The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP)
The importance of 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 intricate network of ecosystems, habitats and species comprising Biodiversity provides the support systems that sustain human existence. It provides many of the essentials of life - our oxygen, water, food, clothing, health and relaxation. The value of biodiversity extends from the spiritual benefits to be gained from contact with nature, to the economic potential of wild species for new sources of food or medicines. This includes the potential for new products being produced through advances in biotechnology.
In a local context biodiversity has particular importance in giving a distinctive character to an area whether it be chalk downland, estuary, woodland or mountain. Even in towns and cities, oases of wildlife habitat make an important contribution to the quality of life.
However, 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. The underlying reasons for biodiversity conservation make a compelling case. If we do not take action, we shall suffer both economic and spiritual loss. Moreover, we shall hand on to our successors a planet which is markedly poorer than the one we were privileged to inherit. We all have a part to play in safeguarding the Earth's biodiversity and action needs to be taken at every level from local to global.
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) was published in January 1994 in response to Article 6 of the Biodiversity Convention, to develop national strategies for the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources. It was preceded by a consultation exercise, culminating in a two day seminar.
The UK BAP included contributions from Government, statutory conservation agencies, the academic world and the voluntary sector. It committed the then Government and its agencies to 59 programmes or tasks: to conserve species and habitats; to develop public awareness and understanding; and to contribute to biodiversity work in the European and global context.
Following the publication of UK BAP, a Biodiversity Steering Group was established to advise the Government on implementation. The Steering Group had a wide-ranging membership including central and local Government, statutory nature conservation agencies, industry, the main collections, scientific and academic institutions, farming and land management, and the nature conservation NGOs.
The work of the Steering Group included:
- Proposals for monitoring a long list of 1252 species to provide a health check on biodiversity within the UK;
- The production of action plans for 116 species and 14 habitats;
- Recommendations to produce further action plans;
- Improving the quality and accessibility of data and biological recording, including developing both a national database and local record centres;
- The production of initial guidance on local biodiversity action plans, with the recommendation that more detailed guidelines should be produced;
- Over 80 proposals to increase public awareness and foster education and training in biodiversity.
Implementation
A framework of Groups was established shortly after the publication of the Government's Response to the UK Steering Group Report 1996 to drive the process forward. The UK Biodiversity Group (UKBG), chaired by Defra, provided the strategic steer to the UK process.
Four Country Groups (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) took responsibility for overseeing implementation of the individual action plans, raising public awareness, encouraging implementation at the local level and promoting environmental education.
The Biodiversity Information Group (BIG)'s role is to improve accessibility and co-ordination of existing biological datasets, to provide common standards for future recording and to facilitate the creation of a UK Biodiversity Database. BIG administered the first monitoring round of species and habitat action plans.
The Biodiversity Research Group has identified and prioritised the cross-cutting research needed to support biodiversity work, to facilitate exchange of information about biodiversity research, and to explore mechanisms for co-operation including potential funding partnerships.
In October 1999 the UKBG completed the publication of the six tranches of species and habitat action plans which when added to those already published in the Steering Group report bring the total number of species and habitat actions plans published to some 391 and 45 respectively. Lead partner organisations or agencies have been appointed for the plans and implementation is underway.
A key area of current work relates to how we report progress towards species and habitat targets. This reporting process will build links between country biodiversity groups, national level habitat and species steering groups and local biodiversity groups. The first round of reporting on the published species and habitat action plans was undertaken by the lead partners and agencies during 1999. The data collected has been analysed and the information it provided formed a major contribution to the UKBG's follow up report on progress.
This report 'Sustaining the Variety of Life: 5 years of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan' gives an account of progress with the UK BAP, draws conclusions and makes recommendations for the future. It was published in March 2001 and a copy can be found at www.ukbap.org.uk. The formal response by the UK Government was published on 27 August 2002, a copy of which may be viewed at www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/ewd/rrrpac/biodiv/bioresp.pdf.
The UKBG recommended in its report that new arrangements should be made to support the UKBAP which take account of the fact that following devolution most policies relevant to the conservation of biodiversity in the UK lay with the four countries. It proposed a looser arrangement for co-ordination at UK level involving a large, inclusive UK Biodiversity Partnership, to meet annually, supported by a small standing committee.
It was recognised early on that successful implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan required some means of ensuring that the national strategy was translated into effective action at the local level and Local Biodiversity Action Plans are seen as the means by which this can be achieved. There are now over 160 local biodiversity action plans at some stage of development in the UK.
In March 2001 the UKBG launched a new website, to assist in the dissemination of information about the national and local biodiversity action plans. This site includes details of the national Species and Habitat Action Plans plus information on Local Biodiversity Action Plans. It can be found at http://www.ukbap.org.uk
The England Biodiversity Group, chaired by Defra with a secretariat provided by the Biodiversity Policy Unit advises Government on biodiversity policy and the implementation of the UKBAP in England. It is co-ordinating its preparation of a Biodiversity Strategy for England to be published in September 2002.
The National Biodiversity Network Trust are developing a National Biodiversity Network. This is an electronically linked series of data sets including local record centre data and national recording scheme data. Further information about the NBN can be found on the internet at http://www.nbn.org.uk/.
Involving the business community has always been seen as a particularly important part of the UK Biodiversity process. The UK Round Table on Sustainable Development published 'Business and Biodiversity' - a guide to integrating biodiversity into environmental management systems in 1997. The DETR built upon this advice and published 'Business and Biodiversity'- Case studies in March 2000. These studies give practical examples of how businesses are assisting the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity. They also set out ten indicators of biodiversity engagement for businesses.
