Scotland’s land is a fundamental asset. We grow food and timber on it; we build our houses and roads on it.
Much of our water filters through and is purified by it; it stores carbon; and it supports a range of habitats and species, some of which are internationally important. Wetlands are found all over the country, with around 1,600 million tonnes of carbon stored in their peat soil.
By 2013, 18% of Scotland was covered by woodland – an increase from only 4.5% at the beginning of the 20th century. As a result of human influence and climate change, no woodlands in Scotland can be considered truly natural. Likewise, most of the uplands have been modified through grazing, drainage, forest planting and deposition of pollutants from the atmosphere, and near-natural habitats are now rare.
These graphs show numbers have gone down for these three species? Why do you think that is? Click on the graphs to view a larger version.
Click on the graph to view a larger version.
This pie chart show us how much farmland is used for grass, crops, woodland and grazing.
Click on the pie chart image to view a larger version.
How has this changed over the past 70 years? This graphs shows the changes in wheat, barley and oats.
Click on the graph to view a larger version.
How has this changed over the past 70 years? This graph shows the difference between cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry.
Click on the graph to view a larger version.
Scotland's soil map - This map shows the main soil types across the whole of Scotland. Do you have different types near you?
Scotland's environment map - This Habitat Map of Scotland (HabMoS) gives details of habitats from woodlands to saltmarshes.
NBN Atlas - Use this National Biodiversity Network (NBN) atlas to compare with your own results.
Scotland's environment map - Wetlands are an important part of Scotland’s environment. Use this with other maps to consider the impact of human activity on the wetlands. (You may need to zoom is for the data to be visible)
Scotland's environment map - What impact has this had on the way the urban environment has grown?
Scotland's environment map - This map gives a simple overview of soil texture in Scotland. Use this to consider how this affects agriculture in your area.
Scotland's environment map - Use this map to find out about the age of rocks underneath Scotland. How does this affect the built environment in Scotland? How were these rocks formed? What does this tell us about the history of the land?
Pastmap - Use this map to locate details of archaeological and historic sites held in Scotland’s national and local historic environment records.
Scotland's environment map - Many battles have taken place throughout Scotland’s long history. Use this map to find Scottish battlefields. How did the landscape affect the outcomes of these battles?
Visit a PlaceThis Visit a Place app is your one-stop shop for information on Scotland’s iconic historic attractions. Packed with essential information and beautiful imagery for all Historic Environment Scotland properties. |
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Games and Apps
A selection of Games and apps to help learning about key conservation issues such as endangered species, climate change and overfishing. |
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PlantTrackerThis PlantTracker app allows you to help SEPA and other partner organisations combat the spread of the UK’s most problematic invasive, non-native plant species. |
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Asian Hornet monitoringThis Asian hornet app allows you to record sightings of this high-risk non-native species which is a predator of various invertebrates including pollinator insects and a threat to native biodiversity. |
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iRecord ButterfliesThis iRecord Butterflies app is being used to monitor populations of UK's butterfly species and to see how they fare year to year. Your data will be used to inform conservation efforts to protect our butterflies |
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UK Ladybird SurveyUse this UK Ladybird Survey app to help The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) and their partners record sightings of different types of ladybird from across the UK. A great app to use with younger children too. |
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Citizen Science appsThese free Citizen Science mobile apps from The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) allow volunteers to quickly access information ‘on-the-go’. Using GPS and camera technology embedded in smart phones, these apps allow citizen scientist volunteers to collect verifiable records in the field. These records are used by our scientists to further our understanding of the world around us. |
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The Great British Bee CountUse this Great British Bee Count app to help Friends of the Earth record bee sightings across the British Isles every year. This is a great project for schools and classes from Early Level to Senior Phase. |
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Tree SurveyThe OPAL Tree Health Survey will help you to learn about pests and diseases affecting Britain’s trees. |
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In partnership with OPAL (Open Air Laboratories), Education Scotland has produced several videos to help you with data sampling, collection and recording.
Watch the video on YouTube. You can also read the video transcript (word)
Watch the video on YouTube. You can also read the video transcript (word)
Watch the video on YouTube. You can also read the video transcript (word)
Watch the video on YouTube. You can also read the video transcript (word)
Watch the video on YouTube. You can also read the video transcript (word)
This Making the Case - Soils (PDF) is a good 'reading for information' resource from SEPA.
This Making the Case for the Environment - Organic Waste and Soils (PDF) is a good factsheet from SEPA about organic composting.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has produced a series of short videos entitled, ‘Our Soil matters’. The videos feature a range of experts - representing farmers, land managers, ecologists, policy specialists, geo-archaeologists and recreational users - who are passionate about our soil environment. Each participant briefly explains why our soil is important from their own unique perspective.
This map shows very wild areas in dark green. Do you have lots of woodland and areas that haven’t been changed by humans?
Click on the image below to see a larger version of this wetland habitat.
This Land Infographic (PDF) shows some of the impacts, benefits and pressures on Scotland's land.
This page was reviewed on 02 Sep 2020
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