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Wildlife stocktake highlights UK's most threatened species How to help wildlife
(2 days later)
A stocktake of UK nature suggests 60% of animal and plant species studied have declined in the past 50 years.A stocktake of UK nature suggests 60% of animal and plant species studied have declined in the past 50 years.
The State of Nature report, compiled by 25 wildlife organisations - from the RSPB to the British Lichen Society - collates assessments of 3,148 species.The State of Nature report, compiled by 25 wildlife organisations - from the RSPB to the British Lichen Society - collates assessments of 3,148 species.
Conservationists hope it will offer clues to the fate of the UK's 59,000 species.Conservationists hope it will offer clues to the fate of the UK's 59,000 species.
Beetles and wildlfowers are among the most vulnerable species.Beetles and wildlfowers are among the most vulnerable species.
According to the document, reasons for the decline are "many and varied" but include rising temperatures and habitat degradation.According to the document, reasons for the decline are "many and varied" but include rising temperatures and habitat degradation.
Species requiring specific habitats have fared particularly poorly compared to the generalists able to adapt to the country's changing environment.Species requiring specific habitats have fared particularly poorly compared to the generalists able to adapt to the country's changing environment.
"This ground-breaking report is a stark warning - but it is also a sign of hope," said naturalist Sir David Attenborough, who launches the report today."This ground-breaking report is a stark warning - but it is also a sign of hope," said naturalist Sir David Attenborough, who launches the report today.
"We have in this country a network of passionate conservation groups supported by millions of people who love wildlife," he said."We have in this country a network of passionate conservation groups supported by millions of people who love wildlife," he said.
"The experts have come together today to highlight the amazing nature we have around us and to ensure that it remains here for generations to come.""The experts have come together today to highlight the amazing nature we have around us and to ensure that it remains here for generations to come."
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Sir David said there was no single answer to the question of how people could help stem the decline in Britain's wildlife.Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Sir David said there was no single answer to the question of how people could help stem the decline in Britain's wildlife.
But he added: "What you have to do to help bats differs from what you have to do to help frogs or butterflies or pond life. Yet each one of these has an organisation which is knowledgeable and willing to help anybody who wants to know how to support these species that they're concerned about."But he added: "What you have to do to help bats differs from what you have to do to help frogs or butterflies or pond life. Yet each one of these has an organisation which is knowledgeable and willing to help anybody who wants to know how to support these species that they're concerned about."
Conservationists encourage the public to get involved in monitoring projects and take practical actions to protect their wildlife through conscientious gardening and land management.Conservationists encourage the public to get involved in monitoring projects and take practical actions to protect their wildlife through conscientious gardening and land management.
The organisations rely upon data collected by the public in annual surveys such as the RSPB Bird Garden Birdwatch and Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count plus dedicated monitoring by volunteer enthusiasts.The organisations rely upon data collected by the public in annual surveys such as the RSPB Bird Garden Birdwatch and Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count plus dedicated monitoring by volunteer enthusiasts.
The State of Nature report pulls together individual reports published in recent years charting the fortunes of bees, birds, moths and mammals in the UK and analyses material from ongoing studies.The State of Nature report pulls together individual reports published in recent years charting the fortunes of bees, birds, moths and mammals in the UK and analyses material from ongoing studies.
But the data still only covers 5% of the UK's estimated 59,000 native species.But the data still only covers 5% of the UK's estimated 59,000 native species.
While the report reveals noticeable gaps in some data, particularly for invertebrates, fungi and marine species, Dr Fiona Burns, a lead author of the report, hopes future editions will involve more experts.While the report reveals noticeable gaps in some data, particularly for invertebrates, fungi and marine species, Dr Fiona Burns, a lead author of the report, hopes future editions will involve more experts.
"By including those people and including their expertise, even though we've not got as much information about fungi or other groups, we can promote the importance of these groups in UK flora and fauna," she said."By including those people and including their expertise, even though we've not got as much information about fungi or other groups, we can promote the importance of these groups in UK flora and fauna," she said.
"[The knowledge gaps] highlight that there are big biases in what we study, what we monitor. If we want to get an idea of the health of the eco-systems and our biodiversity we need to redress that balance.""[The knowledge gaps] highlight that there are big biases in what we study, what we monitor. If we want to get an idea of the health of the eco-systems and our biodiversity we need to redress that balance."
In the past, threatened animals and plants considered "priority species" have been included on government Biodiversity Action Plans to formalise and target conservation actions to halt and reverse declines.In the past, threatened animals and plants considered "priority species" have been included on government Biodiversity Action Plans to formalise and target conservation actions to halt and reverse declines.
The State of Nature report outlines a new "watchlist indicator" which charts how populations of these species have fared in the last 50 years and the overall trend is a 77% decline, despite successes for some including bitterns and adonis blue butterflies.The State of Nature report outlines a new "watchlist indicator" which charts how populations of these species have fared in the last 50 years and the overall trend is a 77% decline, despite successes for some including bitterns and adonis blue butterflies.
A further 6,225 UK species have been assessed according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List criteria, 12% of which are considered under threat of extinction. The highest number of threatened species are found within the flowering plants but bees, flies, moths and butterflies each have more than 200 listed.A further 6,225 UK species have been assessed according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List criteria, 12% of which are considered under threat of extinction. The highest number of threatened species are found within the flowering plants but bees, flies, moths and butterflies each have more than 200 listed.
Conservationists say that a definitive list of the UK's most endangered species is hard to provide because of the difficulties involved in comparing such different species - each with particular needs and issues.Conservationists say that a definitive list of the UK's most endangered species is hard to provide because of the difficulties involved in comparing such different species - each with particular needs and issues.
But as an overview of the problems, Dr Burns highlights species from 10 of the UK's diverse groups.But as an overview of the problems, Dr Burns highlights species from 10 of the UK's diverse groups.