Develop and implement national plans for conserving species groups for which Scotland holds internationally important populations including lichens and bryophytes (end of 2025), freshwater pearl mussels (end of 2028), herptiles (end of 2025) and national curlew plan (end of 2027).
Objective 4: Protect and support the recovery of vulnerable and important species and habitats
Priority Action 21. Develop effective species reintroduction and reinforcement programmes.
NatureScot has proposed Wader Recovery Areas to focus action for breeding waders including curlew, but this is not yet a full national recovery plan for all species groups in the action. Freshwater pearl mussel work is delivered through NatureScot site-based protection, monitoring and river restoration, rather than a single national plan. Amphibian and reptile conservation is delivered through NatureScot guidance and partner projects (including ARC), focused on priority species like great crested newt and adder, without a national herptile plan. Lichens and bryophytes are covered through NatureScot evidence and habitat management, but no standalone national recovery plan exists.
Overall, delivery is fragmented across species programmes and habitat work.
Targeted recovery actions can improve outcomes where focused on priority sites and pressures, but impact depends on coordinated national plans across all groups, which are not yet in place.
NatureScot – Freshwater pearl mussel conservation
NatureScot – New strongholds for wader recovery proposed
Species on the Edge – partnership species recovery programme
Develop effective species recovery, reintroduction and reinforcement programmes drawing on partnership work on Species at Risk prioritisation, Species on the Edge programme, and evaluation of drivers.
Undertake measures to reduce human pressures to give habitats and species (especially specialists; arctic/alpine) more chance of surviving and improve the status of red listed species in Scotland.
Assess genetic diversity risks across Scotland and ensure mitigation of genetic diversity risks via Gene Conservation Units and other means. Genetic Scorecards for 50 marine and terrestrial species compiled and published by end 2025. Twenty-five Gene Conservation Units registered by mid-2025, with 50 registered by end-2028.
Raise public awareness of science and practice around conservation translocations through public engagement.
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