Sharp declines in monitoring of Scotland’s most important sites for nature puts them at risk.
5 min read
Scotland is home to nationally and internationally important wildlife and habitats.
Many of these areas are protected to try and ensure our rich natural heritage can thrive for generations to come. They help provide safe spaces for wildlife, can play a role in tackling the climate emergency and help us too, from boosting our wellbeing to building a more resilient future.
The latest data from NatureScot reveals many of Scotland’s protected areas – our most special places for nature – are in unfavourable condition. This means these sites are not in a healthy state, putting important wildlife and wild places at risk.
Our protected areas are nature’s frontline defences. Recognising this, Scotland has pledged to effectively protect 30% of its land and seas for nature by 2030. However, the latest data on the health of Scotland's protected areas reveal that over a quarter of these, our most precious and important nature sites, are in unfavourable condition. Today's report, published by NatureScot, also exposes a sharp decline in the amount of monitoring being carried out. In 2025/26, NatureScot monitored the condition of just 3.1% of all features of protected areas.
Ailis Watt, Senior Policy Officer, RSPB Scotland
The latest report from NatureScot shows many of Scotland’s protected areas are under pressure. These areas can only work to safeguard nature if we understand what condition they are in, whether efforts to restore habitats are succeeding and where conservation interventions are most urgently needed.
To do this, monitoring the features of protected areas, like the quality of habitat and species populations,is crucial.
But in 2025/2026 NatureScot monitored just 3.1% of these. Just 176 checks were carried out, down from more than 300 the previous year.
The new Scottish Government has a responsibility to meet the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy's goal of halting nature loss by 2030. The Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 provides a framework to drive forward action.
Earlier this year, the Scottish Parliament passed the Natural Environment Act. This is the most significant piece of nature legislation in over a decade, equipping the newly elected Scottish Government with powers to set legally-binding nature recovery targets. These figures underline exactly why these powers are needed. The Scottish Government must urgently bring forward ambitious nature recovery targets, underpinned with the investment needed to monitor progress and to translate these commitments into reality
Paul Walton, Head of Habitats and Species, RSPB Scotland
Using your voice to help the wildlife you love.
