Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has welcomed the publication of two new reports which detail the threat posed by climate change to some of Scotland's most valued wildlife.

The MONARCH (Modelling Natural Resource Responses to Climate Change) report is the result of a seven-year programme involving 15 organisations across Britain and Ireland.

It complements the UK Biodiversity Partnership's new publication "Conserving biodiversity in a changing climate" which provides guiding principles on how wildlife can be helped.

The MONARCH report has the difficult task of assessing the suitability of the climate for certain species throughout the UK and Ireland over the next few decades.

Its findings support SNH's recent prioritising of research and management activities relating to species survivial in habitats in Scotland which are increasingly affected by changing climate conditions.

[3]

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, said: "Climate change is the biggest environmental threat facing us and future generations. The First Minister has already indicated climate change is a priority for this Scottish Government. It is crucial we think about the impact we are all making on our planet and International Biodiversity Day is a timely reminder of this.

"The MONARCH report identifies the potential risks of losing suitable climate conditions associated with some of Scotland's most iconic species, such as the largest grouse, the capercaille. We all need to act now to ensure that does not happen and work is already underway to minimise the risk of extinction."

Martin Gaywood, who coordinated the work for the new Species Action Framework at SNH, launched in January 2007, welcomed the two 'substantial' publications on the effects of climate change on the natural heritage.

He said: "These reports follow two publications with SNH involvement last year which looked at how climate and species patterns have changed so far – 'The Handbook of Climate Trends Across Scotland' and an SNH report indicating how timing of events such as flowering and bird nesting times have also been changing.

"The two new reports look to the future and emphasise the need to help wildlife adapt to climate change. SNH is responding to the challenge of climate change through positive measures based on our research findings.

"In March we announced The Long March – Spatial Adaptation to Climate Change', our new initiative to identify natural species movement corridors. These could involve the creation of artificial landscape features to help species naturally relocate if traditional habitats become uninhabitable due to rising temperatures and raised sea levels.

"The Species Action Framework is about targeted management for species. Ensuring there is high quality habitat available will help buffer some species from the worst effects of climate change, for example by improving the quality of brood habitat for capercaillie."