Recent State of Nature report warns that one in six species in the UK are at risk of extinction
Simon Birch
The latest and most comprehensive audit of Britain’s wildlife reveals that the country is still in the grip of a biodiversity crisis, compounding its position as one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries. Compiled by more than 60 research and conservation organisations, the State of Nature report reviewed 10,000 species and found that around one in six are threatened with extinction in the UK. The turtle dove, the hazel dormouse and the European eel are among those at risk. Intensive farming and the continuing effects of climate change were noted as the two biggest drivers of nature loss.
“The State of Nature report is a stark reminder that politicians must not let nature drop down the agenda – there is far too much at stake,” says Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts. “We desperately need better policies that fund nature-friendly farming properly, end the poisoning of lakes and rivers, and create larger wild and more natural areas, including in towns and cities.”
Despite the overwhelmingly bleak news, the report points out that wildlife can bounce back when given the opportunity through pioneering conservation projects. For example, large-scale landscape restoration projects such as Cairngorms Connect in Scotland is benefitting a wide range o
