Algae Algae support life forms both large and small. These primitive plants are immensely productive and serve as a vital food source and form essential habitats, such as coastal kelp beds.
Amphibians and reptiles Scotlands cool climate is a challenge for cold-blooded herptiles. Find out how our six amphibian species and three common species of reptile cope.
Birds Scotland is a feeding station, a winter haven and a nesting site for birds. More than 140 sites are so important for birds they hold international designations.
Ferns Ferns aren’t only the large-fronded type used by florists and seen most commonly in damp woodlands and by streams.
Fish Scotland’s native freshwater fish species are small in number but highly diverse. Our much wider variety of sea fish includes the world’s second largest fish.
Flowering plants Plants make almost every square metre of land in Scotland green in summer. Most have flowers that add yet more colour.
Fungi Our woodlands, grasslands, mountains and coasts provide special habitats for more than 12,000 species of fungi.
Invertebrates Between land and freshwater alone, Scotland may be home to some 50,000 species of invertebrate.
Lichens Some of Scotlands staggering variety of more than 1,500 lichens are important on a European or even global scale.
Mammals Scotland still has a wealth of mammals, although the largest all live at sea and most of those on land have learned to come out only at night.
Mosses and liverworts Scotland has almost 1,000 moss and liverwort species. They play a hugely important role in the health of our environment and how it functions.
Public can help prevent spread of invasive aliens as ban comes into force 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
Heading for the Scottish Hills this summer? Check for deer stalking first! 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
Update on Strathbraan licence to cull ravens 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
Nature reserves are not enough! 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
Removing flowers to keep Inverbervie beautiful! 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
New Environment Minister announces £600,000 for Outdoor Learning 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
Birds flock back to 'mink free' Hebrides 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
Slight increase in breeding seabird numbers in Scotland after decades-long decline After declines since the 1980s, the number of Scotland's breeding seabirds appears to have increased slightly. News update - 05/07/2018
