It reports on areas of improvement and deterioration and takes a wide range of factors in consideration.
The 2025 NCAI shows that the ability of agricultural habitats to benefit people has been improving since 2018 and it is largely due to farmers reducing their impacts on the environment.
This has largely been due to taking part in agri-environmental schemes and reducing the use of fertiliser and pesticides.
There has also been a big improvement in the number of people who spend time in nature. In 2019, 56% of people said they visited nature at least once a week and it spiked – largely due to the pandemic – in 2020 to 79%.
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It has remained high since, though, with 70% saying they do in 2022 and it has a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing.
NatureScot Economist, Aidan Price said: “A nature-rich future, in which everyone is involved, will make us all happier, healthier, more well off and more equal in Scotland, but while the improvements in agricultural habitats, more time spent in nature, and the overall long-term improvement in the index are all great news, there is still a long way to go before we can reach the historically high levels of the 1950s for natural capital benefits in Scotland.
“The condition of freshwater, heathland and woodland habitats has declined below 2000 levels, and focussing efforts on restoring these could make a big difference to future NCAI results, as will taking action to improve biodiversity and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.
“We are optimistic that the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Delivery Plan actions, which are already in motion, global work to achieve the target of 30% of the planet protected for nature by 2030, and Scotland’s forthcoming Natural Environment Bill will keep increasing Scotland’s natural capital.”
