Species at risk

Nature is facing a global biodiversity crisis. According to IUCN red list assessments, more than 45,000 species globally are currently threatened with extinction. The situation in Scotland reflects this crisis, with the 2023 State of Nature Scotland reporting an estimated 11% of species threatened with extinction. Information on these species and their vulnerabilities is crucial to developing and delivering successful conservation action.

About Species at Risk

Species at Risk provides a central site for information on Scotland’s most vulnerable species. Developed by NatureScot working with Buglife, Plantlife, RSPB Scotland, Butterfly Conservation Scotland, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Scottish Environment Link, The Mammal Society, Bat Conservation Trust, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, the database contains all species in Scotland that have a formally endorsed IUCN GB red list assessment, a Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) assessment or are identified as a Priority Marine Feature.

IUCN status assessments

The IUCN have three recognised levels of formal red list assessment: global, regional and national.  National assessments relevant to Scotland are conducted at GB-level using the IUCN Regional Guidelines. Some species on the national red list may be found elsewhere in GB but are not indigenous to Scotland. Information is therefore provided on whether each species has been recorded here and whether or not it is within its natural range in Scotland.

Natural range

Since 2014, definitions of ‘natural’ and ‘native’ range in Scotland are different in law. The database uses natural range (also known as indigenous range) as its reference point. This accords with the definition provided by the National Species Reintroduction Forum (2014) that “Natural range refers to the natural past, or present, distribution of a species or other taxonomic entity (e.g. the places it has reached without movement by humans): natural range includes all locations where a species is indigenous.” Information on the legal term ‘native range’ can be found on the invasive non-native pages of our website.

Using the database

The database provides access to information on taxonomy, presence of the taxon in Scotland and conservation status assessments (IUCN Red Data List and BoCC). Additional species information is provided for each about their legal protection (conservation statutes only) and links to other initiatives in which the taxon is listed, or sites where more information may be found.

Downloading the data

To provide ready access to information, data can be downloaded as an excel-ready format (.csv file). 

Further development

The database will be updated as new information and assessments are published to keep information current. However, we welcome feedback and have provided contact details for further information and a feedback form for you to let us know of any issues or corrections required. 

Terms of use

The Species at Risk database has been developed to support freely available information on Scotland’s vulnerable species. However, compilation of the data is not intended for ‘for profit’ commercial or revenue gain and, although efforts are made to maintain the currency of the data, we cannot guarantee its quality or completeness. Ownership of data should be respected and cited data should be attributed to the original source, e.g. the IUCN or authors of published red data assessments. Users are advised to check for new or pending updates before using the data. If using the results of a data search, we request that you recognise the database as the source, but not in any way that suggests NatureScot endorses your work. 

Species at risk database

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