Geography For Schools

Many of the species and habitats on which we place such high conservation value in Scotland are intimately associated with, and dependent upon, the continuation of farming practices.

Biodiversity

Farmland is the dominant land cover in Scotland. Scotland's countryside and cultural landscapes have been shaped by farming over centuries. Hence many of the species and habitats upon which we now place high nature conservation value have evolved an intimate relationship with farmers and their farming practices.

 

Consequently, some of the most critical nature conservation issues today relate to the continuation of traditional farming practices on habitats such as hay meadows, lowland wet grasslands, heathlands, dry grasslands, blanket bogs, moorlands and arable land. All of these habitats have been created and need to be maintained by farming. 

 

It is not always the case that taking the land out of agricultural production is the appropriate choice for biodiversity conservation, but rather it is vital to continue farming and ensure that the intensity of agricultural management is appropriate.

 

 

Davy McCracken
Senior Agricultural Ecologist at SAC Ayr