High Level Summary of Statistics Trend Last update: Friday, October 24, 2008
BAP Species and Habitats
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life. In 1992, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity recognised the need to protect biodiversity. The UK was one of the 150 countries to sign up to the convention, and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan ( UK BAP) was published to develop strategies to protect biological diversity1. The Scottish Biodiversity Forum is responsible for implementing the objectives of the UK BAP in Scotland.
By 2001, action plans had been developed for 45 habitats and 391 species in the UK. Of these, 41 BAP priority habitats and 261 species either occur in, or have recently been lost from Scotland. By 2005, 32% of the species considered were stable or increasing, while 14% were in decline.
Figures for habitats indicate that 33% of those considered were stable or increasing, while 30% were in decline.
Source: Scottish Natural Heritage/ Joint Nature Conservation Committee
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