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UK biodiversity indicators
STATISTICAL RELEASE
Ref: 78/09
Date: 3 April 2009
An updated overview of biodiversity in the UK has been published today, which helps gives insight into the health of our natural environment.
Biodiversity is the variety of individual species, the genetic diversity within species and the range of ecosystems that support them.
These eighteen indicators were agreed in 2007 by the UK Biodiversity Partnership (Defra, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Country Agencies, Devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and non-governmental organisations) to summarise some of the key priorities for biodiversity in the UK.
The indicators include the population status of: key species; plant diversity; the status of priority species, habitats and ecosystems; genetic diversity of rare breeds of sheep and cattle; protected sites; management of woodland agricultural land and fisheries; impacts of air pollution and invasive species; expenditure on biodiversity; and the amount of time given by volunteers to nature conservation activities.
Of 33 component measures assessed within the indicators: 11 measures show long-term deterioration; 9 show long-term improvement; one shows little or no overall long-term change; 11 had insufficient data for long-term assessment; and one is not assessed.
In assessing change since 2000: seven measures show deterioration; 13 show improvement; 10 show little or no overall change; two had insufficient data for an assessment; and one is not assessed.
A table showing the assessments for each indicator, using a system of traffic lights, is given below.
Overview of assessment of change for all indicators
The table below summarises traffic light assessments since 2000 and over the longer term for the 18 indicators and their 33 component measures.
| Focal area | Indicator number, title and individual measure(s) (where applicable) |
Change since 2000 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Status and trends of the components of biological diversity |
1a. Population of key species |
Breeding farmland birds |
|
|
Breeding woodland birds |
|
|
||
Breeding water and wetland birds |
|
|
||
Breeding seabirds |
|
|
||
Wintering waterbirds |
|
|
||
1b. Population of key species |
Semi-natural habitat specialists |
|
|
|
Generalist butterflies |
|
|
||
1c. Population of key species (bats) |
|
|
||
2. Plant diversity |
Arable and horticulture |
|
|
|
Woodland and grassland |
|
|
||
Boundary habitats |
|
|
||
3. Priority species |
|
|
||
4. Priority habitats |
|
|
||
5. Genetic diversity |
Native sheep breeds |
|
|
|
Native cattle breeds |
|
|
||
6. Protected sites |
Area of protected sites |
|
|
|
Condition of features |
|
|
||
2. Sustainable use |
7. Woodland management |
|
|
|
8. Agri-environment land |
Higher type schemes |
|
|
|
Entry type schemes |
|
|
||
9. Sustainable fisheries |
|
|
||
3. Threats to biodiversity |
10. Impact of air pollution |
Acidity |
|
|
Nitrogen |
|
|
||
11. Invasive species |
Freshwater ecosystems |
|
|
|
Marine ecosystems |
|
|
||
Terrestrial ecosystems |
|
|
||
12. Spring index |
Not assessed |
Not assessed |
||
4. Ecosystem integrity and ecosystem goods and services |
13. Marine ecosystem integrity |
|
|
|
14. Habitat connectivity |
|
|
||
15. Biological river quality |
|
|
||
5. Status of resource transfers and use |
16. UK biodiversity expenditure |
|
|
|
17. Global biodiversity expenditure |
|
|
||
6. Public awareness and participation |
18. Volunteer time |
|
|
|
1970-2007
1970-2007
|
= |
improving |
|
= |
little or no overall change |
|
= |
deteriorating |
|
= |
insufficient or no comparable data |
For three indicators - genetic diversity, invasive species, and marine ecosystem integrity - this is the first time that the indicator measures have been available. They have been developed as a result of research funded by Defra, Devolved Administrations and the Country Agencies.
The full presentation of all the indicators, with charts, assessments, commentary and supporting material is today published on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s website at www.jncc.gov.uk/biyp.
A summary printed publication, UK Biodiversity Indicators in Your Pocket 2009, will be published on 22 May 2009 by Defra on behalf of the UK Biodiversity Partnership.
Long term change
The earliest available year is used as the baseline for assessment of long term change. The base year used for each measure is shown in the table. Where data are unavailable, or do not precede 1996, a long term assessment is not given.
Notes to editors
- The indicators are presented in full on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s (JNCC) website at www.jncc.gov.uk/biyp. They include charts, assessments, commentary, data tables, data sources, and technical and other supporting information. The indicators have been compiled by Government Statisticians within Defra in collaboration with scientific and other experts within Government and non-Governmental Organisations.
- The indicators were agreed in 2007 by the UK Biodiversity Partnership (consisting of Defra, JNCC, Natural England, Devolved Administrations, and non-governmental organisations), and were first published in printed form in the National Statistics publication Biodiversity Indicators in Your Pocket 2007 and subsequently updated in May 2008 (internet only).
- An updated version of the printed publication, Biodiversity Indicators in Your Pocket 2009, will be published by Defra on 22 May 2009. Copies will be available to order free of charge from Defra publications Admail 6000, London, SW1A 2XX (tel: 08459 556000, e-mail: defra@cambertown.com).
- Details of Defra-funded research are available on http://randd.defra.gov.uk/.
- Other pocket-sized publications in the series are Sustainable Development Indicators in Your Pocket 2008 [quote product codes PB12683 (A6 size) or PB12683A (A4 size)] and Environment in Your Pocket 2008 [quote product codes PB13185 (A6 size) and PB13185A (A4 size)].
A National Statistics publication
National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure they meet customer needs.
The indicators are dependent on a wide range of data from Governmental and non-governmental organisations. The compilation of the indicators has been undertaken by statisticians in Defra in consultation with the appropriate experts within the organisations providing the data. Every effort has been made to ensure that the indicators are reliable and are based on the best available scientific knowledge. However, it is not practicable to review in detail and validate the data collection procedures. Not all of the indicators are therefore individually National Statistics, but it is considered that collectively they provide the best available overview of biodiversity in the UK that it is currently practicable to compile.
End
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Page published: 3 April 2009