SOME of Scotland's most loved natural treasures are facing threats ranging from farming to forestry, sporting estates and pollution, according to the Government's wildlife agency.
More than 1,400 features are classified by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) as being in an "unfavourable condition". They include alpine and other plants on Ben Lomond, Ben Lawers, Ben Nevis, Glencoe and the Cairngorms, which are being eaten by excessive numbers of deer, burned off by landowners and damaged by walkers.
An oak woodland at Loch Lomond, an ash woodland at Aberfeldy and a native pine forest in Glen Affric have been damaged by forestry operations, invasive species and over-grazing by deer.
Pollution is harming lampreys in the River Tweed, great crested newts and beetles in Dumfries and Galloway, and arctic charr in an Ayrshire loch.
Lloyd Austin, head of conservation policy at RSPB Scotland, said protected wildlife sites were "our natural jewels in the crown".
He added:"To see them being poorly managed or neglected and allowed to deteriorate is like skimping on maintenance of any other part of our heritage, such as Edinburgh Castle or the Forth Rail Bridge, and is completely unacceptable. We need to see action and additional investment."
Brian Eardley, SNH's sites manager, said: "We're leading a strong coalition of key public bodies, major non-governmental organisations and private land management to tackle problems."
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We are working closely with partners and conservation charities to ensure the condition of these sites are enhanced."
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