Implement Scotland’s strategic approach for Scotland’s rainforest which aims to improve its condition and health so that it can regenerate and expand whilst providing benefits to communities.
Objective 1: Accelerate ecosystem restoration and regeneration
Priority Action 2. Introduce a Programme of Ecosystem Restoration
The strategic approach to Scotland’s rainforest is set out in the Atlantic Rainforest Strategy (2024) and is being delivered through grant funding, land management agreements, and partner-led restoration projects.
Mapping work and programme design have identified priority rainforest areas and are guiding restoration activity across the west coast rainforest zone. Delivery is being supported through Scottish Forestry and NatureScot funding programmes.
Work is ongoing to expand restoration activity and strengthen longer-term monitoring and delivery frameworks, alongside continued implementation of the strategy.
Rainforest restoration is underway through targeted funding and partner-led projects focused on priority Atlantic rainforest areas. Mapping and strategic planning have improved spatial targeting of restoration, helping direct effort towards key rainforest zones. However, delivery remains largely project-based, and long-term ecological outcomes depend on continued funding and coordination. Monitoring of rainforest condition, connectivity and expansion is still developing, so there is limited evidence yet of measurable national-scale recovery.
With sustained investment, stronger long-term monitoring, and integration with wider woodland and deer management policies, rainforest restoration could deliver significant gains for biodiversity, carbon storage and habitat connectivity.
Scotland’s Rainforest programme overview (Scottish Forestry)
Scottish Government – Strategic Approach to Restoring and Expanding Scotland’s Rainforest (2024)
NatureScot – Rainforest restoration funding announcement
Collate, review and prioritise all the landscape scale nature restoration projects across Scotland. Using this spatial evidence, NatureScot will identify and help facilitate partnership projects for six exemplar large scale landscape restoration areas with significant woodland components by 2025. By the end of 2026 those projects will have engaged with communities; developed deliverable action…
Develop the new Register of Ancient Woodlands, to include locational data, a definition of the required ‘protected and restored’ condition of ancient woodlands, and a process for recording ancient woodlands that reach the required standard.
Ensure support mechanisms are in place for landowners to restore priority ancient woodlands by 2030, focusing initially on protected/designated woodlands in unfavourable condition.
Develop upland-specific, best practice guidance on measures for upland restoration to regenerate peatlands, increase nature woodland cover, manage grazing, protect certain target species and priority habitats and increase habitat heterogeneity.
Develop a national peatland monitoring framework that incorporates on-site and remotely sensed assessments of biodiversity indicators, climate resilience and associated functions within the wider landscape, hydrological and ecological network contexts.
Transition 4 of the pilot RLUPs (Cairngorms National Park, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, and South of Scotland (Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders Councils, NorthWest 2045 Region (Highlands Council)) to formal initiatives as we seek to continue to develop our understanding of how partnership work can help to optimise land use in a fair and inclusive way meeting local and…
Following consultation in 2023, continue ongoing work towards implementing a ban on the sale of horticultural peat in Scotland.
Publish a plan for marine and coastal ecosystem restoration, including identifying actions to help prioritise habitats and locations suitable for restoration.
Deliver additional protection for spawning and juvenile congregation areas where needed, and for species with are integral components of the marine food web.
Develop new approaches to marine biodiversity monitoring, covering both state and pressure assessment and aligned with the UK Marine Strategy.
Develop a Blue Carbon Action Plan to identify where the Scottish Government can most effectively address evidence gaps and progress actions to support the protection, restoration, and enhancement of blue carbon habitats.
The RBMPs aims and objectives for the 2021-27 period, and the associated programme of measures aim to ensure that 81% of all Scotland’s waterbodies (rivers, lochs, groundwater, transitional (estuary/ firth) and coastal waters) achieve a ‘good’ or better classification by 2027 and continue to improve as natural conditions recover beyond that date.
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