Welcome to the Nature Networks Toolbox

The Nature Networks Toolbox is a live resource for local authorities, partnerships, organisations, and groups. Its aim is to facilitate the effective design and implementation of Nature Networks at a local and regional level across Scotland.

Information can be found in 3 sections:

Blocked ditch at Flanders Moss NNR Argyll and Stirling Area.

1

What are Nature Networks?

Covers the basics of what constitutes a Nature Network. New to the toolbox? Start here.

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Bird's foot trefoil, Red Clover and Ox-eye daisies growing in a wildflower meadow habitat creation scheme

2

Guidance

More in-depth information specific to different sectors, habitats, and species.

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Scenic rocky reef in Loch name Madadh

3

Resources

Case studies, useful tools and data sources, and information surrounding funding & finance.

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Create and share a custom toolbox

Throughout the main sections of the toolbox, you will find lists titled ‘References to save to your toolbox’ and ‘Actions to save to your toolbox.’

You can save any of these references and actions to refer back to at a later date. Your saved items will appear under ‘My Toolbox’. You can then also share your saved items with others.

More about the toolbox

Keep up-to-date with the latest news, guidance, and resources

Don’t forget to check back on our Updates page to see when new content has been added to the toolbox, as well as any news relevant to Nature Networks.

See Updates

Help us build a useful toolbox

Share your feedback on existing guidance and resources, as well as links to others you think would be useful. We’d also love to hear about any great Nature Network projects that we should showcase.

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Glossary

30 by 30
Target 3 in the Global Biodiversity Framework “Ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, are effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, recognizing indigenous and traditional territories, where applicable, and integrated into wider landscapes, seascapes and the ocean, while ensuring that any sustainable use, where appropriate in such areas, is fully consistent with conservation outcomes, recognizing and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, including over their traditional territories”. For Scotland 30 by 30 sites are made up of Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs).
Corridors
A geographically defined area which allows species to move between landscapes, ecosystems and habitats, natural or modified, and ensures the maintenance of biodiversity and ecological and evolutionary processes. (IPBES)
Ecosystem health
Ecosystem health is a metaphor used to describe the condition of an ecosystem, by analogy with human health. Note that there is no universally accepted benchmark for a healthy ecosystem. Rather, the apparent health status of an ecosystem can vary, depending upon which metrics are employed in judging it, and which societal aspirations are driving the assessment and ecological and evolutionary processes (IPBES).
Ecosystem services
Processes by which the environment produces benefits useful to people, akin to economic services (CBD).
Mainstreaming
In the context of biodiversity, means integrating actions or policies related to biodiversity into broader development processes or policies, such as those aimed at poverty reduction or tackling climate change (IPBES).
Nature based solution
Actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human wellbeing and biodiversity benefits (IUCN).
Nature Networks
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.
Private finance
Financial flow from the private sector (not under government control)
Protected area
A clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values (IUCN).
Stepping stones
A habitat patch in a landscape that facilitates movement or offers refuge to species.
Wildlife friendly
Areas that provides a level of food and shelter or similar to support wildlife with minimal levels of disturbance.

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