Introduction
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The origins of SSSI designation |
Over the years, different land designations have protected many areas containing or representing the best of Scotland’s biodiversity. Most of these areas are privately owned and managed, and their future depends on continuing good stewardship.
About SSSIs
SSSIs represent the best of Scotland’s natural heritage. They are ‘special’ for their plants, animals or habitats, their rocks or landforms, or a combination of these. SNH chooses sites carefully after detailed survey, and evaluation against scientific criteria. They can include freshwater, and sea water down to the mean low water mark of spring tides, as well as land.
The origins of the SSSI designation
Ever since the Industrial Revolution people have been worried about our impact on the environment and grown more aware of the need for good stewardship of the land. Concerns over the impact of the accelerating pace of change during the earlier part of the 20th Century led to the Government taking steps to guard against the loss of areas of outstanding natural heritage value.
A landmark was reached with the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, which introduced the idea of protecting special areas. The planning authorities had to consult the Nature Conservancy (one of SNH’s predecessors) before making decisions on applications for developments such as construction, road building or quarrying within these areas, which came to be called ‘Sites of Special Scientific Interest’.
However, with the intensification of agriculture and forestry (which are not normally controlled by planning authorities) there was continued loss of ancient woodlands, moorlands, grasslands and wetlands, with increasing cumulative impact on the natural heritage.
To try to prevent further losses, the Government introduced the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which gave additional protection to SSSIs and required the Nature Conservancy Council (one of SNH’s predecessors) to notify all owners and occupiers, planning authorities and the Secretary of State for Scotland of the SSSI designation.
SSSIs continue under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, which further strengthens their protection and makes the system more user-friendly.
The purpose of SSSIs
We designate SSSIs to protect the best of Scotland’s natural heritage by making sure that decision-makers, managers of land and their advisors, as well as the planning authorities and other public bodies, are aware of their natural features and think about these when considering changes in land-use or other activities which might affect them. By talking to SNH or other regulatory authorities first, it is usually possible to agree or suggest changes to proposals which might otherwise damage the natural features of SSSIs, so that the sites remain special.
SSSIs together form a network of the best examples of species, habitats and rock and landform features throughout Scotland, and support a wider network across Great Britain and the European Union.
We can all take pride in our SSSIs, which protect some of the finest elements in Scotland’s natural heritage.
How SSSIs are selected
SNH and others have developed and refined criteria for selecting SSSIs throughout Great Britain as part of a continuing process. These criteria are published on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee website.
We always ask for access permission to survey potential sites. Quality is very important and only very special sites are chosen. The network contains the finest examples of semi-natural oak woods, raised bogs, sand dune systems and so on. For the rarest habitats, we may select every significant example.
The SSSI series, Natura 2000 sites and Ramsar sites
On 29 November 2004 there were 1,451 SSSIs in Scotland out of over 6,500 in Great Britain. They cover more than 1,005,000 hectares in Scotland (or about 12.5% of the land surface) and range in size from less than one hectare to almost 30,000 hectares.
In recent years the number of SSSIs has increased to help meet the United Kingdom’s international obligations. These include designating sites as Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Ramsar sites.
Most international sites are also SSSIs. You can get further information about SPAs and SACs, which together are often called Natura sites, in the (free) booklet, Natura 2000, from SNH Publications, Battleby, Redgorton, Perth PH1 3EW, or by emailing pubs@snh.gov.uk.
The Scottish Executive designates international sites in Scotland and asks SNH to implement and advise on them.
SSSI ownership
There are more than 10,000 owners and occupiers of SSSIs in Scotland. Many are farmers and crofters, some are voluntary conservation bodies, and some are public agencies. Because SNH owns some National Nature Reserves and leases others, we too are an owner and an occupier of SSSIs. The designation of land as an SSSI does not affect the ownership or occupation of the land. Likewise, changes in who owns or occupies an SSSI do not affect the designation.
Managing SSSIs
We recognise that good land management has been, and will continue to be, essential for the well-being of SSSIs. We wish to work with owners and occupiers to maintain, enhance or, where the condition of an SSSI has fallen below the ideal, restore them. We are happy to discuss ideas and proposals to manage SSSIs better.
We have prepared site management statements for all SSSIs setting out our vision on how the land might be managed for its natural features. These may be used as a basis for both discussion and for working with you. Starting in 2005, we will review these statements and may seek to discuss management of the site with you.
We will try to help you achieve the appropriate conservation management of your SSSI. You may also be eligible for payments through SNH’s Natural Care schemes or through schemes offered by SEERAD or the Forestry Commission Scotland.
Each year we publish brief details of all management agreements in SNH Facts and Figures, which accompanies our Annual Report.