What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the diversity and variability of life on earth and our natural systems. Scotland's forests cover 18% land surface, but support a high share of our biodiversity. We take on a wide range of work to protect, conserve and enhance biodiversity, including carrying out conservation projects in private woodlands and encourage good practice.

The Biodiversity Duty Report report sets out how we've furthered the conservation of biodiversity during the period 2018 to 2020. The biodiversity duty requires us to promote activities aimed at increasing the level of understanding and connection between people and the living environment. The duty also ensures we consider our impacts on the environment and encourages staff, partners and customers, to engage with and understand how we improve biodiversity through its day to day activities

The 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy sets out a vision for 2030, as well as objectives and outcomes leading us there.

The 2020 Challenge for Scotland's Biodiversity builds on the original strategy. Along with Scotland’s Biodiversity – Route Map to 2020, it provides clear priorities for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment (RAFE) members and other key stakeholders to deliver the Biodiversity Strategy. These are identified as a set of 6 Big Steps and 12 Priority Projects.

Our delivery agreement

We've identified activities we'll carry out to contribute to these priority projects. They’re highlighted in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Delivery Agreement.

We also contribute to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as lead partner for six Scottish native woodland action plans.