TranslateBiodiversity and conservation
Biodiversity is a shortened term for ‘biological diversity’. It means the richness and variety of all life on Earth.
There is a twin crisis of declining biodiversity and the ongoing climate crisis. Biodiversity loss speeds up climate change. The changing climate feeds biodiversity loss. The natural environment is being degraded across much of our land and seascapes. Scotland has half the biodiversity it used to have.
The Biodiversity Intactness Index measures biodiversity change. It uses abundance data on plants, fungi and animals worldwide.
Our response to the climate and nature crisis
Development, management and implementation of the North Ayrshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan document is carried out by the North Ayrshire Biodiversity Partnership (NABP). The NABP includes council officers, government bodies, conservation organisations, landowners, and private individuals. Shared goals are to:
- halt biodiversity loss in North Ayrshire by 2030
- be nature positive by 2045
Stakeholders work towards shared objectives and to agree priorities for the limited resources. The overall aim is to support, encourage and positively influence the conservation and enhancement of biological diversity.
North Ayrshire's Ranger Service works with communities and partner organisations to utilise, promote, and enhance green spaces and designated land.
Statutory biodiversity duty
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 places a statutory biodiversity duty on all public bodies and office-holders to further the conservation of biodiversity. This includes having regard to the:
Quote: It is the duty of every public body and officeholder, in exercising any functions, to further the conservation of biodiversity so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions.
Quote from: Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, Section 1
The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (WANE Act) requires that public bodies report on their compliance with the biodiversity duty.
North Ayrshire Council’s Biodiversity Duty Report 2020 - 2023.
NatureScot provides guidance on Biodiversity Duty.
Contact us to find out more, or get involved.
North Ayrshire Nature Network Strategy (NANN)
To reverse declines in biodiversity, it is vital to develop a robust network for nature. Nature Networks are being delivered across Scotland to help achieve this.
The North Ayrshire Nature Network (NANN) Strategy document, approved by Cabinet on Tuesday March 18 2025, will help by driving actions like regenerating the natural environment, empowering communities to play their part and improving habitat quality for wildlife.
Although the council is spearheading the NANN, communities across the six localities will be consulted and encouraged to get involved by doing things like identifying suitable habitat corridors. Schools and individual residents can also play their part by planting seeds for pollinators.
The North Ayrshire Biodiversity Partnership
The North Ayrshire Biodiversity Partnership (NABP) is a forum for all stakeholders wanting to be involved in North Ayrshire’s response to the climate and nature crisis. We meet online three times a year and once in person. The partnership enables members to share information, support each other and participate in the shaping and delivering of biodiversity actions in their own communities.
The NABP includes council officers, government bodies, conservation organisations, landowners, and private individuals. Our shared goals are to:
- halt biodiversity loss in North Ayrshire by 2030
- be nature positive by 2045
Joining the NABP will grant you access to previous minutes, newsletters, and updates, plus you can share information and success stories with the rest of the partnership.
If you would like to join us, please send an expression of interest email to the Energy and Sustainability team using the details below.