56.Section 7 of the Act adds two definitions to section 35 of the 2000 Act.
57.The first definition is of “biodiversity”. “Biodiversity” as used in the 2000 Act has the same meaning as “biological diversity” in the United Nations Environmental Programme Convention on Biological Diversity (as amended from time to time or in any United Nations Convention replacing that Convention). The current definition in the Convention is “the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems”.
58.The second definition is of “cultural development”, which is used in the National Park aims. The definition is not exhaustive but lists some activities that are considered to constitute cultural development, including tangible and intangible cultural heritage to ensure that language, skills, knowledge, practices and festive events can be captured. Creative industries are also listed, as are activities which reflect the diversity and distinctiveness of the area and its communities, to reflect the importance of place, community, and landscape in shaping cultural expression.
The Act Definitions for the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 Section 7 – Definitions for the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000