T E A C H E R S N O T E S

> 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.

its in your hands

A joint venture between Scottish Natural Heritage and the RSPB

> 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

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.

acid tests

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

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.

Longannet power station.

D. Bell

Loch Dee. SEPA

> A 1996 Department of the Environment

report states a clear principle for biodiversity

action: Future generations are entitled to an

environment no poorer in its variety of living

species than at present. Discuss with the class

whether they agree with this principle, and then

use this as the basis to write the text for an

environmental bill of rights to inspire others

into action.

> In the UK, each school spends on average

43 per pupil each year on energy. This cost is

estimated to range between 12 and 70.

Investigate where your school comes in this

range, and how energy could be used more

efficiently, thus reducing the impact on the

environment, including biodiversity.

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.

> Being careful about the chemicals we use in our gardens and selecting environmentally-

friendly 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.

Biodiversity is all living things, from the tiny garden

ant to the giant redwood tree. You will find

biodiversity everywhere, in window boxes and in wild

woods, roadsides and rain forests, snow fields and the

sea shore. But dont take plants and animals for

granted. We are part of biodiversity and depend on it

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

our children will pay for later.

From Biodiversity: the UK Steering Group Report

(HMSO, 1995)

biodiversity quotes

> project ideas

High School Yard

Nursery, Edinburgh.

L. Gill

> 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.

biodiversity and you!

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

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

Cambuslang.

SNH