That brings Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament to an end on 9 March 2017.

We'll be back next week.

Have a good night and a lovely weekend.

The government motion on biodiversity, as amended, is agreed to.

All the amendments were passed unanimously.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The government amendment on the local government finance order is agreed to with 66 MSPs backing it and with 26 against and with 31 abstentions.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The Labour motion on the local government settlement is not agreed to with 57 MSPs backing it but 66 against.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

We now move to decision time. 

Image source, bbc

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says she can confirm that groups are continuing to meet regularly on the 2020 challenge.

Ms Cunningham says biodiversity contributes significantly to the economy.

She says some areas are not progressing as quickly as the government would like.

"We should all shoulder responsibility" for improving biodiversity, she says. 

Image source, bbc

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says MSPs referred to urban green space.

Ms Cunningham says it was the Scottish government that introduced the Central Scotland Green Network, external . 

She goes on to say MSPs have mentioned which species they champion and says she is champion of all species in her role.

Tory MSP Peter Chapman says there are less than helpful regulations when it comes to farming. 

Mr Chapman says "we must be wary of the introduction of new species without thought." 

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Peter Chapman says there has been a great degree of agreement on biodiversity across the chamber today.

Mr Chapman says he will focus on land but accepts the importance of our seas.

He calls for new forestry schemes with accessibility at its core.

The Tory MSP says there is room in Scotland for another national park. 

Labour MSP David Stewart says it has been an opportunity to do a report card on biodiversity.

Mr Stewart says climate change has already has an effect on our native species. 

The Labour MSP says Scotland's eco-systems have fallen below the point that they meet society's needs.

He says what happens after Brexit is a key point.

Mr Stewart says that every Labour MSP is now a species champion. 

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP David Stewart quotes an American philosopher at the start of his closing speech.

Mr Ruskell highlights the importance of the planning system in terms of biodiversity and says it does not get the precedence that it should. 

The Green MSP says he is glad a strong marker has been put down in terms of the National Ecological Network.

Greens MSP Mark Ruskell says there is a need for due process and strong partnership working.

Mr Ruskell says communities are getting increasingly involved in the management of parks.

"That's the good news," he says, pointing out that there are challenges and the quality of parks is going down.

An international team of scientists has issued a warning that biodiversity is dropping below safe levels for the support and wellbeing of human societies.

As a species we are inextricably connected with the processes of our local ecosystems, such as crop pollination, waste decomposition and regulation of the carbon cycle.

Image source, Science - T Newbold

These ecosystems depend on the biological diversity within them to function.

The planetary boundaries framework updated in 2015 states that losing more than 10% of the biodiversity in an area places the local ecosystem at risk.

A report in  Science, external  this week states that 58% of the world's land coverage already falls below this safe level. They find that the global average of biodiversity has dropped to 85% of that of unaffected ecosystems.

Mr Ruskell says the land use strategy has been pushed to the back of the climate change plan so far.

The Green MSP says there should be sustainable land use.

He says SNH are starting the conversation this year about how a national ecological network could look like.

The Green MSP says this should be the jewel in the crown of Scotland's infrastructure.

Greens MSP Mark Ruskell says it appears it will be a unanimous vote on biodiversity which is good. 

Mr Ruskell says the decline in key species is not something that any one government should feel responsible for but putting nature first has never truly taken place. 

The Greens MSP says "we need to plan for our green infrastructure". 

He says the land use strategy should underpin this. 

Here is the Scottish Greens amendment.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, Thinkstock

Ms Beamish says the Scottish Wildlife Trust is trying to protect bees.

She says this is an encouraging model that should be adopted across Scotland.

Image source, Scottish Wildlife Trust

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish says her amendment highlights the need to embed biodiversity in land decisions.

Ms Beamish says biodiversity should be embedded to all marine activities and sectors.

The Labour MSP says 16% of our marine protected areas are now under protection. 

She says continued monitoring, funding and resourcing is essential. 

Ms Beamish says "the government must raise awareness of biodiversity" and encourage people to do what they can to help.