EU biodiversity strategy
EU Biodiversity Strategy was adopted by the European Commission on 4 February 1998 and communicated to the Community Environment Council. Council conclusions were adopted on 29 October 2001.
The Strategy is intended to be complementary to the Strategies of the member states, and to further the implementation of existing Community policy on biological diversity and integration of biodiversity concerns into the relevant sectoral Community policies and instruments.
The Strategy is a framework and therefore takes a broad-brush approach proposing objectives for work in a number of key policy areas, covered by 4 sectoral Action Plans published by the Commission in March 2001 on Fisheries, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Economic Co-operation and Development. Progress on the implementation of the Action Plans is monitored by a Biodiversity Expert Group chaired by the Commission.
Publications
If you are interested in reading more about biodiversity the relevant publications are:
- Sustainable Development: The UK Strategy, £22 ( 0-10-124262-X)
- Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan (1994), £18.50 (ISBN 0-10-124282-4)
- Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report - Volume I: Meeting The Rio Challenge, £26 (ISBN 0-11-753218-5)
- Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan -Volume II: Action Plans, £30 (ISBN 0-11-753228-2)
- Government Response to the UK Steering Group Report on Biodiversity, £7.90 (ISBN 0-10-132602-5)
- UK Biodiversity Group: Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume I Vertebrates and Vascular Plants (ISBN 1-85716-406-7) www.ukbap.org.uk
- UK Biodiversity Group: Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume II - Terrestrial and Freshwater Habitats (ISBN 1 85716 422 9) www.ukbap.org.uk
- UK Biodiversity Group: Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume III - Plants & Fungi (ISBN 1 85716 445 8) www.ukbap.org.uk
- UK Biodiversity Group: Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume IV- Invertebrates (ISBN 1 85716 448 2) www.ukbap.org.uk
- UK Biodiversity Group: Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume V- Maritime Species and Habitats (ISBN 1 85716 4679) www.ukbap.org.uk
- UK Biodiversity Group: Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume VI - Terrestrial and Freshwater Species and Habitats (ISBN 1 85716 4687) www.ukbap.org.uk
- UK Biodiversity Group - Index to Steering Group Report and Tranche 2 Action Plans (ISBN 1 85716 4768) Free from Biodiversity Policy Unit and www.ukbap.org.uk
- Sustaining the Variety of Life: 5 years of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan www.ukbap.org.uk
- Government Response to the UK Biodiversity Report 'Sustaining the Variety of Life: 5 years of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan' www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/ewd/rrrpac/biodiv/bioresp.pdf
- Biodiversity News - quarterly newsletter. Free from Biodiversity Policy Unit and www.ukbap.org.uk
- Biodiversity - Lead Partner Telephone Directory. Free from Biodiversity Policy Unit.
- Guidance for Local Biodiversity Action Plans:
Guidance Note (GN) 1 - An Introduction
GN 2 - Developing Partnerships
GN 3 - How Local Biodiversity Action Plans Relate to Other Plans
GN 4 - Evaluating Priorities and Setting Targets for Habitats and Species
GN 5 - Delivery Mechanisms. DOE & Local Government Management Board, 1997. Available free from Biodiversity Policy Unit
GN6 - Education - Awareness to Action. CEE and England Biodiversity Group, 2000. Available free from Biodiversity Policy Unit - Business and Biodiversity: Available free from Earthwatch Tel. 01865 318800
- Putting a Bit Back: a Guide to Nature Conservation for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Available free from Earthwatch Tel. 01865 318800
- Making Biodiversity Happen: Supplementary consultation paper in the Opportunities for Change Series. Reference only. Available from DEFRA Publications Tel. 08459 556000
- Local Biodiversity Action Plan Case Studies
- Earthwatch produce a number of publications on Business and Biodiversity and also host the Business and Biodiversity Resource Centre which is funded by DEFRA and Innogy PLC and supported by English Nature. Publications in the Business & Biodiversity series are available in .pdf format from the publications page on the web site or alternatively e-mail bbrc@earthwatch.org.uk for further information.
Unless otherwise stated these editions can either be purchased through The Stationery Office (TSO) shops or ordered through your local library or by fax. Mail and telephone orders only to the TSO Publication Centre.
TSO Publication Centre
PO Box 276
London SW8 5DT
Telephone orders: 020 7873 9090
General enquiries: 020 7873 0011
(queuing system in operation for both numbers)
Fax orders: 020 7873 8200
Biodiversity Policy Unit
Zone 1/10b
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6EB
Tel. 0117 372 6276
Fax. 0117 372 8182
email: biodiversity.defra@gtnet.gov.uk
Or visit our web site on www.ukbap.org.uk
The Convention on Biological Diversity
The Convention on Biological Diversity was one of several major initiatives stemming from the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, which together form an International Agreement on sustainable development. The United Kingdom was one of 150 signatories to the Convention, which reflects a world-wide concern that human activities are changing and destroying habitats and natural ecosystems on an increasing scale, with unprecedented loss of species. Signatories recognised that action must be taken to halt this global loss of animal and plant species and genetic resources and that each country has the primary responsibility to conserve and enhance biodiversity within its own jurisdiction. At the same time, they agreed to develop national strategies, plans and programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and to share resources to help implement such programmes. The Convention on Biological Diversity is essentially a commitment to conserving and sustaining the variety of life on earth. For further information on international biodiversity, please visit: www.biodiv.org/
Page last modified: 28 October 2005