High Level Summary of Statistics Trend Last update: Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Protected Nature Sites
Natura 2000 sites and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) represent the best of Scotland's natural heritage. These areas are 'special' either for their plants, animals or habitats, their rocks or landforms, or a combination of these. Together they form a network of the best natural features throughout Scotland and support a wider network across Great Britain and the European Union.
Natura 2000 sites and SSSIs, covering more than 1,000,000 ha of Scotland, have been designated for their national or international importance, according to their special biodiversity or geodiversity interest.
The Scottish Government has established a National Indicator to increase to 95% the proportion of natural features, on protected nature sites, in favourable condition. The indicator relates to the condition of over 5000 natural features on these sites. In the first cycle of site condition monitoring undertaken between 1st April 1999 to 31st March 2005, 71.4% of were found to be in favourable condition. By the end of March 2011, 77.2% of natural features were assessed as being in a favourable condition. This compares to 78.0% being in favourable condition at the end of March 2010 and 78.4% in March 2009.
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