Editing NatureScot (section)

==Roles and responsibilities==
The general aims of NatureScot as established in the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 are to:<ref name="Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991" /> 
* Secure the conservation and enhancement of Scotland's natural heritage;
* Foster understanding and facilitate the enjoyment of Scotland's natural heritage;
For the purposes of the Act, Scotland's natural heritage is defined as the [[Flora of Scotland|flora]] and [[Fauna of Scotland|fauna]] of Scotland, its [[Geology of Scotland|geological and physiographical features]] and its natural beauty and amenity. Specific responsibilities of NatureScot include:
* Providing advice to the Scottish government on the development and implementation of policies relevant to the natural heritage of Scotland;
* Disseminating information and advice relating to the natural heritage of Scotland to the public;
* Carrying out and commissioning research relating to the natural heritage of Scotland;
* Establishing, maintaining and managing designated [[conservation designation|areas of conservation]] in Scotland;

=== Protected areas ===
[[File:Caerlaverock SNH.jpg|thumb|[[Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve|Caerlaverock]] is a national nature reserve managed by NatureScot.]]
{{Main|Protected areas of Scotland}}NatureScot has responsibility for the delivery of [[conservation designation]]s in Scotland, i.e. [[National nature reserve (Scotland)|national nature reserves]], [[local nature reserve]]s, [[long distance route]]s, [[National parks of Scotland|national parks]], [[Site of Special Scientific Interest|Sites of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSIs), [[Special Area of Conservation|Special Areas of Conservation]], [[Special Protection Area]]s and the [[National scenic area (Scotland)|national scenic areas]]. The conservation designations overlap considerably with many protected areas covered by multiple designations. In total around 20% of the area of Scotland is covered by some form of protected area designation, with SSSIs alone covering 13%.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}} 

==== National nature reserves ====
{{Main|National nature reserve (Scotland)}}National nature reserves (NNRs) are areas of land or water designated under the [[Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981]] to contain habitats and species of national importance. NNRs can be owned by public, private, community or voluntary organisations but must be managed to conserve their important habitats and species, as well as providing opportunities for the public to enjoy and engage with nature. There are currently 43 NNRs in Scotland, which cover {{convert|154,250|hectare|km2}}.<ref name=nnr-intro>{{cite web|url=https://www.nnr.scot/About|title=About NNRs|publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref>

NatureScot is responsible for designating NNRs in Scotland and for overseeing their maintenance and management. The majority of NNRs are directly managed by NatureScot; however, some are managed by, or in co-operation with other bodies, including the [[National Trust for Scotland]] (7 NNRs), [[Forestry and Land Scotland]] (5 NNRs), the [[Royal Society for the Protection of Birds|RSPB]] (5 NNRs), the [[Scottish Wildlife Trust]] (1 NNR), [[South Lanarkshire Council]] (1 NNR), and the [[Woodland Trust]] (1 NNR).<ref name="nnr-intro"/>

All NNRs in Scotland are also designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Many also form part of the [[Natura 2000]] network, which covers [[Special Protection Area]]s and [[Special Area of Conservation|Special Areas of Conservation]]. Additionally, some of the NNRs are designated as [[Ramsar site]]s.<ref name="nnr-intro"/>

==== National scenic areas ====
{{Main|National Scenic Area (Scotland)}}There are 40 national scenic areas (NSAs) in Scotland, covering 13% of the land area of Scotland. The 40 NSAs were originally identified in 1978 by the Countryside Commission for Scotland in 1978 as areas of "national scenic significance... of unsurpassed attractiveness which must be conserved as part of our national heritage".<ref>{{Cite journal|date=April 1978|title=Scotland's Scenic Heritage|url=http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/B464646.pdf|journal=Countryside Commission for Scotland|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013133629/http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/B464646.pdf|archive-date=13 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Protected species ===
[[File:Red_deer_stag_2009_denmark.jpg|thumb|NatureScot issues licences to cull [[red deer]] following its merger with the [[Deer Commission for Scotland]].]]
Vulnerable plant and animal species in Scotland are protected under various legislation. In many cases it is an offence to kill or capture members of a protected animal species, or to uproot plants. NatureScot's primary role in regard to protected species is to license activities that would otherwise be an offence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/species-licensing/|title=Species licensing - Scottish Natural Heritage|website=www.snh.gov.uk|access-date=2016-04-23}}</ref>

=== Enjoying the outdoors ===
NatureScot is responsible for promoting public access and enjoyment of the outdoors. It created and updates the [[Scottish Outdoor Access Code]], which provides detailed guidance on the exercise of the ancient tradition of [[freedom to roam|universal access to land]] in Scotland, which was formally codified by the [[Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/act-and-access-code/land-reform-act/who-has-duties-and-powers|title=Who has duties and powers|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref> It also hosts the National Access Forum, which brings together all bodies with an interest in land access issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/act-and-access-code/national-access-forum|title=National Access Forum|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref>

NatureScot also support the management of the three [[Regional parks of Scotland|regional parks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/protected-areas/local-designations/regional-parks|title=Regional parks|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref> It acts as the "custodian" of [[Scotland's Great Trails]], maintaining the official list and providing some finance and publicity to the trails, although responsibility for creating and maintaining each route lies with the [[Local government in Scotland|local authorities]] through which a route passes.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Scotland's Great Trails|url=http://www.scotlandsgreattrails.com/aboutsgts/|publisher=Scotland's Great Trails|access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref>