Landmark report shows UK wildlife’s devastating decline.
The UK’s wildlife is continuing to decline according to a new landmark study published today. Already classified as one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries, nearly one in six of the more than ten thousand species assessed (16%) are at risk of being lost from Great Britain.
However, this figure is much higher for some groups such as birds (43%), amphibians and reptiles (31%), fungi and lichen (28%) and terrestrial mammals (26%). Much loved species such as Turtle Dove, Hazel Dormouse, Lady’s Slipper Orchid and European Eel now face an uncertain future. There have also been declines in the distributions of more than half (54%) of our flowering plant species, with species such as Heather and Harebell being enjoyed by far fewer people.
Producing the report
State of Nature is the most comprehensive nature report covering the UK, its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories. Working with leading professionals from over 60 research and conservation organisations, the report – following previous editions in 2013, 2016 and 2019 – uses the latest and best data from monitoring schemes and biological recording centres, collated by the incredible work of thousands of skilled volunteers, to provide a benchmark for the status of our wildlife.
Impact of recording
Nature’s recovery depends on the collection of wildlife records – information about what species have been seen where and when - so that we can measure and see if our conservation actions are working or not. In the UK, the collection of these vital records predominantly relies on an incredible community of organisations and volunteers including users of iNaturalistUK
As an iNaturalistUK user your recording effort adds to the knowledge of this country’s biodiversity and which species are in particular danger - needing our urgent help and protection
Go to the State of Nature home page.
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