Parrots, lizards and rats in the shadow of the thistle.
The stunning diversity of plant and animal life that can actually be found in Scotland and its surrounding waters, ranging from the common kestrel to the northern right whale, the leathery turtle and vast salt marshes, are now detailed in the Scottish Biodiversity List, published yesterday.
Every animal, fish, plant and habitat on the list is considered to be of crucial importance to sustaining Scotland's biodiversity. The list, which has been published on the internet at www.biodiversityscotland.gov. uk, will allow public bodies to check what animals or rare flora are in their area and what can be done to protect them.
The publication of the list is a requirement under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act, which was introduced by the Scottish Parliament last year, and includes 61 species which can only be found north of the Border, such as the Scottish crossbill bird.
While Scotland is home to approximately 90,000 species of animals, plant and microbe and possesses a range of habitats from fresh water, sea and lochs, to forests, mountains and farmlands, the creatures and habitats on the list are considered by a team of experts to be of "principal importance". The list is broken down into terrestrial and freshwater species, terrestrial and freshwater habitats and marine species and habitats. The criteria used by the Scottish Executive's Biodiversity Forum was detailed but included all species already identified as of priority by the UK Biodiversity List and all species for which Scotland, through the UK, has international obligations to safeguard.
...each bird, mamamal, and plant is an intergral key part in the higlands
