NatureScot has published Scotland’s Soil Sealing Indicator 2020, a biodiversity report on the soil sealing in Scotland caused by the built environment. It found that the area of sealed soils has risen from 1.55% in 2009 to 1.89% in 2020.
Soil sealing creates an impervious layer, which damages the natural soil structure and compromises its ability to function. This damage can adversely affect biodiversity, as well as putting people and property at risk. Sealing is generally associated with urban areas and flooding is often a concern. However, some areas of derelict land have also been restored and soil functions reinstated.
Find out more in NatureScot's press release or read the full report Scotland's Indicators - Soil Sealing.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is the free, trusted leader for reliably viewing, annotating and signing PDFs.
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader
Tackling the nature and climate crisis from source to sea
Scottish blanket bog awarded UNESCO world heritage status
The Crucial Role of Healthy Soils in Scotland's Economy
From robots and drones to sheep trackers, new tech can help farmers monitor and improve soil health
UNESCO raises global alarm on the rapid degradation of soils