South Lanarkshire Biodiversity Strategy 2018 – 2022 Contents Foreword Signatories Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Strategic framework Chapter 3: Our ecosystems and challenges Chapter 4: Freshwater Chapter 5: Lowland and farmland Chapter 6: Peatland Chapter 7: Upland Chapter 8: Urban Chapter 9: Woodland Chapter 10: Monitoring Appendix 1: Our strategic outcomes Appendix 2: Acronyms Appendix 3: Glossary Front page photos: Roe deer © Round-leaved sundew and sphagnum (photo: Erik Paterson) Foreword This is the third Biodiversity Strategy for South Lanarkshire. It builds on the extensive work that has taken place with partners and communities across the area in the twenty years since the South Lanarkshire Biodiversity Partnership was established in 1997. The Strategy sets out how the Partnership will ensure the delivery of the 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity. The national strategy articulates Scotland’s response to achieving the Aichi Targets and the European’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2020. People depend upon biodiversity. This is not a new concept; the landscapes that we value so highly in Scotland and that attract visitors from all over the world have been shaped by the way our ancestors used the world around them. Today we depend as much as ever upon biodiversity for key “services” such as the provision of food, timber and clean water. There are also many living systems that are less visible; for example, the thousands of tiny organisms and processes that form and maintain our vital woodland and agricultural soils. The role that the outdoors has to play in our physical and mental health and wellbeing is becoming increasingly understood and valued. Healthy biodiversity is central to ensuring a sustainable quality of life for our children and grandchildren. I would like to thank our partners from across the public, private and community sectors for their continued enthusiasm, commitment and endeavours to secure vibrant, varied and sustainable biodiversity in our area. I look forward to continuing to work with you all as we take forward this new strategy and we all reap the rewards of a healthy environment. John Ross Leader of the Council South Lanarkshire South Lanarkshire Biodiversity Strategy 2018 – 2022 Signatories The South Lanarkshire Biodiversity Partnership is committed to conserving and enhancing biodiversity. The undersigned organisations agree to deliver the aims, objectives and actions outlined in this Biodiversity Strategy. Emilie Wadsworth Toby Wilson Biodiversity and Heritage Officer, Senior Conservation Officer, Central Scotland Green Network Trust RSPB Scotland Keith Wishart Conservator Central Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland Lyndsey Kinnes Paul Kirkland Ally Corbett Operations Manager, Strathclyde and Director, Butterfly Conservation Development Officer, GCV Green Ayrshire, Scottish Natural Heritage Scotland Network Partnership John Ross Leader of the Council, Fiona Murdoch South Lanarkshire Chair, Hamilton Natural History Society Chapter 1: Introduction In South Lanarkshire, the main environmental pressures having an adverse effect on biodiversity include invasive non-native species, fragmentation of habitats affecting connectivity of systems and the inappropriate location of urban development or development that is insensitive to the local natural environment. Arguably, the greatest potential pressure on ecosystem function is climate change, with habitat fragmentation restricting the movement of species in response to this. Society and biodiversity are interdependent. Sustainable development, therefore, requires the protection of biodiversity in order to occur. Langlands Moss Local Nature Reserve Taking an integrated approach to conservation (photo: Alan Bannister) through the ecosystem approach may help to take forward sustainable development and Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, is sustainable use of resources. This would help to the variety of life which inhabits planet Earth. protect biodiversity and mitigate the harmful It is every species of plant, animal, fungus effects of climate change and pollution, as and microbe, their genetic variation and the well as assisting with climate adaptation. The habitats upon which all living things depend. It biodiversity and environment of South Lanarkshire encompasses the whole of the natural world, not is a valuable asset, providing the basis for just the rare or endangered and includes people. services which are of direct benefit to our economy and communities. Biodiversity is a key component of life. It provides us with all the services we need to survive, including water, food, shelter and medicine. It provides employment, recreational, leisure and learning opportunities and helps us to both mitigate and adapt to climatic change. It reinforces a sense of place and our cultural identity. South Lanarkshire The natural environment is an asset which can contribute to the economic growth of South Lanarkshire if it is managed and used in a sustainable manner. Many of our growth sectors, such as tourism and food production rely on the provision of ecosystem services from a high quality natural environment. There are many other The South Lanarkshire Biodiversity less tangible ways in which nature sustains us, Partnership contributing to our health, wellbeing, enjoyment, The South Lanarkshire Biodiversity Partnership sense of place and cultural identity. We have a duty (SLBP) was formed in 1997; we were one of the first to ensure that biodiversity is conserved, maintained areas in Scotland to develop a Partnership. The and indeed improved for future generations. work of the group is based on five broad aims: The distribution and diversity of the ecological Co-ordinate biodiversity related activity and resources within South Lanarkshire is influenced by identify gaps in delivery. the variety in the geography and topography of Bring together expertise and resources, the area. There are a series of distinct landscape enabling innovation and project delivery. character areas, each with varied and valuable Create links between sectors and bring biodiversity assets. Some of these assets are together those working on the ground with internationally important, with others of national policy and decision makers. or local significance. Although the area is mainly agricultural land, there are pockets of natural Create new partnerships and explore new and semi natural habitats, including ancient opportunities. woodland, peatland and upland moorland. Raise awareness and promote biodiversity. South Lanarkshire Biodiversity Strategy 2018 – 2022 The Partnership is a sub-group of the South Statutory assessments Lanarkshire Sustainability Partnership which The Biodiversity Strategy has been assessed reports to the Community Planning Partnership in terms of the Environmental Assessment and Partnership Board within South Lanarkshire. (Scotland) Act, 2005 to determine potential Membership of the Partnership includes: environmental impacts. A Strategic Environmental Butterfly Conservation Scotland Assessment (SEA) has been carried out Central Scotland Green Network Trust alongside the development of both the Strategy and the Council’s Biodiversity Duty Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership Implementation Plan. These documents along Clyde River Foundation with their SEA Environmental Report have been Forestry Commission Scotland subject to public consultation. Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network An Equalities Impact Assessment has been Hamilton Natural History Society carried out for the Strategy. This complies with North Lanarkshire Council the duties set out in the Equalities Act, 2010, in Royal Society for the Protection of Birds relation to age, disability, gender reassignment, Scottish Environment Protection Agency race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity (and Scottish Natural Heritage marriage). Scottish Wildlife Trust South Lanarkshire Council Structure of the strategy In Chapter two we set out the strategic framework in which the Biodiversity Strategy fits, our strategic approach and we identify our vision. In Chapter three we set out the six key ecosystems which will be the focus of the Strategy.We also identify five cross-cutting themes which are relevant to all ecosystems, some of which have associated outcomes and actions. In chapters four to nine, we consider in turn each of the key ecosystems, and set out: An overview of the ecosystem in South Lanarkshire. Information on the key issues relevant to the ecosystem. To help facilitate the work of the Partnership, five The progress we have made since the last sub-groups have been established to work on Strategy was produced. specific issues and identify relevant projects. Identification of our strategic outcomes and These groups report to the Biodiversity Partnership key actions. on an annual basis. These sub-groups are: Habitat Networks In chapter ten, we set out how we plan to Invasive, Non-Native Species monitor progress in implementing the Strategy to Peatland and Freshwater achieve our strategic outcomes. The appendices summarise our actions with reference to Scottish People and Nature Government targets, and contain a glossary of Vacant and Derelict Land terms and acronyms. Chapter 2: Strategic framework The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 sets measures to conserve and protect our natural heritage, and places a duty on public bodies to further the conservation of biodiversity consistent with the proper exercise of their functions. The