T E A C H E R S

N O T E S

its in your hands

> The protection of biodiversity is not just the
responsibility of somebody else. The government,
government agencies, local authorities, farmers,
foresters, fishermen and voluntary conservation bodies
all have an important part to play in biodiversity
conservation, but, as this poster emphasises,
decisions that each of us makes in our daily lives can
also have a damaging or beneficial impact on
biodiversity.
> The main objective of lessons based around this
set of posters should therefore be to encourage
students to think of their own responsibilities for the
protection of biodiversity. These Teachers Notes
provide further information and ideas to help
encourage this process.

A joint venture between Scottish Natural Heritage and the RSPB

Every time we switch a light on we increase the

demand on power stations, and accelerate their
production of waste gases. These gases dissolve in
water vapour in the upper atmosphere to create acids,
which, when deposited in mist, rain or snow, can
damage heather, kill trees or poison fish and other
wildlife in rivers or lochs like this one in Galloway.

Loch Dee. SEPA

B I O D I V E R S I T Y

C O N N E C T I O N S

acid tests
> Although the consequences may not be quite as direct as the poster suggests, the connection
between switching on a light and the destruction of heather moorland is a valid one.
> Generally in Britain excess electricity demand is met by boosting the output of oil-fired power
stations, which increases their production of sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxides as waste gases.
Tall chimneys, introduced to minimise local pollution, push these gases high into the
Longannet power station.
D. Bell

atmosphere, where they dissolve in water vapour, forming acids, and are transported long
distances before deposition. The acidifying effects of Scottish power stations are felt mostly
in Scandinavia, while acid damage in Scotland results mainly from power stations in
north-west England.
> Research by Aberdeen University has shown that, with increased acidification, the roots of
ling heather grow less well, and a recent scientific paper concludes that, as a result, the
potential for change in the species composition of heather moorland and the Scottish landscape
in future years is large. If heather were to decline, so would the numbers of red grouse and other
moorland animals, and so on in turn would the number of golden eagles, thus completing the
links in the poster.

L I F E S T Y L E

C H O I C E S

> Personal lifestyle decisions have a major effect on biodiversity, and provide one of the main
ways in which individuals can contribute to protecting the biodiversity that is such a simple
feature of Scotland and its countryside.
> For example, by using cars less and public transport more, and by taking measures to
reduce energy wastage at home or in school, we can help reduce the outputs of the fumes that
are poisoning the environment and causing acid rain and global warming the biggest
threats of all to biodiversity in Scotland.

High School Yard

Nursery, Edinburgh.
L. Gill

> Being careful about the chemicals we use in our gardens and selecting environmentallyfriendly soap powders and washing-up liquids for household use are ways in which we can
reduce the poisoning and enrichment of burns and rivers. By avoiding using peat-based
composts in the garden or for pot plants, we can help slow the destruction of peat bogs in
Scotland and elsewhere in the world. By selecting more recycled products and refusing
wastefully packaged products when we shop, by recycling more household wastes,
and simply by reducing unnecessary consumption, we can slow the rates at which
non-renewable raw materials are stripped from the wild, and reduce the loss of natural
habitats under landfill sites and coups.

> project ideas

> A 1996 Department of the Environment
report states a clear principle for biodiversity
action: Future generations are entitled to an

biodiversity quotes

environment no poorer in its variety of living

species than at present. Discuss with the class

Biodiversity is all living things, from the tiny garden

whether they agree with this principle, and then

ant to the giant redwood tree. You will find

use this as the basis to write the text for an

biodiversity everywhere, in window boxes and in wild

environmental bill of rights to inspire others

woods, roadsides and rain forests, snow fields and the

into action.

sea shore. But dont take plants and animals for

> In the UK, each school spends on average

granted. We are part of biodiversity and depend on it

43 per pupil each year on energy. This cost is

for our quality of life. And what we dont save now,

estimated to range between 12 and 70.

our children will pay for later.

Investigate where your school comes in this

From Biodiversity: the UK Steering Group Report

range, and how energy could be used more

(HMSO, 1995)

efficiently, thus reducing the impact on the

environment, including biodiversity.

biodiversity and you!

> Although decisions taken across Europe on matters such as farming and fishing policies have
the biggest impact on biodiversity, individuals can make their own small contributions to
enhancing the biodiversity of their local patch.
> Planting nectar-rich flowers to attract butterflies and other insects, or fruit-bearing trees and
shrubs to attract birds in the garden or school grounds, can bring in more species. In even the
most unpromising housing scheme or schoolyard, a window-ledge bird table will attract a
surprising range of birds, and help sustain them through severe winter weather, provided the
table is sited well out of reach of cats. If more land is available, meadow plant seed mixes can
now be bought from garden centres to create an attractive feature that will also provide a habitat
for many other species.
> SNHs Plant for Wildlife project offers ideas for gardeners on this sort of positive action.
> Advice on enhancing school grounds can be obtained from Grounds of Learning.

P O S I T I V E

A C T I O N

Advice on school grounds from:

> GROUNDS FOR LEARNING
Kate Kenny
Grounds for Learning Partnership
Scottish Environmental Education Council
University of Stirling, Stirling SK9 4LA
Tel: 01786 466570
Fax: 01786 467864

These notes have been produced by:

> THE ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE
PROTECTION OF BIRDS
Cambuslang.
SNH

Scottish Headquarters
17 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5BN
Tel: 0131 557 3136
Fax: 0131 557 6275
> SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE
Battleby Centre
Redgorton, Perth PH1 3EW
Tel: 01738 627921
Fax: 01738 639583

> Author: Michael Scott

ISBN No. 1 85397 274 6