The State of Nature 2023 report has unveiled that nearly one in six species in Britain is at risk of extinction. This comprehensive report, encompassing the UK, its Crown Dependencies, and Overseas Territories, draws upon the latest data collected by dedicated volunteer naturalists and involves over 60 research and conservation organizations.
UK’s Species on the Brink of Extinction
Published on September 28, the report paints a grim picture: 16% of the over 10,000 assessed species are teetering on the brink of extinction in a country already recognized as one of the world’s most nature-depleted nations.
The Historical Context of Biodiversity Loss
This distressing decline in biodiversity isn’t a recent phenomenon. Overall, species abundance has dwindled by an average of 19% since 1970.
The UK’s biodiversity was already in decline when monitoring began, owing to centuries of habitat loss, agricultural transformations, industrial impacts, and urban development.
Birds in Crisis
Birds have borne the brunt of this ecological crisis, experiencing a staggering 43% decline in abundance.
The Toll on Wildlife
Amphibians and reptiles follow closely with a 31% reduction, while fungi and lichen have plummeted by 28% and land-based mammals by 26%.
Even the once-flourishing flowering plant species, such as Harebell and Heather, are dwindling.
Land Management, Climate Change, and Fishing
The State of Nature report alleges that intensive land management, climate change, and unsustainable fishing are the primary culprits behind this loss.
Urgent Call for Collaboration
Beccy Speight, chief executive of the RSPB, emphasizes the urgency of the situation: “It’s only through working together that we can help nature recover.”
The Threat to Ecological Balance
Invertebrate distribution, crucial for ecological balance, has shrunk by 13% since 1970.
Within this decline, pollinators and species controlling crop pests have experienced even more significant contractions, posing a severe threat to agriculture and ecosystems alike.
Habitats in Jeopardy
Not only are individual species facing threats, but their habitats are also in jeopardy. The report reveals that only one in seven assessed habitats are in good condition.
Woodlands and peatlands, crucial for biodiversity, are languishing, with only one in seven woodlands and a mere quarter of peatlands considered suitable for nature.
Complete Destruction Of the UK’s Sea Floor
Furthermore, researchers found none of the sea floor surveyed to be in good condition due to extensive damage from commercial fishing equipment.
Conservation Efforts
Efforts to counter the decline is underway, with restoration projects targeting habitats such as peatlands and seagrass beds.
However, challenges remain, and more needs to be done to halt these wildlife declines.
The Need for Sustainable Practices
A mere fifth of farmland is part of an agri-environment scheme, with only a fraction of that showing positive signs in reversing wildlife declines.
Half of the UK’s fish stocks are not taken sustainably, and only 44% of woodlands are recognized as sustainably managed.
The Wildlife Trusts’ Recommendations
The Wildlife Trusts respond to this report by calling for increased funding for wildlife-friendly farming, an end to river pollution, improved access to nature for communities, and an intensified effort to combat climate change by restoring natural habitats.
Craig Bennet, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, emphasizes the importance of action: “This next parliament will be the most important in my lifetime for nature and climate action.”
Success Stories in UK Conservation
Amidst the sobering findings, there is a glimmer of hope. The report highlights the success of targeted wildlife conservation efforts in the UK.
Trawling bans in 2008 have significantly boosted species numbers in the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area.
Cairngorms Connect
Covering a massive 60,000 hectares, Cairngorms Connect – a partnership of neighboring landowners committed to returning species diversity to nature – acts as a sanctuary, nurturing woodland species and preserving their delicate habitats.
Meanwhile, Hope Farm, a working farm and conservation project, demonstrates the harmonious coexistence of farming and nature, significantly boosting farmland bird populations over a decade.
Countdown to 2030
The countdown is on to the 2030 deadline, the date of a commitment made by the UK Government to safeguard a minimum of 30% of both land and sea for the preservation of nature while simultaneously reducing the perils associated with pesticides.
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The post UK’s Wildlife in Crisis, One in Six Species at Risk of Extinction – Shocking State of Nature Revealed first appeared on Mama Say What?!
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Anan Kaewkhammul. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
