NatureScot has been developing a biodiversity audit through the Farm Biodiversity Project and piloting a mobile app and web platform for farmers and crofters to carry out a biodiversity audit. You can use the NatureScot Farm Biodiversity Scotland tool to create a biodiversity audit habitat map for your farm or croft and to carry out simple assessments on some of these habitats. 

The pilot is open to a limited number of farmers and crofters across all geographical areas and farm types. All farmers and crofters who are part of piloting through Farm Biodiversity Scotland can complete their habitat map for the Whole Farm Plan requirement in this way. From 2025 a Whole Farm Plan will be a mandatory condition for accessing future government agricultural payments, with the aim of helping farmers and crofters to become more productive and profitable whilst helping to meet Scotland’s climate and nature targets. 

Your Farm Biodiversity Scotland habitat map can count as your Biodiversity Audit for the Whole Farm Plan as part of your SAF submission for 15 May 2026.