Last update: 2016-06-15

Biogenetic reserves act as "living laboratories" and are representative examples of various types of natural environment in Europe. They can consist of natural or semi-natural habitats and their se...

Last update: 2016-06-15

Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting the conservation of biodiversity with sustainable use. Biosphere reserves serve to demonstrate integrated management of ...

Last update: 2012-02-21

The European Diploma is an award established by the Council of Europe under Regulation (65) 6 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe of 6 March 1965 for certain landscapes, reserves...

Last update: 2012-04-08

Parks are set up by Local Authorities to provide open-air recreation facilities close to towns and cities. All the parks have a rural character and are managed primarily for informal recreation. So...

Last update: 2022-12-05

The Geological Conservation Review (GCR) is the register of known nationally and internationally important Earth science (geological and geomorphological) sites in Great Britain. The GCR underpins ...

Last update: 2018-06-28

LNRs are established in a variety of locations with very varied habitats and species. They must lie wholly within the area of jurisdiction of the local authority which declares them to be reserves....

Last update: 2012-02-04

Marine Consultation Areas are identified by Scottish Natural Heritage as deserving particular distinction in respect of the quality and sensitivity of the marine environment within them. Their sele...

Last update: 2018-05-21

NNRs contain examples of some of the most important natural and semi-natural terrestrial and coastal eco-systems in Great Britain. They are managed to conserve their habitats or to provide special ...

Last update: 2023-02-09

Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can be designated by Scottish Ministers under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 and the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. The boundaries of the desi...

Last update: 2023-03-09

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are those areas of land and water (to the seaward limits of local authority areas or MLWS) that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) considers to best represe...

Last update: 2021-07-28

SNH nature reserves (NR) are those SNH properties (owned, leased, or under agreement) it manages for nature with some provision for people to visit. SNH also manages some properties as National Nat...

Last update: 2019-07-01

SACs in Scotland are designated by Scottish Ministers under the EC Habitats Directive. They are areas which have been identified as best representing the range and variety within the European Union...

Last update: 2022-02-16

SPAs in Scotland are classified by Scottish Ministers . These are areas of the most important habitat for rare (listed on Annex I to the Directive) and regularly occurring migratory birds within th...

Last update: 2022-08-25

Ramsar sites are classified to meet the UK's commitments under the Ramsar Convention. The UK's ratification also extends to its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. These sites comprise of ...

Last update: 2012-05-01

World Heritage Sites are designated to meet the UK's commitments under the World Heritage Convention. The UK's ratification also extends to its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. These si...