Nine years to save iconic species in Scotland

A MAJOR nine-year campaign to protect rare species such as the Scottish wildcat and the capercaillie is launched by a wildlife charity today.

RSPB Scotland has unveiled plans for its Stepping Up for Nature drive which will see the charity begin an offensive against governments, individuals and businesses to help conserve species in danger.

The campaign, said to be the most ambitious in the group's 107-year history, is a response to the dwindling numbers of some native birds, mammals and insects, as well as the decline of wild flowers, peatlands and native forests.

The project comes after countries across the world failed last year to meet targets to halt the decline in biodiversity. A new goal was set by the United Nations for 2020.

More than 25,000 people in Scotland have signed a letter urging ministers not to cut funding for nature conservation in the tough economic times.

"When we missed the 2010 biodiversity target we failed nature," said RSPB Scotland director Stuart Housden. "We absolutely can't let that happen again.

"Over the next decade we have the opportunity to fix the problems that are causing the loss of wildlife in Scotland and across the world.

"We have a simple choice here, and if politicians and businesses make the right choices then we can create a space for nature in our countryside, ensure vital habitats are not lost and bring back those species on the brink."

He added: "But this is a process we must all be involved in. Everyone can do their bit." RSPB Scotland is warning that some of the country's best-loved native birds, including the kestrel, curlew, lapwing and redshank are in sharp decline, while once widespread species like the capercaillie and corn bunting are clinging on in small pockets. The Scottish wildcat is now one of the country's most rare species, with an estimated 400 individuals remaining.

Just a few populations of the great yellow bumblebee endure and the freshwater pearl mussel is now extinct in two-thirds of the 155 Scottish rivers it occupied a century ago, the charity said.

In addition, many native wild flowers are "seriously" threatened, 99 per cent of the Caledonian pine forest has disappeared and blanket bogs - of which Scotland has one-tenth of the total world's resource - are badly fragmented and threatened by drainage and erosion.

Environment secretary Richard Lochhead welcomed the campaign.

"Protecting biodiversity is not a choice but a necessity," he said.

"Only by working together and mobilising the support and actions of RSPB members, the wider public and the business community will we be able to meet our ambitious target of halting biodiversity loss by 2020."The campaign, which is to be launched tonight at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, will be split into three parts, each three years long.

As part of the drive, the RSPB is calling for reform of Europe's Common Agricultural Policy and the safeguarding of marine life through the creation of protected areas.

In addition, campaigners want to see commitments to robust protection for tropical forests at a climate conference which takes in Durban, South Africa, later this year.