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Designated Areas
Some areas of land are protected under designations such as Sites of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special
Protection Area (SPA). These areas help to protect habitats and species from
damage but are not in most cases large enough to protect them from the effects
of climate change, which will move or shrink their suitable climate space.
Convention on Biological Diversity
The first Earth
Summit took place in Rio de Janeiro, South America in 1992. Government representatives
from many countries around the world attended and agreed what should be done
to help conserve biodiversity. Over 159 countries signed an agreement called
the Convention on Biological Diversity. This agreement meant that countries
have to conserve the variety of plants and animals on Earth and make sure that
biodiversity is used in a sustainable way.
UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP)
The UK Government published its plan for biodiversity in 1994. It describes
the things the government and others should do to help save our biodiversity.
The UKBAP also consists of species and habitat action plans, written plans to
help guide activities to protect and conserve the species and habitats most
threatened. Try finding the action plans for otters or barn owls from UKBAP.
Local Biodiversity Action Plans
Each region in Scotland has its own Local Biodiversity Action Plan. This plan
lists all the species and habitats that are of most importance in the local
area. Find out what species are important in your area from your local area
plan.