What is a Nature Network? A Nature Network connects nature-rich sites, including restoration areas and other environmental projects, through a series of areas of suitable habitat, habitat corridors, and stepping-stones.
The core areas in this network, the important areas for biodiversity being connected, should include all those sites contributing towards 30×30 (Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures) as well as sites that are of local importance for biodiversity (e.g. Local Nature Reserves and Local Nature Conservation Sites). Areas being restored/strategically important for future nature restoration would also make sensible nodes to be connected.
The connections between these core areas will be delivered primarily through ecological corridors, and where this is not possible, through ‘stepping stones’ of suitable habitat. An ecological corridor is a natural or semi-natural habitat or landscape element that facilitates the movement of individuals or propagules (e.g. seeds) across landscapes, especially between otherwise isolated habitats or populations.
Why does the definition of a Nature Network differ between the Framework and National Planning Framework 4? In practice the definitions in the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and Nature Networks framework are broadly consistent, and there is no conflict between the two.
Nature Networks are a new and developing policy within Scotland. NPF4 was written before the Scottish Government commissioned NatureScot to develop a co-designed Nature Network Framework including a more detailed definition of what a Nature Network for Scotland should mean.
The Framework has now been consulted upon and a final version will be published shortly by Scottish Government. The information in the Framework will be the definition to which Scottish Government (and other agencies) are working to when considering Nature Networks.
Is there a statutory requirement to create a Nature Network? Whilst there is no statutory requirement to create a Nature Network they are an important part of NPF4, and their creation will be key to Local Authorities being able deliver against multiple Policies. For example, Policy 3: Biodiversity, states that Local Development Plans should…promote nature recovery and nature restoration across the development plan area, including by: ‘facilitating the creation of nature networks…’. Policy 4: Natural places states that Local Development Plans ‘should…better connect nature rich areas by establishing and growing nature networks…’.
There is also a Scottish Government commitment to Nature Networks in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and its Delivery Plan.
How are Nature Networks to be created? Local Authorities should spatially define a Nature Network for their area, using local knowledge and expertise to create a network that works at the local and regional level and for the nature and communities within it.
There is an expectation that partners will come together at a regional level to ensure connectivity is maintained between Local Authority areas therefore allowing for the creation of a coherent national Nature Network.
NatureScot and Scottish Wildlife Trust cosponsored a CivTech challenge to help facilitate this process.
What scale should Nature Networks work at? Nature Networks will be delivered from the bottom up, addressing local needs and objectives in support of national outcomes for nature and people.
Locally: There may often be multiple options of how to best connect areas of importance for nature and local knowledge and ecological conditions are likely to dictate which the best options to pursue are.
Local Nature Networks will connect people and communities to nearby important areas for nature, deliver local priorities and work with other mechanisms of delivering connectivity at the local level e.g. enhancing active travel routes and existing initiatives such as Green Networks.
Regionally: Nature Networks will build on connections at the local level and look at opportunities to deliver strategic connectivity regionally and support national objectives and priorities. This will need to be facilitated across administrative boundaries to ensure strong connectivity between landscapes, larger-scale features and areas of importance, such as National Parks or river catchments.
Working regionally enables the connection of neighbouring networks, further increasing the ability for dispersal, strengthening populations and improving their resilience to pressures.
Nationally: Nature Networks should connect together across administrative boundaries and through strategic regional elements. They should be able to facilitate large-scale expansion and shifts in species ranges at a national level, particularly in response to climate change. They should identify strategic approaches to support delivering wider ecosystem resilience, diversity and ecosystem services.
What does a “good” Nature Network look like? There is no simple answer to what a good Nature Network looks like. They will vary and be dependent on the local and regional landscape and and priorities.
The primary purpose of a Nature Network is ecological connectivity. This connectivity is required for fully functioning and healthy ecosystems. It is key for healthy, robust populations of animal and plant species by allowing them to move across landscapes, maintain genetic diversity, and to adapt to pressures such as climate change.
A Nature Network works at the national, regional and local scale to provide benefits to nature, and people through the ecosystem services it delivers, such as clean air and water, flood mitigation, health and wellbeing benefits.
The Nature Networks Framework provides a good basis to kick of Nature Network identification and development, including principles of best working practices. The Nature Network Toolbox will be updated over time with guidance and resources to help delivery partners consider achieving ecological connectivity, habitat restoration and enhancement, engagement and co-design, and more.
Will Scottish Government map a National Nature Network to ensure everything joins up? There are no current plans for the Scottish Government to spatially map a National Nature Network.
