The State of Nature Scotland report 2019 reveals that since recording began 49% of Scottish species have decreased, 28% have increased. Nature is changing rapidly, with 62% of species showing strong changes. Of the 6,413 species found in Scotland that have been assessed 11% have been classified as threatened with extinction from Scotland.
LINK’s Wildlife Subgroup is delighted to have assisted with the preparation of State of Nature Scotland 2019. Craig Macadam, Vice chair of LINK and report author, said: “This latest report highlights that Scottish wildlife and the abundance of different groups continues to be in decline and that there are several species at risk of extinction. It is not just our iconic species such as the wild cat that are at risk but also many of our lesser known species of wildlife. It is our diversity of wildlife that is important to ensure a healthy environment. Invertebrates provide us with a number of essential services that are ‘FREE’ and worth millions of pounds to the UK economy. For example, without the diversity of insect pollinators including bees, hoverflies, butterflies and more our soft fruit industry (strawberries and raspberries) could collapse! It is essential that we work together to ensure the long-term survival of wildlife and provide a healthy environment for them to survive and thrive in Scotland.”