CASE STUDY

Capturing the value of nature, with NatureScot

NatureScot, Scotland’s nature agency, has developed a new digital tool for farmers to assess the environmental value of their land. NatureScot’s tool, Farm Biodiversity Scotland, known as FarmBioScot, is being tested by farmers and crofters – allowing them to map habitats, assess conditions, capture wildlife observations, and plan for the future. 

|2 MIN READ

Challenge

NatureScot wanted to encourage more farmers and crofters to take account of biodiversity in their farm business management – to help deliver Scottish Government’s ambitions to restore nature, and increase future resilience.

Farmers and crofters also required help to create a habitat map – to meet the biodiversity requirements for their Whole Farm Plan, which is needed to claim government agricultural payments throughout Scotland.

A view of pretty farmland rich in plants and wildlife

Solution

NatureScot developed a mobile app and web platform called FarmBioScot – to test a standard approach to farm biodiversity auditing and planning, using a four-step ‘map, measure, manage and monitor’ process. This simple, free-to-use tool is being tested by and co-designed with farmers and crofters.

An image of a cow by mapping showing different land use, such as strip fields
Separate layers of farm, OS, and satellite data underpin the user interface

FarmBioScot uses OS data, such as OS Maps API as a base layer, OS Features API (with the magic wand functionality) for more detailed features, as well as OS Open data for further details, such as OS Open Rivers for watercourses. 

"We work with farmers and crofters to develop and improve the skills, tools and support needed for a future where nature recovery and high-quality food production go hand in hand. Farmers and crofters who've already tested FarmBioScot say they find it a simple digital tool for habitat mapping using OS data, that shows the extent to which they're providing valuable contributions for nature and their businesses."

- Kay Prichard, NatureScot’s Farming with Nature Special Adviser

Result

Using FarmBioScot for habitat mapping initially, many farmers and crofters proceed through the farm biodiversity auditing and planning process, increasing their interest and engagement with nature.

Pretty pink flowers with a cabbage white butterfly

"Modern crofting and farming can be quite complicated but FarmBioScot provides me with a clear, easy-to-use solution for monitoring biodiversity across our croft, which I can easily update. It’s saved me a significant amount of time and effort in mapping and assessing habitat types, while providing a simple way to pass the required standardised return to Scottish Government that can hopefully find a wider benefit for Scottish wildlife."

- Alan Sillence, Cairn Geal Crofts

Future plans include using the OS National Geographic Database (OS NGD) on their mission to capture the value of nature.

  • OS Maps API

    OS Maps API offers the most convenient way to add detailed OS data to your application. Benefit from unrivalled levels of detail in your GIS, web or mobile app.

  • OS Features API

    With OS Features API, you can filter Ordnance Survey data for buildings, roads, rivers, hospitals, playing fields, and greenspaces.

  • OS Open Rivers

    An open dataset of the high-level view of watercourses in Great Britain.

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