TWO threatened species of butterfly and the humble juniper bush are to be given extra support to help them survive.
New tactics to help the pearl-bordered fritillary and chequered skipper butterflies have been drawn up by Forestry Commission Scotland. The juniper bush will also be the focus of increased conservation action under the plans.
The pearl-bordered f
ritillary is in decline across Britain and Ireland, while the chequered skipper is only found in the Lochaber region in the Highlands. And Scotland now supports 80 per cent of the UK's struggling juniper population.
Efforts to help the butterflies will focus on creating a mixture of woodland and open habitat.
Grazing by livestock and deer will be controlled to make sure the plants needed by the butterflies are able to grow. Careful forest planning will also help to create "corridors" to link colonies of the butterflies.
Woodlands will be managed to encourage regeneration of juniper, and some new bushes will be planted in places where existing stock is so old that few viable seeds are being produced.
Roseanna Cunningham, the environment minister, said: "Scotland's biodiversity is one of our national treasures and we must do what we can to conserve that richness for the benefit of future generations."
Dr Deborah Long, conservation manager of charity Plantlife Scotland, said: "Juniper is an iconic species for Scotland. One of the first species to arrive here after the last ice age, it has always been an integral part of our landscape and culture."
The conservation programme will be focused on the national forest estate, as well as being used to promote action in private woodlands. Landowners will be encouraged to take up funding under the Scottish Rural Development Programme to help pay for the work.
Dr Tom Prescott, species conservation officer for Butterfly Conservation Scotland, said: "Butterfly Conservation Scotland … looks forward to working closely with Forestry Commission Scotland to implement vital conservation efforts."
