Tallinn, 02 October 2024 – The Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), a native to the Palearctic region, is an iconic species in the UK, and specifically in Scotland where it is one of the most loved animals. It is one of Scotland’s favourite mammals given its charismatic and distinctive appearance as well as its playful and enchanting behaviour. It popularity among wildlife watching tourists placed it on “Scotland’s Big 5” list, which reinforced the Red Squirrel’s status an iconic species in Scotland. Due to its national significance, it is also protected by law.
However, red squirrel populations have undergone a catastrophic decline over the past decades primarily due to the invasion of the non-native grey squirrels, disease, and habitat loss and fragmentation. It is estimated that there are only approximately 120,000 red squirrels left in Scotland (75% of the UK population). The red squirrel’s population in Scotland has remained stable over the past few years thanks to some significant conservation support from many government agencies, NGOs, local authorities, academics and volunteers.
Grey Squirrel Risk
The greatest threat to the survival of the red squirrel is the invasion of non-native grey squirrel that was brought from North America and was introduced to Scotland in 1919. Although there is no evidence that the more robust and powerful grey squirrel exhibits aggressive behaviour towards the red squirrel, studies show that grey squirrels are more resilient to certain diseases, more successful at finding food and better at solving complex problems than the red squirrels. In addition, the grey squirrel is known to be more cunning in finding and stealing the red squirrel’s winter food stores thereby depriving them of food during critical times.
Squirrelpox
Competition for food and space is compounded by high population densities of grey squirrels, and the fact that they spread and transmit the squirrelpox virus. Although this virus does not affect grey squirrels, it can be fatal within two weeks for the red squirrel. This has contributed to the catastrophic decline in the red squirrel population over the past few decades.
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
Although this threat has reduced in Scotland, historically habitat loss and fragmentation played a role in the decline of the red squirrel population. Red squirrels occupy woodland habitats ranging from conifer forests to broadleaf woodlands. The destruction of their breeding and foraging habitat for the construction of roads led to population fragmentation and isolation, and road traffic mortality. Furthermore, the noise and pollution created by construction activities led to the red squirrel avoiding the area, which further impacted on the migration of the species. Nowadays, habitat loss is mainly due to the damage inflected on the trees by both the red and grey squirrels. They strip the bark of trees both to construct nests and to consume the sweet, nutritious sap beneath it.
Endangered Wildlife OU Red Squirrel Value
We have developed seven core measurements to help stakeholders understand the value of red squirrels in a local area or region.
- Aesthetic value is traditionally defined as the value created by the beauty of an ecosystem and is based on a willingness to pay.
- Carbon Value: the Value of the CO2e removed from a local atmosphere by a red squirrels and what it will remove in the future.
- Economic value is the value created by red squirrels and its economic potential.
- Hedge Value is the financial value a stakeholder would be willing to pay to maintain sustainable population levels.
- Impact Value is the added value created by sustaining red squirrel populations through conservation or species management while considering external factors.
The results of the Endangered Wildlife OU 2021 valuation of the Scottish red squirrel population includes:
- Aesthetic Value: EUR 79.6m
- Carbon Value: EUR 0.0m
- Economic Value: EUR 121.3m
- Hedge Value: EUR 34.1m
- Impact Value: EUR 76.8m
- Total Conservation Value: EUR 311.8m
This implies that, on average, each red squirrel contributes EUR 2,600 of value to society, the economy and the environment.
What does our Valuation of the Red Squirrel mean?
Our Valuation allows stakeholders to better understand the necessity of continuing to protect one of Scotland’s iconic species. It can be used to:
- Help improve decision-making;
- Demonstrate how red squirrels contribute to the local economy, society and environment; and
- Help companies and investors increase their return on their investment.
The Endangered Wildlife OÜ valuation can help conserve the red squirrel and other species for current and future generations.
About Endangered Wildlife OÜ
We financially value biodiversity using our Biodiversity Database and Biodiversity Valuator – which allows you to track and monitor the increase in biodiversity impact value, assess biodiversity risk, and integrate biodiversity into decision-making. We assist our clients to understand the financial value of the biodiversity that they affect, and to realise the possible value at risk due to their operations for reporting and decision-making.
