Chapter 4: Healthy and Biologically Diverse

A Marine Protected Area (MPA) network in Scotland’s Seas is designed to conserve a selection of marine biodiversity (species and habitats) and geodiversity (the variety of landforms and natural processes that underpin the marine landscapes), offering long-term support for the services our seas provide to society.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are those areas of land and water (to the seaward limits of local authority areas or MLWS) that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) considers to best represent our natural heritage - its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms, or a combinations of such natural features. They are the essential building blocks of Scotlands protected areas for nature conservation. Many are also designated as Natura sites (Special Protection Areas or Special Areas of Conservation). The national network of SSSIs in Scotland forms part of the wider GB series. SNH designates SSSIs under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. SSSIs are protected by law. It is an offence for any person to intentionally or recklessly damage the protected natural features of an SSSI.

This layer is a Web Map Service (WMS) displaying Scotland's SSSI's that contribute to the MPA network.

The Marine Protected Area (MPA) network in Scotland’s Seas is designed to conserve a selection of marine biodiversity (species and habitats) and geodiversity (the variety of landforms and natural processes that underpin the marine landscapes), offering long-term support for the services our seas provide to society.

Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in Scotland are classified by Scottish Ministers. These are areas of the most important habitat for rare (listed on Annex I to the Directive) and regularly occurring migratory birds within the European Union. SPAs are classified under the EC Birds Directive and together with SACs, form the Natura 2000 network. Proposed Special Protection Areas (pSPA) may be subject to change prior to classification.

This layer is a Web Map Service (WMS) displaying Scotland's SPA's that contribute to the MPA network.

The Marine Protected Area (MPA) network in Scotland’s Seas is designed to conserve a selection of marine biodiversity (species and habitats) and geodiversity (the variety of landforms and natural processes that underpin the marine landscapes), offering long-term support for the services our seas provide to society.

Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in Scotland are designated by Scottish Ministers under the EC Habitats Directive. They are areas which have been identified as best representing the range and variety within the European Union of habitats and (non-bird) species listed on Annexes I and II to the Directive. SACs in terrestrial areas and marine areas out to 12 nautical miles are afforded protection through the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended). Possible Special Areas of Conservation (pSAC) may be subject to change prior to submission.

This layer is a Web Map Service (WMS) displaying Scotland's SAC's that contribute to the MPA network.

RSPB reserve boundaries. Note Access field which denotes which reserves have visitor accessThe RSPB Public Reserve Boundaries dataset contains the boundaries of all land managed, leased or owned as part of publicly accessible RSPB reserves.  Areas for which other rights are held or which are not classed as RSPB reserves are excluded.  Some reserves are only represented by an indicative boundary due to confidentiality issues surrounding the definitive boundary