Biodiversity
Biodiversity encompasses the whole variety of life on Earth. It includes all species of plants and animals, but also their genetic variation, and the complex ecosystems of which they are part. It is not restricted to rare or threatened species but includes the whole of the natural world from the commonplace to the critically endangered.
The world is losing biodiversity at an ever-increasing rate as a result of human activity. In the UK we have lost over 100 species during the last century, with many more species and habitats in danger of disappearing, especially at the local level. On a world scale the rate of loss is now recognised to be a cause for serious concern, requiring concerted international action to prevent continued loss of biodiversity.
We will be further reviewing and updating our information on this subject, but the following is currently available on this site:
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Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 - Section 41: List of habitats and species of principal importance in England published -
Conserving Biodiversity - The UK Approach October 2007 [PDF] [317 KB] Printed copies of these documents are available from Defra publications PB Number 12772
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England Biodiversity Strategy: Valuing the benefits of biodiversity [PDF] [429 KB]
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The Business & Biodiversity Practitioners Guide [PDF] [1.54 MB]
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Tracking UK biodiversity progress: Biodiversity indicators in your pocket 2007 published.
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Guidance for Public Authorities on implementing the biodiversity duty available in English and Welsh. Printed copies of these documents are available from Defra publications.
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Guidance for Local Authorities on implementing the biodiversity duty available in English and Welsh. Printed copies of these documents are available from Defra publications.
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Conserving biodiversity in a changing climate: guidance on building capacity to adapt
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England biodiversity strategy - towards adaptation to climate change
Life-Support - Incorporating Biodiversity into Community Strategies
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Working with the grain of nature - taking it forward Volume 1: A full report on progress under the England Biodiversity Strategy 2002 - 2006 includes biodiversity indicators - published November 2006
Ten indicators updated May 2008
- Working with the grain of nature: a biodiversity strategy for England (2002) - includes biodiversity indicators
- UK Biodiversity Action Plan and follow-up activity
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Your region, your nature: Make the links - benefit from your biodiversity [PDF] [1.9MB]
- Government response to House of Commons Environment, Transport & Regional Affairs Committee report UK biodiversity (2001)
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Government response to House of Lords Select Committee on EC report Biodiversity in EU (2000)
- Biodiversity conferences
- Halting biodiversity loss by 2010 - joining up action: 14-15 June 2005
- Conference on biodiversity and a sustainable countryside: 9-10 March 1998
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan: Highlights from the 2005 reporting round [PDF] [3.1 MB] This report has the following amendments [PDF] [14 KB].
See also:
- Directgov - Our effect on the planet
- List of habitats and species important to biological diversity in England (Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 Section 74)
- Darwin Initiative
- Review of Non-native Species Policy
- Pan European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy
- United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Page last modified:
22 May 2008
Page published: 29 December 2004