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Please note: Our email addresses have all changed from @snh.gov.uk to @nature.scot.

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Scotland's Trends

Scotland's Trends

Biodiversity is being lost at a rapid and increasing rate globally. It’s important that we know what changes are taking place in Scotland.

To monitor our changing environment, we’ve adopted a consistent approach based on targets and indicators. We also collate information on trends that show how Scotland’s wildlife and special places are changing over time. Monitoring trends in people’s attitudes to the environment is just as important.

We continually update and add to the information we hold on Scotland’s trends. Any new publications will be made available via this page.

Trend notes

Trend notes are a great starting point to begin exploring a topic. They’re written in a clear and accessible style, and can direct you to more detailed information if you would like to find out more.

We continually review and develop our trend notes, which cover a wide range of topics.

Freshwater - Ponds - 2002

Scotland's Trends and indicators

Trend Notes - Climate Change and Rivers - February 2011

Scotland's Trends and indicators

Trend Notes - Scottish Moths - June 2011

Scotland's Trends and indicators

Breeding Farmland Birds (Oct 2013), Seabirds in Scotland (Oct 2012)

Scotland's Trends and indicators

Trend Notes - Bats in Scotland - Oct 2015

Scotland's Trends and indicators

Trends of Otters in Scotland - 2015

Scotland's Trends and indicators

Scotland’s wildlife: An assessment of biodiversity in 2010 Natural Heritage Trends: The Seas Around Scotland 2004 Natural Heritage Trends: Scotland

Scotland's Trends and indicators

A summary of land cover change in Scotland from 1947 - 1988 and changes to Land cover from 1940s - 1980s

Scotland's Trends and indicators

News and events

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As a Europe-wide ban on the sale of giant-rhubarb comes into force, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is asking the public to report sightings of this invasive non-native species and help it keep Scotland free of the plant.

News update - 01/08/2018

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As the weather warms up, the deer stalking season begins. Walkers can make sure they won’t disturb stalking by checking the Heading for the Scottish Hills website, a service managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to provide details on deer stalking on estates between July and late October.

News update - 01/08/18

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A report into Strathbraan Community work to support wader populations has been published today by Scottish Natural Heritage’s Scientific Advisory Committee.

News update - 30/07/2018

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TV presenter Chris Packham visits Flanders Moss NNR. His goal is to investigate the extent to which the nation's wildlife species are under threat and to meet and raise money for the local projects working on conservation of wildlife habitats.

News update - 19/07/2018

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It might sound odd, but volunteers are being asked to come along and remove flowers to improve Inverbervie's countryside.

News update - 16/07/2018

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Scotland’s new Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, Mairi Gougeon MSP, announced more than £600,000 of funding for Outdoor Learning.

News release - 12/07/2018

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Terns, waders, divers and ducks are 'flocking back' to their native Outer Hebrides, following the success of a complex and challenging 17-year programme to eradicate the American mink and its devastating effect on native wildlife.

News release - 10/07/2018

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After declines since the 1980s, the number of Scotland's breeding seabirds appears to have increased slightly.

News update - 05/07/2018

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