Land Use Strategy Consultation

For Members of the Forum: a response was submitted to the consultation on behalf of the Forum and this is available to download from the members section of the Forum's website.

Nagoya - Key Outcomes

Extracted from the Scottish Biodiversity Newsletter.

The 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity took place from 18 to 29 October 2010, in Nagoya, Japan.

Key outcomes agreed by parties included:

• To at least halve and where feasible bring close to zero the rate of loss of natural habitats including forests;
• To establish protected areas to comprise 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas and 10 per cent of marine and coastal areas;
• Through conservation and restoration, Governments will restore at least 15 percent of degraded areas;
• Parties will make special efforts to reduce the pressures faced by coral reefs; and
• Parties agreed to a substantial increase in the level of financial resources in support of implementation of the Convention.

Carbon in the Uplands- Conference Report published

More detail and a link to the report available here.

Discussion Paper on Carbon-Rich Soils

This discussion paper has been published by the Scottish Government at the same time as the announcement of research funding of £200,000 (£50,000 to SNH and £150,000 to RSPB) that derives from a fine on Exxon for emission statements under Emission Trading Scheme.


The funding will be used to research peatland restoration.  SNH are developing an inventory of Scotland's carbon-rich soils and RSPB are continuing their restoration work at Forsinard.


The paper has been prepared by the Scottish Government with support from SNH, SEPA & FCS.  It is intended for discussion and it appears likely that it will be developed in the future.  For further details and a link to the discussion paper, see the Forum's website.

Phytophthora Ramorum found on Japanese Larch in Scotland

Read the post on the Heather Trust Blog that links to the press release on the FCS website.

Windfarm Guidance

The Heather Trust Blog has details of the award given to SNH for this guidance and has a link to download it.

Wildlife Estates Scotland

Details of this important initiative have been circulated to members of the Forum.  Links to the press release and the Concept Briefing are available on the Heather Trust's Blog

IUCN Peatland Programme - Open Inquiry - Written Evidence

See the post on the Heather Trust Blog