Not Planned

River temperature is an important control on the health of fish populations. Under climate change it is expected that river temperature will rise with negative consequences for fish populations. Management of riparian woodland is proven to protect cold water habitats. However, the creation of new riparian woodland can be costly and logistically challenging. It is therefore important that woodland creation is prioritised to areas where (1) river temperatures are hottest (2) most sensitive to climate change (see SRTMN Predictions: http://marine.gov.scot/information/scotland-river-temperature-monitoring...) and (3) where riparian woodland can be most effective in reducing maximum summer river temperatures. Together these tools can be used to prioritise riparian tree planting in Scotland to protect freshwater fish and fisheries from the effects of climate change.

These layers identify where river temperatures can be reduced through riparian shading in Scotland (3 above). Details of modelling work that produced these layers can be found in the associated peer reviewed manuscript: Jackson et al (2021) A deterministic river temperature model to prioritise management of riparian woodlands to reduce summer maximum river temperatures (see link under ‘Additional Information’ Tab).

The outputs of this work are illustrated as three layers on Marine Scotland Maps NMPi: 
1.    Prioritisation where both banks can be planted
2.    Prioritisation where only north banks can be planted 
3.    Prioritisation where only south banks can be planted 

The rankings and colour scales run from 0- 10, with 0 being low priority (no temperature reduction) and 10 high priority (large temperature reduction). First order (Strahler) rivers have been removed from this dataset. NAs are where we were unable to make predictions of planting potential e.g. lochs, or in circumstances where we cannot generate the required covariates.
 

River temperature is an important control on the health of fish populations. Under climate change it is expected that river temperature will rise with negative consequences for fish populations. Management of riparian woodland is proven to protect cold water habitats. However, the creation of new riparian woodland can be costly and logistically challenging. It is therefore important that woodland creation is prioritised to areas where (1) river temperatures are hottest (2) most sensitive to climate change (see SRTMN Predictions: http://marine.gov.scot/information/scotland-river-temperature-monitoring...) and (3) where riparian woodland can be most effective in reducing maximum summer river temperatures. Together these tools can be used to prioritise riparian tree planting in Scotland to protect freshwater fish and fisheries from the effects of climate change.

These layers identify where river temperatures can be reduced through riparian shading in Scotland (3 above). Details of modelling work that produced these layers can be found in the associated peer reviewed manuscript: Jackson et al (2021) A deterministic river temperature model to prioritise management of riparian woodlands to reduce summer maximum river temperatures (see link under ‘Additional Information’ Tab).

The outputs of this work are illustrated as three layers on Marine Scotland Maps NMPi: 
1.    Prioritisation where both banks can be planted
2.    Prioritisation where only north banks can be planted 
3.    Prioritisation where only south banks can be planted 

The rankings and colour scales run from 0- 10, with 0 being low priority (no temperature reduction) and 10 high priority (large temperature reduction). First order (Strahler) rivers have been removed from this dataset. NAs are where we were unable to make predictions of planting potential e.g. lochs, or in circumstances where we cannot generate the required covariates.
 

River temperature is an important control on the health of fish populations. Under climate change it is expected that river temperature will rise with negative consequences for fish populations. Management of riparian woodland is proven to protect cold water habitats. However, the creation of new riparian woodland can be costly and logistically challenging. It is therefore important that woodland creation is prioritised to areas where (1) river temperatures are hottest (2) most sensitive to climate change (see SRTMN Predictions: http://marine.gov.scot/information/scotland-river-temperature-monitoring...) and (3) where riparian woodland can be most effective in reducing maximum summer river temperatures. Together these tools can be used to prioritise riparian tree planting in Scotland to protect freshwater fish and fisheries from the effects of climate change.

These layers identify where river temperatures can be reduced through riparian shading in Scotland (3 above). Details of modelling work that produced these layers can be found in the associated peer reviewed manuscript: Jackson et al (2021) A deterministic river temperature model to prioritise management of riparian woodlands to reduce summer maximum river temperatures (see link under ‘Additional Information’ Tab).

The outputs of this work are illustrated as three layers on Marine Scotland Maps NMPi: 
1.    Prioritisation where both banks can be planted
2.    Prioritisation where only north banks can be planted 
3.    Prioritisation where only south banks can be planted 

The rankings and colour scales run from 0- 10, with 0 being low priority (no temperature reduction) and 10 high priority (large temperature reduction). First order (Strahler) rivers have been removed from this dataset. NAs are where we were unable to make predictions of planting potential e.g. lochs, or in circumstances where we cannot generate the required covariates.

The Sectoral Marine Plan aims to identify the most sustainable plan options for the future development of commercial-scale offshore wind energy in Scotland, including deep water wind technologies and covers both Scottish inshore and offshore waters (extending out to the Exclusive Economic Zone limit).

The Sectoral Marine seeks to contribute to the achievement of Scottish and UK energy and climate change policy objectives and targets, through the provision of a spatial strategy to inform the seabed leasing process for commercial offshore wind energy in Scottish waters, which:

• Minimises the potential adverse effects on other marine users, economic sectors and the environment resulting from further commercial-scale offshore wind development; and
• Maximises opportunities for economic development, investment and employment in Scotland, by identifying new opportunities for commercial scale offshore wind development, including deeper water wind technologies.

The Plan Options provide the spatial footprint for this Sectoral Marine Plan.

A draft updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy (SMP-OWE) was published in 2025, which presents an updated planning framework for ScotWind sites as a result of the Iterative Plan Review process established in the SMP-OWE (2020). Scottish Ministers concluded, as part of the Iterative Plan Review, that the SMP-OWE needed to be updated and re-assessed following the ScotWind leasing award by Crown Estate Scotland. Click for more information on the draft updated Plan.