Moray Nature Network
Improving biodiversity in Moray through collaborative working
The Vision
Moray Council are developing a plan to connect and restore nature across Moray. This long-term approach will help to stop biodiversity loss in Scotland, bring health and wellbeing benefits to our communities and help us to adapt to a changing climate.
“By 2045, Scotland will have restored and regenerated biodiversity across our land, freshwater and seas. Our natural environment, our habitats, ecosystems and species, will be diverse, thriving, resilient and adapting to climate change. Regenerated biodiversity will drive a sustainable economy and support thriving communities and people will play their part in the stewardship of nature for future generations.”
Where are we now?
Scotland is facing twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, with each amplified by the other. Declining biodiversity reduces resilience to climate change and exacerbates the effects, whilst a changing climate increases the rate of biodiversity loss.
"Scotland is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. One of the key drivers for biodiversity loss is land-use change where, over time, habitats have been lost and increasingly fragmented. This fragmentation means that the remaining habitats are often isolated and unconnected and as a result they are less resilient, often in poor health, and struggle to support healthy populations of the species that normally rely on them."
According to the 2023 State of Nature Scotland Report there has been an average 15% decline in abundance of indicator species since 1994 and 11% of species assessed against IUCN Red List Criteria are considered to be threatened with extinction.
In light of this, Moray Council formally recognised the climate and ecological emergency in 2019 and reaffirmed this by declaring a nature emergency in 2023.
How do we get there?
One of the key outcomes of the Scottish Biodiversity strategy is to have protected areas which are larger, better connected and in good condition.
Connecting important areas for biodiversity is necessary for the movement of species and their genes, increasing diversity and ability to adapt to a changing environment. Connectivity is essential for promoting healthy and functioning ecosystems.
One of the ways this will be achieved is through the creation of Nature Networks.
Nature Networks are embedded within National Planning Framework 4 which states that Local Authorities (via Local Development Plans) need to “better connect nature rich areas by establishing and growing nature networks to help protect and restore the biodiversity, ecosystems and natural processes in their area.” New developments are required to contribute to the enhancement of biodiversity, including by restoring degraded habitats and building and strengthening Nature Networks. Forest and Woodland Strategies should also aim to contribute to connectivity.
What are Nature Networks?
"A Nature Network connects nature-rich sites, restoration areas, and other environmental projects through a series of areas of suitable habitat, habitat corridors and stepping-stones. As well as supporting regional and national approaches to protect and restore nature, they provide local benefits to wildlife and people."
Networks may vary in scale depending on the type of species or habitats they are trying to connect. Within an urban environment this may comprise small ‘stepping stones’ of habitat suitable for a variety of species. Features such as green roofs, ponds, rain gardens and wildlife-friendly landscaping can be incorporated into development areas. Public greenspaces can be managed for the benefit of biodiversity and people. Moray Council are already taking action such as the creation of living lawn and wildflower areas, planting orchards, and actively managing areas such as The Wards and Millbuie to maximise biodiversity and increase climate resilience. Many of these actions have been undertaken using money from the Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund.
Creating meaningful connections between protected sites may require larger, landscape-scale actions such as peatland restoration, woodland creation, positive management of grasslands and river restoration. This will require action by individual landowners and managers. Work is already underway through groups such as the Findhorn Watershed Initiative and Spey Catchment.
Example of Ecological Network
Evidence Based Assessment
Moray Council have gathered evidence to identify areas of importance to biodiversity within the Local Development Plan (LDP) area. The data has been used to develop a map of Nature Network creation opportunities, outlined below.
Study Area
The primary focus of the study was the Local Development Plan (LDP) area. As nature doesn’t recognise man-made boundaries, the study was widened out to include a 20km buffer outside the LDP area so that opportunities to link to sites in neighbouring local authorities can be considered. This is particularly important for facilitating landscape-scale connectivity within features such as river catchments.
30x30 Sites
30x30 sites include sites which have strict legal protection. Within the Moray LDP area these include internationally important European designated sites ( SACs and SPAs ), nationally important sites ( SSSIs ) and one Local Nature Reserve. These cover 11,568 ha of land or c.6% of the total LDP area.
Carbon-Rich Soils/Peat and Native Woodland
Peat-rich soils underpin blanket and raised bogs, heaths, and certain types of fen habitat. The majority of these have been degraded through historical incentives to drain them for agriculture and forestry, upland management practices such as burning and intensive grazing/browsing, and trampling by deer and livestock.
Native woodlands are important areas for biodiversity, but many are fragmented and face pressures such as high levels of deer and livestock grazing/browsing preventing re-generation, invasive non-native species (INNS) outcompeting native trees and/or ground flora, and the spread of pests and diseases.
Both woodlands and peatlands play an integral role in long-term carbon sequestration and storage, as well as being important for natural flood defence. As such they are key habitats to target for restoration and creation.
Urban/Peri-urban Features
Active transport routes and public spaces within the urban/peri-urban environment represent opportunities to bring nature into the heart of communities and connect people to the wider environment.
Other Important Biodiversity Areas
A variety of other areas supporting, or with potential to support important species assemblages were identified, including Buglife's Important Invertebrate Areas (IIAs), the RSPB's wetland inventory (Moray Mosses) and The Wards, an area important for wildlife within Elgin.
Network Opportunities
Using all the data we have mapped potential connections between 30x30 sites as well connecting urban to rural areas.
The 30x30 network aims to link designated sites with similar and/or complimentary features (e.g., woodland to woodland). Networks have been grouped based on primary habitat focus – coastal, grassland, peatland, watercourse/wetlands and woodland. Emphasis was placed on linking sites across existing semi-natural habitats (e.g., watercourses, native woodland parcels) for maximum feasibility.
The Nature Networks from urban areas connect outwards into the wider 30x30 network. They makes use of existing features such as watercourses, wildflower areas, public spaces and active transport routes. Opportunities are mapped for settlements identified as key growth areas within the LDP: Aberlour, Buckie, Dufftown, Elgin, Fochabers, Forres, Keith, Lossiemouth and Mosstodloch.
Explore the Opportunity Map
Expand the map below by clicking the button in the top right and explore your area of interest. The map legend is available by clicking the icon in the bottom left. Clicking on a feature will display information about it - zoom in further for more details. Some features may overlap; after selecting a feature you can swap between them to see each of their unique attributes. Centre the map on your location by clicking the location button in the bottom right.
Moray Nature Network Opportunity Map
Community Engagement
The above maps represent potential connections. In order to make sure we are targeting action in the right places, we have recently engaged with a wide range of stakeholders.
While the survey is now closed, you can still contact us at naturenetwork@moray.gov.uk with any further questions or ideas.
Next Steps
The information gathered during this engagement process will be analysed and used to inform the Nature Network and Local Development Plan. Your feedback will also be used as the council develops a Biodiversity Strategy over the next year, which will align closely with the Nature Network.
If you choose to provide contact details for us to follow up on any questions, or to keep you informed about developments, please view our privacy policy.
How Will the Nature Network Affect Me?
Mapping of the Nature Network won’t force land owners/managers to make changes. Instead, it is for government and fund-giving public bodies to encourage positive action through opportunities for funding or investment in these areas.
If you are a developer, National Planning Framework 4 policies already require you to think about how your site supports nature connectivity. The network will help to guide the type of biodiversity enhancement that is suitable for each site, and should encourage good development rather than act as a barrier.
Individuals and communities are welcome to get in touch with ideas for improving biodiversity in public spaces. You can also speak to Moray Climate Action Network (Moray CAN) about wider opportunities to connect with others and sources of grant funding for nature projects.