What will the Governance structure for Nature Networks be? The governance principle within the framework states that ‘governance of Nature Networks will be transparent, democratic and accountable and with inclusive and diverse representation. There will be a focus on empowering and equipping delivery partners from across sectors.’
Recognising that many actions within the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Delivery Plan contribute to Nature Networks (and vice versa) shared governance structures are likely to be sensible in minimising resource required/maximising multiple gains.
Ultimately governance structures for Nature Networks at a local level are to be determined locally, however. It is likely that Local Authorities will lead this process and bring together key stakeholders, including landowners and local communities, allowing for collaboration, consensus and action. Existing groupings such as a Local Biodiversity Partnership or Community Planning Partnership, could be key means for helping facilitate the deliver of projects or, a bespoke Nature Network Partnership may be created.
Regional and National governance have yet to be confirmed. It is expected that, where they exist, Regional Land Use Partnerships (RLUPs) will have an important role in Nature Network delivery at the regional level.
I’m from a Local Authority and we don’t own or manage all of the land, can we still create Nature Networks? The ask of Local Authorities is simply to have spatially defined Nature Networks. This is similar to other spatially mapped policies, for example green networks, Core Paths and Local Nature Conservation Sites. It is not necessary for the Authority to own the land in order to spatially define Nature Networks. It is good practice to consult upon indicative/ preliminary Nature Networks, and refine based upon local priorities and considerations.
There is no expectation that Local Authorities will coordinate/ lead projects which practically deliver Nature Networks across its entirety, although land owning public bodies are well placed to lead by example and deliver practical projects which contribute to the maintenance and expansion of the Nature Network on their land. This will also help meet other objectives, for example Biodiversity Duty.
As work on ‘securing positive effects for biodiversity’ develops, Local Authorities may have a further role through the planning system in directing resources towards projects that contribute to Nature Networks.
What is the role of other organisations/agencies/groups/land managers? A whole of society approach is essential to build Nature Networks with organisations and communities involvement varying through different stages of Nature Network development and implementation.
Nature Networks will require a collaborative and bottom-up approach, within a culture of partnership and open working. Diversity and inclusion will be at the heart of decision-making and delivery, continuing co-design and co-production in planning, implementation, and management phases. Open working and active sharing will be encouraged, allowing Nature Networks to be adaptable and scalable to place-based demands, needs, and timescales.
Early engagement and partnership working can take time and resources, and barriers to participation should be removed. Empowering trusted messengers to lead within their communities is an effective way of bringing in different groups. Whether this is a local community or a sector (e.g. farming or forestry), those open to, or already promoting, biodiversity friendly approaches that support Nature Networks can be worked with and promoted as drivers of change.
The support required, and therefore who will be best placed to offer it (Local Authorities, NatureScot, Public Bodies or others) will vary, inclusive governance at all levels of Nature Networks will be key.
Nature Network toolbox Sector Advice
How will Nature Networks be consulted on and who will be involved? As Local Authorities are leading on the spatially defining of Nature Networks, they will decide on the best means of engagement given their area and unique challenges. As part of new Local Development Plans (LDPs), any spatially defined Nature Networks would be subject to consultation through this package of work as a minimum.
Please contact your Local Authority planning or biodiversity department if you would like further information on the process for feeding in.
Are there examples of Nature Networks from other areas we can use? Some case studies of projects that are delivering Nature Networks or contributing towards Nature Networks are presented on the Nature Network Toolbox Case Studies Page.
Currently these projects tend to have predated the publishing of the Framework but still all meet some of the principles within. We will look to continue to add case studies that showcase ways of working that contribute towards Nature Networks, if you would like to contribute a case study please see the contact us on the case study page.
Will a Nature Network change over time or is it fixed? Scotland’s Nature Networks Vision for 2030 states ‘By 2030 Scotland will have evolving, flexible and resilient Nature Networks connecting nature-rich areas allowing wildlife and natural processes to move and adapt to land use and climate change pressures. ‘We expect that Nature Networks will grow and change over time and recognise that even with good planning/high levels of engagement those initially defined may not prove to be the most effective or sensible means of better connecting Scotland’s nature rich area.
NPF4 does not preclude developments that impact on Nature Networks and so some connections may be lost due to development, land use change or other factors over time. The most important thing is that NPF4 promotes maintaining the coherence of such a network so negative impacts in one area should see improvements elsewhere.
Other areas of Nature Networks will likely be in place for the long-term/in perpetuity and likely to deliver significant advantages to biodiversity (i.e., including slow to form or irreplaceable habitats and ecosystems).
