offshore waters covering a total area of 830,827 hectares. The area of SPAs rose from 26,000 hectares in 1991 to 657,000 hectares in 2009 and then almost doubled in size to 1,296,000 hectares in 2011.
A designated site may be protected by more than one designation. For example, about 52% of SPAs and 86% of Ramsar sites also have SSSI designations.
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Source: Scottish Natural Heritage
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