‘Twice as many’ species at risk
The number of endangered species in Britain has almost doubled in 13 years, according to a major new study.
There are now 1,149 species of plants, mammals, birds and insects, and 67 different types of habitat under threat from climate change and human activity.
Grahame Madge from the RSPB said there must be serious action to restore a “healthy countryside rich in wildlife”.
Among the much-loved species are the skylark, dormouse, red squirrel, grass snake and several species of bat.
The list has been compiled by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) and was the result of two years research by more 500 wildlife experts and a large number of volunteers.
They blame a range of factors including farming techniques and inappropriate rural and urban planning.
The number of endangered habitats has gone up from 49 in the last survey done in 1994. Among those under threat are hedgerows, orchards, pine woodlands, meadows and sand dunes.
Urgent action
The Priority Species and Habitats list also includes 14 kinds of freshwater fish like the common sturgeon and Atlantic salmon, and 18 mammals, such as pine martens and water voles.
But the largest proportion of species are invertebrates like insects and spiders, with more than 400 at risk.
Matt Shardlow, director of Buglife, told the BBC’s Today programme that species like the moonshiner beetle, glutinous snail and Viking sword fly must be protected.
“What we need to do is to address the habitats as well as the species, start to put some of these habitats back into the countryside, get them into good condition so that the species are able to spread and thrive,” Mr Shardlow said.
“Every public office holder has to have a regard for what is on this list and make sure they’re doing their bit to conserve it.”
Researchers looked at the rate of decline of a species, in particular where the UK was responsible for a large proportion of the entire international population.
Quiet countryside
Fifty-nine species and sub-species of birds (up from 27) are endangered, including the lesser spotted woodpecker and the black grouse.
Mr Madge said much of the decline was due to the intensification of farming and the swallowing up of marshes, hedgerows and other areas for agriculture.
“Take the grey partridge - it should be on every farm in Britain. You should be able to walk less than a mile anywhere in the countryside and hear one,” he said.
“It’s a bird that our rural ancestors would have heard every day and now you have to make a real effort to find one.
“That’s why our ultimate aim must be to restore a healthy countryside rich in wildlife.”
UK BAP is a partnership of government bodies and wildlife charities set up after Britain signed the international Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992.
As well as monitoring species levels, it suggests ways to protect them, such as new legislation and physical habitat improvements.
The 1994 report listed 577 species at risk.