15 Apr 2019
Crystal clear waters, tumbling through a rock-strewn channel - a scene that is encountered throughout Scotland. But in some of these watercourses, a truly special species can be found. The Freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is one of the most critically endangered molluscs in the world. Up to a half of the world’s remaining population are found in Scotland. As a nation, we therefore have an international responsibility
15 Apr 2019
Scotland supports six species of native amphibian and four native reptile species. Common frogs and common toads are perhaps the most well recorded species, being obvious in parks and gardens during spring breeding and migration. In recent decades our most common amphibian and reptile species are under threat from habitat loss and fragmentation, introduced diseases, pollution and climate change.
08 Apr 2019
Asking what the EU has ever done for the environment in Scotland – and indeed the rest of the UK – is like the scene in Monty Python’s Life of Brian, where they question: “What have the Romans ever done for us?” The answer, of course, is similarly long and impressive. Two especially important pieces of EU law that have afforded many years of critical protection for our wildlife
05 Apr 2019
Bats can tell us a lot about the state of the environment, as they are top predators of common nocturnal insects and are sensitive to changes in land use practices. The pressures they face - such as landscape change, agricultural intensification, development, and habitat fragmentation are also relevant to many other wildlife species, making them excellent indicators for the wider health of the UK's wildlife.
04 Apr 2019
What kind of country do we want to live in? What do we want our countryside to look like? What wildlife and landscapes do we want to protect so we can hand them on to future generations? These questions take on an alarming urgency in a time of unprecedented political turmoil and ecological crisis. No matter what the outcome of current political negotiations, there is a risk that Scotland’s wildlife could be under significant threat as a result.
25 Mar 2019
Mighty ancient Scots pine forests are home to red squirrels, Scottish wildcats and capercaillie. Carbon-rich deep peat moorland hosts an abundance of butterflies and insects. Temperate Atlantic rainforests teem with more than 500 species of mosses, ferns, lichens and liverworts. And that’s just three of Scotland’s many important habitats.
25 Mar 2019
“Who will guard the guards themselves?” is the literal translation of the ancient rhetorical question “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?”. Governments make decisions on behalf of the people, but what if they are poor decisions or the people disagree? This is a key concern with our departure from the European Union, where currently the European Commission provides an excellent opportunity to hold power to account. Anybody can complain
22 Mar 2019
Over 25 million biological records have been collected in Scotland, describing the location of 5,866 species. And behind each of these records is a biological recorder whose expertise has helped document our natural world. Together, these thousands of recorders, often volunteers who generously donate their time, stand on the shoulders of many generations of Scottish naturalists, all fascinated in understanding and recording our natural world.
15 Mar 2019
Non-regression is a well-established principle in international law, probably most commonly associated with human rights. However, it is increasingly acknowledged as a key parameter in environmental decision-making. In terms of the environment it means the rules, standards and practices that are already adopted by states can’t be changed if this means that environmental standards will be weakened.
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