Biodiversity in the UK is continuing to decline according to statistics released by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Defra is studying these trends as part a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), aiming to “significantly reduce the rate of species loss by 2010”. But conservationists are “very concerned” the target will not be met. The government said it had made some progress and continued to provide resources to tackle the problem including annual funding of £150,000 for the National Biodiversity Network to improve and develop bioidversity information delivery.
The latest update shows that many species are still disappearing from the UK. Eighteen indicators by which to assess UK biodiversity were agreed in 2007 by Defra and its partners. The measurements are represented as traffic lights – an indicator is green if it is improving and red if it is getting worse. Defra along with conservation groups are taking the measurements which include the population of rare plants and animals, the status of habitats and ecosystems, and the impacts of pollution. Defra agreed that more action was needed to stop biodiversity loss.
Wildlife Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “The Government is continuing to work with the public, wildlife conservation groups, and farmers to conserve our valuable wildlife.”
