Nature is in decline, both globally and locally within Perth and Kinross. Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and the most recent State of Nature Scotland Report revealed that 1 in 9 species in the country are at risk of extinction.
A key driver of biodiversity loss is land-use change, which has led to habitat loss and fragmentation. Fragmented habitats are often isolated, less resilient, and struggle to support healthy species populations. A robust Nature Network is essential for reversing this trend and restoring biodiversity.
What is a Nature Network?
A Nature Network connects nature-rich sites, restoration areas, and other environmental projects through a series of areas of suitable habitat, habitat corridors and stepping-stones. As well as supporting regional and national approaches to protect and restore nature, they provide local benefits to wildlife and people.
Nature networks focus on two key aspects:
- Connecting all sites to contribute towards the 30x30 initiative (protecting 30% of our land and water by 2030).
- Connecting biodiversity within and across urban, and peri-urban landscapes, ensuring that wildlife can move from place to place and enables the natural world to adapt to change, providing plants and animals with places to live, feed and breed wherever they are.
The Council's immediate focus will be on mapping the connectivity of 30x30 sites. Connecting (and enhancing) biodiversity within and across urban and peri-urban landscapes will be addressed through our Open Space Strategy.
National context
The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy aims for Scotland to restore nature by 2045. To support this goal, each local authority in Scotland will have a Nature Network in place by 2030. These networks will work together to halt and reverse biodiversity loss at a national scale.
The Nature Networks Map will form an essential part of the next Local Development Plan (LDP) as required by the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). The next LDP is due to be adopted in 2027, and we are beginning the process of mapping the network now to guide future developments and restoration efforts.
The goal is to work with landowners, communities, and organisations to promote nature recovery across the Perth and Kinross area. The Council will not dictate how land should be managed but will highlight areas with high potential for nature restoration. Nature Network delivery will depend on collaboration with landowners and the availability of funding, with the Council playing a supportive role.
Under National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), developers are required to consider how their projects affect, and can contribute to, nature connectivity. The Nature Networks map will provide valuable guidance in selecting appropriate biodiversity enhancements for sites and ensuring that new developments align with broader conservation goals.
About the map
The Nature Networks map is an aspirational plan that outlines how we can restore biodiversity by connecting nature-rich sites across Perth and Kinross. The map highlights nature-rich sites known as Core Sites and suggests ways to link these areas through corridors. These corridors act as pathways that allow wildlife to move between Core Sites, ensuring a healthier, more diverse ecosystem. The goal is to create a network of interconnected natural habitats, improving biodiversity over time.
Key components of the map
Core Sites
Core Sites are the foundation of the Nature Network. These are existing areas rich in nature, actively managed for biodiversity, and often protected by law. Core Sites include:
- Protected areas like Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), and Special Protection Areas (SPA).
- Non-designated sites of local importance. These include Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS) and Managed Nature Rich Sites such as National Trust for Scotland and Woodland Trust sites that are managed for biodiversity. We also hope to identify additional Managed Nature Rich Sites that would benefit from being supported by a Nature Network.
While Core Sites are essential for biodiversity, they may not always be in optimal condition and might need restoration efforts to become more biodiverse.
Corridors
To connect Core Sites, we need corridors—pathways that allow wildlife to move between habitats. An example is Buglife's B Lines which identifies strategic routes for pollinators across the landscape. Corridors would link existing and potential natural habitats, corridors and stepping stones including:
- Existing natural habitats. Native woodland, species rich grasslands, and wetlands can provide connectivity and stepping stones.
- Existing natural corridors. Existing natural corridors such as rivers and riparian woodlands already provide a nature network. Rivers are valuable habitats and form an existing corridor through the landscape. Rivers are key to connecting habitats and supporting biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems.
- Existing nature restoration projects. By including nature restoration work in a corridor, this may help the project benefit more.
- Nature restoration opportunities. Deliverable restoration opportunities can provide multiple benefits by being included in a nature network. These areas will focus on enhancing or restoring habitats to create large areas of habitat and connections between them. This could involve improving existing sites or restoring areas where biodiversity is currently low. For example, by including natural flood management opportunities, we may be able to improve aquatic habitat quality while also reducing the risk of flooding in surrounding areas. Other opportunities include degraded bogs and peatlands, riparian buffers, natural flood management works, and opportunities identified by willing communities and landowners.
- Buffers: Nature Networks may include providing protective buffers around Core Sites to help support the qualifying features. These transition habitats reduce negative impacts and protect the integrity of the Core Sites. The depth of the buffer will depend on the needs of the site and its supporting habitat.
Corridors may include a mix of existing natural corridors and stepping stones as well as nature restoration opportunities to best help species move freely between the Core Sites.
Funding opportunities for landowners and communities
There are various funding opportunities available to support landowners and community groups in nature restoration and connectivity projects. These include government schemes and grants like the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme, Forestry Grant Scheme, Nature Restoration Fund and Peatland ACTION. The Council's own Nature Restoration Fund prioritises projects that support nature networks. The Council also provides advice on how to link up a restoration project to support nature network development.
You can explore additional opportunities and resources through the Nature Networks Toolbox. Opportunities will continue to emerge as new initiatives and funding programs develop.
Developers and private green initiatives are also looking to secure nature restoration. If you have an investment ready opportunity, add your site to the Nature Restoration Opportunities Map to help others find you.
The Council also provides advice on how to link up a restoration project to support nature network development. For more information, or if you have any further questions or ideas, please contact us at naturenetworks@pkc.gov.uk
Current and future plans for Perth and Kinross
The Council is forming an initial map of known Core Sites and potential connections for corridors across Perth and Kinross. While this map may not include all areas rich in wildlife or with restoration potential, we plan to engage with key stakeholders to gather local knowledge and update it with new opportunities and barriers.
Get involved
The Council is forming an initial map of known Core Sites and potential connections for corridors across Perth and Kinross. This map does not yet include all areas rich in wildlife or with restoration potential. In order to identify the best corridors we need to know where the following sites are located:
- Nature Rich Sites managed for nature
- Nature Restoration Projects
- Nature Restoration Opportunities
If you know of a site you think should be taken into consideration in the Nature Network, you can add your site to - Nature Networks and Biodiversity Enhancement - Site Mapping Survey
We encourage all stakeholders of interest to get involved and help shape the future of nature recovery in Perth and Kinross. We will soon host engagement sessions where you can provide insights, share your ideas, and contribute to the development of the Nature Networks Map.
Additional resources
- Nature Networks Toolbox | NatureScot - A resource from NatureScot providing further guidance on developing and supporting nature networks.
- 30 by 30 and Nature Networks | NatureScot - Information on the 30x30 initiative and how nature networks are integral to achieving this national goal.
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