Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2014
This publication aims to provide an easily accessible reference document which offers information on a wide range of environmental topics. It covers key datasets on the state of the environment in Scotland, with an emphasis on the trends over time wherever possible. The data are supplemented by text providing brief background information on environmental impacts, relevant legislation and performance against national and international targets.
This document is part of a collection
Biodiversity - Footnotes
1) Due to changes in definitions that have been applied retrospectively, the estimates from 1990 are not in all cases directly comparable to the later surveys.
2) UK Biodiversity Steering Group (1995). Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report. HMSO.
3) Norton, L. R., Murphy, J., Reynolds, B., Marks, S., Mackey, E.D. (2009). Countryside Survey: Scotland Results from 2007. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage. Countryside Survey data owned by NERC - Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Countryside Survey. © Database Right/Copyright NERC- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. All rights reserved.
4) Statistically significant change between 1998 and 2007, p < 0.05.
5) Vascular plants (sometimes referred to as higher plants) comprise ferns, flowering plants, shrubs and trees.
6) The changes in plant species richness in 10 of the most widespread broad habitats are displayed.
7) Vegetation plots are known locations, so changes in the time series are a reliable indication of change in habitat quality.
8) Because of rounding, percentages in the pie chart do not add up to 100.
9) Department of the Environment (1994). Biodiversity: the UK Action Plan. HMSO.
10) In 2007/08 an updated UK BAP priority list was published containing 1150 species and 65 habitats across the UK, of which 606 species and 60 habitats are in Scotland.
11) Including categories which are said to be fluctuating. The probable behaviour has been assumed true. These figures are calculated using the unrounded percentages.
12) This species has declined to such an extent it is now considered to be only an occasional breeder. None of the other trend categories adequately reflect this status.
13) UN Convention on Biological Diversity (2010). Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
14) European Commission (2011). EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020.
16) Scottish Biodiversity List - Published in April 2013
17) The population of wintering water birds is measured in the winter beginning in the year indicated, i.e. 2003 indicates populations measured from approximately November 2003 - March 2004. Data displayed for wintering water birds is smoothed.
18) Scotland Performs - National Indicator.
19) Includes grilse (salmon which have matured, or are about to mature, after one winter at sea).
20) Fixed engine fisheries operate in coastal areas. Net & coble fisheries are generally restricted to estuaries and the lower reaches of rivers. Rod & line fisheries cover recreational angling within river systems.
21) Since 1994, numbers of fish reported as caught and released by anglers have been reported separately. Prior to this, only numbers caught and retained are available. No figures for fishing effort for rod & line catches are available.
22) The provisional data published for 2013 indicate that fishing effort in fixed engine fisheries and net & coble fisheries were the seventh lowest and fourth lowest, respectively, since records began in 1952. Also, catch in the fixed engine and net & coble fisheries were 7% and 3% of the maximum recorded in their respective time series.
23) Data for 2013 are provisional. Marine Scotland (2013). Provisional Salmon and Sea Trout Fishery Statistics 2013.
24) The Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003 contains provisions for the conservation and sustainable management of salmon fisheries in Scotland. For example, through regulating the introduction of salmon and salmon eggs into salmon fishery districts for which there is a district salmon fishery board, and regulating the permissible methods and times during which fishing is permitted.
25) The Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013 introduced 'good governance' obligations on Salmon Fishery Boards to improve openness, transparency and accountability, with powers for Ministers to intervene if that is not the case. These include requirements to hold an annual public meeting and a register of interest, the presumption of meetings open to the public minutes and a documented complaints procedure.
The Act also includes powers to enhance the management of salmon fisheries through powers to create a carcass tagging scheme, and to enable Ministers to make close time orders and require information from proprietors.
Contact
Email: Kirsty Ciclitira
There is a problem
Thanks for your feedback