Editing NatureScot (section)

=== Protected areas ===
[[File:Caerlaverock SNH.jpg|thumb|[[Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve|Caerlaverock]] is a national nature reserve managed by NatureScot.]]
{{Main|Protected areas of Scotland}}NatureScot has responsibility for the delivery of [[conservation designation]]s in Scotland, i.e. [[National nature reserve (Scotland)|national nature reserves]], [[local nature reserve]]s, [[long distance route]]s, [[National parks of Scotland|national parks]], [[Site of Special Scientific Interest|Sites of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSIs), [[Special Area of Conservation|Special Areas of Conservation]], [[Special Protection Area]]s and the [[National scenic area (Scotland)|national scenic areas]]. The conservation designations overlap considerably with many protected areas covered by multiple designations. In total around 20% of the area of Scotland is covered by some form of protected area designation, with SSSIs alone covering 13%.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}} 

==== National nature reserves ====
{{Main|National nature reserve (Scotland)}}National nature reserves (NNRs) are areas of land or water designated under the [[Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981]] to contain habitats and species of national importance. NNRs can be owned by public, private, community or voluntary organisations but must be managed to conserve their important habitats and species, as well as providing opportunities for the public to enjoy and engage with nature. There are currently 43 NNRs in Scotland, which cover {{convert|154,250|hectare|km2}}.<ref name=nnr-intro>{{cite web|url=https://www.nnr.scot/About|title=About NNRs|publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage|access-date=2018-05-14}}</ref>

NatureScot is responsible for designating NNRs in Scotland and for overseeing their maintenance and management. The majority of NNRs are directly managed by NatureScot; however, some are managed by, or in co-operation with other bodies, including the [[National Trust for Scotland]] (7 NNRs), [[Forestry and Land Scotland]] (5 NNRs), the [[Royal Society for the Protection of Birds|RSPB]] (5 NNRs), the [[Scottish Wildlife Trust]] (1 NNR), [[South Lanarkshire Council]] (1 NNR), and the [[Woodland Trust]] (1 NNR).<ref name="nnr-intro"/>

All NNRs in Scotland are also designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Many also form part of the [[Natura 2000]] network, which covers [[Special Protection Area]]s and [[Special Area of Conservation|Special Areas of Conservation]]. Additionally, some of the NNRs are designated as [[Ramsar site]]s.<ref name="nnr-intro"/>

==== National scenic areas ====
{{Main|National Scenic Area (Scotland)}}There are 40 national scenic areas (NSAs) in Scotland, covering 13% of the land area of Scotland. The 40 NSAs were originally identified in 1978 by the Countryside Commission for Scotland in 1978 as areas of "national scenic significance... of unsurpassed attractiveness which must be conserved as part of our national heritage".<ref>{{Cite journal|date=April 1978|title=Scotland's Scenic Heritage|url=http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/B464646.pdf|journal=Countryside Commission for Scotland|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013133629/http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/B464646.pdf|archive-date=13 October 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>