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Biodiversity

Biodiversity is short for “biological diversity”, or the variety of plants and animals. The marine and coastal areas of the Moray Firth hold a rich variety, including species of national and international importance. Information on this local biodiversity is being collated by the two Biodiversity Partnerships that cover the Moray Firth area: the Highland Biodiversity Partnership and the North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership.   There are individual Local Biodiversity Action Plans covering the area, including Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty (East) and Inverness and Nairn, which have identified priority species and actions, and local groups are making great progress in getting people involved and raising awareness.  The Highland BAP links to the individual plans and has developed a strategic work programme to take forward a number of actions. 

More information on associated habitats and species is contained within the overall UK Biodiversiy Action Plan web site: www.ukbap.org.uk

In 2010, the Moray Firth Partnership joined over 200 partners to help celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity. Fellow partners include universities, media organisations, museums, theatre companies and artists, who joined together to promote the understanding of biodiversity and develop new actions.  

Biodiversity affects everyone and anyone can get involved. Throughout the year we will feature in our Members’ Newsletters examples of biodiversity projects around the Moray Firth, by both individuals and groups. We will also highlight ways that you too can get involved. So, if you are involved in a biodiversity project on the Moray Firth coast we would love to hear from you.

We are also working with rangers and other partners to take forward new projects that will offer more opportunities for young people, communities and businesses to come together and take an active part in identifying, protecting  and enhancing biodiversity, as well as just enjoying the spectacular world of nature on our doorsteps.

Click on the image for more information on biodiversity around the Moray Firth, Scotland and the rest of the UK.