The State of Nature South of Scotland report examines how nature has changed between 2000 and 2025, providing an important evidence base to help guide future land use decisions and biodiversity recovery efforts.

The report brings together the best available evidence on species, habitats and ecosystems across Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
Drawing on millions of wildlife records collected by volunteers, environmental organisations and local environmental records centres, the report establishes a baseline against which future changes in biodiversity can be measured and monitored, forming a key element of the South of Scotland Regional Land Use Framework, to track progress towards a more sustainable and nature-positive future.
Commissioned by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) on behalf of the Regional Land Use Partnership (RLUP), a sub-group of the Regional Economic Partnership (REP), the report has been prepared by Southern Uplands Partnership with support from a wide range of environmental organisations and data providers. 
The findings present a mixed picture of nature across the region. While some habitats and species are showing signs of recovery, significant challenges remain.
Key findings include:

• 15 out of 16 monitored breeding seabird species showed declines in abundance between 2000 and 2021.
• Seagrass habitats are showing encouraging signs of recovery and expansion.
• Woodland creation continues, although much of the expansion remains dominated by non-native conifer species.
• Wintering waterbird numbers declined by almost nine per cent between 2005 and 2025.
• Evidence suggests threatened mammal species in the region continue to face pressures, including impacts from invasive non-native species.
• Around 70% of assessed protected site features were reported as being in favourable condition in 2025, which is below the national average.

The report also highlights the nationally and internationally important biodiversity found across the South of Scotland, from peatlands, woodlands and coastal habitats to rare and threatened species that make a significant contribution to Scotland's natural heritage. 
The report emphasises that, while important knowledge gaps remain at a regional level, the publication represents a significant step forward in understanding the condition and trends of the South of Scotland's biodiversity. 
It also identifies opportunities to improve monitoring, strengthen partnerships and develop future indicators that can track environmental change over time.

Ian Bray, Chair of the RLUP said: "This report provides the strongest evidence base we have on the state of nature in the South of Scotland. It gives us a clearer understanding of where biodiversity is thriving, where it is under pressure and where targeted action will be most effective.
"Just as importantly, it demonstrates the immense value of the wildlife records, monitoring programmes and local knowledge contributed by thousands of volunteers, conservation organisations and partners across the region."

Councillor Stephen Thompson, REP representative for Dumfries & Galloway Council on the RLUP, added: “This is a timely report when there is a growing recognition of the importance of healthy ecosystems that support climate resilience, economic prosperity, community wellbeing and sustainable land use across rural Scotland.”

Councillor Scott Hamilton, REP representative for Scottish Borders Council on the RLUP, said: “This study highlights the rich and diverse natural capital of the region, the challenges it faces and the opportunity it presents to sustainably support our land managers and land-based businesses to build climate resilience and lead nature recovery in the region. “The viability of our farms, forests and estates lies at the heart of this.”

Russel Griggs, Chair of SOSE, added: “The State of Nature report is an important document piece of work which is another example of the proactive activity taking place in the South to better understand how we move to a more sustainable and nature-positive future.
“As Scotland’s Natural Capital Innovation Zone, we want to accelerate solutions to the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, and this report is a step towards achieving that.”

The summary report and accompanying technical data report is available at https://www.southofscotlandrep.com/stateofnature