Ramsar sites
Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention on wetlands: an intergovernmental treaty that aims to conserve wetlands through local and national action and international cooperation.
There are 51 Ramsar sites in Scotland, covering around 4% of Scotland’s land area.
While there is no dedicated legislation for the protection of Ramsar sites in the UK; all Scottish Ramsar sites are either Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). However it is Scottish Government policy that listed Ramsar sites in Scotland should be treated as if they were European sites for the purposes of land use change decision making.
Find more information on Ramsar sites in Scotland on nature.scot.
Nature30 Sites
Nature30 sites are a new way for Scotland to recognise areas which are under management which over the long term is beneficial to nature. Prospective sites are nominated voluntarily for consideration for recognition as a Nature30 site. Read more on Nature30 sites on the NatureScot website.
Nature reserves
National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are areas of land set aside for nature, and signify Scotland’s best wildlife sites. Scotland has 43 NNRs.
National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are some of Scotland's best places for wildlife. They are protected areas that are carefully looked after to help nature thrive, while also being open for people to visit and enjoy.
NNRs can be found across Scotland, including its islands. They cover many different types of natural habitat, from mountain tops and ancient woodlands to coastal seabird colonies and lowland lochs. These places are home to a huge range of plants and animals, and many are essential stopping points for birds on migration.
Find more information on nature reserves on nature.scot.
Nature Networks
A Nature Network connects together nature-rich sites, restoration areas and other environmental projects (including Nature30 sites), through a series of areas of suitable habitat, habitat corridors and stepping stones.
Scotland’s Nature Network – vision for 2030
By 2030, Scotland will have evolving, flexible and resilient Nature Networks connecting nature-rich areas allowing wildlife and natural processes to move and adapt to land use and climate change pressures. The networks will help build people’s connection to nature, providing biodiversity-rich spaces that deliver local benefits, and meet the priorities of local communities for nature.
Nature Networks also play a key role in helping to meet some of the ambitions and visions set out in the following strategic documents to combat the twin biodiversity and climate crises:
- The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and its associated Delivery Plan 2024-2030 set out action needed for Scotland to be Nature Positive by 2030, and to have restored and regenerated biodiversity across the country by 2045
- Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation sets out a vision that by 2032 Scotland will be a wellbeing economy – an economic system which serves the collective wellbeing of current and future generations within safe ecological limits, placing people and the planet at its core
- Scotland’s National Adaptation Plan (SNAP3) sets out steps to tackle the twin crises of climate change and nature loss. It includes a “Nature Connects” outcome, with Nature Networks recognised as a key mechanism by which the risks posed by climate change can be addressed
- National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) sets out that development proposals will contribute to the enhancement of biodiversity, including where relevant,restoring degraded habitats and building and strengthening Nature Networks and the connections between them.
Local and National Park Authorities role in delivering Nature Networks
The National Planning Framework 4 and the Scottish Biodiversity Delivery Plan set out an expectation that Nature Networks will be created in every council area in Scotland. The Nature Networks Toolbox provides planning authorities with guidance on how to apply the requirements of NPF4 into Local Development Plans (LDPs).
Local authorities and National Park authorities are not the only bodies responsible for the delivery of Nature Networks. Other bodies can play an important part in delivering and managing this important policy area, such as land managers, environmental, conservation and biodiversity organisations and any body whose policy aims contribute to nature restoration in Scotland.
Read more on Nature Networks on the NatureScot website.