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How we support biodiversity

Biodiversity is the diversity and variability of life on earth and our natural systems. It includes everything from microbes in the soil to red deer in the forest, their genetic diversity, and the variety of ecosystems and ecological processes that occur.

Published: 22 Feb 2025

Topic: Manage forests

Scotland's forests cover 19% land surface but support a high share of our biodiversity. 

We take on a wide range of work to protect, conserve and enhance biodiversity. This includes carrying out conservation projects in private woodlands and encourage good practice.

Forestry supports Scotland’s Biodiversity

Explore how grant funding is protecting iconic species like Black Grouse and Capercaillie on a Scottish estate.

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045

The Scottish Government published the final version of the Scottish biodiversity strategy to 2045 in November 2024. 

Scottish biodiversity strategy to 2045 (Scottish Government website)

The strategy is supported by the first in a series of rolling delivery plans, the Scottish biodiversity delivery plan 2024-2030.

Scottish biodiversity delivery plan 2024-2030 (Scottish Government website)

The strategic framework for biodiversity

Alongside statutory targets for nature conservation, these publications form the strategic framework for biodiversity. 

The Strategy sets the Scottish Government’s high-level goal: to halt biodiversity loss and be Nature Positive by 2030 and to have restored and regenerated biodiversity by 2045.

Did you know?

Tackling the nature emergency is the first part of the Strategic Framework for biodiversity.

This sets out the compelling evidence of long-standing global and Scottish biodiversity loss.

This is embodied in the strategic vision: 

  • by 2045, Scotland will have restored and regenerated biodiversity across our land, freshwater and seas 
  • our natural environment - habitats, ecosystems and species - will be:
    • diverse
    • thriving
    • resilient
    • adapting to climate change 
  • regenerated biodiversity will drive a sustainable economy and support thriving communities and people 

One of the priority actions is to ensure that forests and woodlands deliver increased:

  • biodiversity
  • habitat connectivity
  • timber and carbon outcomes 

Scottish Forestry contributes to this action by:

  • regulating the forestry sector
  • developing policies and guidance
  • providing funding to forest managers from the Forestry Grant Scheme for action for biodiversity

Published: 22 Feb 2025

Last updated: 24 Sep 2025

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