UK and International Efforts
Across the rest of the UK and Internationally nations are carrying out work similar to Nature Networks in their aim. Information on some of these efforts, thought to be useful for practitioners Scotland, can be found here.
Covering Framework Delivery Principles:
- Data, mapping, & monitoring
- Finance & resourcing
- Governance & decision making
- Knowledge & skills
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
- Participation, engagement, & communication
- Policy & Mainstreaming
- Project Development
- Project Implementation
- Spatial Mapping
Overview
Nature Networks primary purpose is improving ecological connectivity, particularly between important areas for biodiversity such as 30×30 sites. They are one of the key tools for allowing Scotland to move from biodiversity loss to biodiversity gain.
Improving ecological connectivity is at the core of multiple targets within the Global Biodiversity Framework (adopted by nearly 200 countries including Scotland via the UK). This includes Target 3 ‘30×30’ that requires sites to be well-connected and Target 12 which refers to ecological connectivity for human wellbeing and biodiversity.
Whilst each countries approach will differ slightly to the Nature Networks in Scotland, they may be useful supplementary information for those working on Nature Networks.
UK (excluding Scotland)
- This handbook helps designers of nature networks in England by identifying the principles of network design and describing evidence that underpins their desirable features. It outlines practical aspects of implementing a nature network plan, as well as the tools available to help decision making in
- A quick reference guide to support the development of Nature Networks. It outlines 10 principles of nature network design, along with a number of ‘rules of thumb’ that provide detail about how to make a network of sites for nature ‘better, bigger, more and joined-up.
- A useful presentation by Natural England outlining steps taken to identify Nature (ecological) Networks in England.
- The guide provides practitioners with a three-step decision support framework for designing Resilient Ecological Networks based upon the principles of the sustainable management of natural resources (SMNR). There are links to a wide range of resources and checklists at every step with clearly define
- A general account of the work on connectivity and priority mapping carried out by Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), including a broad introduction for its practical application.
- The “Lawton Report”, which first articulated the principles of “more, bigger, better and joined” to enhance the coherence and resilience of ecological networks in England
- This report summarises the findings of a UK Nature Network Review meeting, convened via video by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) on 25 March 2020. It makes a series of recommendations to ensure that Nature Networks are successfully delivered across the UK.
International
- The purpose of these guidelines is to consolidate the wealth of knowledge and best-available practices to support efforts to combat fragmentation. They provide tools and examples for applying ecological connectivity between protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (30x30
Scotland (Connectivity)
- A methodology to assess the current levels of functional connectivity across Scotland’s landscapes looking at one four habitat groups; woodland, heathland, grassland, wetlands that can provide baseline/ contextual information that may help direct the design of a Nature Network.
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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