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THE STATE OF SCOTLAND'S FARMED ENVIRONMENT 2005

4. HABITATS AND SPECIES

Broad habitat change

A classification of "broad habitat" was defined for consistent reporting and monitoring of priority habitats that were identified under the UKBAP. The habitats range from developed land, such as built-up areas and gardens, to semi-natural land, such as grasslands, bog and bracken. Over the period 1990-1998, the largest change was the overall decline in area of semi-natural habitats, while on the other hand intensive agriculture increased by nearly 37,000 ha (Table 4.1; Scottish Executive, 2005).

Woodland , developed habitats and land use for intensive agriculture all increased over the period, with a 9% increase in the area of broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland (Countryside Survey, 2000).

Habitat

1998

Change (1990-1998)

Woodland

1,294

+ 32.3

Intensive agriculture

1,691

+ 36.7

Semi-natural

4,535

- 88.9

Water

106

+ 0.8

Developed

276

+ 19.4

Source: Scottish Executive (2005)

Table 4.1: Area of broad habitats in Scotland (1998) in thousand ha

Designated areas >>